No 1: The Coach Prime effect at CU Boulder
The hiring of Deion Sanders last December to coach the University of Colorado Buffs brought “Prime Time” to Boulder, a surprising step that energized a demoralized fanbase and sent related benefits rippling through the county.
Anticipation for his debut season first manifested in a sold-out crowd at Folsom Field for the spring scrimmage game, with fans eager to get a first glimpse of the new team under Coach Prime.
There were 47,277 fans compared to last year’s estimated attendance of 1,950, and the scrimmage was nationally televised on ESPN.
In the fall, the team started off the season with huge wins over TCU, Nebraska and a thrilling overtime win against Colorado State.
Despite enduring multiple losses and finishing the season 4-8, the excitement never faded.
Season tickets sold out for the first time in 27 years and only the ninth time in school history.
CU Boulder also sold out every home game this season for the first time. Increased demand for home football games meant even some students had trouble acquiring tickets.
National broadcasts, including Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff,” “The Pat Mcafee Show” and “60 Minutes” visited campus for the Buffs. Students and fans woke up before dawn to be part of ESPN’S “College Gameday” broadcast ahead of the CSU game, only the second time the show has come to Boulder.
Each home football game filled hotel rooms and packed local restaurants. The Visit Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates all 2023 CU Buffs home games generated a $113.2 million economic impact on the broader Boulder region.
After the season ended, the Buffs landed several recruits and transfer players, including Jordan Seaton, the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the 2024 recruiting class.
Former Cincinnati tight end Chamon Metayer and Drelon Miller, a four-star recruit from Silsbee High School in Texas, also announced their verbal commitments to CU Boulder.
The potential for the team’s future has left its fans eager to see what next season will bring.
TOP 10
Editor’s note: The Daily Camera is counting down the top 10 news stories of the year, as selected by the newspaper’s editors.
No. 10: Boulder residents protest modular home factory on BVSD land
No. 9: Boulder voters approve Safe Zones ballot measure
No. 8: Frozen Dead Guy joins his namesake festival in Estes Park
No. 7: CU Boulder Education dean quits after departure of four women of color faculty
No. 6: Continuing upheaval on Boulder’s Police Oversight Panel
No. 5: The homelessness crisis in Boulder
No. 4: Boulder occupancy limit reform
No. 3: King Soopers shooting defendant set for trail
No. 2: Boulder’s ranked choice mayoral election