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Hawkins' camps boom to record high
Posted June 25, 2008
Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins has been busy this month coaching approximately 1,800 players who attended at least one of five different camps the school now offers.
The camps nearly doubled in size in one year going from about 1,000 participants in 2007 to an all-time high for any CU sports camps of 1,800 this year.
Hawkins attributes the growth in numbers and interest to the way in which the camps are organized and what campers ultimately get out of them. About 550 youngsters attended a camp for kids. CU also offered a father-son camp, a passing camp and a high school team camp.
"Kids have a good time, it's fun, they get coached up and it's a positive experience," Hawkins said. "It's well organized. It's well-detailed. All those things."
Hawkins' nature is to be involved. He is not one to observe or just pay a visit to the camp during the day for a brief speech and some autographs. He said he enjoys working with players of all ages and abilities. During his speech at the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Kickoff Luncheon on Wednesday he said his goal is to one day coach a junior varsity team.
"I would say this, our coaches and myself are involved," Hawkins said. "I know that's a lot of it. Sometimes head coaches aren't particularly visible and around and involved.
"And then in our high school camp, our coaches really do coach in it and run drills and work with guys."
...Thought I would throw in a few interesting tidbits about some of the new players joining the program this summer.
Running back Ray Polk's family will be in strange situation in mid-November when the Buffs travel to Oklahoma State. Polk's father, Ray Sr., played running back for the Cowboys for four seasons (1981-84) and played all four years against the Buffs in the old Big Eight Conference.
Wide receiver Chance Blackmon is going to expect to win a lot of games during his time in Boulder. His high school team in Tatum, Texas, went 42-2 during his prep career.
CU defensive back recruit Steven Hicks is probably already looking forward to this season's game in Folsom Field against Texas. Hicks' cousin, Nic Redwine, is a senior fullback for the Longhorns
Athlete Paul Vigo, who has delayed his enrollment until January, is an avid boxer.
...Did you know this season is the 75th anniversary of the nickname Buffaloes. The school adopted the Buffalo as the school mascot in 1934.
Finally, I'll close with this. Over the past few days I've looked at this photo a dozen times wondering what the heck happened between then and now. It was taken by our staff photographer Cliff Grassmick after the Buffs beat Texas Tech in Folsom Field to earn their first win of the 2006 season.
What a shame.
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Posted by rodrigo on June 26, 2008 at 5:27 a.m.
Turn it around, BJax. You're better than that.
Posted by archalon on June 26, 2008 at 8:20 a.m.
Paul Vigo delayed enrollment ? - interesting, as he was also listed in the CU medua guide as a LB. Depth at the position have something to do with it ?
Posted by MinnesotaBuff on June 26, 2008 at 9:24 a.m.
Thanks for the blog Kyle. I feel like a junkie getting his fix again.
I see the defensive backfield as a big issue for the Buffs this year.
If its possible, could you give us an update of how the safties and corners are coming along? Also, who the projected starters are.
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
Posted by Saheeb on June 27, 2008 at 11:19 a.m.
Kyle, I think you asked the right question juxtaposing that picture and all the love for B-Jax with what has recently transpired. What happened!? Also, curious, what was the tean nickname prior to 1934 for CU (certainly not "Bugeaters")?
Posted by mgmtgrad on June 27, 2008 at 8:09 p.m.
Kyle, I agree with Saheeb.
There were quite a few stories about B-Jax's dedacation to his son, the school, graduating and the team. Including his son's medical problems.
We all can only wonder what went so wrong that he turned to the actions he is charged with (if true).
The only thing I can say is when problems become too much to handle many people who are good people can resort to desperate behavior from crime to taking their own lives. Sometime even taking other down with them.
I feel sorry for anyone who gets so desperate that they do the worst, rather then find people that care about them and ask for help.
This has nothing to do with him being a past FB player. Yet it affects so many in the program. If he did it he will have to face the music, so to say. A sad thing indeed.
Wish we could know what drove him to do such a stupid thing... if he did.
Posted by mgmtgrad on June 27, 2008 at 8:12 p.m.
PS Kyle, looking forward to any and all info about the current buffs.
Even if it's just little tibbits each day that sparks conversations and debate among all of the faithful posters.