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Utitld21 7/10/17 10 55 AM A llookook backback aatt 22016016

Air Force played in a bowl game for the ninth time in the last 10 years and the 26th time in school history. Th e Falcons defeated South Alabama, 45-21, in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl in Tucson, Arizona. Air Force scored 42 unanswered points to earn its 12th bowl win in school history. Quarterback Arion Worthman and safety Weston Steelhammer earned off ensive and defensive player of the game honors.

Air Force won its record 20th Commander-in- Chief’s Trophy by defeating Navy (28-14) on Oct. 1 at Falcon and Army (31-12) on Nov. 5 at West Point. Air Force has won four CIC Tro- phies in the past seven years (2010, 2011, 2014 and 2016). Th e Falcons’ made its 20th visit to the White House, more than any other professional or college team since 1980, and presented the trophy to Presi- dent Donald Trump. Th e Air Force football team earned NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) recognition for the eighth straight season. Th e football program (980) was hon- ored for being in the top 10 percent of their sports for all NCAA programs in Division I for APR. Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun also earned a 985 coaches APR mark which marks his ninth consecutive year above the national average for Divi- sion I programs. Calhoun has averaged a 982 during his career while the national average during his tenure is 946.

Over the past three seasons, Air Force has been one of the best home teams in the nation. Th e Falcons have posted a 17-1 record at Falcon Stadium over the past three seasons. Th e Falcons were 10-3 over- all in 2016. Th e 10 wins marks the second time in the last three years the Falcons have won 10 or more games and the seventh time in 10 seasons under Troy Calhoun the Falcons have won eight or more games.

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Day Date Opponent (TV) Time Sat. Sept. 2 VMI (ESPN3) 12 pm Sat. Sept. 16 at Michigan (BIG10) 12 pm Sat. Sept. 23 San Diego State * (CBS SN) 5 pm Sat. Sept. 30 at New Mexico * (CBS SN) 5 pm Sat. Oct. 7 at Navy (CBS SN) 3:30 pm Sat. Oct. 14 UNLV * TBA Fri. Oct. 20 at Nevada * (CBS SN) 7:30 pm Sat. Oct. 28 at State * (CBS SN) 1 pm Sat. Nov. 4 Army West Point (CBS SN) 1:30 pm Sat. Nov. 11 Wyoming * (ESPN Net) TBA Sat. Nov. 18 at Boise State * (ESPN Net) TBA Sat. Nov. 25 Utah State * (ESPN Net) TBA

*-Mountain West game Times local to site

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Troy Calhoun (Air Force, 1989) To the great fans of the Air Force Fal- Head Coach [email protected] cons,

Jake Campbell (Air Force, 1996) Welcome to the United States Air Offensive Assistant Force Academy - one of the world’s [email protected] finest educational and leadership insti- tutions. The purpose of the Academy Tim Cross (Northern Colorado, 1990) is to develop young men and women of Defensive Line [email protected] strong character to serve as outstanding leaders for our nation. The integrity, Steed Lobotzke (Air Force, 1992) pride, and purpose of our future offi- Offensive Line cers will make you quite proud. [email protected] Beginning with the entry of the first Matt McGettigan (Luther College, 1987) Academy class back in July of 1955, Strength and Conditioning [email protected] intercollegiate athletics continues to provide a crucial vehicle contributing Bart Miller (New Mexico, 2007) to the profound leadership and valiancy Tight Ends Academy graduates carry forth to ac- [email protected] tive duty and in their civilian lives. Air Force football has a three-pronged aim: Ben Miller (Air Force, 2002) on-field competitive spirit, instilling Running Backs/Special Teams Coord. [email protected] within our cadets lifelong resolute char- acter traits, and preparing each team John Rudzinski (Air Force, 2005) member for service and leadership to Secondary help our country. [email protected] Your support, through purchases of Steve Russ (Air Force, 1995) season tickets, is crucial to the future sustainability of our cadet programs. Our commit- Asst. Head Coach Def. Coordinator/Defensive Backs ment to our friends, cadets and supporters is to provide the nation’s best fan experience. [email protected] It includes ease of parking, unmatched pageantry and the finest ticket value in all of col- lege football. Taylor Stubblefield (Purdue, 2005 ) Wide Receivers In conclusion, if you find the qualities of honesty, passion, toughness and service ap- [email protected] pealing, then you will be proud to embrace and support the 2017 Air Force Football team. (Air Force, 2001) Off. Coordinator/QBs [email protected] Thank you in advance for your unwavering commitment to the Air Force Academy and our exciting Falcons. Nick Toth (Ohio, 1999) Spurs/Nickels Sincerely, [email protected]

Ron Vanderlinden (Albion, 1978) Inside Linebackers [email protected] Coach Troy Calhoun Matt Weikert (Ohio, 2002) Air Force Football Outside Linebackers [email protected]

Steve Senn (Air Force, 1990) Director of Recruiting/Player Develop. [email protected]

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Looking Back at 2016 ...... IFC The Coaches Mountain West Schedule ...... 1 Troy Calhoun, Head Coach ...... 40-42 The Mountain West ...... 118 Note from Coach Calhoun ...... 2 Jake Campbell ...... 43 Commissioner Craig Thompson ...... 119 Table of Contents ...... 3 Tim Cross ...... 44 Composite Schedule ...... 120-121 Game Day at Falcon Stadium ...... 4-5 Steed Lobotzke ...... 45 2016 Mountain West Stats ...... 122-126 Distinctive Traditions ...... 6-7 Matt McGettigan ...... 46 Falcon Spirit ...... 8-9 Bart Miller ...... 47 History Commander-in-Chief’s Rivalry ...... 10-11 Ben Miller ...... 48 Consensus All-Americans ...... 128 Brian Bullard Award ...... 12-13 John Rudzinski ...... 49 All-Americans ...... 129 Falcons in the NFL ...... 14-15 Steve Russ ...... 50 All-American Bios ...... 130-133 Academic Success ...... 16-17 Taylor Stubblefield ...... 51 Hall of Fame ...... 134 Influential Falcons ...... 18-19 Mike Thiessen...... 52 Air Force Team Awards ...... 135 ...... 20 Nick Toth ...... 53 Air Force Major Award Winners ...... 136 Colorado Springs ...... 21 Ron Vanderlinden ...... 54 All-Star Games/Team Captains ...... 137 Weight Room ...... 22-23 Ross Weaver ...... 55 Academic All-Conference ...... 138 Human Performance Lab ...... 24 Matt Weikert ...... 56 All-Conference Players ...... 139 Sports Medicine ...... 25 Steve Senn ...... 57 Team Records ...... 140-142 Falcon Stadium ...... 26-27 Support Staff ...... 58 Individual Records ...... 143-149 Falcon Athletic Center ...... 28 All-Time Coaches ...... 59-62 Lettermen ...... 150-155 Falcon Fuel ...... 29 Past Season Results ...... 156-162 Holaday Athletic Center ...... 30 The Players Bowl Recaps ...... 163-169 Rosters...... 64-67 Bowl Records ...... 170 The Academy Depth Chart/Pronunciations ...... 68 The Air Force Academy ...... 32 Meet the Falcons ...... 69-98 Senior Leadership ...... 33 Media Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton ....34 Last Season Media Info./Communications Staff ...172 Athletic Department...... 35 Local Media Outlets/Radio ...... 173 2016 Season Stats ...... 100-111 Results vs. 2017 Opponents ...... 174-175 The Falcon ...... 36 2016 Game Recaps ...... 112-116 The Air Force Song...... 37 Falcon Football Pageantry ...... 38

Location: Colorado Springs, CO Air Force History Editors: Troy Garnhart Enrollment: 4,000 First Year: ...... 1956 Dave Toller Founded: 1954 All-Time Record: ...... 380-313-13 (61 years) Nickname: Falcons Home: ...... 212-124-3 Contributors: Nick Arseniak Colors (PMS): Blue (286), Silver (877) Away: ...... 148-168-6 Valerie Perkin Madeline McGuire Stadium: Falcon Stadium (46,692) Neutral: ...... 21-21-4 Surface: FieldTurf (7th year) Marcus Rodriguez Bowl Record: ...... 12-13-1 Alexandria Cantrell Conference: Mountain West Last Bowl: ...... 2016 Arizona Bowl Superintendent: Lt. Gen. Jay B. Silveria Result: ...... South Alabama, W 45-21 Cover Design: Josh Fralick Athletic Director: Jim Knowlton Team Information Athletic Phone: 719-333-4008 Photography: Photographers from Team Ticket Manager: Jonathan Morris 2016 Record: ...... 10-3, 5-3 MW DMI and Cadet Wing Media; Russ Backer, Ticket Phone: 719-472-1895 Basic Offense: ...... Multiple Website: www.goairforcefalcons.com Basic Defense: ...... Multiple Colorado Springs, CO; Paat Kelly, Colorado Lettermen Returning: ...80 (38 Off, 38 Def., 4 ST) Springs, CO; Matthew Staver; Denver, CO; Athletic Communications Lettermen Lost: ...... 29 (10 Off, 17 Def, 2 ST) Dave Black, Colorado Springs, CO; Art Bil- Website: ...... GoAirForceFalcons.com Starters Returning: ...... 8 (5 Off, 1 Def, 2 ST) sten, Denver, CO; Mark Wellman, Washing- Office: ...... 719-333-2313 Starters Lost: ...... 15 (5 Off, 10 Def, 1 ST) ton, D.C.; Larry McTighe, U.S. Air Force; Press Box: ...... 719-333-1100 George vanderMerwede, Colorado Springs, Mailing Address: ...... 2169 Field House Dr. 2016 Results: 10-3 (5-3 MW) CO; Warren Greenwood, USAFA, CO; Capt. USAF Academy, CO 80840 S. 3 Abilene Christian W 37-21 Scott Foley, Hanscom AFB, MA; Jeffrey S. 10 Georgia State W 48-14 Weeks, Colo. Springs, CO; GerMaine Pho- Football Contact: ..... Troy Garnhart, Assoc. AD S. 24 at Utah State* W 27-20 tography, Colorado Springs, CO; Denver Office: ...... 719-333-9263 O. 1 Navy W 28-14 Convention & Visitors Bureau; Rich Clark- Cell: ...... 719-649-5003 O. 8 at Wyoming* L 26-35 Email: ...... [email protected] O. 15 New Mexico* % L 40-45 son & Assoc., Denver, CO.; Ken Mellott, O. 22 Hawai’i* L 27-34 2OT Colorado Springs, CO; Steven Thurow, Fort Football Contact: ..... Dave Toller, Asst. A.D. O. 28 at Fresno State* W 31-21 Worth, TX; Keith Robinson, Fort Worth, Office: ...... 719-333-3478 N. 5 at Army W 31-12 TX; Danny Meyer, Dallas, TX; Kimberley Cell: ...... 719-396-0955 N. 12 Colorado State* W 49-46 Parker, Dallas, TX; Dennis Hubbard, Omaha, Email: ...... [email protected] N. 19 at San Jose State* W 41-38 NE; Ralph Clark, Colorado Springs, CO; N. 25 Boise State* W 27-20 Alternate Contact: ... Nick Arseniak, Asst. SID Photo of Garrett Griffin on page 15 cour- D. 30 South Alabama$ W 45-21 Office: ...... 719-333-9251 tesy of Michael C. Hebert and New Orleans Cell: ...... 719-510-2684 * - Mountain West Game Saints. Email: ...... [email protected] % game played in Dallas, TX $ Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl, Tucson, AZ ppageage 3 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 3 ggamedayameday aatt ffalconalcon sstadiumtadium

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At the base of the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains, game day at Falcon Stadium is truly a remarkable experience. Pre-game fly-bys, the march-on, the Drum and Bugle Corps and the spirited cadet section, make Falcon Stadium the place to be on Game Day ppageage 5 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 5 ffalconalcon ffootballootball ttraditionsraditions

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One of the only performing mascots in the NCAA, the Falcon swoops in on the lure at halftime during every home game. Prior to every service academy game, the “prisoners of war” are exchanged at midfield. The POWs are exchange cadets from the other academies who sit with their respective academies during the game.

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After every Falcon score, the cadets storm the field and do pushups for every Air Force point on the board. After every game, the Falcons stand hand-in-hand in front of the cadet wing as the Drum and Bugle Corps plays the alma mater.

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The seniors from the winning team in the battle for the Tro- phy make a trip to the White House for a ceremony with the President of the United States. No other college or profes- sional athletic team has visited the White House as often as the Air Force football team. The Fal- cons have made 20 trips to Washington, D.C., since 1982. The Falcons have met Presi- dent Ronald Reagan five times, President George H.W. Bush three times, President Bill Clin- ton six times, President George W. Bush twice, President Barack Obama three times and Presi- dent Donald Trump once.

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No other games on the schedule arouse such passion and unrelenting battle fol- lowed by respect and admiration as the service academy contests. After nearly three hours of raging war on the field, each team respectfully stands at attention for each other’s school song. These warriors know that following the battles on the playing field, they will one day fight and serve together in the armed forces. Service academy week is a special time at the Air Force Academy. Prior to the game, the prisoners of war are exchanged. Each academy has several exchange cadets from their fellow academies. Prior to the service academy game, these cadets are ex- changed by the wing or brigadier commanders of the academies so they can sit on their own side during the game. The “prisoner of war” exchange is usually highlighted by the cadets having a message taped to their backs. Service academy games are the ultimate experience of sportsmanship, competi- tiveness and respect. Falcon fans are well aware of this, as nearly 700,000 people have watched the Falcons play Army and Navy in the last 15 years, averaging over 45,000 fans per game. Nine of AFA’s top 15 crowds have come against Army and Navy.

TROPHY TITLES

Air Force 20 Navy 15 Army 6

SERIES RECORDS Air Force: 59-31-0 (.655) Navy: 48-41-1 (.538) Army: 27-62-1 (.305)

ppageage 1111 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 1111 BBrianrian BBullardullard AwardAward

Seniors Weston Steelham- mer and Lochlin Deeks earned the Brian Bullard Award in 2016. Steelhammer (right) earned All-American honors and was a finalist for the Lott IM- PACT Award. The safety led the team in tackles and broke the school record for career interceptions. Deeks (left) recorded 32 tackles and a pass breakup in 2016. The defensive lineman recorded 63 career tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss

The Bullard Award is voted on by the team based on the criteria that typifies Brian Bullard - unselfishness, 110 percent effort, total team com- mitment and pride in his role on the team whether he’s a starter or not. A memorial is located in the Falcon Athletic Center so that every football player sees it every day. The memorial has Brian’s picture and the name and photo of each year’s winner. A 1982 graduate of Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, Brian attended the Academy the following year. After playing on the junior varsity his freshman year, he made the varsity and lettered as a sophomore in 1983. During Thanksgiving vacation that year, Brian, a member of Cadet Squadron 27, and cadet Dianne Williams of Cameron, Mo., were return- ing from Kansas and were caught in a snow storm. The two died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Williams was a member of Cadet Squadron 33 and played on the women’s varsity golf team. The Brian Bullard award is presented annually at the Falcon football team banquet. Brian was the epitome of everything Air Force Football stands for. Brian’s life is used not only for motivation, but as the benchmark each Falcon football player should strive to attain. The criteria established for the award were taken directly from the life of Brian Bullard. The recipient of this prestigious award cares about the team first and himself second. He loves his team and his teammates and will do every- thing he can to make his brothers better. He is a source of encourage- ment for everyone and truly leads by example. He gives his all and truly enjoys every practice. He shows great pride in his role on the team and is a pleasure to coach. Though he played just two seasons with the football team, Brian left quite an impression. ppageage 1122 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 1212 BBrianrian BBullardullard AwardAward 2016 2016 2015 2014 2014

Lochlin Deeks Weston Steelhammer Alex Hansen Kale Pearson Christian Spears 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008

Ty MacArthur Jordan Eason Jonathan Warzeka Nathan Walker Ben Garland 2007 2007 2006 2005 2004 2004 2003

Drew Fowler Garrett Rybak Gilberto Perez Denny Poland John Rudzinski Monty Coleman Joe Schieffer 2002 2001 2001 2000 2000 1999 1998

Tom Heier Zach Johnson Nate Beard Matt Dayoc Mike Gallagher Charlie Jackson Mike Tyler 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

Chris Gizzi Lee Guthrie Brandon Wilkerson Steve Russ Will McCombs Grant Johnson Kette Dornbush 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984

Bill Price Lance McDowell Anthony Roberson Rip Burgwald Pat Evans Pat Malackowski Steve Kelly ppageage 1133 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 1313 ffalconsalcons iinn tthehe nnflfl

Chad Hennings (top left), a Chad Hall, (top right) a 2008 gradu- 1988 graduate, spent more time ate, served two years on active duty in the NFL than any other former and is completing his commitment in Falcon. After serving four years on the Air Force reserves. In two seasons active duty and 45 combat missions with the Eagles in 2010 and 2011, the in the A-10 aircraft, he signed with receiver played in 15 games with 14 the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. Hen- catches for 135 yards and two touch- nings played nine seasons with the downs. Hall also had 10 punt returns Cowboys from 1993-2000 and won for 107 yards, six kickoff returns for three Super Bowl rings (1993, 1994 108 yards and 12 rushes for 42 yards. and 1996). He played in 119 career Late in the 2012 season, Hall was games, starting 72 on the defen- signed by the San Francisco 49ers and sive line, and had 216 tackles with was activated for the NFC Champion- 27.5 sacks, fi ve forced fumbles, six ship game and Super Bowl XLVII. In fumble recoveries and a touchdown. 2013, he played in nine games with the Kansas City Chiefs and had two receptions for 20 yards. Bryce Fisher, (middle) a 1999 Air Force Academy graduate, served two years of active duty in the Air Force and the remainder of his commitment was fulfi lled in the reserves and national guard. Fisher was a seventh-round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills in the 1999 draft. He spent seven years in the league with Buffalo (1999-01), St. Louis (2002-04), Seattle (2005-07) and Tennessee (2007). In 2005, he became the third USAFA graduate to play in a Super Bowl as the Seahawks won the NFC Championship. He played in 90 career games and had 222 tackles, six forced fumbles and 26.5 sacks.

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Ernie Jennings, WR, 1971 San Francisco 49ers (10th / # 257)

Dave Lawson, PK, 1976 New York Giants (16th / #444)

Chad Hennings, DT, 1988 Dallas Cowboys (11th / #290) Following the September 11th tragedy in 2001, Chris Gizzi (right) led the Packers out of the locker room on Monday Night Joe Wood, PK, 1992 Football as he ran onto the fi eld with the American fl ag held high. Houston Oilers (12th / #332) Gizzi played in 23 games with the Packers from 2000-02. He had 19 tackles and a forced fumble. Steve Russ, LB, 1995 Steve Russ (top center) played in 24 games for the Denver (7th / #218) Broncos over four seasons (1997-2000) and was part of two Super Bowl Championship teams (1997 and 1998). Dan Palmer, OL, 1996 Ben Garland (left) played in 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers (6th / #178) on both the offensive and defensive lines, in 2016. He played in both the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl LI. He also played in eight games for the Denver Broncos as an offensive Bryce Fisher, DL, 1998 guard in 2014. A 2010 Academy graduate and defensive lineman Buff alo Bills (7th / #248) for the Falcons, he was a member of the Broncos’ practice squad in 2012 and 2013 and a member of the Atlanta Falcons in 2015. was in camp with the Dallas Cowboys in 1997 while Matt Farmer (bottom, second from left) was in camp with the New York Jets in 1999. Ben Miller (bottom center) spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles in 2002 and 2003. In 2009, Travis Dekker (bottom second from right) worked out for Green Bay. Drew Fowler (bottom far right) took part in rookie mini-camps with the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans in 2008. Alex Means (right) competed in rookie mini-camp with the Carolina Panthers in 2014. Both Reggie Rembert (2013) and Connor Dietz (2014) took part in rookie mini-camps with the Chicago Bears. In 2016, Alex Hansen and Garrett Griffi n both competed in rookie mini-camps. Griffi n (bot- tom far left) signed a free agent contract with the Saints. In 2017, Jalen Robinette (Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots), Weston Steelham- mer (Philadelphia Eagles), Sam Byers (Atlanta Falcons), Jacob Onyechi (Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints) and Ryan Watson (Arizona Cardinals) all attended NFL rookie mini-camps.

ppageage 1155 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 1515 sscholar-athletescholar-athletes KKnowledgenowledge iiss PowPoweerr Cadet-athletes in all sports who 12 have earned a Rhodes Scholarship National Football Foundation and Charles “Spanky” Gilliam College Hall of Fame scholarships (top), a 1999 graduate, earned 13 an NCAA postgraduate schol- earned by Falcon football payers arship in 1999. Gilliam, a fullback, played a key role in the Falcons’ Western Athletic NCAA Football Conference championship in 26 postgraduate scholarship winners 1998. Cadet-athletes in all sports who have earned NCAA 72 postgraduate scholarships 94 percent graduation rate for athletes in all sports

Academic All-American honors earned by 248 356 cadet-athletes ppageage 1166 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 1616 aairir fforceorce academyacademy academicsacademics U.S. News and World Report #1 Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical School #3 Top Public Schools #4 Electrical/Electronic/Communications School #7 Mechanical Engineering School #7 Best Undergraduate Engineering Program $445,000 VValuealue ooff AAcademycademy eeducationducation

8:1 SStudenttudent toto instructorinstructor ratioratio ppageage 1177 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 1717 tthehe llongong bbluelue llineine

Many Academy graduates have gone on to exemplary careers in the military and civilian sector. These pages Gregg Popovich Chad Hennings Class of 1970 merely scratch the Class of 1988 * Two-year letterman and * Consensus All-American, 1987 team leading scorer in 1969-70 surface of some of * Outland Trophy winner * Currently head coach and general * WAC Defensive Player of the manager of the San Antonio Spurs the great leaders the Decade for the 1980s * Five-time NBA Champions (1999, * A-10 pilot in first Gulf War 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014) Academy has * Nine seasons, three Super Bowl * Earned a bronze medal as an assis- rings with the Dallas Cowboys tant coach for Team USA in 2004 produced. * Inducted into Academic All- America Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame

Gen. Mark Welsh Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson Class of 1976 Class of 1981 John Lorber * letterwinner * First female superintendent of the U.S. Class of 1964 * Command pilot with more than Air Force Academy (2013-17) * Two-year football letterman; played 3,300 flight hours in the F-16, A-10, * First female Rhodes Scholar at USAFA on the 1963 Gator Bowl team T-37 and TG-7A * Command pilot with more than 3,600 * Command pilot with more than * USAFA Commandant of Cadets flying hours in a variety of aircraft 5,000 hours, mostly in fighter aircraft from 2001-03 * All-time leading scorer in AFA women’s * Commander of the Pacific Air * Chief of Staff of the Air Force from basketball with a 17.6 career average Force from 1994-97 2012-2016 * Named the Academy’s most outstanding * Retired four-star general scholar-athlete in 1981 with a 3.91 GPA * Two-time Academic All-American

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Dr. Chris Howard Alonzo Babers Scott Thomas Class of 1983 Class of 1986 Class of 1991 * Four-year letterman at safety * Two-year football letterwinner * Two-time NCAA All-American * Consensus All-American in 1985, * Rhodes Scholar and team MVP in 1983 one of just five in AFA history * Retired as a lieutenant colonel in * Olympic Gold Medal in 400m dash * Elected to the College Football Hall the Air Force, serving as a helicop- and 4x400m relay in 1984 Summer of Fame in 2012 and the Air Force ter pilot Games in Los Angeles Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 * Was awarded a bronze star for his * 1984 Touchdown Club Military * Fifteen years on active duty with service Athlete of the Year more than 4,300 flying hours includ- * Earned doctorate from Oxford * Air Force pilot from 1983 to 1991 ing missions in Operations Desert * Currently the president at Robert * Currently flies the 777 with United Shield and Desert Storm Morris University in Pittsburgh. Airlines * Earned the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving more than seven months in combat

Since it was founded in 1954, the Air Force Academy has graduated more than 49,000 leaders of char- acter for our nation. After leaving the shadows of the Rocky Mountains, Academy graduates have gone on to become Ruben Cubero pilots, doctors, astronauts, gener- Class of 1961 als, members of Congress, writers, Ernie Jennings * Starting guard on the undefeated university administrators, profes- Class of 1971 1958 team sional athletes and much, much * 1970 Consensus All-American * Flew the C-118, C-141, C-135 * Finished eighth in Heisman voting and QV-10 and served in Vietnam more. A degree from the Air Force * Holds nearly every receiving record * Served as Dean of Faculty at Academy has proven to open doors * Hall of Fame inductee by AFA and the Academy from 1991-98 in every career endeavor. Colorado Springs Sports Corp * Retired Brigadier General * Two-time Academic All-American * 20 years at NASA as a project engineer and construction manager

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Less than 45 minutes from the Academy and with over 300 days of sunshine per year, The Mile High City of Denver has it all. Truly a sports capitol, Denver has nine professional sports teams, including the Denver Broncos (NFL), (NBA), (NHL), (MLB), (), (Indoor Soccer League), (Major League ) and the (). Recent success among the teams has driven the excitement for these teams a mountain high. The Broncos won the Super Bowl in 1998 and 1999. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. The Rockies played in the World Series in 2007. Located just east of the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide, Denver has a mild and dry climate with more days of sunshine per year than San Diego and Miami. Golf courses are open year round as the average winter temperature is 45 degrees, warmer than Boston, New York City and St. Louis. The city sits at 5,280 feet above sea level. In fact, there is a step on the State Capitol Building that is exactly one mile above sea level. Even at a mile above sea level, the city is dwarfed by its backdrop. The foothills being just west of the city and the peaks of the mountain range reach heights of more than 14,000 feet. Despite the proximity to the mountains, the city receives just 8-15 inches of precipitation per year, about the same as Los Angeles. The United States Census Bureau estimates that, in 2006, the population of the City and County of Denver was 566,974, making it the 27th most populous U.S. city. The Denver-Au- rora Metropolitan Statistical Area had an estimated 2006 population of 2,408,750 and ranked as the 21st most populous U.S. metropolitan statistical area. Denver has the largest city park system in the nation. There are 650 miles of off-street, bike paths, 90 golf courses and 200 parks. Within a 90-minute drive from downtown Denver, there are opportunities for some of the country’s best skiing, hiking, fishing, rafting and mountain biking.

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The immortal words of an eastern visitor in 1893 live perpetually at the base of Colo- rado’s Rocky Mountains. When teacher and poet Katherine Lee Bates took a wagon ride to the summit of Pikes Peak she was inspired to write a song that is still recited today. Her view from atop the 14,110-foot peak was the basis of her song “America the Beautiful”. The history of Colorado Springs traverses back to 1870 when Gen. William Jackson Palmer first visited the region and was captivated by its grandeur. A year later, he began designing his city of dreams. From its beginning on the corner of Pikes Peak and Cascade Avenues in downtown Colorado Springs, the city has grown more than 183 square miles and to nearly 400,000 people in the city and 600,000 in the metro area. Colorado Springs is known nationally for its natural attractions. The Garden of the Gods, the area’s No. 1 natural attraction, is a majestic out-cropping of red sandstone rocks which are more than 300 million years old. Colorado Springs is also home to the Pikes Peak Highway, a 19-mile drive up the world’s highest toll road. The area’s No. 1 man- made attraction is the Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel. Another major attraction is the Broadmoor Hotel and Resort. Built in the early 1900s, this five-star resort, hosted the 1995 U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship and the 2008 Senior U.S. Open, and is nestled into the base of Cheyenne Mountain. The Pikes Peak region is home to the nation’s only mountain zoo. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, with an elevation of more than 6,800-feet, has received several changes in the past two years. For the outdoors enthusiast, the city and the state offer a plethora of recreational activi- ties. A short drive to the northwest features some of the nation’s finest ski resorts, includ- ing the cities of Vail and Aspen. A short jaunt to the southwest or northwest will find some of the best white-water rafting, fishing, hiking and cycling that the country has to offer.

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The strength and condi- tioning program is com- mited to providing a first- class training experience for each player. The focus is to build the total athlete while reducing the risk of injury through individual evaluation and program design. The goal is to train all the components of athleticism to the degree required by the sport of football.

ppageage 2222 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 2222 sstrengthtrength aandnd cconditioningonditioning Strength and Condition- ing Philosophies  Highly structured, individualized/de- tailed programs  Intense-Intelligent Training  Sound program philosophy based on scientifi c research and practical experience  Preparation precedes performance  Work ethic, discipline, attitude and ac- countability  Continue to build the physical and men- tal attributes needed to win championships

ms tfor pla ion s tat form lti-s lat mu ll p ck 4488 multi-stationbbe platforms tra um ing 8 d unn et 448 dumbbellrd r platformse fe -ya ar 440-yard0 running squ track 000 223,0003, square feet

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Ben Garland, a 2010 Academy graduate and four-year letterwinner on the defensive line, working out in the newly-remodeled human performance lab. Garland played in 16 games for the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons in 2016.

Th e Human Performance Lab, led by Lt. Col. Michael Zupan, enhances team and individual performance. Educational work- shops, performance assessments and training sessions are given to coaches and athletes, which result in consistent high performances and outstanding achievements for all the athletic programs at the Academy.

Th e nationally acclaimed sports vision program improves a player’s performance through overloading the visual system, which helps players work on certain visual aspects of the game. Th is training has shown to enhance visual skills critical to athletic performance, such as hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and speed of eye movement, up to 150%.

Th e hyperoxic training program allows athletes to train in an oxygen rich environment to increase aerobic and anaerobic per- formance output by 10 to 15%. Th is live high – train low model allows for greater performance gains with less impact on the athletes.

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The mission of Athletic Training is to provide all necessary athletic training and physical rehabilitative services in support of intercollegiate, physical education, intramural and recreational activities. These services include emergency and acute injury/ill- ness triage, the prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, proper referral, documentation and tracking of injuries sustained by cadet-athletes, as well as physical conditioning and nutritional and psycho-social consultation. Under the direction of the head athletic trainer Tony Peck, the athletic training staff includes 15 board-certifi ed athletic train- ers, with 14 post-graduate degrees. The staff provides athletic training services to all 4,000 cadets at the Academy involved in intramurals, physical education, fi tness testing and 27 intercol- legiate sports. Head football athletic trainer Erick Kozlowski leads veteran athletic trainer staff of Ernie Sedelmyer, Mark Peters and Derrick Fitts bring a wealth of experience to the football program. The staff uses the most up to date techniques of the highest standards of care for the cadet-athletes. The football sports medicine team uses a multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary approach to concus- sion management, sophisticated nutritional programs, move- ment screening, and progressive corrective exercise programs to improve performance, decrease injury potential and reduce the time lost due to injury. The Academy is one of 12 NCAA schools participating in the NCAA/DOD Grand Alliance Concussion Research Study. This fall the football team will participate with the Advance Research Core (ARC), Head Impact Measurement Data Collection. The team will utilize the Riddell SRS Head Impact Telemetry to measure the magnitude (linear and rotational acceleration) location, direction and duration as well as the exact time of impact. The athletic training branch facilities include three state- of-the-art athletic training rooms totaling approximately 20,000 square feet. Locations include the Jim Conboy Athletic Train- ing Room, the Cadet Gymnasium athletic training room and the athletic training room. The sports medicine division receives outstanding support and assistance from the medical professionals assigned to the 10th Medical Group. The departments of the 10th Medical Group provide assistance on a regular basis over and above their normal duty requirements, and frequently during their off duty time, include orthopedics, radiology, physical therapy and dentistry. Many other medical professionals from other specialties such as neurology and dermatology provide assistance and consultation as well. The teamwork and the highly educated professional staff in both the sports medicine division and the 10th Medical Group make the football sports medicine team at the Air Force Academy one of the best in the nation. Lt. Col. Judd Robins, MD, leads the team of Air Force Sports Medicine Physicians including Lt. Col. Jon Jackson, MD, and Maj Matthew Weirath.

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Air Force football has been ars among the Mountain West lead- LLastast Th reeree YearsYears ers in attendance since its incep- tion. The Falcons have averaged 117-17-1 more than the conference average Over the past three seasons, Air Force is 17-1 at home, going 6-0 in every year. Air Force’s average Falcon Stadium in 2014 and 2015 and 5-1 in 2016. Since moving into attendance last season of 29,586 Falcon Stadium in 1962, the Falcons have been a major force. Air was the third best in the 12-team Force has a 190-112-4 record in Falcon Stadium. Under coach Troy Mountain West, behind only Calhoun, the Falcons have been one of the best home teams in the na- Boise State and San Diego State. tion. In his 10 seasons beginning in 2007, Air Force has been 5-1 or better at home seven times. Year MW AFA 2016 24,129 29,586 2015 23,769 26,026 2014 25,254 28,161 2013 26,093 32,652 2012 25,734 32,015 2011 29,035 35,303 2010 34,208 40,093 2009 33,202 35,656 2008 32,021 38,134 2007 32,791 38,068 2006 32,791 38,034 2005 35,275 35,981 2004 32,213 38,043 2003 34,033 39,210 1962...... 2-3 1981...... 2-3 2000...... 5-1 1963...... 5-1 1982...... 4-2 2001...... 4-2 2002 34,329 42,713 1964...... 2-2-1 1983...... 5-1 2002...... 4-3 2001 31,830 38,439 1965...... 1-5-1 1984...... 4-1 2003...... 5-1 2000 32,460 42,560 1966...... 2-3 1985 ...... 6-0 2004...... 3-4 1967...... 1-3-1 1986 ...... 3-2 2005...... 2-3 1968...... 4-2 1987...... 5-1 2006...... 2-4 1969...... 3-1 1988...... 3-2 2007...... 6-0 1970...... 5-1 1989...... 3-2 2008...... 3-3 1971...... 4-1 1990...... 4-2 2009 ...... 5-1 1972...... 3-3 1991...... 5-1 2010...... 5-1 1973...... 5-1 1992...... 3-4 2011 ...... 4-3 1974...... 2-4 1993...... 4-2 2012...... 5-1 1975...... 2-3-1 1994...... 3-3 2013...... 2-5 1976...... 3-3 1995...... 4-2 2014...... 6-0 1977...... 2-3 1996...... 3-2 2015...... 6-0 1978...... 1-5 1997...... 5-1 2016...... 5-1 1979...... 2-4 1998...... 6-0 1980...... 2-2 1999...... 3-2 ppageage 2266 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 2626 ffalconalcon sstadiumtadium

A picturesque setting at the Throughout the 1990’s and early base of the Rampart Range Unprecedented Support 2000’s, the stadium’s capacity was of the Rocky Mountains and Air Force’s attendance average is 52,480 but in 2005, the stadium’s boasting some of the grandest more than seven times its student capacity was reduced to 46,692 (the pageantry in all of college foot- current capacity). The removal of ball, Falcon Stadium is without body size (4,000), making Falcon Sta- the bleachers on the east side greatly a doubt one of the premier dium the most-well attended in all of increased the fan experience with ad- college football in Division I football. ditional food and beverage vendors America. and more room to move around the Sitting at 6,621 feet above stadium. sea level, the thin air has been kind to the Falcons. Air Force In 2002, the Academy added permanent lights. The cost of has won 63 percent of its home games in the stadium with a just under $500,000 was at no expense to tax payers. The Air 185-111-4 all-time home record. Falcon Stadium’s elevation is Force Academy Athletic Association picked up the tab. That the second-highest of any Division I-A stadium in the nation. same season, a school record crowd of 56,409 packed the sta- The stadium’s current capacity is 46,692. dium for a game against Notre Dame. Falcon Stadium, built in a natural bowl in the foothills, was Prior to the 2006 season, FieldTurf was installed at a cost of built in the fall of 1962 at a cost of $3.5 million. Falcon Sta- $750,000. dium opened on Sept. 22, 1962, when a then-overflow crowd Prior to the 2016 season, two brand new scoreboards were of 41,350 saw Air Force defeat Colorado State, 24-0. AFA installed, one in the north end zone and one in the south end held a formal dedication on Oct. 20, 1962, when Air Force zone. The video board in the south end zone is the largest in hosted Oregon. The Ducks won the game, 35-20. The stadium the Mountain West and among the service academies. The was originally built solely for football, but several non-athletic board is over 2,500 square feet of HD video display (dimen- events, such as the Academy’s annual graduation, are con- sions are 31-2 by 82-8) and includes a state-of-the-art audio ducted there. system. Since 1962, the stadium has The scenic backdrop, the seen several significant upgrades. game-day experience and the In 1991, the Academy installed recent upgrades have ensured that nine skyboxes and remodeled Falcon Stadium is among the best the existing press box. The facil- venues in all of college football. ity currently seats 450 people The proof is in the ranking as indoors, along with 88 in the sky- CBS Sports (March 2011) ranked boxes. In addition to its game-day Falcon Stadium the 22nd best in uses, the press box is also used by college football, higher than any the athletic department as a ban- other Mountain West institution. quet/meeting room.

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The Falcon Athletic Center facilities were taxed. The same (FAC), completed in July 2003, was true for the existing medical has proven to be one of the na- treatment and weight room facili- tion’s best facilities. The facility ties. was part of a military construction In addition to the student-ath- project that not only built the new letes, the Academy also uses these building, but altered the existing facilities for its massive intra- Cadet Field House. The $30.3 mural sports program. The 3,000 million project included 161,000 cadets who are not intercollegiate total square feet, including the athletes participate in intramural Falcon Athletic Center’s 109,000 activities adding about 1,200 to square feet and a 51,000 square 1,500 cadets in the athletic facili- foot renovation of the Cadet Field ties at the same time. House, completed in March 2004. The 23,000 square foot, two- Student-athletes’ schedules at story weight training facility is on the Academy are institutionally the first level, along with areas for driven, unlike that of most civil- equipment storage. ian schools where student-athletes have much more free time. The new sports medicine facil- Student-athletes at the Academy ity, equipment room, football are allotted from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. coaches offices and football daily for athletic pursuits. locker room are on the second level of the building. The recep- That time must be used for tion area for the football offices practice, transit to and from the displays the history of Falcon dormitory area and the Cadet football. Gymnasium or Cadet Field House, medical taping and treat- The third floor is home to the ment and conditioning in the Hall of Excellence which features weight room. In addition, com- the history of the Academy’s petition at the NCAA Division intercollegiate and intramural pro- I level has become a year-round grams, along with the inductees proposition for all athletes, into the Athletic Hall of Fame. whether they are cadets or their This area gives guests and visitors counterparts at civilian institu- the opportunity to visit the history tions. of Academy athletics along with a theatre and interactive displays. Understanding that the Acad- The fourth level is for athletic ad- emy enrollment of 4,000 consists ministration. of roughly 25 percent student-ath- letes (1,000), the existing athletic

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The Air Force Academy sion I schools are using to demonstrated teamwork characterize areas close to in its truest sense with a athletic workout facilities project that will benefi t all where student athletes may 4,000 cadets with refueling get nutritional food (recov- stations. Teammates from ery shakes, bars, fruit, etc) the department of athletics post-workout. and the Cadet Dining Hall The goal with this project got together to work on a was to create an attractive plan to provide the extra, addition to the weight rooms vital nutrition to the cadets. which enhances the overall “We have 4,000 elite experience of its cadet-ath- athletes at the Air Force letes and cadet population Academy,” Director of while adding a recruiting Athletics Jim Knowlton tool in the process. The said. “We needed to fi nd a transformation was two-fold way to get additional nutri- and included a revamping of tion to these cadets as they four weight rooms located in go through the demand- the Falcon Athletic Center, ing Academy experience. Cadet Gymnasium, recondi- Everyone we reached out to tioning weight room and the was 100 percent on board, Cadet Fitness Center. starting with our superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson.” The placement of 12 total refrigerated units in the weight rooms AD Team Members have coined the term “Falcon Fuel” for the fuel- highlights each facility. Cadet-athletes and the remaining cadet popula- ing stations being implemented for cadet-athletes and the entire cadet tion will have immediate access to Falcon Fuel in the reach-in refriger- population. Falcon Fuel aligns with the Healthy Base Initiative (HBI), ated units, stocked with highly nutritional foods, based on scientifi c the Department of Defense initiated demonstration project to encour- research for pre/post-exercise nutrient requirements, selected by the age a healthy and fi t alternative to the trend toward obesity. HBI covers cadet nutritionist Shelly Morales. four components: tobacco reduction, healthy eating, active living, Cadet-athletes will have access to Falcon Fuel during transition from and healthy communities. Falcon Fuel directly supports the following lift to practice or vice versa. The cadet population will have access HBIs: during a set window. Falcon Fuel provides cadets with pre, during, and 1. Empower the military community to make better nutritional choices post workout nutrition sources to enhance workout preparation and 2. Increase physical activity recovery, including carbohydrates and protein to ensure they are able to keep up performance without crashing. Appropriate nutrition provides In addition, failure to meet weight standards is a leading cause of the edge for improved strength, speed, stamina, and recovery. involuntary separation from the military with obesity in the civilian community limiting the Department of Defense’s ability to recruit Falcon Fuel will cost about $500,000 annually and will be covered qualifi ed personnel. largely by USAFA’s existing food budget. Each fuel station will be managed by the athletic department strength and conditioning staff and “I am thoroughly excited about this new initiative to provide fueling fi lled with food items procured from Mitchell Hall’s food account and opportunities for all of our cadet athletes! Nutrition is an integral piece the NCAA Student Assistance Fund. of the performance puzzle that is fi nally gaining some traction,” Shelly Morales, cadet nutritionist said. “The selected nutritional products “As an institution we chose to reinvest existing dollars spent on feed- stocked in the stations will hopefully serve as an educational tool for ing the Cadet Wing by better aligning where and when supplemental our athletes on proper fueling. The goals are to help improve the per- nutrition is offered,” John Coulahan, associate athletic director fi nance formance of athletes, aid in the recovery after exercise, and encourage and lead for the initiative said. “To this end, Falcon Fuel doesn’t re- a “foods fi rst” philosophy to reduce place the three squares offered by our the risk of ineffective or dangerous dining facility but rather provides all supplement use.” 4,000 cadets nutrition during pre- and post-workouts when their bodies will On April 15, 2014, the NCAA Leg- benefi t most. By comparison USAFA’s islative Council decided that Division initiative is a bargain—for example I student-athletes can receive unlim- Baylor University will spend $1.5M ited meals and snacks in conjunction (Champion Magazine); Nebraska and with their athletics participation. The Wisconsin $1.2M (USA Today) respec- rule is an effort to meet the nutritional tively on new annual costs to fund ath- needs of all student-athletes. Prior letic nutrition--and their programs only to this change, scholarship student- target intercollegiate athletes. We view athletes received three meals a day or every cadet as an athlete, and we’ve a food stipend. “Fueling Stations” is put our money where their mouth is.” the current terminology many Divi- ppageage 2299 ---- ggoairforcefalcons.comoairforcefalcons.com ---- pagepage 2929 hholadayoladay aathleticthletic ccenterenter

The dream became a reality on Oct. 1, 2010, as the USAFA Endowment, on behalf of the Academy and the Association of Graduates, hosted a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Holaday Athletic Center. The project was made possible by a generous lead gift of $5 million from Bart and Lynn Holaday, Class of 1965--the largest gift from a graduate to the Academy in the institution’s history. The Holaday Athletic Center, an indoor athletic training facility, is also unique in that it is the largest privately funded capital project in Academy history. Construction began in October 2010 and was completed in July 2011. The 92,000 square-foot center houses a regulation-sized field that can ac- commodate football, lacrosse and soccer, in addition to many other athletic activities. Cadet athletic development and performance will be enhanced through reduced weather delays, increased practice time and improved replication of game conditions that the facility provides. “Today is one of the most exciting days in the history of Air Force athletics,” said Air Force Di- rector of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh on the day of ground-breaking. “Air Force athletics is not just our 27 intercollegiate sports, but also encompasses intramurals, physical education classes and cadet physical fitness training. Air Force athletics touches every cadet here at the Academy and because of this generous gift from Bart and Lynn Holaday and others who have given, we will continue to have the very best facilities to provide total team and player development, benefiting all cadets and enhancing the Academy’s overall success in intercollegiate and intramural athletics.” Three days after the ground-breaking ceremony, construction began to level the ground north of the Cadet Field House and continued steadily through- out the winter. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 22, 2011.

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