For most students, Family Weekend at the University of Colorado will involve some variation of a similar pattern: breakfast at one of their favorite local hangouts, a sightseeing drive, then a trip to Folsom Field in time for Saturday鈥檚 12:30 Buffs game against visiting Oregon State.
But that鈥檚 not how CU senior Alex Kelley鈥檚 day will go.
Instead, Kelley 鈥� the starting center for the 3-1 Buffs 鈥� will see his morning begin with a wakeup call at the team hotel, followed by team meetings and a pregame meal. He鈥檒l then ride the team bus to Folsom Field in time for the team stroll down the Buff Walk, suit up, and after running onto the field behind Ralphie, will prepare to do battle with the Beavers.
His parents will understand. Kelley鈥檚 father, Karry Kelley, is no stranger to his son鈥檚 strict schedule in preparation for game time. Nearly 40 years ago, he was in his the same position as his son when he lettered four times for the Buffs from 1976-1979 as an offensive tackle.
Asked what it means to play for the same school as his father, Kelley said: 鈥淚t means a lot. I was raised to be a Buff because of my dad and I鈥檓 glad I鈥檓 here. And it means all the more to me because of the success we鈥檙e having this season and we鈥檙e finally doing good.鈥�
Kelley also noted that his dad remains a big Buffs fan.
鈥淗e鈥檚 the biggest fan I see up there (in the stands) every weekend,鈥� Kelley said. 鈥淓very time I look up I see him jumping around, screaming, high-fiving people, and it鈥檚 awesome.鈥�
But if you think there is any type of friendly competition between father and son, think again.
鈥淗e is way better than I ever was,鈥� said his dad, Karry. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really been fun to see him excel.鈥�
And excel he has. Kelley, from San Diego, Calif., played for Vista High School and was one of California鈥檚 top recruits at the time. After redshirting his freshman year, he saw action in all 12 games during his redshirt freshman year at CU. He moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and has held onto that spot ever since, including this year鈥檚 season opener against Colorado State.
Remember that game? You may remember that the first Buffalo to score a touchdown in that game 鈥� also the first CU touchdown of the season 鈥� was Kelley, 听a feat that hadn鈥檛 been accomplished by a lineman for Colorado since Oct. 28, 1995.
鈥淢y dad didn鈥檛 know I scored,鈥� Kelley said about his dad鈥檚 reaction. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 know I scored until my brother texted him 鈥� but after he heard he was super excited.鈥�
Kelley鈥檚 mom, Charlyn, will also be at Folsom Field for Saturday鈥檚 game. She enjoys watching her son鈥檚 success on the field.
鈥淢y mom loves the games,鈥� Kelley said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 probably my biggest critic though 鈥� whatever success we have she鈥檚 just, 鈥楢ll right, just keep working, keep doing what you鈥檙e doing 鈥� you don鈥檛 want it to get into your head鈥�. She鈥檚 the one who really brings me down to earth.鈥�
Staying down to earth is no issue for Kelley who is grateful to be a part of a program that his father once was a part of.
鈥淚 grew up a CU Buffs fan, watching the games every Saturday with my dad,鈥� Kelley said. 鈥淭o have the opportunity to come here is amazing. I have a picture in my room of me, my dad and my two brothers all in football stances in (Folsom) stadium. I was like 8 years old. It鈥檚 my dream school.鈥�
