Recognizing 5 CSU alumni who are changing the game

The annual Homecoming and Family Weekend at Colorado State University is a time for Rams old and new to come together and celebrate green-and-gold pride. It’s a weekend filled with traditions, tailgates and reunions, and it serves as a reminder that the CSU spirit doesn’t end at graduation.

For many Rams, it’s also a moment to reflect on how far this community stretches and the impact that those who have called CSU’s campus home have had.

Some former CSU students have broken barriers, changed conversations and led with the kind of grit and heart that define what it means to be a Ram. Here are five alumni who have changed the game and continue to inspire.

Becky Hammon (1999)

There’s no better alumna to start this list with than Becky Hammon, head coach of recently crowned WNBA Champions the Las Vegas Aces. The Aces’ finals sweep at the start of October earned Hammon her third title in four years since she stepped into the program’s head coaching position in 2022.

Before her time in Las Vegas, Hammon led the Colorado State women’s basketball team to their only sweet-sixteen appearance in program history in 1999. A six-time WNBA All-Star during her 16-season professional career, Hammon again made history in 2014 when she became the first woman to coach in the NBA as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs. Hammon’s journey from Moby Arena to the professional sidelines embodies CSU’s drive to defy limits and redefine the game.

Eugene Daniels (2012)

From campus newsrooms to the White House briefing room, Eugene Daniels’ career has been nothing short of meteoric. A journalism graduate and proud alumnus of The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Daniels is currently a co-host of The Weekend on MSNBC and served as President of the White House Correspondents’ Association from 2024-25 — the youngest to ever fill the role. Daniels returned to CSU in May 2025 as the keynote speaker for commencement, where he spoke about owning who you are and making your voice heard.

“What I learned was that not everyone is going to get you, and that’s OK because you all have come through the mean streets of FoCo, baby,” Daniels said in his speech. “The world is going to try and change you. … But you have to remember that you belong in that meeting, that research facility, that doctor’s chair — in whatever room you find yourself in.”

Leslie Jones (attended 1986–87)

Before becoming a comedy powerhouse on Saturday Night Live, Leslie Jones was just another CSU student figuring out her path. Her brief time in Fort Collins turned out to be pivotal, as it’s where she first considered pursuing stand-up comedy. Jones transferred to CSU to play basketball, but instead she discovered another passion when a friend signed her up for a competition to find the funniest person on campus without her knowledge. Jones went on the win the competition and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

Fun fact: The Collegian was the first outlet ever to interview Jones as a comedian, long before her rise to stardom. Sometimes, a spark that starts in Fort Collins can ignite a fire that lights up Hollywood.

Yusef Komunyakaa (M.A. ’78)

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa refined his craft right here at CSU while earning his master’s degree in creative writing. Known for his powerful explorations of war, identity and memory, Komunyakaa’s work has influenced generations of writers and artists. Komunyakaa was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1994 for his work “Neon Vernacular: New and Selected Poems.” His success stands as a testament to CSU’s long legacy of nurturing voices that challenge, inspire and move the world.

Amy Van Dyken (attended 1993–94)

When Amy Van Dyken transferred to CSU, she’d nearly given up swimming. But a deal with the then-head coach John Mattos reignited her passion. The result? Six Olympic gold medals and a place in history as the first American woman to win four golds in a single Olympic Games, a feat she accomplished at the 1996 Olympic Games. Van Dyken’s story is a reminder that resilience and the right support can turn a second chance into a legend.

From courts to comedy clubs and newsrooms to Olympic podiums, CSU alumni are out there shaping the world, one bold move at a time. This Homecoming, we celebrate not just where they’ve been, but where they’re taking the Ram legacy next.

Reach Hannah Parcells at life@collegian.com or on social media @HannahParcells.