CSU men’s basketball coach Larry Eustachy joined a very exclusive club Saturday when the Rams rolled to an 85-58 win over Air Force.
The win was Eustachy’s 500th of his long career, making him just the 61st coach in NCAA history to reach that milestone. He is now 500-312 in 26 seasons overall – a career that includes stops at Idaho, Utah State, Iowa State, Southern Mississippi and CSU – and ranks 18th in wins among active Division I coaches.
The decisive victory put the Rams coach two victories shy of 100 wins at CSU; he is now 98-54 in five seasons.
Dance party
Eustachy was presented with a basketball commemorating the milestone at a postgame ceremony and soon began celebrating by breaking into a freestyle dance – much to the delight of his players and fans in attendance at Moby Arena.
Among the players was senior forward Emmanuel Omogbo, who has emerged as one of the Mountain West’s top players this season. On year ago, Omogbo suffered an unimaginable tragedy when a house fire at his home in Maryland claimed the lives of both parents and twin niece and nephew.
Touching moment
Eustachy presented Omogbo with the game ball following Saturday’s game.
“We had to beat San Jose State (earlier in the week) and wanted to win this 500th game here, and give the ball to Emmanuel (Omogbo), because in one phone call, Emmanuel’s innocence was taken away,” Eustachy said “He went from the baby to the man of the family and that’s really the story here. From that time to this time, the way that man has grown is incredible. This is more about Emmanuel than about myself.”
The win put the Rams (11-6, 3-1 Mountain West) in a tie for second place in the league heading into a noon Saturday game against New Mexico. Tickets are available online, at the McGraw Athletic Center ticket office or by calling 491-7267.
