June 14, 2007

Colorado State University Director of Athletics Paul Kowalczyk said today the school's football team will wear "throwback" jersey tops and helmets for the Rams' home opener Sept. 8 against Cal.

The 2007 season marks the 50th anniversary of the school's name changes to the Colorado State University Rams. Previously, the school was known as Colorado A&M; the university was founded in 1870.

"This is an exciting opportunity to honor the heritage and tradition of this institution and a football program that has existed for more than 130 years," Kowalczyk said. "It's also exciting for our student-athletes, coaches and fans to be a part of a throwback day."

Kowalczyk and officials from Russell Athletic developed a plan last winter to implement a throwback jersey design worn by the 1957 team. The athletics department also worked with its primary vendors to supply helmets for the special game.

The jersey tops will be forest green with two white sleeve stripes around a gold stripe, comparable to the design worn in 1957. The helmets will also be similar to those worn that season: Green helmets with white numerals on the side.

Kowalczyk also said a limited number of game-worn jersey tops and helmets will be sold through an on-line auction on the school's official athletics website following the game. Additional jerseys and helmets will be made available for sale during the school's annual Ram Good Time Auction next winter.

Cal is ranked in all preseason polls, and some publications have picked the Bears among the top 10 teams entering the season. The Bears are only the second PAC-10 team to visit Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. CSU faced Oregon in 1993, Sonny Lubick's first game at the coaching helm.

Single-game tickets for the game with Cal won't go on sale until late August. Fans wanting to be assured of watching the nationally-ranked Bears face the Rams can either purchase season tickets, or a three-game mini-plan being offered by the athletics department.

Season tickets are priced as low as $125 and include the game with Cal. The three-game mini-plans are $90 and include reserved tickets to three pre-selected games.

Season tickets to all six home games in Fort Collins and the Rams' Sept. 1 date with Colorado in Denver are available online at CSURAMS.com or by calling 1-800-491-RAMS.