The football preseason hasn’t even started yet, and the Orediggers are already off to a strong start.
Colorado School of Mines was recently ranked No. 4 in the College Football America Yearbook’s preseason top-30 poll. It was also named No. 3 in a separate poll earlier this summer.
Senior linebacker Nolan Reeve was also highlighted on CFAY's preseason starting lineup list, the CSM athletics department announced July 29.
After the Orediggers went 12-2 last season and advanced to the NCAA semifinals, Reeve received numerous honors and was named conference Defensive Academic Player of the Year. He had a team-best 75 total tackles and led the conference in sacks and forced fumbles.
Reeve returns for his senior season, along with several other key players from the 2021 team. New head coach Brandon Moore and the Orediggers kick off the preseason the week of Aug. 7.
CSM will open its season against consecutive top-10 opponents, according to the CFAY poll. The Orediggers will travel to No. 8 Grand Valley State on Sept. 1, before hosting No. 5 Angelo State on Sept. 10.
CSM also plays at No. 22 Western Colorado later in the season. For the team's full 2022 schedule, visit minesathletics.com.
CSM installs new football, soccer fields ahead of 2022-23 school year
Additionally, the Orediggers will be playing on a new field this season, as CSM has replaced the artificial turf in its soccer and football stadiums.
Stermole Soccer Stadium received a new AstroTurf in early July, and the new Alumni Field at Marv Kay Stadium was expected to be fully installed by early August, CSM Athletics announced on July 28.
While costs haven't been finalized, the athletics department estimates that replacing both fields cost under $1 million.
Football’s former Campbell Field and the old soccer pitch had reached the end of their 10- to 12-year lifespans. The materials will be recycled in youth fields and indoor facilities around the country, the athletics department confirmed.
Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams and the football team start their preseasons on Aug. 7, and in the meantime, CSM has been using the new fields for various camps and captains’ practices.
Women’s soccer will host the first game on the new pitch Aug. 25, and the football team’s home opener will be Sept. 10.
Fundraising for the new Alumni Field is underway. Rob and Ann McKee have donated a $250,000 matching gift, and as of July 29, 35 other donors had given almost $68,000 toward CSM’s $500,000 goal.
For more information, visit goldmine.mines.edu.
