Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Relief: Building a Dream with Cam’s Army
12/7/2020 8:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer, Ram Club, Stalwart Rams Relief
Colorado State was the university she loved. Just look at the last name.
Baylee Bedard grew up in and around CSU athletics, thanks to her father, Brian, running the track and field program. She can remember when there was no women's soccer team on campus. She has watched it grow from infancy to now, and she is amazed by what she sees.
"It's been awesome, because now when I graduate, I can look back and say I was part of this awesome program," Bedard said. "It's well known, and people will know what I'm talking about. It is something I can show off and say I'm proud to be an alumni of CSU. It's pretty cool to be part of that, and to have CAM's Army support us in that way and help us present CSU soccer."
Which she knows is key, and so too does head coach Bill Hempen. Building a program from the ground up takes some work, and the extra touches Hempen and his staff have been able to add due to donations from CAM's Army and past letter winners have provided a very valuable extra boost.
The team has played at three different sites on campus, and each time, they've been able to help brand the program. The scoreboard has extra touches, thanks to philanthropic giving. The field is outland by Colorado State soccer signage for the same reason.
"I want it to be more communal. That's kind of the dream I have, to have a supporter's group which marches to games," Hempen said. "We've had three homes. We're still hopeful that the fourth rendition of our home facility will have the ability to have a CAM's Army corner. They are our main supporters, and our main fundraising arm. They are the ones that when the walk out to the field, they can say, we contributed to this."
In a very unprecedented time in all of our lives, Colorado State Athletics and the Ram Club are asking all of our valued supporters to donate or make a gift which will have a life-altering impact on our student-athletes. The financial crisis is real for everyone, yet our primary goal remains to create the greatest experience for our student-athletes. Your gifts will help lessen the impact they feel as they pursue their athletic and educational goals.
The donations have helped with professional development of the staff, as well as educational experiences for the student-athletes. All of it, Bedard said, has made a positive impact on her collegiate experience.
"They have been able to fill the gaps that CSU soccer needs. We wanted some signage for our field, and we've had some amazing guest speakers at the beginning of the year," she said. "I'm thankful CSU soccer has developed into what it has, because I was around when they first started the program. To see it develop and how CAM's Army has benefited CSU soccer into the program we are now is awesome to see. Being part of it now, it's amazing to see."
Hempen's program is coming off its best season to date, reaching the Mountain West tournament for the first time. With each additional step the program has taken, he's seen the benefits of the support of CAM's Army and former letter winners help pave the way.
He calls his current roster an incredible group of women, student-athletes who love Colorado State just as deeply as anybody. With each passing class, he wants that special feeling Bedard has to carry forward and grow stronger.
"That's the point. Every year I want to add something to the program," Hempen said. "From the lagoon to where we are now, having signage on the fence. It's a smaller step than moving fields, but it's still an important step. We need people supporting these kids, even through scholarships, because it's going to be a tough time. That scholarship money has to be in place."
Baylee Bedard grew up in and around CSU athletics, thanks to her father, Brian, running the track and field program. She can remember when there was no women's soccer team on campus. She has watched it grow from infancy to now, and she is amazed by what she sees.
"It's been awesome, because now when I graduate, I can look back and say I was part of this awesome program," Bedard said. "It's well known, and people will know what I'm talking about. It is something I can show off and say I'm proud to be an alumni of CSU. It's pretty cool to be part of that, and to have CAM's Army support us in that way and help us present CSU soccer."
Which she knows is key, and so too does head coach Bill Hempen. Building a program from the ground up takes some work, and the extra touches Hempen and his staff have been able to add due to donations from CAM's Army and past letter winners have provided a very valuable extra boost.
The team has played at three different sites on campus, and each time, they've been able to help brand the program. The scoreboard has extra touches, thanks to philanthropic giving. The field is outland by Colorado State soccer signage for the same reason.
"I want it to be more communal. That's kind of the dream I have, to have a supporter's group which marches to games," Hempen said. "We've had three homes. We're still hopeful that the fourth rendition of our home facility will have the ability to have a CAM's Army corner. They are our main supporters, and our main fundraising arm. They are the ones that when the walk out to the field, they can say, we contributed to this."
In a very unprecedented time in all of our lives, Colorado State Athletics and the Ram Club are asking all of our valued supporters to donate or make a gift which will have a life-altering impact on our student-athletes. The financial crisis is real for everyone, yet our primary goal remains to create the greatest experience for our student-athletes. Your gifts will help lessen the impact they feel as they pursue their athletic and educational goals.
The donations have helped with professional development of the staff, as well as educational experiences for the student-athletes. All of it, Bedard said, has made a positive impact on her collegiate experience.
"They have been able to fill the gaps that CSU soccer needs. We wanted some signage for our field, and we've had some amazing guest speakers at the beginning of the year," she said. "I'm thankful CSU soccer has developed into what it has, because I was around when they first started the program. To see it develop and how CAM's Army has benefited CSU soccer into the program we are now is awesome to see. Being part of it now, it's amazing to see."
Hempen's program is coming off its best season to date, reaching the Mountain West tournament for the first time. With each additional step the program has taken, he's seen the benefits of the support of CAM's Army and former letter winners help pave the way.
He calls his current roster an incredible group of women, student-athletes who love Colorado State just as deeply as anybody. With each passing class, he wants that special feeling Bedard has to carry forward and grow stronger.
"That's the point. Every year I want to add something to the program," Hempen said. "From the lagoon to where we are now, having signage on the fence. It's a smaller step than moving fields, but it's still an important step. We need people supporting these kids, even through scholarships, because it's going to be a tough time. That scholarship money has to be in place."
Players Mentioned
D
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