Anonymous Ram fan donates $20 million to keep on-campus stadium "Sonny Lubick Field"

Breaking news out of Fort Collins today: An anonymous donor has given $20 million to name the new Colorado State Rams on-campus stadium “Sonny Lubick Field” over the next 30 years.

“We are thrilled to continue to honor the legacy of one of the true greats in Colorado State history,” said Colorado State President and CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank through a release. “Coach Sonny Lubick showed CSU how to win and be competitive at the highest levels – and in doing so, he helped set a trajectory that continues to this day. Sonny means so much to our community; it’s wonderful to honor him in this way.”

Lubick is one of the most iconic figures in Colorado State sporting history and remains a major part of the community not only through his steakhouse but through reaching out to residents in Fort Collins. Under Lubick, the Rams took home six conference titles and went to nine bowl games as he was, and remains, one of the winningest coaches in CSU history.

“Carol Jo and I are humbled by this honor,” Lubick said of his wife and himself. “CSU has been a special place for us for more than 30 years. I want to thank President Frank, Joe Parker and the entire Colorado State and Fort Collins communities for what is a very special legacy for our family. To me, this isn’t just a tribute to one person, but to the entire football program – the players, coaches, staff and fans who help make CSU great. We’re thrilled that our connection to the university and the program will continue in this way.”

The gift was sensational for the school, and it’s more than they expected for field as well as stadium naming rights. Those stadium naming rights are still up for sale, as VP of University Advancement Brett Anderson said in the same release.

“This gift agreement exceeds the amount we originally anticipated for both the stadium and field naming rights,” Anderson said. “The generous and selfless decision to make a gift and honor Coach Lubick provides a huge assist to our funding model. We still have the ability to seek a stadium naming rights partner which will further strengthen the project.”

Also from that release: Athletics Director Joe Parker says the stadium’s funding — $220 million — is on time to be opened in the fall of 2017 and it’s also on budget.

See photos of the stadium’s construction process here.

This is a teaser, the pano shot from March 14!