Coach Prime's time to shine at the "Granddaddy of them all"
Two weeks to contemplate the good, bad, and ugly of a historic collapse at home against Stanford. Who knows what Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes will display as they stampede into the Rose Bowl for a critical matchup with UCLA.
This much I do know, the iconic stadium nestled beneath the San Gabriel Mountains is not a hostile environment. The 92,000 seats are far away from the field, and rarely is the century-old stadium even close to capacity. But guess what? Saturday’s tussle with the Buffs is a sellout. The “Coach Prime” effect and the plethora of CU alums in southern California will certainly help. The Buffaloes and their fans are coming, and there’s a whole lot of them.
Another Rose Bowl item? It has the best turf in America. Over the years, as a sportscaster, your scribe walked the grounds of many natural-grass surfaces. None come close to the immaculate Bermuda rye surface. The bright-green face of the Rose Bowl? It has fewer blemishes than any supermodel could imagine.
There’s a third thing about the national historic landmark’s grounds, located 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, that will never be forgotten. It’s the site of one of the greatest examples to a truism of life: If we never grow weary of doing good for others? We sure reap a harvest.
Let me explain.
It was 2002. The defending Big 12 champion Buffs, under head coach Gary Barnett, ventured west for a non-conference battle with the Bruins. Much like the present, Colorado was hurting after a bruising 40-3 home loss the week before against #17th-ranked USC. Embarrassing defeat. However, may the current squad respond the way Barney’s Buffs did that day. Behind a dominant offensive line and running back Chris Brown’s 188 yards rushing and three touchdowns, Colorado hammered #20 UCLA 31-17. However, it’s what happened before the game that was so memorable.
I’m standing outside the venue, waiting for family members attending the game. I happened to have an extra press pass. A Buff fan was looking for a ticket. I couldn’t resist and offered the handsome fella the pass with, “Enjoy the game from the press box.” I know this is in violation of certain, well, the spirit moved me. The only time I can remember doing this. The recent CU grad thanked me profusely and went on his merry way.
Fast forward a few years. I’m in Kansas City to speak to a group about persevering in life’s challenging moments. It’s a Saturday morning. I look outside the hotel window to assess the weather conditions. Having grown up in the fabulous city, conditions looked normal for a wintry day. Wrong. I walked outside for a four-block walk to a nearby Country Club Plaza Starbucks to fetch girlfriend, now darling wife, a cup of coffee and pastry.
The wind chill was well below zero. This ol’ jock, who long ago could run pretty well, began to sprint toward the warmth of the coffee shop. Once inside, while huffing and puffing, a revelation: There’s no way I can sprint back to the hotel carrying a tray of coffee and pastries. What to do? Call a cab for a four-block walk. I reach into my pocket. Ooops. Left the cell phone at the hotel. Clueless and cold, an unknown voice from behind wonders, “Are you Mark McIntosh?”
Startled, I pivot and see? The CU Buff fan, who a few years before received the press credential at the Rose Bowl. He bellows, “I had a blast at the UCLA game and never had a chance to thank you!” A broad smile spread across the face of your correspondent. “You can thank me with a ride back to the hotel!” Robert Thompson did just that. Saved my bacon.
Never growing weary of good works for others. When we least expect it? We sure reap a big ol’ harvest. May the Buffs channel that spirit and, like the 2002 squad, stand shoulder to shoulder before the friendly Rose Bowl crowd, on an amazing turf and get the second half of the season off to a successful start. It’s time for Coach Prime’s team to shine.
