This Buff’s for you: Richard Rokos always put his athletes first
When Richard Rokos officially steps down as CU’s head ski coach he does so as a legend. There are the stats: eight team national championships in his 31 NCAA appearances; 44 individual champions and 14 RMISA championships; and scores of coach-of-the year honors he has steadfastly declined, preferring to reserve acclaim for the athletes. The stats go on, and are impressive, but are only minor markers compared to 200-or-so contacts in his phone. Those numbers, belonging to the athletes he coached and keeps in touch with regularly and the stories behind them are his true legacy.