Sonny Lubick Named to New Outreach Position in Colorado State University’s College of Business

Note to Editors: A media briefing will be held at noon today in the College of Business conference room in Rockwell Hall on campus. Sonny Lubick and College of Business Dean Ajay Menon will be available for questions. For more information please call Jennifer Dimas at (970) 988-4265.

The Colorado State University College of Business today announced that long-time Colorado State University football coach and community leader Sonny Lubick has accepted a  new position as director of community leadership outreach for the nationally ranked college.

"The College of Business has been in the process of developing a leadership program that would strengthen our connections with K-12, business, and alumni audiences," said CSU Business Dean Ajay Menon. "We needed a credible Ram voice to help lead this initiative, and it seemed like an ideal way to apply Sonny Lubick’s skills as a teacher and community-builder."

Lubick was head coach for the Colorado State Rams football team from 1993-2007 and led the team to six conference titles and nine bowl appearances; he was named National Coach of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 1994.  

In accepting the new role, Lubick said, "I always appreciated the support I received from the College of Business in working with new recruits when I was coach, and this gives me a way to return that support and give back to the CSU student body. I’m really looking forward to this new opportunity."

Lubick will begin the position April 1. His salary will be funded through a gift from the Fort Collins-based Bohemian Foundation.

"The Bohemian Foundation was interested in supporting a program or opportunity at CSU that would make full use of Sonny’s talents and the remarkable base of support he’s established throughout his life and career," said Foundation Board Member Joe Zimlich. "Dean Menon was actively looking for a leader whose skill set matched Sonny’s, so we were pleased to help fund this important new position."

Lubick’s duties will include representing the business program with school and community groups, offering leadership guidance and mentoring through public presentations and meetings with campus and community audiences, and promoting the value of higher education to industries and audiences throughout the state.

The hire was approved by Interim President Tony Frank and Interim Provost Rick Miranda.

"Sonny Lubick is well-loved at CSU and in our community," Frank said. "And we have a program that will benefit greatly from his leadership. The College of Business has seen significant growth in recent years, and its national reputation is on the rise. Sonny is the right person to help enhance the program’s visibility and involvement with the greater public. I’m grateful to the Bohemian Foundation and Dean Menon for their work to make this happen."

CSU President Emeritus Al Yates, who hired Lubick as head coach in 1993, applauded the appointment.

"Sonny has always been a teacher, first and foremost," Yates said. "As a coach, he was known for his commitment to helping players chart a successful course in school and in life, not just on the field-and he’ll bring that same commitment to his work with CSU’s academic and leadership programs. I think this is a great move for CSU, and it’s good to know that a new generation of students will have the opportunity to learn from Sonny."

"We need the external visibility now more than ever," Menon said, citing the College’s increased competition for donor funds and students. "Sonny brings a credible voice, with the character and integrity we want as a basis for our leadership and outreach activities. Thanks to the support of the Bohemian Foundation, this critical hire is possible at no cost to CSU or its students-but we expect our students, faculty, and community to benefit greatly from having Sonny as part of our team."

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Statement from Colorado State University Interim President Tony Frank:

Although my schedule requires me to be in Denver during today’s announcement, I’m very pleased to join in welcoming Sonny back to campus. Sonny Lubick is well-loved at CSU and in our community, and we have a program in the College of Business that will benefit greatly from his leadership and advocacy. The College of Business has seen significant growth in recent years, and its national reputation is on the rise. Sonny is the right person to help enhance the program’s visibility and involvement with the greater public. In addition to serving as an ambassador for the program, we believe this gives him an opportunity to do what he does best-work and inspire young people. I’m grateful to the Bohemian Foundation and Dean Menon for all their efforts to make this happen, and to Sonny himself for accepting our offer and returning to the campus where he built such an extraordinary legacy. Welcome home!