Colorado State and Cu Team-Up for Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver

In the spirit of cooperation and sportsmanship, students from Colorado State and CU came together to open the newest branch of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver, the Robert Shopneck Branch in Brighton.

The Metro Denver Sports Commission brought the two universities together prior to the Sept. 1 Qwest Rocky Mountain Showdown in order to extend the reach of the game into the community and to give students at both universities a service learning opportunity.

"As with many aspects of the Qwest Rocky Mountain Showdown, it’s a demonstration of how the two universities come together to make an impact on Denver and the surrounding communities," said Jon Schmieder, Executive Director of the Metro Denver Sports Commission.  

On Aug. 25, students from CU and Colorado State volunteered at the grand opening celebration of the Robert Shopneck Boys and Girls Club, helping with event set-up, take down and clean-up, as well as interacting with kids and community members throughout the day. University students helped sign-up new members, played ping-pong and foosball with the kids, and were on the playground shooting hoops and playing four-square.  

"It is wonderful that both CU and Colorado State students have an opportunity to engage in continuing this tradition to unite students in the spirit of competition and service as we work together both on and off the field," said Charles Gilford, Tri Executive in the University of Colorado State Union.

"It was a very rewarding experience to assist the Boys and Girls club of Brighton in opening their new facility to the public," said Katie Gleason, president of the Associated Students of Colorado State University. "The Boys and Girls Club offers tremendous opportunities for the youth in metro Denver and I believe CSU students really felt the impact they were making while volunteering."

At the Qwest Rocky Mountain Showdown, Gleason and Gilford will be presenting the game ball and Centennial Cup as part of the pre-game ceremonies.

In conjunction with the recent volunteer day, Qwest, title sponsor of the Rocky Mountain Showdown, will run a text message promotion during the game to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. For more details on the Qwest Rocky Mountain Showdown, visit http://www.denversports.org/football/index.html.&nbsp

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