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Ralston Valley's Ribble rides to Wyoming

Contributed by: John Eisel/YourHub.com on 2/8/2008

Editor's note: Visit our Faces of Arvada and Wheat Ridge page, where YourHub.com staff and readers can introduce you to more people who make this part of the metro area what it is.


Some choices define a person's life.

For Arvada's Brandon Ribble, one of those choices likely came Feb. 6, when he signed his letter of intent to play football at the University of Wyoming.

Like a high school graduation party, friends, parents, family members and coaches past and present celebrated Ribble, as they flocked to the Village of Five Park's Community Center.

"The whole gang's here," said Ribble, a lanky receiver who confounded defensive backs with his 6-foot-5-inch frame and unfailing hands that didn't drop a pass his senior year. "You get to enjoy with those who love you around you."

Appropriately, the 2008 Rocky Mountain News All-State tight end from Ralston Valley High School shared the celebration with his quarterback and best friend, Cameron Wright, who signed to walk-on a little ways up the Boulder Turnpike at the University of Colorado.

Afterward, many traveled just a few blocks south to RVHS, where all of the school's college signees were honored with pictures, interviews, a white cake with the blue mustang of RVHS on it and finally, a novelty-sized pen to symbolize just how big the situation was.

The day ended a nerve-wracking process for Ribble, which left him at times with insomnia, other times physically ill as he contemplated where to go.

"You're going to spend the next five years of your life there and you want to make sure you made the right decision," he said.

He had scholarship offers from Northern Colorado and Wyoming and a preferred walk-on invite from Colorado State, in addition to Division-II offers. In one week, six coaches came for recruiting visits.

"It changes your lifestyle, because it's constantly on your mind, and you're constantly reminded of it," Ribble said. "I couldn't have a conversation without it - heard it every second of every day."

Some told him to stay closer to home; others told him to do what's best for him.

In the meantime, hardcore football fans theorized on message boards what school he was going to play for, his future impact and about his time in the 40-yard-dash.

"I didn't think I was that interesting, but the fact that they did, it was a shock to me, and a shock to everyone around me," Ribble said.

In the end, Brandon said he chose Wyoming because he felt a family atmosphere in Laramie.

"Everyone loves each other there - lots of good people, lots of good families," he said. "It's just a fun environment to be in."

He also wanted to go somewhere he felt he could make an impact. UW head coach Joe Glenn said Wyoming fans will be enamored with Ribble's pass-catching ability, invoking former Wyoming and Dallas Cowboy great Jay Novacek when talking about him.

"He's fun to watch catch the ball and run away from everyone," Glenn said.

Ribble has a few months before going to Laramie. He's been told a huge challenge awaits.

"(It will be the) dardest thing I'll ever do, but also the most rewarding thing I'll ever do," he said.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

John Eisel

Denver , COLORADO

John Eisel has posted 2865 stories and 12 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. John Eisel's average story rating is 4.39.
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