Gildan New Mexico Bowl

I got to experience two really cool college football atmospheres last weekend, both in the Mountain West Conference. As the Executive Director of the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to most of the stadiums in our partner conferences over the past nine years and seen some fun games.  Last weekend I went to the Air Force Academy and Colorado State.  The Academy is a special place and game day is always great.  The parade of cadets, the military pride and the mascot coming into the stadium via parachute… It is unique.  Then I went up to Fort Collins and that is where I thought a lot about what is going on here in Albuquerque and UNM.  Like UNM, the atmosphere at CSU for the majority of the past decade was not great.  In fact at times, it was depressing. Low energy, small crowds and not a lot of interest in the program.  Last week the place was sold out for the first time in a decade.  It was loud.  It was fun. Why the change?  The program is winning.  It really is that simple.  And I think that can happen around here too.  Colorado State won the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in exciting fashion last year, and have followed that up with a 6-1 start, including a win over their in-state rival Colorado.  I realize it sounds so simple… Win and things will turn around; and it’s heck of a lot harder to get it done.  But look north for some hope.  When the Lobos do turn their football fortunes around and start winning, hopefully we will see scenes like that in University Stadium.  I have to tell you, I was a bit jealous.  Atmospheres like that are really, really fun.  That is why college football is number two in this nation in popularity, behind only the NFL.  And I want so badly for that atmosphere in my home town.