A History of Colorado State University Softball: From Inception to a Promising Future
The Colorado State University (CSU) softball program boasts a rich history marked by periods of success, challenges, and ultimately, a resilient spirit that has shaped it into the competitive team it is today. From its initial establishment to its current standing within the Mountain West Conference, the program has seen significant growth and transformation, driven by dedicated coaches, talented athletes, and unwavering community support.
Early Years and Reinstatement
The CSU softball program's journey began like many others, with humble origins and a vision for athletic excellence. However, the program faced a significant setback in 1992 when it was cut due to budget constraints stemming from reduced state funding. This decision sparked a legal battle, with players and parents suing the University, citing violations of Title IX gender-equity requirements. Title IX, a federal law enacted in 1972, prohibits sex discrimination in education, including athletics.
The lawsuit proved successful, leading to the reinstatement of the softball program in 1994. Jen Buford (B.A, ’99) joined the reincarnated team and was among a group of "mostly Colorado kids" who elevated the program to national stature. Buford recalls the early challenges, including practicing next to cornfields near the Budweiser plant north of Fort Collins for two years before CSU built dedicated softball facilities just south of Moby Arena. Despite these challenges, the team persevered, achieving remarkable success on the field.
The Rise to Prominence (1994-2010)
The late 1990s proved to be a golden era for CSU softball. In 1997, the team achieved an astounding 51 wins and came within one game of advancing to the College World Series. This success not only put CSU softball on the map but also opened doors for players like Jen Buford, who went on to play professional softball for the Carolina Diamonds for a season.
Buford's experiences highlight the values instilled within the CSU softball program. Athletes were encouraged to prioritize academics, with regular study sessions being a common practice. Buford's story also illustrates the importance of perseverance and taking chances. Despite initially focusing on basketball, she recognized her greater talent in softball and successfully walked onto the team, eventually playing in 25 games during the program's most successful season.
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The Jen Fisher Era (2010-Present)
A new chapter began in 2010 when Jen Fisher took over as head coach, leaving her role at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Fisher, who grew up in Fort Collins while her father, Wayne Schubert, worked at CSU as a professor of atmospheric sciences, brought a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the University to the program. She received her bachelor’s in mathematics from CSU and even met her husband, Joe Fisher, there, where he played baseball. Her son, Garrett Fisher, also a Fort Collins native, now works alongside his mother as a coach for CSU softball.
“It was an absolute shocker, dream come true - one of the best jobs that I could ever hope to have,” Jen Fisher said. “It doesn’t feel like work if you get to do softball all day, every day. It’s been great."
Under Fisher's leadership, CSU softball has achieved unprecedented success. She has racked up the most wins in program history with 349. Fisher's coaching philosophy extends beyond the field, emphasizing the importance of academic excellence and community engagement. Since her first year at CSU in 2011, 131 Academic All-Mountain West nominations have been given to CSU softball. Almost every year, the team has about 10 players named to the list.
“There’s a lot of carryover of wanting to learn,” Garrett Fisher said. “There’s a lot you can learn in baseball and softball. Studying the game, learning the game, there’s a lot of carryover through that. I think being the most educated or the smartest team a lot of time (can help) you a lot in knowing what we want to do in this situation, where we want the ball to go (and) what we need out of our hitter.
Fisher has also instilled a strong sense of community responsibility within the team. Her teams have consistently engaged in community service initiatives, understanding the importance of being positive role models. This commitment to community engagement was recognized by the NCAA, which presented Fisher with a community engagement award for her work with the Denver West High School softball team.
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“Our teams have always understood the importance of being someone that’s looked up to,” Jen Fisher said. “There’s someone watching you and watching how you react and how you behave. When you engage with the community, it helps you not take the sport as life and death; (It’s) because you see people going through experiences that are much harder and more difficult than what you’re going through.
Recent Highlights and NCAA Tournament Appearance
The 2019 season marked a significant milestone for the program, with the Rams clinching the Mountain West conference championship. Led by senior catcher Amber Nelson, who was named Mountain West player of the year after hitting a league-best .421 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs, and first-base phenom Ashley Ruiz, the team secured its second Mountain West title in program history and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for just the third time since the sport was established in 1976.
The Rams' journey culminated in a program first: a live appearance on ESPN when they faced No. 23 Auburn in the first game of the Tucson, Ariz., Regional. This achievement showcased the program's growth and its ability to compete on a national stage.
Current Team and Future Prospects
Even though some may view this as a setback, the Rams are using it to build around a young core of players who hope to bring success to the program. As the season nears the end, each of these players have grown since their first appearance at the plate this year.
The current team features several promising young players who are poised to lead the program to future success. Kaylynn English, a second-year infielder from Parker, Colorado, is already one of the team's best players, boasting a .349 batting average and .859 OPS. Kyra Smith, a true freshman from Puyallup, Washington, has made an immediate impact, leading the team in home runs with four and driving in 20 RBIs. Another standout freshman, Hailey Rutherford, leads the team in RBIs with 24 and demonstrates exceptional plate discipline, striking out only seven times this season. Lauren Stucky, a redshirt freshman from Parker, has also emerged as a valuable role player, capable of hitting leadoff or playing in the middle of the lineup.
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These players represent the building blocks for a brighter future for CSU softball. With a strong foundation built on tradition, academic excellence, and community engagement, the program is well-positioned to continue its ascent within the Mountain West Conference and beyond.
Colorado State University Athletics: A Broader Context
The softball program is just one piece of the larger Colorado State University athletics landscape. The Colorado State Rams compete in the Mountain West Conference, an NCAA Division I conference formed in 1999. CSU's athletic facilities include Canvas Stadium (football), Moby Arena (basketball and volleyball), and various other venues for different sports. The University's official colors are green and gold, and its mascot is CAM the Ram.
CSU has a rich athletic history, with notable rivalries against the University of Colorado (Rocky Mountain Showdown), Air Force (Ram-Falcon Trophy), and Wyoming (Border War/Bronze Boot). The University has produced numerous accomplished athletes, including Olympic gold medalist swimmer Amy Van Dyken and football All-American Thurman "Fum" McGraw.
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