Islanders book chronicles life and football at Colorado | Sports brief

Longtime Mercer Island resident, Dick Taylor has written a book about his football college years at the University of Colorado. A successful businessman, husband, father and grandfather he has written a book titled, A Chip Off The Old Buffalo. A star player in his hometown of Pueblo, he was recruited by a number of colleges but none more than Colorado University (CU). That year, 1961, CU was Big Eight Champion, defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, went to the Orange Bowl and was ranked seventh in the nation.

Not long after the Orange Bowl the head coach, Sonny Grandelius, and all of the assistant coaches were fired by the administration for paying players more than allowed by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). More than forty players were removed or suspended, the program was placed on probation for two years and banned from TV for the same period. Dick, like his fellow players, entered the program with little understanding of just how difficult the situation happened to be. He believes that hard work and enthusiasm will provide all that is necessary. He writes the story as if you are living it; the racism, the clashes with the coaches and the turbulent ‘60s.

The book is an easy read that sheds light on that period of time and explains much as to why the ‘60s were such a conflicted time. Dick Taylor is highly critical of the way the coaches mismanage the program but he is just as critical of his own shortcomings during his time at CU. It is a refreshingly candid look at much that went on in the world of sports throughout the era. You can purchase the book locally at Island Books in down town Mercer Island or order at www.dicktay44.com or Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

 

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Staff Reporter Staff at editor@mi-reporter.com.

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