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 The third floor of the Carson Student-Athlete Center has been transformed. |
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Aug. 24, 2012
Standing in front of a gold pitchfork embossed on a metal football, and flanked by the Pac-12 Championship trophy and the Rose Bowl trophy, head coach Todd Graham addressed the group of past letterwinners, donors and members of the media in the Dutson Theater, which also received a facelift.
"These walls should speak, they should tell a story and we have a great story here," coach Graham said. "Part of the story is that there are some blank spots here, and I want our current players to earn the right to be up on that wall. And to do that we need to win championships."
The program lasted roughly an hour and 30 minutes, with the first half dedicated to coach Graham's address and Q&A, and the second half devoted to the tour.
The tour of the floor was broken into two separate groups, with coach Graham leading the first group of donors and media. Former Sun Devil players and current Sun Devil Athletics employees Jean Boyd and Kevin Miniefield then took the letterwinners and second group of donors around.
Coach Graham emphasized how much it means to him and the football program as a whole to be connected with former players. Whether it's having them line the Tillman Tunnel before home games or just stop by the coaches' offices every once in a while, Graham told them their commitment to ASU is essential to the success of the program.
"We just need your support and need you there," coach Graham said. "Because your presence alone is more powerful than any pregame speech I can give."
A number of former players came out to relive their playing days, including Mike Fanucci, Steve Fedorchak, Floyd Fields, Todd Hons, BobKohrs, Dan Kush and Ron Pritchard. Fields, a former safety, was very impressed with the Heritage Wall and was appreciative of the outreach efforts done by coach Graham and the rest of the staff.
"I think it is great and they are making a step forward by including the former players," Fields said. "I love the new place and wish I was born 20 years later."
Fields added that it is nice to be recognized for what his teammates and him accomplished during their time in Tempe.
"Looking at some of the pictures really brings back memories," Fields said. "I think my second year here is when they built this building and just to see it transform the way it has and just going through and seeing all of the history it brings back some fond memories."
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