Shermans Deliver Major Gift to Athletic Department

Everyone remembers being handed the keys to the family car the first time.

What Frank and Kay Sherman did Thursday at Colorado State was the exhilaration amplified exponentially. The owners of The Human Bean franchises in Northern Colorado – 10 strong – made a major gift to Colorado State Athletics by donating their food truck to the department.

A fixture on campus for the past eight years, the Shermans didn't just build a food truck, but rather a state-of-the-art kitchen on wheels, putting approximately $500,000 into the vehicle. Originally designed for marketing and to give The Human Bean a presence on the campus the Sherman's adored, Frank felt it's life had run its course for his company. He and his wife wanted to give the food truck a second life and decided they wanted to donate it, but they were looking for the right fit.

That vision gained legs this past St. Patrick's Day as Colorado State softball christened its refurbished field on a sunny spring afternoon. The Shermans ran into Director of Athletics Joe Parker and his wife Jen at the event, and Frank asked why there were no concessions.

"I said, 'Joe, we're thinking about donating our food truck to CSU,' and asked is that something you would be interested in? Immediately, Joe got it, and he started his process on his side to see if there would be interest and he came back and said we'd love it," Frank said. "That's where it started, with that conversation with Joe and Jen."

Parker accepted the gift with a ceremonial key exchange at Canvas Stadium on Thursday. He sees the food truck as a unique opportunity for the department to enhance the fan experience at multiple events.

More so, he understands fully what the gift from the Shermans means to them and their longstanding support of the university, which they additionally serve as the official coffee provider, with one of the football offices named in honor of the Human Bean.

"We have a long-standing relationship with The Human Bean and their leadership team. Frank and Kay Sherman are remarkably generous people who value the student-athlete experience and are always seeking ways to support CSU Athletics," Parker said. "The truck has been a fixture on campus, and with this latest donation it will continue to serve the Colorado State community as a mobile concessions outlet for multiple sports. We are grateful for this thoughtful gift."
As the plans were being finalized for the donation, ideas for how to maximize the gift were already being discussed.

The food truck will be rebranded for Colorado State, with a finalized menu to be determined. It will most definitely be used to serve fans at the new soccer and softball complex from the location where the campus community has always been able to find it, but the unique vehicle can also be used at multiple other events and venues on campus.

"This is a different concept from the normal concession stand. I'm excited about having it possibly at different events, even catering events," said Shawn Sumstine, CSU's general manager for Oak View Group Hospitality. "I really am, because the reason we're in the business we're in is to look for things that are different and enhance the fan experience."

Like many who work out of the McGraw Center, softball coach Jen Fisher will miss the convenience of walking down the sidewalk for an afternoon pick-me-up, but she's thrilled about how it will serve her team's fans during the spring season, as the plan is to have it available at their home opener the first weekend of March.

Fisher is not surprised by the Shermans' incredible gift, knowing what they and The Human Bean have meant to the surrounding community.

"I think it's a great way for The Human Bean to continue to give back to the community. They've done so much for Colorado State and Fort Collins," she said. "We're excited about the fact their rebranding the truck, but we'll always think of it as The Human Bean truck. I've spent a lot of time there for the past eight years. I think it will be great for the fans."

For Frank, staying connected to Colorado State, and specifically the athletic department, has always been a primary focus for him and The Human Bean. The baristas who worked at the food truck on campus were all Colorado State students, some advancing through his company.

The Human Bean Truck, which has logged thousands of miles serving the region from fairs to festivals throughout the state, will now get the second life Frank hoped for and serve a university his family has adopted as their own.

He and his wife set roots in the community a quarter of a century ago and have long been fans of the athletic teams. Each and every involvement with the university as a whole made him want to be associated even more.

"My wife and I have lived here for 25 years. We've just been involved with CSU, starting with season tickets to football and basketball back in the day," he said. "We just have a love for the university. We know what this university means to the state of Colorado. It's a world-class university. How could you not love CSU?"

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