Sep 5, 2006 11:34 pm US/Mountain
CU, CSU Team Up To Keep Fans 'Cool'
by Shaun Boyd
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ―
Students, coaches and school presidents were asking those attending this year's Rocky Mountain Showdown to show some class.
The University of Colorado and Colorado State University have joined forces like never before in a campaign that spells out who really stands to lose if fans lose their cool.
"If it turns into melee and they have to fire tear gas into the stands, I mean what does that really say about where we're at and what we're doing here," said Dan Hawkins, CU football coach.
After a stunning loss to Montana State, the Buffs need to save face and what happens in the stands may be as important as what happens on the field.
"I think people have to understand that there are bigger things at stake out there," Hawkins said.
For the first time, the schools' presidents are appearing together in a video meant to point out who really wins from their competition in athletics and academics.
"It's within each fan to take initiative to set the best example," said Charles Johnson, CU student body president.
The student presidents are also joining forces for the first time in a game ball walk from the state capitol to Invesco Field.
"Hopefully with this, we can build tradition and just say that it's okay to be highly spirited for both of the teams, but also to be a collaborative effort because we're still Colorado institutions of higher education in the end," said Jason Green, CSU's student body president.
The presidents' video will air on the Jumbotron at Invesco Field on game day as well as a video with Governor Bill Owens thanking student leaders for promoting sportsmanship.
Owens also plans to join students at the capitol before they walk the game ball to the stadium and Mayor John Hickenlooper will be on the field as well.
The game is expected to have a sell-out crowd of more than 76,000.
Festivities start Friday evening in downtown Denver and the weekend is expected to generate millions of dollars not only for the schools, but the state.
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