CSU alumni sound off about their “bucket lists”

Four years goes pretty fast. And in college, time flies when you're studying for tests, learning a trade and beginning a career … or, for that matter, streaking naked across the Colorado State University Oval, binge drinking at a house party and playing guitar on your front lawn without a shirt.

What defines a college experience is largely up to the individual student. But there are certain activities or traditions that can make up a collective “bucket list” for students.

A bucket list, an inventory of things one should do before they kick the bucket as defined by a recent movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, allows people to set goals and accomplish them no matter how mundane or ridiculous. It's a to-do list to help one live life to the fullest.

And college life is not exempt from this carpe diem tradition. As students look toward graduation and the possibility of leaving Fort Collins to someplace bigger and better (and with more job prospects), they will undoubtedly be asked, “Is there anything you want to do before you leave?”

And they'll ponder their time on campus over the past four years, their weekend activities, their adventures in Fort Collins or up into the mountains. They may even wipe the dust off the “101 Things to Do Before You Leave Colorado State University” that CSU handed to them at the start of their freshman year. That list includes generic activities like “go to a football game” or “ace a test” as well as some traditions specific to the university, like “pet Cam the Ram,” “attend a Border War game against Wyoming” and “Take a trip to Boulder. Realize how glad you are that you didn't go to CU.”

It also adds in some common sense goals like “read a book outside of class” and “ask someone on a date.” And the list even encourages students to give a shout out to the school's estranged football coach: “Say 'Hey Coach' to Sonny Lubick,” it reads.

To give the list some pizzazz and to get a historical perspective on it, Fort Collins Now contacted several CSU alumni to ask about college activities from the days of university past: The things that meant the most and the things that defined their experience.

Here, a few thoughts of one current CSU student and some alumni who submitted their ideas to FC Now via email.



“Streak the oval, kiss someone at midnight on the oval, learn the fight song, take a picture with Cam the Ram, shake the head football coach's hand and say 'Hey Coach!,' visit the administration building, get an A in a class.”

—Katie Gleeson, president of Associated Students of Colorado State University



“Drive diagonally across the oval at midnight with a full moon shining. Grill buffalo burgers with Sonny Lubick at a RamStrong fundraising BBQ. Throw bananas at University of Wyoming fans and players. Drink real beer (not 3.2) at a CSU football tailgate party without wearing a wristband. Wear an orange A to remind the administration of our legacy. Sing ‘Fum's Song’ at your graduation commencement ceremony.”

—Rick Callan, who works Everitt Commercial Partners and received his bachelor of science in 1984 and his masters in business in 1993.



“At least once while at CSU, one must spend the night up on the 'A' ... It can be a little uncomfortable, and a little cold but lots of fun. Of course, whenever I'm back in Fort Fun I always have a Tobin's Tummy Pleaser and an Easy Street Wheat at the Pickle Barrel. Other than that, my friends and I behaved so badly I can't tell you anything more. ... We all have wives and kids to think about now.”

—Eric Lantz, class of 1985 who now does financial planning in Virginia.



“After an almost-all-night-party, drag yourself off whatever floor you slept on, drive up to the 'picture tree' on the hogback to the east of Horsetooth Reservoir. Mix the tequila sunrises to sip as you watch the sun rise over Horsetooth. Oops, the sun is coming up behind you! Swivel around and continue to shiver and smile. You'll be back in your bed real soon.”

—Kevin Wachter, a 1977 technical journalism graduate.



“Getting kissed in the center of the oval at midnight was part of being a true CSU coed. Whitewashing the 'A'. We used to go on Woodsies in the mountains: a keg, a fire and if you were lucky someone with a guitar who knew how to play it and songs we could all sing along with. Hot dogs were always a plus.”

—Sandy J. Lee, a local Realtor who graduated in 1965.



“(Attend) CSU Skyline Stampede College Rodeo and Rodeo Dance, Warren Miller’s annual ski movie premier at CSU, Construction Management Clubs' Homecoming Parade pancake breakfast and parade watch on Laurel Street.”

—William T. Welch, a Loveland construction management business-owner who got his bachelor of science in 1981 and his masters in 1985.



Other suggestions included: “Do an internship somewhere local,” “Have a beer in the Ramskeller,” “Beer bong and beer pong, need we say more?” “Eat at Big City Burrito every day for a week,” “Ride your bike the entire length of Spring Creek Trail,” and “Play a pick up game of flag football in City Park.”