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BOULDER – The Rocky Mountain Showdown is quickly approaching and fans are getting ready to watch the Colorado Buffaloes and the Colorado State Rams in the annual battle for the Centennial Cup this Friday at Mile High Stadium. However, on Monday night at CU’s new Indoor Practice Facility, both schools were able to put their differences aside and join forces to fight for a much bigger cause.
“CSU and CU may be rivals on the football field, but they are partners in the community,” Mindy Watrous, President and CEO of Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) said while opening the first ever CSU/CU Unified Flag Football Rivalry Game.
Leading up to rivalry games, Special Olympics Chapters across the country have been challenging college rivals to team up and play a unified game of flag football. This Rivalry Series was created to help target some of the usual excitement of competition between colleges towards bringing awareness and raising money for the Special Olympics movement.
The games are used to promote social inclusion throughout the community and allow Special Olympic athletes to work alongside students and unified partners.
Sports can be used as a resource or outlet for many different reasons. For SOCO, sports are seen as a quick way to create friendships and form a solid foundation of understanding. The Rivalry Series allows Special Olympics Athletes to use the power of sports to explore teamwork and overcome difficulties. It also gives them the opportunity to challenge themselves and develop as leaders.
In addition to the Unified Flag Football game, CU and CSU held an online pledge to see which school would raise the most money for SOCO. CSU ended up winning the pledge by only $31 dollars. Even though the pledge is over, you can still head to SpecialOlympicsC
rg to donate.
There are around 20,700 people that work with Special Olympics with intellectual disabilities across the state. SOCO has over 100 different competitions and opportunities for volunteers. Different ways to get involved include: being a coach, officiating the games, cheering on the athletes or becoming a unified partner and playing alongside the athletes during the games.
The CU and CSU teams were made up of members and volunteers from the Fort Collins Park and Recreation program and the Boulder Expand program. The teams were also joined by student-athletes from both schools as well as honorary coaches. The CSU team was coached by former Rams player and Indianapolis Colt, Dr. Albert Bimper and CU’s team was coached by former Buffs player Lance Carl.
The game was close throughout each half but at the end of regulation time, the score was tied, 6-6. During overtime, both teams fought their hardest to win the trophy but CSU was able to gain momentum and take the ball down the field for the final touchdown of the game.
Both teams received medals for participating but the CSU Rams were able to take the trophy back to Fort Collins.
Although the winner of the Special Olympics Rivalry game is finalized, fans will only have to wait two more days to find out which team, the CU Buffs or the CSU Rams, is able to proudly bring back the Centennial Cup after the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
Allie Monroy
Continue reading...
“CSU and CU may be rivals on the football field, but they are partners in the community,” Mindy Watrous, President and CEO of Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) said while opening the first ever CSU/CU Unified Flag Football Rivalry Game.
Leading up to rivalry games, Special Olympics Chapters across the country have been challenging college rivals to team up and play a unified game of flag football. This Rivalry Series was created to help target some of the usual excitement of competition between colleges towards bringing awareness and raising money for the Special Olympics movement.
The games are used to promote social inclusion throughout the community and allow Special Olympic athletes to work alongside students and unified partners.
Sports can be used as a resource or outlet for many different reasons. For SOCO, sports are seen as a quick way to create friendships and form a solid foundation of understanding. The Rivalry Series allows Special Olympics Athletes to use the power of sports to explore teamwork and overcome difficulties. It also gives them the opportunity to challenge themselves and develop as leaders.
In addition to the Unified Flag Football game, CU and CSU held an online pledge to see which school would raise the most money for SOCO. CSU ended up winning the pledge by only $31 dollars. Even though the pledge is over, you can still head to SpecialOlympicsC
rg to donate.There are around 20,700 people that work with Special Olympics with intellectual disabilities across the state. SOCO has over 100 different competitions and opportunities for volunteers. Different ways to get involved include: being a coach, officiating the games, cheering on the athletes or becoming a unified partner and playing alongside the athletes during the games.
The CU and CSU teams were made up of members and volunteers from the Fort Collins Park and Recreation program and the Boulder Expand program. The teams were also joined by student-athletes from both schools as well as honorary coaches. The CSU team was coached by former Rams player and Indianapolis Colt, Dr. Albert Bimper and CU’s team was coached by former Buffs player Lance Carl.
The game was close throughout each half but at the end of regulation time, the score was tied, 6-6. During overtime, both teams fought their hardest to win the trophy but CSU was able to gain momentum and take the ball down the field for the final touchdown of the game.
Both teams received medals for participating but the CSU Rams were able to take the trophy back to Fort Collins.
Although the winner of the Special Olympics Rivalry game is finalized, fans will only have to wait two more days to find out which team, the CU Buffs or the CSU Rams, is able to proudly bring back the Centennial Cup after the Rocky Mountain Showdown.
Allie Monroy
Continue reading...