The University of Colorado’s athletic director Rick George is a cool guy. That much is clear. He pioneered the new athletic facilities project, which at this uncompleted stage is already impressive and attracting a lot of positive attention from future football recruits.
But it’s not all about the business with George. Prior to the game last weekend against Oregon, George and some of his staff walked around the Hill and visited tailgates in and around campus to get to know the Buffalo community. He plans to do the same before next Saturday’s football game against Arizona.
His student assistant C.J. Manning said that George has no specific agenda in meeting with fans but that he simply enjoys interacting with and getting to know them.
“The biggest thing about this and really why he’s excited to do it is that it gives him the opportunity, like I said, to go on the Hill, which is a popular place for the Boulder community and the CU community at large,” Manning said. “It gives him an opportunity to interact with CU Buff fans to, again, get fired up for the game.”
Manning said that last week, George’s efforts were successful and George felt that he helped fire up more fans for the ESPN Oregon matchup.
“I think, not only do people get energy from him doing that, but I think he also gets energy from being around them and getting the chance to talk and get a big Buffs hoorah,” Manning said.
Next weekend, George plans to do the same for the homecoming game against the Arizona Wildcats. Because it is homecoming, the stakes will be bigger and George hopes the crowds will be just as big.
“He really wants to get CU students excited to participate and definitely attend the game,” Manning said. “Maybe by him doing this—walking around and talking to different people—is one of the ways this can happen with not a lot of effort.”
Manning said George hopes that in doing so, more fans will get excited and come out to the game.
“Not only do you want people to be a part of the events that happen the week and the weekend of homecoming, but you also want alumni—both alumni students, staff and faculty—to come back and participate.”
Contact CU Independent Assistant Sports Editor Alissa Noe at alissa.noe@colorado.edu and follow her on twitter @crazysportgirl1.
