When I arrived at Peggy Fitzgerald Coppom’s (A&S ex’46) home, I was immediately greeted by Eddie Olivari (MPubAd’78), a friend who drives her to and from church daily. He explained that her phone interview with The Today Show was running a little long, but he invited me in, offered me a Coke and showed me the ins and outs of her 1940s pink-and-chrome Frigidaire electric stove. 

Peggy is perhaps the most unlikely of modern-day superfans. She doesn’t wear face paint and costumes or seek the attention of cameras and Instagram. When Peggy and her identical twin, Betty Fitzgerald Hoover (A&S ex’46), who died in 2020, began cheering on the Buffs in the 1940s, they were just out to have a good time. 

“Growing up on Colorado’s eastern plains, moving to Boulder for high school equated to the big city. At the time, high school games and city dances were the common ways to socialize,” said Peggy. 

The twins met their future husbands at Longmont High School, where their love of football and basketball took root. 

“We liked basketball and football because that’s what we had in high school. We didn’t have anything else,” Peggy said. “And then we said, well, let’s go. We better go.” 

When they enrolled at ����������, they found a new love: CU athletics. In addition to football and basketball, Peggy and Betty started following more sports, including volleyball and tennis. 

For some years, raising children took them away from their beloved stands. But that break was short-lived. 

“Well, Betty and I used to say — and I still do — we pray and play,” she said. “Prayer is first. Play is second.” 

Peggy recounted, “My older son Jack (PE’67) played baseball at ���������� and was an All Big Eight Player his junior year. So we went to all the baseball games in those days.” 

In time, the sisters began faithfully attending football and basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, baseball, lacrosse and track, and they became a staple in the bleachers — easily spotted in their custom athletic gold sweatshirts.

Pray and Play 

While Peggy is , there are two constants in her life: church and CU athletics. Raised Catholic, Peggy started attending daily mass in the 1950s. 

“Well, Betty and I used to say — and I still do — we pray and play,” she said. “Prayer is first. Play is second.” 

Peggy and Betty were known to pray for CU Buffs players, and the list is always growing. Even if Peggy forgets someone’s name, she puts them on the list because “He knows who they are,” she said, pointing upward. Prayer anchors Peggy, and she places it first because it helps her “have good faith, keep a positive attitude and be happy.” 

Peggy represents more than CU fandom — she embodies goodness and loyalty. During our visit, I asked her friend Mike Richardson — who is from Estes Park, Colorado, and stopped by with a black-and-gold holiday wreath for Peggy — how they met. 

“I was just drawn to her,” he said. “When my kids were little, I’d see the twins at all of the games, and so I finally went up and introduced myself and my kids.” 

In November, a packed Folsom Field sang “Happy Birthday” to Peggy on her 100th birthday. 

“I just stood there and cried because that’s the way it made me feel — very, very humble,” she said. “I don’t feel like I’ve done anything except be a good fan to CU. [Betty and I] went to so many sporting things. I can’t deny that we have been good fans. We have been.” 

But don’t think for a minute that she lacks fire. 

When we talked about winning and losing, she said: “If no one wanted the other team to win, it wouldn’t be any fun. It’s a big competition. When the opposing team’s fans come to the game and cheer loudly, those are the games that we get excited about.”

Peggy Gets Her Bowl 

“Be loyal. No matter if they win or lose in the end, it’ll make you feel better to be loyal to your school because everyone can’t be a winner every time. And sometimes your loyalty is more important when you lose than when you win.”

The “CU Twins” and their famed school spirit were legendary in Boulder before Coach Prime’s arrival, but Peggy credits him with making her internationally famous. 

Reflecting on the press conferences, interviews, photo ops and her own  (NIL) deal, she said, “I was thinking the other day, ‘You know, God, I wonder if your part in this was to help me not miss Betty so much. You’re giving me all these things to do now.’” For the past two years, the ���������� community has filled her life when she needed it most.

When Peggy and I met, the bowl game Coach Prime promised her at the beginning of the season was 17 days away. She  to Texas for the Dec. 28 Alamo Bowl. 

Her advice to other CU fans: “Be loyal. No matter if they win or lose in the end, it’ll make you feel better to be loyal to your school because everyone can’t be a winner every time. And sometimes your loyalty is more important when you lose than when you win.”

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In 1938, the CU Buffaloes played in their first bowl game —  — on New Year’s Day in Dallas after an undefeated season.

In the weeks leading to the game, a sense of glee hit the state of Colorado. “Fans who have spent years yelling for DU, Mines and Colorado Aggies to beat Boulder transferred their allegiance temporarily to the CU Buffaloes,” said the Denver Post on Dec. 31, 1937.

Buffs fans purchased souvenir Cotton Bowl scarves for 65 cents from major department stores to wear to the game, and anywhere from 6,000 to 7,000 people took one of the five special trains from Colorado to Dallas for the game. (The train ride from Denver to Dallas took 21 hours.) 

An estimated 10,000 CU fans attended the bowl, which resulted in a 14–28 loss to Houston’s Rice University despite an exceptional performance by Buffs halfback (�����Dz�’38).&�Բ�����;

“It was a sensational game and had the fans in a frenzy,” declared the Colorado Alumnus in January 1938. 

In 1987, White’s teammate Francis Stevens (ElEngr’40), who played left guard during the game, donated his Cotton Bowl team jacket to the CU Heritage Center.

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After an extraordinary 11-1 season with the Buffs in 1994, running back Rashaan Salaam (Soc ex’96) . Salaam, then a junior, was the fourth Division I player to top the 2,000-yard rushing barrier. He also led the nation in scoring.

“It was a special season, especially after the Miracle at Michigan game,” said Dave Plati (Jour’82), who was assistant athletic director for sports information during Salaam’s time at CU. 

Thirty years later, cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter (�ʲ��⳦��’26)&�Բ�����;, the university’s second, bringing Salaam’s name back into the spotlight.

“Rashaan hated the attention he was receiving,” said Plati. “He was the consummate team player, and after he won all his awards, most of his comments were directed at saying his success was due to his teammates.”

Salaam died in 2016 at the age of 42. 

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(9-4, 7-2 Big 12) claimed its highest number of victories since 2016 and made the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl. And while Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter (Psych’26) and potential No. 1 2025 NFL Draft pick Shedeur Sanders (Soc’25) received much public acclaim this season, first-year defensive coordinator (DC) Robert Livingston singularly shaped the Buffs’ turnaround. 

CU’s defense struggled mightily in 2023, giving up 34.8 points and 453.3 yards per game. With then-DC Charles Kelly out, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders had to find a new coordinator to call the defense. 

Sanders hired Livingston, a defensive assistant coach with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and former safety at William & Mary, on Feb. 9, 2024. Instead of fitting the defense to his system, Livingston assessed the Buffs’ unique strengths. 

“Coach Livingston built the defense of us. He listens to us. It makes it easier,” said leading tackler Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (Comm’25). “We’re not really thinking out there, we’re just playing.” 

Livingston worked throughout 2024 to connect with his squad. He even ran sprints with the defense after a Hunter interception against Colorado State led to an excessive celebration penalty. 

“It’s not me versus you. It’s us. That’s the big thing,” Livingston said. “I want everyone to know they have skin in the game.” 

On-field results were dramatic. The Buffs shut out Oklahoma State, frequently played dominant second-half defense and sealed wins over Baylor and Texas Tech with turnovers. In 2024, CU allowed 351.9 yards per game — over 100 yards fewer per game than in 2023. 

Even more impressive were the big plays. The Buffs’ defense created 27 turnovers, ranking 7th nationally, and tallied 39 sacks and three defensive touchdowns, both 11th in the nation. 

“We’ll strive to be aggressive. I want people to feel us when we play,” said Livingston.

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For the last 13 years, every ���������� graduate who has cheered on the Buffs has done so under the banner of the Pac-12 athletic conference.

But why? Perched where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is easily the easternmost school consistently playing against the likes of USC, Stanford, Oregon and other historic teams that make up the traditionally West Coast grouping.

Let’s rewind. In 1947 — the early days of modern conference play — Colorado held its own as a chartering member of the Big Eight. The historic sports conference was composed of geographically contiguous Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State. But in 1996, the conference realigned and expanded southward to form the Big 12, adding in Texas schools like Baylor and UT Austin.

At the time, the energy around the Big 12 was electric. “It was an iconic combination of Midwest grit and southern resilience,” said former women’s basketball captain Kami Snyder (Psych, Jour’01). “It might be 15 degrees with snow flurries, but there was a game to play, and it was time to ball.”

However, in 2011, on the heels of a shaky Big 12 and shifting revenue priorities, the Buffs were ready to head west, accepting a Pac-10 invitation alongside Utah — creating the Pac-12.

13 years later, . In 2023, the board of regents at CU voted unanimously to approve the conference switch back to the Big 12, effective for the 2024–25 season.

This decision, which followed the announcement that UCLA and USC were leaving the Pac-12, was designed to create future stability for the Buffs, with the added bonus that student-athletes will enjoy better time slots and shorter travel for some road games.

And while the switch comes with a hefty projected annual television revenue package for CU, former chancellor Philip DiStefano and athletic director Rick George maintained after the announcement that money wasn’t the only factor in the decision.

“The national exposure that joining the Big 12 provides will shine a spotlight not only on our incredible student-athletes, but also on our groundbreaking research that really changes the world,” said DiStefano.

Online, the Big 12 celebrated CU’s return with a two-word statement released through Commissioner Brett Yormark:  

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After men’s basketball made a postseason run that included, the tireless Buffaloes made unprecedented headlines this summer: Three Forever Buffs were drafted to the NBA, Derrick White (Mgmt’17) earned an NBA Championship and Olympic gold, and two hoops legends joined Colorado’s coaching staff.

On June 26, for the first time in Buffs history, two ���������� players were chosen during the NBA Draft’s first round. Cody Williams (IntPhys ex’27) went No. 10 to the Utah Jazz and Tristan da Silva (Fin’24) went No. 18 to the Orlando Magic. In the second round, KJ Simpson (LeadCommEngmt’25) was drafted at No. 12 (42nd pick overall) — giving the Buffs their highest-ever ranked draft class.

“You want to help kids achieve their dreams,” said head coach Tad Boyle, who attended the draft. “That’s what college basketball is about.” 

Four days later, 2017 first round pick Derrick White kept the Buffs in the headlines when he agreed to a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension, just two weeks after winning the NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics. Soon after, he was named to the U.S. Olympic team, earning a gold medal when the U.S. defeated France 98-87 in the Paris Games.

Following a summer of accolades for past Buffs, Colorado’s 2024–25 squad is reloading in its return to the Big 12 with a coaching staff bolstered by NCAA champion and NBA All-Star Danny Manning and former “Mayor of Boulder” Evan Battey (Jour’21, MSOL’23).

“I’ll bring the energy, the emotion, the experience,” Battey said.

Cody Williams

KJ Simpson

Tristan Da Silva

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On April 27, 2024, Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Soc’25) made a welcome return to Folsom Field for the team’s annual Black and Gold Game. Sanders finished 10-14 for 116 yards and a touchdown in the rain-shortened scrimmage.

“We were comfortable, seeing everything eye-to-eye. Everybody got to showcase their talents today,” said Sanders.

Sanders was one of 57 transfers to join the Buffs in 2023. While this offseason has had similar turnover with more than 40 transfers, the difference is elevated personnel.

“We have a plethora of receivers, and I cannot wait to see them work together this summer. Shedeur is going to be the happiest man in the building,” said head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders.

Four months stand between the Spring Game and August 29 opener against North Dakota State, giving Shedeur Sanders the opportunity to connect with new receivers and a revamped offensive line.

“I talk a lot to the receivers about the reads and progressions. I hang out with my offensive linemen. We go eat. We cook. We do everything together. That’s where we build our bond,” said Sanders.

Sanders, projected to be ranked as high as No. 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft after throwing for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023, is intent on improving his off-the-field leadership. 

“I can become more vocal. On the field, they know what they’re getting. But off the field, you need to let guys know they’re always valued,” said Sanders.

With Colorado returning to the Big 12 this season, Coach Prime has promised a talent overhaul and a bowl game to famed CU superfan Peggy Coppom (��&������;��’46).&�Բ�����;

"[We have] another caliber of player, a player that truly expects to go to the next level," Coach Prime said. “They want the physicality, they want all the smoke.”

But the offseason is far from over.

"This summer is definitely going to be a grind," said Sanders.

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October 1998 

“I don’t think I’ll ever see anything like that again.” 

In an October 1998 Coloradan interview, iconic sports commentator Larry Zimmer shared his favorite CU Buffaloes play to date — the Sept. 24,1994 “Miracle in Michigan,” where quarterback Kordell Stewart (Comm ex’95; BA’16) threw a game-winning 64-yard Hail Mary pass to Michael Westbrook (Comm ex’94) in Michigan Stadium. 

Zimmer saw much more excitement from there. The served as “The Voice of the Buffaloes” for 42 seasons, which included 486 CU football games and 525 men’s basketball games. He called his last game in 2015. 

Jan. 20, 2024 at the age of 88. 

“His voice was synonymous with our athletic program, and he was most beloved by our coaches, players and fans,” said athletic director Rick George. “He is truly a part of our overall athletic history.”

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Photo by Cliff Grassmick/Heritage Center, Coloradan Collection

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Prime Era Debuts 

Colorado football opened the 2023 season — the “Coach Prime” era — with unprecedented national attention and an undefeated nonconference schedule. Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders was named head football coach on Dec. 3, 2022. 

CU opened on the road Sept. 2 at No. 17-ranked TCU. The Buffaloes defeated the Horned Frogs, last year’s national runner-up and a 21-point favorite, 45-42. Colorado went on to beat Nebraska 36-14 Sept. 9 in Boulder before a double-overtime 43-35 victory over Colorado State Sept. 16 at Folsom Field. 

“We did some things that showed we were resilient. We showed that we would fight, we showed that we had no surrender or give up in us,” Coach Prime said after the thriller over CSU. 

Colorado finished its non conference schedule ranked No. 19 in the nation. All three nonconference games were televised nationally, with Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show on campus Sept. 9 and ESPN’s College GameDay on campus Sept. 16. 

Buffs Bits 

On July 27, the CU Board of Regents unanimously approved ����������’s move to the Big 12 Conference effective for the 2024-25 school year. … Four women’s track standouts earned All-American honors at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships; Abbey Glynn (LeadCommEngmt, Psych’24) raced a school record 55.94 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles semifinals on her way to a First Team All American finish. Avery McMullen (IntPhys, Psych’24) earned Second Team in the heptathlon, and Ella Baran (MEnv’24) and India Johnson (MTechMedSoc’24) earned honorable mention in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters respectively. … Women’s soccer closed out its non conference schedule at 8-1 and ranked No. 22 in the nation. Shyra James (MediaSt’24) led the Buffs with seven goals in nine games, and goalkeeper Jordan Nytes (Soc’26) was named National Player of the Week by Top Drawer Soccer on Aug. 29. 

Coach Talk 

“We have a lot of competitors here. There are a lot of people still fighting for spots, fighting for minutes and fighting for roles.” 

— Women’s soccer head coach Danny Sanchez after the start of the season. The Buffs’ overhauled roster has 14 newcomers joining 14 returning players. 

Digits

1

Match play hole difference that eliminated men’s golf’s Dylan McDermott (Mktg’25) at the 123rd U.S. Amateur 

5

Volleyball consecutive wins without dropping a set, Aug. 26–Sept. 2, a streak the Buffs hadn’t accomplished since 1993

1����–4�ٳ�

Women’s cross-country individual places at Sept. 1 kick-off races in Boulder 

100th

Season at Folsom Field began when CU kicked off against Nebraska Sept. 9

3.154

Spring 2023 GPA of CU’s 369 student-athletes, the highest term GPA ever recorded

510

School record passing yards for football’s Shedeur Sanders (Soc’25) in debut win at No. 17 TCU 

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LOOK: CU vs. Nebraska 

On Saturday, Sept. 9, the CU Buffs celebrated a over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The game launched the with 53,241 fans, the highest game attendance in 15 years. Enthusiastic students, including the Buffs Going Bananas club (pictured), came in droves to support the team — many as early as two hours prior to the 10 a.m. kickoff. 

After the game, thousands of fans flooded the field in celebration.

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Photos by Glenn Asakawa and Casey A. Cass

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