Buffs Induct 10 Into CU Athletic Hall Of Fame

BOULDER — Ten Buffs from 10 sports representing six decades became the 13th class inducted into the CU Athletic Hall of Fame on Thursday in front of a full house in the Boedecker Gym at the Coors Events Center.

Each new member had a different story and each added a personal touch to their induction acceptance speech. But even with all the diversity, all the different stories, all the different paths that led the inductees to Thursday's induction, there was one overriding theme: family.

Specifically, the University of Colorado family, something that obviously had an impact on every new member, not only during their times at CU, but in their lives long after their athletic careers were over.

"This isn't about me," said football great Stan Brock, who followed an All-American career in the late 1970s with a 16-year NFL career. "This is about us. It's about the University of Colorado family. For 16 years in the NFL, it always said, 'Stan Brock,' and then 'University of Colorado' after my name. I've always been proud of that. That's what makes this so special."

Other football inductees were Mark Haynes (football class of 1979) and Chad Brown (1992). Also honored were the late Frank Brown (skiing 1959), Karrie Downey (volleyball 1995), the late Les Fowler (golf 1948, also coaching), Steve Hatchell (administration 1970), Jay Humphries (men's basketball 1984), Jamilla Lang (women's basketball 1994) and Jorge Torres (track/cross country 2003).

"CU is still a family to me," said Lang, who led CU to three NCAA Tournament appearances. "I still come to basketball games, I still watch football, I still follow the teams. Words can't express my humility and pride in being given this honor."

There were, of course, plenty of light moments, as the inductees shared humorous moments about their careers at CU. Chad Brown gave a special nod to former Buffs assistant coach Brian Cabral, who coached a long cadre of great CU linebackers.

"No one else actually broke into my apartment, woke me up and made me go to class," Brown said. "He saw something in me I did not see in myself."

But even Brown's lighthearted story had a message — every Hall of Famer had hall of fame people in their corner throughout their lives. Those people, Brown said, help people become strong where they are weak.

"Look at your world," Brown urged the audience. "Think about those who helped you and about those you can help. Be that hall of fame person in someone's else's life."

Every inductee thanked family members and coaches who influenced their lives. Many also had former teammates in the audience to share the moment with them, and each acknowledged those teammates in their induction speech.

"Thank you," Humphries said. "We accomplished it together. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Torres made special mention of his twin brother, Eduardo, who came with Jorge to Colorado from Chicago in what he called a "package deal." Torres also thanked his parents, who immigrated from Mexico. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for their brave decision," he said.

"When Eduardo and I came here, I can assure you we had only two goals in mind," Torres said. "To get a great education and to bring home a national title."

The Torres brothers accomplished just that, helping the Buffs to their first national championship in 2001.

Downey recalled how playing for the Buffs in the early 1990s was a special time. The era included CU Big Eight titles in volleyball, as well as great success in football and women's basketball.

"CU is definitely a family for me," Downey said. "Being a Buff at that time was truly a special time. Everything we did, we wanted each other to succeed."

Hatchell first worked with Eddie Crowder's football teams in the late 1960s, then moved into sports information, where he began working with then-CU ski coach Bill Marolt (who would late become CU's athletic director). He later served as the first commissioner of the Big 12 and executive director of the Orange Bowl, and is now in his 13th year as president and CEO of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

That career, he noted, "all began at CU, which is still family."

Haynes, a first-team All-American and later a first-round NFL draft pick, asked his teammates to stand. "These men were my family then," he said. "It's truly an honor to be here."

Fowler, who played and coached at CU for 29 years was represented by his son, Mark Fowler. Frank Brown, Colorado's first All-American skier, was represented by his wife, Judy, and their daughter, Amy.

"My dad loved the University of Colorado," Amy said. "Any mention of CU always brought a smile to his face. He loved the team and he loved the school. His team was his family."

CU athletic director Rick George, who has helped turn the annual induction ceremony into a special event for all involved, said the evening's "family" theme was fitting — and he hoped that future Hall of Famers will have the same story.

"The Buffs family and Buffs history and tradition is all intertwined," George said. "You can tell that all these people had great experiences here that had a great impact on their lives. If our current student athletes can come back here and speak in these kind of terms in 25 to 30 years, we'll know we have done our job."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu.

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