FORT COLLINS -- Like every program, when the recruits come in for a visit, Colorado State feeds them.
When Evan Colorito, a linebacker out of Beaverton, Ore., came to Fort Collins, he and the other recruits headed off to Old Chicago for a meal and a chance to meet with the coaching staff. But what also caught his attention was the fact the coach's wives were there, too.
Not only that, they were engaged in what was going on, being part of the welcoming committee. Not only where they answering questions, they were asking them, showing an interest.
They weren't part of the scenery, they were part of the family.
"Our coaching staff and their wives really welcome these recruits and their families here, and I can't tell you what a great job they do," Colorado State coach Jim McElwain said. "Really, the parents get a great sense they're coming to a place where their sons are going to be taken care of and looked after. I credit that to all the people involved in the organization. When these guys are on their visits, they're doing a great job of letting these guys know they're coming to a family, not just a school."
McElwain said having the coaches' wives take part is something he picked up on at other places he's been. He sold the notion of family to the team he inherited last year, and he wants to show prospective Rams that extends beyond the playing field and locker room.
McElwain will tell you it's not just window dressing, saying the wives play a bigger part in the program than people might think.
"Our wives, they put up with a lot now," McElwain said with a chuckle. "For them to be involved -- and they are; they're as important a backbone into what we're doing as anything. When the parents and kids can see that they're involved as well, I can't tell you how important that is. I credit them, because we put our wives through a lot."
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. Good to see Coach Kizer getting guys to the next level. They played Skyline for the state title 2 years ago for the "battle of the sky." Skyview's been confused for the more famous Skyline for a while. But those kids in SW WA can ball. Steve Kizer is a former D coordinator at Eastern in the early 2000's. Absolutely great football mind and I couldn't have asked for a better HS coach.
