Well, Colorado is officially on its way back to the Big 12 after this upcoming school year, and conference commissioner Brett Yormark found a very apt way to announce the news.
In a very brief press release, Yormark simply announced “They’re back” in regard to Colorado’s looming return to the conference.
It was a very succinct-yet-impactful way to tell Big 12 fans to get ready for the Buffaloes making their grand comeback, particularly football fans with NFL great Deion Sanders now leading the program.
If you’re wondering where Yormark got the idea for the very short statement, look to a famous press release about a certain NBA star’s return to the league.
That’s right. Yormark borrowed from the press release that heralded the return of Michael Jordan to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 after Jordan’s famous hiatus from professional basketball.
It remains to be seen how Colorado will do with its return to the Big 12 after the 2023-24 season, but this is sure to get college sports fans excited as the conference prepares for a major change with the Buffs’ return.
A human case of the plague has turned up in Colorado, health officials say.
There were no immediate details about the victim — including age, gender or condition — or how they contracted the potentially deadly infection.
It was reported in Pueblo County south of Colorado Springs, officials said.
A resident died from the plague in Archuleta County in southwest Colorado last fall — although cases are typically rare in the US, usually numbering fewer than 17 annually, health officials said.
Advertisement
“In the Middle Ages, plague was labeled ‘Black Death’ as it swept through Europe killing millions of people,’’ Pueblo County’s Department of Health says on its website, referring to how the horror left many of its victims with black rotting splotches on their bodies.
“Today, improved sanitation practices and rodent control has reduced the threat,” the DOH said.
The infamous bacterial infection is frequently transferred from rodents and their fleas to humans.
Symptoms can include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and headaches.
The disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics if caught early enough, authorities said.
The Big 12 prepares to add schools from the “Four Corners” states and says goodbye to Oklahoma and Texas. New coaches for 2024 as the league underwent a significant makeover. Among the league’s twelve incumbent programs, Houston stands as the sole exception to coaching continuity, with Willie Fritz stepping in from Tulane to lead the Cougars.
Utah’s Kyle Whittingham is the most successful of the four coaches joining from the Pac-12. Deion Sanders is set to attract significant attention as he takes the helm of Colorado, a Big 12 charter member re-entering the league it originally helped establish. Arizona and Arizona State also bring new energy, led by Brent Brennan and Kenny Dillingham, respectively, both eager to make their mark as Power Four coaches.
Deion Sanders was ranked as one of the worst coaches in FBS, according to CBS Sports’ staff. He came in as the second-worst in the conference ahead of Dillingham and 61st overall in major college football. Somehow, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule was 29th overall after having a similar season in Lincoln. Here’s what they said about Coach Prime.
“Sanders’ first season as an FBS coach started with a bang, but ended with six straight losses. He’s generated buzz and excitement by talking a big game and collecting strong transfer talent. But the foundation has cracks — see the offensive line for one example — as the Buffaloes transition to the Big 12 and face another tough schedule.”
Advertisement
Where ESPN has Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter going in 2025 NFL mock draft
The Big 12 features several established coaches renowned for their success and respect within the profession. While the league lacks an obvious national title contender, it boasts numerous solid programs guided by experienced tacticians. This depth was highlighted when the league placed eight coaches among the top 30 in the 2024 CBS Sports Power Four coach rankings. This figure matches the prestigious Big Ten and SEC (each with eight coaches in the top 30), and surpasses the ACC, which has five.
Overall, the Big 12’s coaching landscape is a blend of stability and fresh faces, poised to drive the league’s competitive edge forward in the 2024 season. Sanders will be looking to prove the naysayers wrong and insert himself into the conversation of those at the forefront in the Big 12 coaching ranks.
Fireworks displays tonight? Absolutely, weather permitting. And the traditional, enjoy from your yards, area-wide celebration featuring music by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and televised, too, is mapped out at coloradospringssports.org/events/4th-of-july In Denver area, fireworks in most cities and after the Rockies Coors Field games, 6:10 p.m. Thursday against Milwaukee Brewers, Friday against KC Royals. Elitch Gardens fireworks after park closes at 9 p.m. Friday.
THURSDAY
Advertisement
July Fourth history comes alive at the traditional Rock Ledge Ranch Family Fourth at Garden of the Gods. Take wagon rides around the historic site, watch dancing by the Seven Falls Indian Dancers, eat ice cream and watermelon, try your luck in the pie-eating contest and hear stories about the past at the Civil War encampment. $10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tickets $4-$8, rockledgeranch.com/event/family-fourth-3
THURSDAY
Everyone’s invited to the community holiday celebration in Monument with its 9:30 a.m. July 4 Parade, Fourth of July Street Fair and so much good food from vendors and at the restaurants. Add to that a beer garden, Palmer Lake Fun Run and festival, ending with fireworks. townofmonument.org/338/4th-of-July-Events
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Head to Denver’s Cherry Creek North for the primo holiday Cherry Creek Arts Festival, one of a kind with 250 artists chosen from 1,942 applicants from around the country and other countries, vendors, food and creative activities for the youngsters. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (6 p.m. Sunday). CherryArts nonprofit provides art education for students year round. cherryarts.org/events/cherry-creek-arts-festival
Advertisement
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
Cosplay, sci-fi, anime, celebrities, comics. They’re all part of the gigantic Fan Expo Denver, Thursday to Sunday at Colorado Convention Center downtown. An expected fandom of 100,000. Show hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sunday). Parking and Light Rail to the Convention Center restricted because of construction. Plan alternatives on RTD Trip Planner. fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/celebrities
Your weekly local update on arts, entertainment, and life in Colorado Springs! Delivered every Thursday to your inbox.
Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
Racing, a car show, music and fireworks down at PPIR for the ASCEND Music & Motorsports Festival. Time Attack Series and cash prizes, too. 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain. ppir.com
FRIDAY-JULY 10
Advertisement
Holiday rodeo time at the Rooftop Rodeo at Estes Park, called “the rodeo with altitude.” Six days of PRCA rodeo competition and activities. Tickets: $12-$35. rooftoprodeo.com
SATURDAY
Get those yoyo fingers ready to Rock the Baby and even more difficult moves at Mile High Yoyo Club Jamboree 2: Electric Bugaloo, noon to 4 p.m. at 9995 E Colfax Ave., in Aurora. All ages, all yoyo levels, beginner instructions and there will be great tricks to watch. Free club also meets monthly.tinyurl.com/34awuuxy
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Opening weekend for the acclaimed annual Colorado Music Festival, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder. A full summer concert season, chamber and orchestral music and even a “Green Eggs and Ham” family fun concert. coloradomusicfestival.org.
Advertisement
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
The annual holiday Fine Art Festival in Colorado Springs is on the grounds of the historic Broadmoor area Trianon, now the private Colorado Springs School, 21 Broadmoor Ave. ColoradoArtShows.com Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.