BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado legends from Kordell Stewart to Laviska Shenault were on the field for the start of a historic, sold-out spring game Saturday at Folsom Field. But the honor of actually kicking off said spring “game” went to another Buffs living legend: 98-year-old CU super fan Peggy Coppom.
As she waved a trademark gold pom-pom with her left hand and new CU coach Deion Sanders held her right hand, Coppom walked briskly to the orange tee, swung her right leg and let fly — to the delight of the more 46,000 in attendance who roared with approval.
It was more of a ceremonial first kick, in the style of a ceremonial first pitch, than a kickoff proper. But it set the tone for the Buffs’ scrimmage, which was televised live on ESPN. Especially given the news that another Buffs tradition, the running of mascot Ralphie, would not be happening because of the snow overnight and early Saturday morning in Boulder that made the surface at Folsom too slippery for Ralphie to run.
Coppom is a CU icon, having attended Buffs games with twin sister Betty Hoover until the latter passed away in 2020 at the age of 95.
