Football Program, Hughes Stadium Enhanced by Record Gift; New Field to Carry Name of Coach Sonny Lubick

Colorado State University President Albert C. Yates announced today that the football field at Hughes Stadium will be named for head football coach Sonny Lubick as a tribute to his success at the helm of Ram football and at the request of the Bohemian Foundation.

"I’m pleased, on behalf of the board of governors and myself, to announce the naming of the football field on behalf of a great coach and a true friend," said Colorado State President Albert C. Yates.

The announcement came today at a press conference announcing a $15.2 million gift to athletics from the Bohemian Foundation to dramatically renovate and expand Hughes Stadium and add a much-needed new surface for the practice facility. The $15.2 million gift to athletics is part of the record $20.1 million gift from the Bohemian Foundation also announced today.

"Sonny Lubick is the embodiment of the university’s commitment to building a quality program by caring about student athletes and playing by the rules," said Pat Stryker, president of the Bohemian Foundation. "I’m thrilled to be able to recognize that commitment, and Sonny’s character, through this gift."

"This is monumental in many ways," said Jeff Hathaway, director of athletics at Colorado State. "It assures the growth and continued national prominence of our football program and the entire athletic department, and it also honors Sonny for his unwavering commitment and unmatched success."

The gift will add the following improvements to Hughes Stadium and the football program:

FOOTBALL PROGRAM UPGRADES

  • New artificial turf for the practice facility.
  • New artificial turf for the playing surface at Hughes Stadium, which will become "Sonny Lubick Field."

FAN AMENITIES

  • Two new scoreboards and one new giant, state-of-the-art video board on the south side. The scoreboards will dramatically improve instant replay capability and provide fans with upgraded statistical information and graphics.
  • New concession stands and restrooms on the north end of the stadium, adding 5,000 square feet of concession space, good for a 71 percent increase, and a 36 percent increase in restroom facilities.
  • Paved parking areas on the northwest and southwest sides of the stadium to increase and improve space for donors, season ticket holders and fans.
  • An 18 percent increase in capacity at Hughes Stadium.

SUPPORTER AMENITIES

  • Major enhancements to the Rams Horn club-level seating area, including added restroom facilities, a second elevator, additional seating, expanded dining amenities, new windows and increased space for easier movement within the area, along with renovations and improvements to the press box to accommodate increasing media attendance.
  • The addition of 16 suites available to major donors, which will include catered food service, luxury seating and television monitors.
  • I am truly honored and humbled by the support of Pat Stryker and the Bohemian Foundation," Lubick said. "Her commitment to academic and athletic excellence is second to none, and we plan to continue to work as hard as we can to honor her faith in us."

Hathaway said the athletics department continues to search for additional donors as a way of supplementing the program’s pursuit of excellence in all areas. Individuals interested in supporting student-athlete scholarships, endowments, facility upgrades or program enhancements can call the athletics department at (970) 491-4666 or send contributions payable to the CSU Foundation, c/o McGraw Athletic Center, Fort Collins, CO 80523.

The Bohemian Foundation

The Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation focused on improving the quality of life in Fort Collins through efforts to strengthen the future of the community’s youth, building the capacity of organizations working together in the care and improvement of the community, and strengthening the community by building on a tradition of citizen involvement. The foundation strives to create an environment where youth see themselves as a success and have the opportunities to function as productive, contributing citizens.

Bohemian Foundation Facts

  • Named after the Bohemian movement in Paris in the early 1900s, the Bohemian Foundation plans to emulate the creativity, imagination and spirit for which the Bohemians were known.
  • President: Pat Stryker.
  • Focus: Functioning as a catalyst for public awareness, involving people and organizations in working together to make the community a better place to live, and encouraging and enabling area youth to access the resources that will help them grow and thrive as productive members of the community.

The Foundation’s symbol is a lighthouse: A guidepost to safe passage, a lighthouse stands firm and strong.

  • Goals:
    • To be a catalyst for public awareness of issues facing our community;
    • To involve people in working together to make our community a better place to live;
    • To encourage and enable our youth to access the resources that will help them grow and thrive as productive members of our community.
  • To achieve these goals, the Foundation is strategic with its program areas, researching needs and possible approaches to solutions.
  • The Foundation also actively focuses on specific programs, either partnering with existing organizations or initiating its own projects.
  • The Pharos Fund within the Bohemian Foundation provides grants up to $25,000 for a wide range of not-for-profit organizations in Fort Collins.
    • The focus areas for the Pharos Fund are: public awareness of issues, getting people and groups to work together, and youth.
    • One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, "Pharos" is derived from the great lighthouse in Alexandria.
  • Stryker and the Bohemian Foundation are dedicated to continuing its history of caring and giving back to the community. It is their goal to focus on preventative approaches to community problems rather than reactive ones.