Aug. 8, 2002
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Five former student-athletes representing five
decades of athletic and academic excellence at Colorado State University
plus an individual last year named as one of the school's "Alumni of the
Century" will be honored at the school's annual Former Athletes Assn.
Banquet Oct. 25 in Fort Collins.
This year's inductees include:
Former gymnast Ron Baretta, an all-star performer from 1966-69 who was
later a high school coach and currently is a local gymnastics
instructor;
Cindy Cox Bellin, a four-time letterwinner in vollyeball for the Rams
from 1985-88 and helped the team to four consecutive postseason
appearances;
Former men's basketball all-star Larry Hoffner, who played for Jim
Williams' teams from 1957-60 and is now a local veterinarian;
Brenda Straughan Jackson, who competed from 1975-77 and is one of the
finest women's swimmers in school history. Jackson was the first female
athlete in school history to receive a full ride scholarship.
George Jones, who earned 12 varsity letter awards in football,
basketball, wrestling and track during his career from 1946-50.
Jim Henry, a long-time university and athletic department supporter,
will receive the school's Hall of Honor Award for his contributions to
the school.
This year's banquet, which includes the hall of fame induction
ceremonies, begins with a reception at 5 p.m. in the atrium of the
University Park Holiday Inn in Fort Collins. The banquet follows at 6
p.m.
The inductees will be introduced during Colorado State's football game
with BYU at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins, the night before the
banquet. The game will be televised live nationally by ESPN2.
Rich Bircumshaw, play-by-play announcer for football and men's
basketball games on the Colorado State Sports Network, will be the
master of ceremonies. Cost to attend the banquet is $40, and advance
reservations are required, payable in cash or by credit card. Call
1-970-491-4666 for banquet information.
Information on the five Hall of Fame inductees and the Hall of Honor
Award winner includes:
Ron Baretta, Gymnastics; 1966-69
Helped Colorado State to WAC Gymnastics championships in 1969 - the
first WAC title of any kind in school history
Voted 1969 WAC Gymnastics Championships most outstanding performer
Exercises included the all-around competition, floor exercise, pommel
horse, and parallel bars
Competed in each of those events at the NCAA Championships; helped CSU
team to fourth place national finish in NCAA meet as a senior
Finished 13th in 1970 World Games Trials
Later taught and coached locally at Poudre High, 1971-81; his girls
gymnastics team finished second in the state in 1975 and his boys team
in 1980 and '81 also finished second, his top coaching finishes
Currently owns and operates Mountain Gymnastics Center in Fort Collins
Cindy Cox Bellin, Volleyball; 1985-88
Four-year volleyball letterwinner
Remains the school's career assists leader with 6,340
Holds school record for assists in a match, 84, vs. Kentucky in 1987
Also holds the school's single-season assists record
Four-time all-conference volleyball selection (3 times on second team,
once first team)
First-team all-region selection as both a junior and senior
Helped Colorado State to four consecutive postseason tournament
appearances during her career
Larry Hoffner, Men's Basketball; 1957-60
Basketball letterwinner, 1957-60
Named all-conference in basketball in 1959 and '60; honorable mention
'58
Captain of the West all-star team in the 1960 East-West College
Basketball game
In 1976 won the CSU Honor Alumni Award
Opened private veterinary practice in Fort Collins in 1965 and has
served in various leadership positions in veterinary medicine since that
time
Named 1983 Hartshorn Award Winner by CSU Letterman's Club
Appointed to CSU Alumni Board of Directors in 1998
Brenda Straughan Jackson, Women's Swimming; 1975-78
Four-time women's swimming varsity award winner
First female in school history to receive full-ride grant-in-aid in
fall of 1974
Six-time national high school All-American in five events
Named Florida's Outstanding Female Swimmer in 1974
Selected to U.S. Swim team in International Swim Championships in
Breman, West Germany
Qualified for U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 1976
Earned All-American honors 1975-78
Set school records in the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard backstroke events,
and relays
Finished among conference and national champions in those events
George Jones, Football, Basketball, Wrestling, Track; 1946-50
Earned 12 varsity letter awards in four years as a student-athlete at
Colorado A&M
Earned four letters in football, four in track, 3 in wrestling, one in
basketball
Named to all-conference track team four years in a row
Named to all-conference football team three times
Earned all-conference wrestling honors once
Considered one of the region's finest all-around athletes during his
career at Colorado A&M
Jim Henry, Hall of Honor Award Winner
A long-time university and athletic department donor who lives in
Longmont, Colo.
Along with his wife Nadine, named the school's "Alumni of the Decade"
in the spring of 2001
