Air Force coach Troy Calhoun helped Prince Harry learn about American football on Sunday. The link is a story from the Air Force Times.

http://blogs.militarytimes.com/flightlines/2013/05/14/prince-harry-learns-how-the-colonists-play-football/

The Air Force Armed Forces Bowl practice update is presented by LOWES, www.lowes.com.

Air Force completed its practices today for the Armed Forces Bowl. The team practiced at Kennendale High School for about one hour. The team is scheduled to go to several bowl functions today and tomorrow will participate in a press conference at the Omni Hotel. The Falcons take on Rice on Saturday, Dec. 29, at 10:45 a.m. CT at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.

The following Air Force Armed Forces Bowl practice update is presented by LOWES. To find out more about LOWES go to www.lowes.com.

Air Force completed its third of four practices today for the Armed Forces Bowl. The team is healthy and rested and will take on Rice on Saturday, Dec. 29, at

The following Air Force Bowl practice update is presented by LOWES. To see more information click on the following link: www.lowes.com.

 With a "white" Christmas greeting the schools from Houston and Colorado in Fort Worth Tuesday, the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl practice schedules for Rice and Air Force have changed for Wednesday (December 26). Both schools will practice at the indoor practice facility on the campus of TCU in Fort Worth. Rice, which arrived in Fort Worth today after traveling from Houston, will practice first Wednesday at the TCU indoor facility at 10:30 a.m. (CST) followed by Air Force at 12:30 p.m.

The following Air Force practice update is presented by LOWES. For more information, click on to the following link: www.lowes.com.

The Falcons arrived in Fort Worth today. All but six players made it on time for practice at TCU's indoor practice facility. The six that missed practice due to flight problems did finally arrive tonight and the entire team is now here in the Metroplex. The Falcons worked out for about 90 minutes today after a pre-practice lift. The team will practice at TCU again tomorrow, Dec. 25, before a final decision is made about where they will practice on Dec. 26-27. Air Force is making is sixth consecutive bowl appearance and takes on Rice on Saturday, Dec. 29, at 10:45 a.m. CT at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

In a recent story about Falcon Stadium, StadiumJourney.com ranked the home of the Falcons high in several areas. To read the story click on the link below.

http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/falcon-stadium-s408

Head Coach Troy Calhoun spent the 2006 season as the Houston Texans offensive coordinator before coming back to the Academy in 2007.

Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach Blane Morgan is a native of Dallas. He attended Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, Texas, where he played for his father, Barry.

Video Coordinator Dan Whisenhunt is a 1982 graduate of Texas Tech.

The 2012 Armed Forces Bowl featuring Air Force vs. Rice on Saturday, Dec. 29, at 10:45 a.m. CT will be available on ESPN.com. The link to watch the game is below.

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/688654/rice-vs-air-force 

Joe Theismann, an entrepreneur and former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins, has been named the keynote speaker of the 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Team Kickoff Luncheon, presented by the Omni Fort Worth Hotel and American Airlines. Held at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, the luncheon will take place at noon (CT) on Friday, Dec. 28, the day prior to the 10th anniversary of the postseason bowl game. American's sponsorship stems from its long-standing support for military, veterans and their families.

A 1971 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Joe Theismann received All-American honors and led the Fighting Irish to consecutive Cotton Bowls and was runner-up to Jim Plunkett in the Heisman Trophy balloting. In 2003, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

After turning down offers from the Minnesota Twins and Miami Dolphins, Theismann began his professional career in the Canadian Football League, spending three years with the Toronto Argonauts before joining the NFL's Washington Redskins in 1974. From his humble beginnings as a punt returner to his triumph as Super Bowl Champion, Theismann has experienced many of the challenges we all face in our constant quest to find success, by overcoming adversity.

General Norton A. Schwartz has been named the 2012 recipient of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl's Great American Patriot Award. The award will be presented by Armed Forces Insurance, the sponsor of the award and the official insurance partner of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

General Schwartz served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. until his retirement on August 12, 2012. As Chief, he served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 680,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian personnel serving in the United States and overseas. While a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he also functioned as a military adviser to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.

General Schwartz will formally accept the award from Armed Forces Insurance during halftime of the 10th anniversary Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012.

There are several connections between Rice, the opponent in the 2012 Bell Helcopter Armed Forces Bowl, and Air Force.

AIR FORCE - RICE CONNECTIONS

• Ken Hatfield coached at both Rice and Air Force during his career. He led the Falcons to a 26-32-1 mark from 1979-83 ... Hatfield led the turnaround at Air Force, leading the Falcons to back-to-back bowl games while posting an 8-5 mark in 1982 and a 10-2 mark in 1983 ... The 1982 bowl game was the first for Air Force in 11 years dating back to the 1971 Sugar Bowl ... Hatfield also brought Falcon Legend Fisher DeBerry to the Academy as an assistant ... DeBerry replaced Hatfield and coach the Falcons from 1984-2006, compiling a 169-109-1 mark ... Hatfield was head coach at Rice from 1994-2005 and posted a record of 56-89-1.

• Rice offensive coordinator and running backs coach John Reagan was the offensive line coach at Air Force for Fisher DeBerry from 2003-04 ... Air Force led the conference and was ranked fourth nationally in rushing each year Reagan coached at Air Force ... The Falcons averaged 280.6 yards per game in 2003 and 277.4 in 2004.

• Rice quarterback Taylor McHargue and Air Force receiver Drew Coleman were high school teammates at Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park, Texas. The two have continued a close friendship since their playing days.

• Brandon Hamilton of Rice and Chris Miller of Air Force each attended Copperas Cove High School in Copperas Cove, Texas ... Bryce Callahan of Rice and Colton Huntsman of Air Force each attended Cypress Woods High School in Cypress, Texas ... James Radcliffe of Rice and Alex Ludowig of Air Force each attended Cinco Ranch High School in Katy, Texas.

• Rice has two players that are transfers from Air Force. Trevor Caswell of Stony Point, Texas, and Ryan Pollard of Arlington, Texas, each began their careers at Air Force before transfering. Pollard saw action in four games as a freshman in 2011 at Air Force.

C-USA ANNOUNCES BOWL CONTINGENCY PLAN

IRVING, Texas - Conference USA will have five teams playing in bowl games this season and the league has announced its lineup of games, pending the result of this Saturday's C-USA Football Championship Game.  UCF will visit Tulsa in the championship and based on the result of that game, C-USA's bowl lineup will fall into place. East Carolina, Rice and SMU are the conference's other bowl-eligible teams.

If Tulsa wins the championship game, Rice will play Air Force in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

If UCF wins the championship game, Tulsa will play Air Force in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

C-USA Championship Game host Tulsa will be in a bowl game for the fourth straight season, while its opponent, UCF, will be bowling for the third time in four years.  After a one-year absence, East Carolina will play postseason football for the sixth time in seven seasons. SMU will be making a bowl trip a fourth consecutive year for the first time in school history.  Rice is back in postseason play for the first time since 2008.

Opponents for two of C-USA's bowl games have been confirmed.  Air Force will compete in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl and Louisiana-Lafayette will play in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.  Opponents for the other games will be announced no later than Sunday, December 2.

The Air Force - Hawaii game will be available on ESPN.com. To watch on your computer, go to the link below.

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/639773/hawaii-vs-air-force

Air Force vs. New Mexico Football Luncheon

Listen to Coach Calhoun recap the Wyoming game and his strategy for beating the LOBOS

When: Friday October 19^th at 11:00 AM (Doors will open at 10:30 AM)

Where: Falcon Stadium Press Box

What:  Qdoba Taco Bar with cilantro lime Rice, Black Beans, Queso and brownies and cookies for dessert

Cost: $10 at the door

POC: Denise Quelch, x0261

Air Force Football with Troy Calhoun Radio Show

Join us this Thursday night at Back East Bar and Grill for the Air Force Football with Troy Calhoun Radio Show.  Join host Jim Arthur and Coach Troy Calhoun in person from 6:30 - 7:30 PM Live from Back East Bar and Grill on AM 740  KVOR as they discuss this past weekend's win at Wyoming and the upcoming game against New Mexico.

Listen to the Coach's Show and all Air Force Football games every week on AM 740 KVOR - The Home of your Air Force Falcons. 

Come out and enjoy great food from Famous Dave's

at the Air Force vs. CSU Football Luncheon

Listen to Coach Calhoun

When: Friday, September 28^th at 1100 (Doors will open at 1030)

Where: The Falcon Stadium Press Box

What: Famous Dave's - Texas beef Brisket, Hot Links Sausage, Country Roasted Chicken, Wilbur's Beans, Coleslaw and Dave's Famous Bread Pudding and Hot Fudge Kahlua Brownies for dessert.

Cost: $10.00 at the door

POC: Denise Quelch, x0261

Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun will be an interview guest on Root Sports during the third inning of the Rockies game Wednesday night. He will join the broadcasters in the booth during the inning to talk Air Force football.

Air Force running back Cody Getz is up for the:MAACO Bowl Las Vegas Mountain West Player of the Week Award. To vote, go to the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/lvbowl

This week's Nominees:
Cody Getz, Air Force RB
Nat Berhe, SDSU DB
Cody Fajardo, Nevada, QB
Brett Smith, WYO QB

Senior running back Cody Getz and junior punter David Baska have been honored for their performances at Michigan last Saturday. Getz and Baska each earned collegefootballperformanceawards.com honors as running back and punter of the week, respectively. Getz also picked up collegesportsmadness.com Mountain West Conference player of the week honors.

Getz rushed for 130 yards and matched his career high with three touchdowns to lead the Falcons offense that gained 417 total yards. Getz leads the conference and ranks third nationally in rushing with a 174.0 per-game average through two weeks. He is also tied for the national lead in scoring with six touchdowns and an 18.0 per-game scoring average.

Baska punted twice at Michigan for a 53.5-yard average and nailed a career-long 71 yard punt while deep in his own territory. Baska leads the MW in punting with a 48.0 average, but lacks enough attempts to qualify for the national statistics.  

A GBMWolverine Salute to the Military Academies- A Preview of the Air Force Michigan Game

The author has had the good fortune to advise and teach students who later went to West Point, Annapolis, or Colorado Springs.  Two have achieved Top Gun status and one is a Top Gun instructor.  Many were females who made it through the grinder of academy preparation.  They were bright, maybe not as inherently bright as the students who attended Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Northwestern, Michigan, UCLA, Duke, or Georgetown.  But these were the kids that scored a few points less on the infamous standardized tests than Ivy League types.  But these kids had a clear vision of what they wanted out of life, loved the challenge that was accepted, were not afraid of any work level, and would not give an inch.  They had winner written all over them.

Most were quiet but came back as leaders, dressed in uniform and intensely and passionately talking to younger students at their alma mater.  There was no arrogance but an extreme pride about what had been accomplished and a stubborn determination about the future.

The athletes at the service academies are not five-star in athletic rank; their rank will be used to defend the country.  In academy life, challenges are taken in all areas, including sports.  The academies play major competition and in the early decades of the 20^th Century West Point ruled, let alone competed.  Then college athletics changed for good and became NFL farm teams.

Dwight Eisenhower made a famous tackle of Jim Thorpe saving Army's bacon.  Army remained strong until the 1960's and slid downhill with the retirement of famed coach Red Blaik.  Navy came on strong with famed quarterback Roger Staubach.  And then came the Air Force.

The Air Force Academy did not come into existence until 1954.  Many in the young category of society do not realize that there was no Air Force until 1947.  In World War II what is now the Air Force was the Army Air Corps.  Football started in 1955 and by 1958 the Falcons played in the Cotton Bowl, which then was a major bowl venue.  The Air Force Academy has played in 22 bowl games, with a 10-11-1 record.  Frankly this is a remarkable accomplishment.

The Academy has enjoyed victories against major competition and has been a member of the football rich MWC for years.  Perhaps the most visible and satisfying victory was against Ohio State in 1990, when Ohio State with a 50-60 pound advantage chose to use wide splits and let the smaller, but fast and determined, Falcon linemen shoot right through the gaps.

Like the other service academies, the Air Force has used ingenuity, determination, preparation, and discipline to compete against bigger, more talented teams.  Versions of the triple option have come and gone for all the academies, but the basic idea remains: control the clock and move the ball with intelligent option football that has become a great equalizer.

Fisher DeBerry, the winningest coach in military academy history, is linked to the vintage flexbone offense that was actually designed by one of the greatest offensive masterminds in football history, Tiger Ellison.  DeBerry, it was said wanted a more flexible offense.  And so two slotbacks between the wideouts and tackle, and a fullback behind the quarterback came into vogue and was termed flexbone.

By 2007 the flexbone went out of vogue, and offensive options meant to combat the growing number of superior defensive athletes came into being.  Fisher DeBerry retired and in 2007 Troy Calhoun, an Academy graduate, took over the reins as Head Coach.  As much as DeBerry experienced success, Calhoun's accomplishments have been sterling. Coach Calhoun's first team improved five games over the 2006 record and the Falcons have since set a school record with five straight bowl games.  Coach Calhoun has coached on both sides of the ball in the NFL and served as a very successful offensive coordinator of the NFL's Houston Texans before taking the job at the Academy.

Beyond football, the Air Force Academy represents the best of college athletics and for that matter university preparation.  The APR of the academy is consistently at the top of the NCAA Division One ranking.  The academics are rigorous (not a big secret here), including high-level math, physics, and engineering.  Essentially, when one graduates from a service academy the educational rank is really equal to a Master's level education.

It is refreshing in this day of meat market athletics to see an institution upholding the very best qualities of college and the American way of life competing successfully against high-level competition.

Make no mistake, when the Air Force Academy takes the field Saturday at the big House, the team has already won, and that includes every other field taken to as well.

Doc4Blu

GBMWolverine Staff

The Air Force at Michigan game will be rebroadcast on ESPN3. The first airing will be at 9 p.m. MT time on Saturday. The link to watch is:

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/560061

Air Force senior RB Cody Getz is a nominee for the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas Mountain West Player of the Week Award this week.

To vote for Cody, go to http://www.facebook.com/lvbowl

This week's Nominees:
Cody Getz, Air Force RB
Robert Herron, WYO WR
Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada RB
Cory James, CSU LB

Lee Douglas, long-time KOAA TV sports director and Air Force football color analyst who passed away in February,  was honored today at Falcon Stadium. A plaque in Douglas' honor was unveiled at the Falcon football luncheon and was then hung in the press box at Falcon Stadium.

Born Douglas Lee Cooley, but better known as Lee Douglas, he died on Feb. 4, 2012 in Pueblo, Colo. at the age of 54. Douglas hosted the Air Force Football Show with Fisher DeBerry, the Academy's television coaches show, in the mid-1980s. He worked at KOAA-TV channels 5/30 for 30 years and KRDO channel 13 before that. Douglas also worked at KFEL and KDZA radio in Pueblo for many years.

Douglas was the color commentator for Air Force football radio broadcasts for eight years from 2004-2011. In 2005, he was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He won multiple awards from the Colorado Broadcasters Association and the Associated Press, served on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo County and Lower Arkansas Valley and served on the selection committee for the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.

The inscription on the bottom of the plaque reads "A treasure to the Colorado Springs and Pueblo communities and a true friend of Air Force Athletics."

The Mountain West has relaunched its Countdown to Kickoff previews, continuing today with the Air Force Falcons can be previewed at http://www.themwc.com/sports/m-footbl/mw-12-countdown-afa.html.

The Denver Broncos organization and players replaced some Air Force Academy items that former Falcon Ben Garland lost in the Waldo Canyon fires in Colorado. Garland had the items stored at his grandparent's home. The link is a story from the Gazette about the presentation that took place today after the team's practice.

http://www.gazette.com/articles/garland-142837-air-force.html

Former Air Force football standout Chad Hall, a 2008 graduate, showed his support for troops by shaving his head during training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles. The full story from the CourierPostGazette.com follows.

BETHLEHEM, PA. -- While most of his Eagles teammates are consumed with paybooks, assignments and chances of earning one of the 53 roster spots, Chad Hall is also thinking about the time he served in the United States military and how he can help those who aren't as fortunate as him.

Hall, who won three letters while playing for the Air Force Academy, served two years as second lieutenant at an Air Force base in Salt Lake City before leaving to pursue his NFL career in 2010.

On Wednesday, after another intense practice at Lehigh, Hall had his head shaved on the field while roughly 300 veterans were invited around him to shake hands and ask for autographs from Hall and his teammates.

Every year, the Eagles bring veterans to camp to have them honored on "Military Day." For every lock of hair shaved off, Hall said, teammates donated money to the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity that raises money and awareness for servicemen and servicewomen injured in duty.

"I'm just trying to really take our minds off us and really appreciate these guys and what they do," said Hall, who's fighting to make the team for the third straight year. "They're over fighting for our freedom every day. We're fighting on the field, but it's so miniscule to what they really do."

Within minutes after practice, Hall's bushy blond mop had been turned into a military-style crew cut. It's the first time Hall's head was shaved since 2004, his first year at the Academy. Even then, he didn't have it trimmed all the way down.

"I don't think I'll ever grow it back," he said. "This is the first time I've ever had it like this. But it would take six to eight months. It would take a while."

Seniors Jason Kons (OL), Parker Herrington (PK) and Alex Means (LB) were all named to the first-team preseason all-Mountain West Conference football team by College Sports Madness. Senior fullback Mike DeWitt was a second-team selection while senior offensive lineman Jordan Eason was a third-team selection. Go to collegesportsmadness.com for the full listing of the all-conference teams.

Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium - August 11th Fans are invited to Falcon Stadium on Saturday, August 11th for a fun day with the Air Force football team to help kick of the 2012 season!  Preview the team during an open scrimmage at 10 am and then bring the kids down to the field to meet their favorite players for autographs and photos and some catch on the turf!  Admission is free and open to the public.

Toast to the Host - August 11th  Celebrate the start of the Air Force Football season at the 3rd annual Toast to the Host party at Falcon Stadium.  The cost is $25 per person and fans in attendance can enjoy samples of beer, wine and food from restaurants across the Springs while catching an open scrimmage with the Falcons.  Children over the age of 6 and non-alcoholic drinking adults are only $10.  Fans can reserve their tickets for the 2012 event by contacting the AFA ticket office by phone at 719-472-1895 or by clicking here.  Tickets will also be available at the gate on the 11th.  The event will run from 11 am to 1:30 pm.

6. Thanks, Broncos. A cadre of Broncos players -- tight end Jacob Tamme, tackle Ryan Clady, defensive end Ben Garland, wideout Eric Decker, linebacker Joe Mays, guard Chris Kuper and former Bronco Brian Dawkins -- visited the Medical Center of Aurora on Sunday to comfort the victims. Peyton Manning phoned several more of the 58 wounded in the attack. If you ever wonder about the meaning of a very popular team to a city, the emotion some victims felt to be remembered by the Broncos illustrates how important a franchise can be on days other than fall Sundays.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/07/22/mmqb/index.html#ixzz21XlQxHh7

The 2012 Air Force Football Media Guide is now online at the below link:

http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/071912aab.html

U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. - Air Force head football coach Troy Calhoun and his wife, Amanda, will host the second annual Touchdowns and Tiaras event on Wednesday, Aug. 1, in the Holaday Athletic Center at the Air Force Academy at 5:30 p.m. for cocktails and dinner at 6 p.m.

Grab your friends and join the coach and his wife as they present the fundaments of football. Fans will get exclusive access to the Holaday Athletic Center and instruction from the Air Force football coaching staff. In addition, there will be an Air Force athletic wear fashion show and each attendee will receive a free gift, a commemorative tote bad and a Touchdowns and Tiaras playbook.

Cost for the event is $40 per person and the event will sell out. You may register on the Air Force official website, goairforcefalcons.com, or by calling 719-333-2122. Dinner will be provided by Carrabba's Italian Grill. Casual game-day attire is suggested.

Athlon Sports has released its online 2012 All-Mountain West team. The poll is at the following link. 

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/mountain-west-football-2012-all-conference-team

Here is the breakdown for Air Force on our 2012 All-Mountain West Teams:  

First-Team

OL Jason Kons

K Parker Herrington

Second-Team

LB Alex Means

Preseason ranks for Air Force, Harrington on watch list

Air Force has been ranked #71 nationally and fifth in the Mountain West Conference for 2012, according to College Sports Madness. For links to in depth coverage and previews, see below.

Senior kicker Parker Herrington has been placed on the 2012 special teams watch list by the College Football Performance Awards. Go to http://www.collegefootballperformance.com for more information.

College Sports Madness has posted an in-depth team preview of Falcon Football.

Air Force Falcons Preview

We are also projecting an Armed Forces Bowl appearance. See all Bowl Projections.

The Air Force football program was among 12 nationally recognized Football Bowl Series programs with the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Public Recognition Award.

Air Force is one of just two in the Mountain West Conference (Boise State) and was the only service academy recognized. This year marks the sixth straight the football program and the team's score of 980 ranks 10^th nationally. Northwestern has the highest ranking of 995, followed by Boise State and Duke at 989.

                Each year the NCAA honors selects Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear APR. This announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams who demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports. Specifically, these teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.

The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.

12 Nationally Recognized FBS Teams

#      School                            APR Score

1.     Northwestern               995

2.     Boise State                    989

        Duke                               989

4.     Ohio State                     988

5.     Northern Illinois         987

6.     Rice                                986

7.     Clemson                        983

8.     Middle Tennessee St.  983

9.     Rutgers                          982

10.  Air Force                        980

11.  Miami (FL)                     980

12.  Vanderbilt                     978

Sports Corp College Football Kickoff Lunch Set For June 27

Make your plans today to be with the Sports Corp for the annual College Football Kickoff Luncheon, the state's best preview event for the upcoming season.

We'll gather on Wednesday, June 27, at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs with the head coaches or representatives of the state's top gridiron programs at Noon.

Troy Calhoun of Air Force will talk about the upcoming season, his incoming freshmen, his quarterback situation with the departure of Tim Jefferson, who will be carrying the football, and the tough MWC schedule. Is another bowl trip and more in the offing for the Falcons?

Meet new Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain, and hear about his 21-man inaugural recruiting class that features some massive linemen, a search for a new quarterback, and Texas A&M transfer Mister Jones, a blue-chip running back. Plus, the buzz about a possible new on-campus stadium in Fort Collins.

Hear about the two new quarterback prospects for the CU Buffs, highly-touted Texas transfer Connor Wood and prized freshman Shane Dillon, the best 1-2 QB punch in Boulder in years on paper. And a report on the 28-man CU recruiting class ranked among the top 30 nationally.

Hear from CSU-Pueblo head coach John Wristen, coming off an 11-0 regular season, a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs, and what may be his best recruiting class ever headed for Pueblo.

Listen to Northern Colorado head coach Earnest Collins, Jr., about his promising 27-man recruiting class that includes Grand Junction QB Sean Rubalcaba, the Denver Post's Golden Helmet Award winner as the state's top player last year, and Central Florida transfer Leilon Willingham, a star at Mullen in his prep days.

Tables: $250.00 (Sports Corp Members or school booster clubs) $350.00 for others; Tickets: $25.00/$35.00 for same)

The 10th anniversary Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl is slated to feature a "familiar" match-up as a team from the Mountain West Conference will meet a Conference USA institution for the 2012 postseason football game.

Owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television (ERT), the 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl will kick off Saturday, Dec. 29 at TCU's newly-renovated Amon G. Carter Stadium with a 10:45 a.m. (CT) kickoff. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Radio.

The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl's agreement with the Mountain West is for two years with the 2013 edition featuring a MW team against the United States Naval Academy, provided the Midshipmen are bowl-eligible. Navy has also agreed to play in the 2016 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl with the United States Military Academy signing a contract to participate in the Fort Worth postseason game in 2014 and 2017, if bowl-eligible.

"We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to host a MW institution as one of our bowl participants in 2012," said Brant B. Ringler, executive director of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.  "Our game has featured the Mountain West vs. Conference USA match-up three times, with the last two meetings in 2008 and 2009 attracting national attention as Air Force played Houston. The Falcons and Cougars split the two-game set with crowds of more than 40,000 for each contest."

Two teams in the current Mountain West lineup have previously competed in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, as Boise State participated in the inaugural 2003 edition, known then as the PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl, defeating TCU 34-31; and the Air Force Falcons in 2007 versus Cal and in 2008 and 2009 against Houston. Other MW institutions for the 2012 season are Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawai'i, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV and Wyoming.

"The Mountain West is excited to renew its relationship with the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl," said Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson. "Our institutions have been a part of the fabric of the game's history and it's only fitting that a Mountain West representative will participate in the 10th anniversary of the bowl this December. The date and location are very attractive for our teams, the experiences of past participants have been very positive and we look forward to visiting newly-renovated Amon G. Carter Stadium."

Four current members of Conference USA have played in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, including Marshall (2004), Houston (2005, 2008 and 2009), SMU (2010) and Tulsa (2006 and 2011).  Other C-USA schools for the 2012 season are East Carolina, Memphis, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, UAB, UCF and UTEP.

Owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television (ERT), the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl has featured the "Armed Forces" theme since 2006. Patriotic overtones recognizing all five branches of the service are prevalent throughout the game. Past Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowls have included fan-fest areas showcasing Armed Forces hardware; flyovers; demonstrations by several of the military's top skydiving teams; the awarding of custom homes to wounded warriors; on-field induction ceremonies; Armed Forces bands and honor guards; and the awarding of the annual "Great American Patriot Award" (GAPA) presented by Armed Forces Insurance. For additional information about the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, please visit ArmedForcesBowl.com, Facebook.com/ArmedForcesBowl or Twitter.com/ArmedForcesBowl.

Ticket information for the 2012 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl will be released in the coming months and can be obtained at ArmedForcesBowl.com. Armed Forces veterans and active-duty personnel receive free admittance via the bowl's corporate Armed Forces ticket underwriting program. 

Bell Helicopter-Textron
Bell Helicopter-Textron is an American manufacturer of commercial and military helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft with its headquarters in Fort Worth. Bell Helicopter provides the United States Armed Forces with the world's best military helicopters, including the V-22 Osprey, the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters. A sister company, Textron Systems, produces the new M1117 Armored Security Vehicle, which is designed for speed and for deflecting rocket-propelled grenades and land mines.

ESPN Regional Television/Event Ownership
The nation's largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming, ESPN Regional Television (ERT) annually produces more than 1,200 sporting events. Content includes action from NCAA football, basketball and Olympic sports, NHRA and professional and amateur golf, accounting for more than 3,400 live and/or original hours of programming. ERT's owned and operated events reach over a million fans a year and provides more than 200 additional hours of programming.

In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU; syndication rights-holder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences (SEC, BIG EAST, Big 12, Mid-American, WAC) and manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.

Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun was mentioned among one of the top 20 coaches that parents would want their kid to play for by the BleacherReport.com. The complete report is at the link below.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1171712-20-college-football-coaches-you-want-your-kid-to-play-for/page/7#/articles/1171712-20-college-football-coaches-you-want-your-kid-to-play-for/page/7

Drew Fowler, a 2008 graduate of the Air Force Academy and former football player, is featured in a story about playing arena football. He's currently stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/silverbacks-find-superhero-in-air-force-academy-legend-1362220.html

U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. - The 2012 Air Force football schedule, announced today by the Mountain West Conference, features a 12-game schedule with six home and six away games and opens on Sept. 1 with Idaho State on Parent's Weekend at the Academy. Four teams that participated in bowl games in 2011 also highlight the schedule. Game times and television coverage, including possible non-Saturday games, will be determined and announced later this spring by the conference.

The Falcons open road play at Michigan in Ann Arbor at the "Big House" on Sept. 8 following the home opener. The Falcons have an open week Sept. 15 before opening conference play at UNLV Sept. 22. In-state rival Colorado State visits Falcon Stadium Sept. 29. Air Force begins its quest for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy the following week when Navy comes to Colorado Springs Oct. 6. The Navy game begins a four-game October stretch that has the Falcons in Falcon Stadium three times. Air Force is at Wyoming Oct. 13 before closing out the month vs. New Mexico Oct. 20 and Nevada Oct. 27.

Air Force's final non-conference tilt kicks off November when the Falcons travel to West Point to take on Army Nov. 3. November features three road games, as the team travels to the other coast the following week to play at San Diego State Nov. 10. Hawai'i plays in Falcon Stadium Nov. 17 in the lone home game of the month before the team closes out the regular season at Fresno State Nov. 24.

The Mountain West Conference membership in the fall of 2012 includes Air Force, Boise State, who Air Force doesn't play in 2012, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawai'i, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV and Wyoming.

Air Force Tentative 2012 Football Schedule

Sept. 1       Idaho State

Sept. 8        at Michigan

Sept. 15     Open

Sept. 22     at UNLV*

Sept. 29     Colorado State*

Oct. 6         Navy

Oct. 13       at Wyoming*

Oct. 20       New Mexico*

Oct. 27       Nevada*

Nov. 3         at Army

Nov. 10      at San Diego State*

Nov. 17      Hawai'i*

Nov. 24      at Fresno State*

* - Mountain West Conference game

Bold indicates home game

14 December 2011

To the Great Supporters and Graduates of the Air Force Academy,

The chance to play in a prestigious bowl game happens because of the terrific accomplishments of our cadets with the guidance and backing of the fine leadership of our Air Force Academy General officers and staff. The Dec 28th Washington DC, Military Bowl provides one of those rare opportunities to globally share our mission of the Air Force Academy while we play against a high scoring Toledo team on ESPN. The game will honor wounded warriors and troops who have returned from deployment.  Proceeds from this game help support the USO which does so much for our service members and their families.  Air Force fans, we need your help to fill the stadium with the great Falcon spirit by purchasing bowl tickets. Even if you cannot attend, the tickets you buy will be passed to Airmen who are serving our country while stationed in the DC area and other bases along the eastern seaboard.  For anyone who makes a $1,000 donation, you will receive a signed Air Force jersey with your requested jersey number.  (I can see it coming- you're probably going to ask if you can have the necessary shoulder pads and lightning bolt helmet so you can lace up those cleats and hustle to cover a kickoff for the Falcons, too.)

Our Dec 28^th 4:30 pm EST kickoff is the only college football game during that time slot. We earned this bowl invitation because we've proven we're a school that strongly supports our bowl teams. These seniors have won 5 straight service academy games, been to 4 bowl games, won back to back Commander In Chief's Championships, and won consecutive bowl championships. It's time to go after our 3rd straight, but we need your help. As we do so often, it's time for the Falcons to pull together and rally. Support the team who fought, attacked, and persevered to keep the Commander In Chief's trophy back at the Air Force Academy for a record 18th time. 

We are only two weeks from kickoff, so please click here to Purchase Tickets or call 719-472-1895 and let's make sure we have RFK Stadium full of Falcons pulling for America's future leaders. Thanks for your help and always -- Go Air Force!

Coach Troy Calhoun

Air Force Football

To the Great Supporters of the United States Air Force Academy,

Since 1959 each of our Air Force Academy graduate classes have gone forth to serve with tremendous distinction and honor. And this May our 54th class will earn their commission and open a path to be like those who served before them. This year's football team has earned an incredible leadership opportunity to represent the Academy with an invite last night to the 2011 Washington DC Military Bowl.

The chance to play in a significant bowl game happens because of the terrific accomplishments of our cadets, along with the guidance and backing of the fine leadership of our Academy General officers and staff. This year's Military Bowl will kickoff at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, December 28th at DC's RFK Stadium vs 8-4 Toledo on ESPN. Such post season and bowl opportunities provide an unparalleled opportunity to globally share our mission of the Air Force Academy. Air Force fans, we need your help to fill RFK Stadium with the great Falcon spirit by purchasing bowl tickets. Even if you cannot attend, the tickets you buy will be passed to Airmen/Soldiers stationed at the Pentagon and other bases throughout the DC/Maryland/Virginia area.

We earned this bowl invitation in part because of the deserved reputation we have gained the past four years, as being a school that strongly backs our teams in post season contests. To get to it, each December our conference affiliated bowls diligently work to invite the Air Force Academy. The reasons they do so include: first and foremost, the respect bowls have for our commitment to the mission of building active duty warriors of character; we play a good brand of football; and Academy backers display their support by purchasing bowl tickets. As many know, this has been an amazing four year run by this group of 1st Class Cadets. In their officer development, each is on track to become a 2nd Lieutenant as a part of the greatest team - the United States Air Force. And on the football field their accomplishments have been remarkable including: earning their fourth winning season, winning five straight service academy games, going to four bowl games, winning back to back Commander In Chief's Championships, and winning consecutive bowl championships. It's time to go after our 3rd in a row.

We kickoff in three weeks, so let's purchase tickets and make sure we have the Military Bowl full of Falcons pulling for America's future leaders. Thanks for your help and always - Go Air Force!

Coach Troy Calhoun

Air Force Football

Junior linebacker Alex Means is up for the Las Vegas Bowl player of the week. Click on the link below to vote for him. Means had five tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles vs. Colorado State last week.

http://www.facebook.com/lvbowl

This week's Nominees:
Ronnie Hillman, SDSU RB
Alex Means, AFA LB
Doug Martin, Boise State RB
Chris Nwoke, CSU RB

Fans, you can vote now for the Las Vegas Bowl player of the week by clicking the link below. Air Force senior running back Asher Clark is one of the nominees. Clark rushed for a career-high 169 yards and scored on a career-long run of 67 yards to lead Air Force past UNLV, 45-17, last week.

http://www.facebook.com/lvbowl

This week's Nominees:
Tank Carder, TCU LB
Asher Clark, AFA RB
Kellen Moore, Boise State QB
Brett Smith, Wyoming QB

To listen to an interview featuring Air Force senior defensive back Jon Davis, click the link below. The interview was done by Mick McGrane of the Mountain West office.

Click HERE to start listening.

Senior safety Jon Davis did an interview with the Walter Camp Award committee this week after being named the National Player of the Week. You can listen to the interview below:

http://www.generationucan.com/wk10davis.html

Coach Calhoun's Radio Show - November 8th - Stop by Back East Bar and Grill tonight night for the Coach Calhoun Radio Show.  Enjoy great food and drink specials after work and then stick around for some Falcon football talk with Coach Calhoun from 6:30pm - 7:30pm as Air Force prepares for Front Range rival Wyoming this Saturday.

Volleyball Thursday Night Tailgate - AFA Faculty Night - November 10th - Air Force volleyball hosts their final home series of the season this weekend.  Play from the Cadet Gymnasium starts on Thursday as the Falcons welcome in UNLV @ 7 pm.  All fans in attendance will receive a free ticket to the AFA vs. UNLV football game at the gate!  Noodles & Company will be providing the first 200 AFA faculty members and up to four accompanying guests with free food during a pre-game tailgate.  AFA faculty can present their prox card to receive admission to the tailgate.  Doors will open at 6 pm.  Tickets are only $2 for youth and $5 for adults.

Football vs. Wyoming Scout Day - November 12th - Air Force would like to welcome local Boy and Girl Scouts to this Saturday's game for the annual "Scout Day" at Falcon Stadium.  Tickets for the game are available for all scouts and guests by clicking here.  Special discounts include a $10 ticket with $5 of concession vouchers included.

Volleyball Fan Appreciation Night - November 12th The Falcons will wrap up their 2011 season with a home match this Saturday against San Diego State.  First serve is 5 pm.  Be sure to stop by after the Wyoming Football game and present your ticket stub at the gate for free admission.  All other admission will be available for only $1.  The first 200 fans in attendance will receive a free AFA stadium scarf at the gate.

Men's Swimming vs. Utah - @ 6 pm - Men's swimming will be in action from the Cadet Gymnasium Natatorium this Thursday starting at 6 pm.  Admission is free and open to the public.

Women's Basketball Season Tickets on Sale - Women's basketball will open up their season at home next Thursday, November 17th with in state rival Denver 7 pm.  To get in on all of the excitement at Clune Arena this winter be sure to reserve your 2011-12 season tickets soon!  Ticket packages are available for unbelievably low prices - youth $20, adult $40 and family packs are only $60!  To learn more please contact a ticket office representative at 719-472-1895.

Men's Basketball Season Tickets and Mini-Game Plans Now Available- This season fans of Air Force men's basketball can pick their own 4 or 8 game mini-plans based off of the games they'd like to see in 2011-12.  Select your favorite matchups at Clune Arena this season and get in on some great discounted rates.  4 game mini-plans are available now and start at only $30 for upper baseline seating and $50 for upper courtside.  8 game plans are available for $50 for upper baseline and only $90 for all lower level seating.  Click here to find out more about this year's mini-game packages.  For this season's promotional schedule click here. 

Air Force senior safety Jon Davis is up for the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas Mountain West Player of the Week Award. Davis matched his career high with 12 tackles, had a forced and recovered fumble and an interception in Air Force's 24-14 win over Army last week. The victory secured a record 18th Commander-in-Chief's Trophy title for the Falcons.

To vote for Davis, go to http://www.facebook.com/lvbowl. He is up against San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman, Kellen Moore of Boise State and TCU's Waymon James.