A resurgent Fort Lewis College football team will have a chance to shine in front of a national audience this season.
The FLC Skyhawks will play their homecoming game against Colorado School of Mines at 6 p.m. Oct. 16. The Thursday night game will be broadcast on national television on the CBS Sports Network as part of the station’s Division II game of the week.
“We are extremely excited to have the NCAA and CBS Sports Network on our campus,” FLC athletic director Gary Hunter said in a news release. “The game will be a great method of showcasing the city of Durango, Fort Lewis College, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and both football programs.”
It will be the fifth time an RMAC contest has been aired on CBS Sports Network, and it will be the first nationally televised game in FLC football history.
One year after going 0-10, John L. Smith took over as head coach of the Skyhawks in 2013, leading the team to a 4-7 finish.
With the program back on the rise and an increased emphasis on recruiting out-of-state athletes, FLC coaches are excited about the opportunity to showcase the program.
“I’m fired up, and I know our team is,” Smith said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald on Thursday. “The amount of good we’re going to get in publicity and being able to walk into recruit’s homes and say you’re going to be on TV, it is huge. You can’t put a monetary figure on it.”
During his time at the University of Nevada, FLC offensive coordinator Dave Brown was involved in games aired on the CBS Sports Network.
“What CBS Sports does a great job of is showcasing the community and university as well as the football team,” Brown said in a phone interview with the Herald. “It will be a three-hour commercial for Fort Lewis College.”
Smith said the players have welcomed the news with excitement, adding all the players want to do their best to present themselves as best possible. He hopes the fans show up to help further a positive image of FLC football.
“We want to pack the house and present a great picture to everybody out there; we have a lot to sell,” Smith said.
Smith added there are no concerns about the stadium lights surrounding Ray Dennison Memorial Field, even though the Skyhawks traditionally play nothing but day games.
“TV people can throw up lights and do a night game no problem,” he said.
Last season, the Skyhawks lost to the Colorado Mines Orediggers 51-16 in Golden.
The all-time series between the Orediggers and Skyhawks is tied, with each team winning 26 times. FLC is 14-12 at home against Mines.
With the big TV game coming on homecoming, Brown said it will be an extra special night on campus.
“It was going to be a special game anyway with all the alumni around; now it’s even bigger,” Brown said. “The guys take pride in it. We always tell them they’re not just playing for their teammates and the guys in the locker room with them; they are playing for the alumni and the community.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
FLC Football
Fort Lewis College
2014
Note: All game will be broadcast locally on KIUP 930 AM.
Sept. 6 – at UC-Davis, TBD
Sept. 13 – Oklahoma Panhandle, noon
Sept. 20 – at Black Hills State, TBD
Sept. 27 – N.M. Highlands, noon
Oct. 4 – at Western New Mexico, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 – CSU-Pueblo, noon
Oct. 16 – Colorado School of Mines, 6 p.m. (CBS Sports)
Oct. 25 – at Colorado Mesa, 7 p.m.
Nov. 1 – Western State, noon
Nov. 8 – at Adams State, TBD
Nov. 15 – Chadron State, noon
Durango Herald
