From the desk of John Weber: A day to kickoff, honor and celebrate

We worked hard in the Athletics Department to enhance the game-day experience last year for our proud fanbase, and we believe we have even more improvements to make your trip to campus even more special this season. You came out in record numbers in 2024, and we cannot wait to exceed those numbers this season. Traditionally, we have promotional dates throughout the season, but none is more special to our land-grant roots than our annual Ag Day this coming Saturday. The Nutrien BBQ in Ram Town before the game and our team taking the field in our Pumpkin and Alfalfa uniforms are always highlights, but this Saturday is a day that will mean even more to all of us this time around.

It has been my intent since becoming the Director of Athletics to not just push forward our teams into the future, but to remember and highlight the past - the coaches and student-athletes who paved the way with their successes on the fields of play and in the classroom. We cannot celebrate our future without honoring our past.

It was with extreme pride that we retired the number 14 of Lt. Col. John Mosely across all sports a year ago. Additionally, we created the Walk of Champions, made up of a group of individuals who made us rise in our seats and cheer throughout their careers. This year, we've added 22 more individuals who have achieved that level of recognition.

This weekend also marks the induction of three stalwart Rams to our Hall of Fame - two-time shot put national champion Mostafa Hassan, All-American volleyball player Adrianna Culbert (Blackman) and women's basketball standout Ellen Nystrom. They will all be enshrined on Friday night, along with other legends of the past, many of whom will be at the ceremony to welcome their inclusion.

On Saturday at halftime, on the field, we will introduce our accomplished Hall of Fame Class of 2025, followed by our new Walk of Champions honorees.

Which brings me to a proud announcement for this year. Last spring I watched a recruit visit Moby Arena and look up in the rafters and wonder what they saw, what they considered. There are not a lot of names hanging from above, and it made me wonder if they felt we had nothing to celebrate, no individuals to embrace as our own.

We all know that could not be further from the truth, so I am excited to add an additional layer to recognize our past, the Ring of Honor. Our inaugural honorees are seven strong, with four representing our football program.

On the field, during pregame this Saturday, we will introduce Coach Sonny Lubick, who propelled the program into the national spotlight, along with players Al "Bubba" Baker, a legendary defensive force; Joey Porter, one of the premier pass rushers in college; and Bradlee Van Pelt, a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. They will be on the field to see their names unveiled on the facade of the club level on the west side of Canvas Stadium in what is sure to be an emotional moment for everyone.

At Colorado State, we will always have grand ambitions to carve out a successful future in the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics. In the process, we should never forget our Aggie roots and those who led the way to where we are today.

It is my ask that you please join me in Canvas Stadium well before kickoff to recognize these great Rams. It is important. They need to know how much we appreciate them, and Saturday provides all of us with this special opportunity. See you on Saturday!

Go Aggies and Go Rams!

Director of Athletics