Courtesy of Colorado Athletics
Gurode and Solder headline Colorado’s 2023 Hall of Fame class
A two-time Super Bowl champion and a perennial NFL Pro Bowler are among the latest Colorado Hall of Fame Enshrinees.
Andre Gurode was a two-time All Big 12 performer and a second round NFL draft pick.
Gurode appeared in five straight Pro Bowls as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
“It’s like a level of appreciation from a place where you played and made sure that you adhered to the established standards on and off the field,” Gurode said. “It feels like a great….thank you for what you represented to the university. And I need to thank the university for the opportunity to play and for the education I received, and I am very grateful. It also tells me somebody somewhere knew what they were doing, to be a part of something special for the Buffaloes and also to be part of the top 60 Cowboys but it all started in Boulder.”
Nate Solder began his career as a tight end under then head coach, Dan Hawkins. A move to the offensive line in his sophomore season proved to be critical in shaping his future success.
Solder received numerous honors including All-Conference and All America for his playing ability. He also earned Academic All-Conference honors for four straight years.
“Looking back, it was all so unbelievable, coming out of Buena Vista when I was first thinking about playing basketball, or not playing sports at all and concentrating on academics,” Solder said.
“Playing at CU, a prestigious university in my mind, then getting to start as a member of a Big 12 team, earning All-America and Scholar-Athlete honors was beyond a dream come true. I busted my tail in academics and was always studying as hard as I could. I really enjoyed biology, it’s what I miss about college to this day is going around campus and attending lectures.”
Solder was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He would go on to win two Super Bowls with the team. While not officially retired, he last played in the NFL during the 2021 season.
Other inductees include:
Emma Coburn Cross Country (2009-13)
Karol Damon, Track & Field (1989-92)
Robert Doll, Basketball (1939-42)
Bill Harris, Football Administrator
Clark Matis, Skiing (1967-69)
Laura Munnelly, Soccer (2003-06)
Brittany Spears, Basketball (2007-11)