Wristen previews season alongside D-I coaches

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - CSU-Pueblo head football coach John Wristen appeared at the Colorado Springs Sports Corp's football preview luncheon alongside coaches from Air Force, Colorado State and Northern Colorado to preview the 2010 football season.

Wristen addressed questions about the season from Sports Corp's Senior Media Consultant, Mike Moran, alongside Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun, Colorado State head coach Steve Fairchild, and Northern Colorado head coach, Scott Downing.  Colorado head coach, Dan Hawkins, was also invited but had a previous family engagement.  Wristen, one of six Division II head coaches in the state of Colorado, was the only Division II coach asked to make an appearance, something he has done at the Sports Corp's luncheon for the past three years.

The buzz of the event was obviously about Colorado's jump to the PAC-10, which was covered by CU athletic director Mike Bohn and Mountain West Conference commissioner, Craig Thompson.  It gave Wristen an opportunity to poke fun at the situation before making his comments.

"I just wanted to thank [MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson] on his invite of CSU-Pueblo to the Mountain West, and we'll work out the particulars later," Wristen quipped.

On a serious note, Wristen spoke about several items, including the team's addition of former NCAA FCS Walter Payton Award candidate and University of San Diego quarterback, Sebastian Trujillo (Sr., Durango, Colo.) as well as junior college transfer, Ross Dausin (So., San Antonio, Tex.).  The Pack's quarterback battle has been the highest-profile position battle on the team.

"I'm high on both these guys," Wristen said.  "I think that no matter who the guy is, they have the ability to lead us to the championship."

Wristen also covered other topics, as well, including the Pack's home schedule for this season.  CSU-Pueblo will host the cream of the RMAC in home games, including defending conference champ, Nebraska-Kearney, as well as Chadron State, Adams State, New Mexico Highlands, and NAIA powerhouse, Northwestern Oklahoma State.

"We're really excited about this season and our crowd is always behind us," Wristen said.  "We put on a good show and we hope people will come out and support us."

The ThunderWolves report for fall camp August 6 and will play its first game on the road at Oklahoma Panhandle State Aug. 28.