University of Colorado 2024 Hall of Fame Class AnnouncedUniversity of Colorado 2024 Hall of Fame Class Announced The University of Colorado Athletic Department recently honored ten deserving individuals as the Hall of Fame Class of 2024. These inductees will be celebrated during Hall of Fame weekend in mid-November. Three Notable Inductees Rachel Wacholder-Scott: * Standout volleyball player from 1993-96 * Three-time all-conference first team selection * Freshen starter on CU’s only conference championship team in 1993 * Achieved international fame in professional beach volleyball Ronnie Bradford: * Cornerback for four seasons under Bill McCartney * Part of CU’s 39-7-3 record, three Big Eight titles, and national championship * Blocked a Notre Dame extra point in the 1991 Orange Bowl Ben Kelly: * Returned seven kicks for touchdowns in three seasons * First-team all-conference honors in all three campaigns * Played a key role in CU’s 1998 Aloha Bowl victory Personal Reflections from Inductees Wacholder-Scott: “I had four magical years on the most beautiful campus in the country.” Bradford: “Being part of the brotherhood of ‘Colorado Buffaloes’ is something I will never forget.” Kelly: “I came to Boulder as a naive kid… I wish my dad and grandfather were around to experience this, but I get to share it with my son.” Impact of Inductees These inductees have not only achieved athletic success but have also made significant contributions to their communities. Their dedication, determination, and sportsmanship are an inspiration to current and future CU athletes.
The University of Colorado Athletic Department recently announced the Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Ten deserving inductees were selected and will be honored in mid-November during Hall of Fame weekend, which culminates with a reception by the Buffs against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field.
During the three decades that your reporter covered CU athletics as the “Buff Guy” for what is now known as CBS News Colorado, he had the pleasure of getting to know three newcomers well: Rachel Wacholder-Scott, Ronnie Bradford and Ben Kelly.
Ladies First.
Rachel Wacholder was a standout volleyball player for the Buffs from 1993-96. The California native was named all-conference, first team three times as a senior. Wacholder was a freshman starter on the only conference championship team in program history in 1993. CU became only the second Big Eight program to win a league championship, other than Nebraska. Great player and individual who achieved international fame in professional beach volleyball, playing five seasons for the U.S. national beach volleyball team.
“I had four magical years on what I consider the most beautiful campus in the country, and in a city that felt like home from the moment I unpacked my bags,” said Wacholder, who is also a fitness model.
Ronnie Bradford. Bradford, a graduate of Adams City High School and known as “The Commerce City Kid,” was a four-time cornerback under Bill McCartney. How about this? Bradford is part of a small group of guys who played prep, college and professional football in the state of Colorado. Rare air. The Buffs enjoyed tremendous success in his four seasons in Boulder, compiling a 39-7-3 record, three Big Eight titles and the school’s only national championship. In that 10-9 win over Notre Dame? It was Bradford’s block of a Fighting Irish extra point that made the difference in a thrilling triumph.
“Being part of a brotherhood that sweated and trained week in and week out to compete and being called the ‘Colorado Buffaloes’ is something I will never forget,” said the current Miami Dolphins assistant coach.
Ben Kelly. What a special team and what a defensive talent. The Cleveland, Ohio native returned seven kicks for touchdowns in three seasons (four punts and three kickoffs) and earned first-team all-conference honors in all three campaigns before declaring for the NFL draft following his junior season.
“I came to Boulder as a naive kid who had everything that teenagers have,” Kelly says. “I wish my dad and grandfather were around to experience this, but I get to share it with my son Damen.”
Kelly played a starring role in one of your correspondents’ favorite CU moments. The 1998 Aloha Bowl. Colorado vs. Oregon on Christmas Day from Honolulu. The station had hired a recent graduate photographer to cover the game with me and spend a week in paradise with Rick Neuheisel’s last CU team.
Colorado is projected to finish 11th in the 2024 Big 12 football media poll
This budding photographer had never shot football before. I was lecturing him on the team and the star players he was supposed to be watching while he was shooting video for use on the station’s Sunday night coaches’ shows during football and basketball seasons. This dear friend had been instructed, “When the other team kicks off or punts, get in the Buffs’ end zone because Kelly is electric. That will give you the best position to cover the play should #1 work his magic.”
Would you believe it? I’m standing at midfield next to famed ring announcer Michael Buffer who had just yelled, “Let’s get ready to rumble.” The Ducks kicked off. Suddenly I see a budding photographer sprinting toward the north end zone of Aloha Stadium. Too late. Kelly had taken the opening kickoff and ran it back 93 yards to rouse the crowd and seal a 51-43 Buff victory.
25 years later, that story still has a long way to go. My buddy cringes every time it’s told in his presence. After that first gaffe? This great photographer and editor was always perfectly positioned to capture the great moments of CU Athletics during KCNC’s days as “Home of the Buffs.”
What’s really cool? Wacholder-Scott, Bradford and Kelly? Their personalities are also Hall of Fame caliber. Shoulder to shoulder, Buffs to the bone.
