Aug. 19, 2012

DENVER--Colorado State alumni and fans turned the Colorado Rockies' Coors Field green on Saturday night during the alumni association's "Rams at the Rockies" night. The highlight was an appearance by CSU head football coach Jim McElwain to throw out the first pitch.

The Rams' first-year head coach took the field to resounding applause from the crowd, and promptly delivered a strike, with CSU mascot Cam the Ram watching from near the mound. While the pitch was on the money, it did squib out of the catcher's mitt, to the right, prompting the pro-CSU crowd to declare a passed ball in the mock scoring of the play.

Prior to the pitch, McElwain, accompanied by his wife Karen and son Jerret, along with CSU athletic director Jack Graham and wife Ginger, had an opportunity to mingle on the field and meet members of the Rockies' organization. Rockies manager Jim Tracy gave McElwain a warm welcome, and the two head men visited for a few minutes behind home plate.

Once the game began, McElwain toured the press box and visited with members of the media. Among his stops was the ROOT SPORTS Rocky Mountain television booth, where he joined play-by-play announcer Drew Goodman live on the air for the second inning call on the Rockies' television broadcast.

Overall it was a tremendous opportunity for CSU alumni and fans to celebrate the Rams in Denver, and enjoy the hospitatlity of the Rockies. The CSU athletic department wishes to thank the Colorado Rockies' organization and the Coors Field staff for their warm welcome and the opportunity to shine the spotlight for a night on the great things going on with Colorado State athletics.