The classic image of high school sweethearts is of the star quarterback of the football team dating the head cheerleader, and that’s exactly how it all started for Mark (B.S., ’76; M.S., ’88) and Neyla (B.A., ’79) Driscoll. Who better than the Driscoll’s to kick-off Homecoming and Family Weekend game day by ringing the Old Main Bell before the Rams take on Boise State on Oct. 14. Not only that, but the Driscolls will be part of another beloved Colorado State University homecoming tradition when they are honored at the Distinguished Alumni Awards on Oct. 12.
Mark and Neyla met while they were attending high school in La Junta, Colorado. Upon graduation, Mark was recruited to play for CSU, and Neyla followed him to Fort Collins a year later.
“CSU was always high on our list of colleges while growing up in La Junta, as it is in many Colorado communities” Neyla said. “I love CSU – I had wonderful professors and wonderful mentors and teachers along the way – and I’m so proud to be a graduate of the Speech Communications and Theatre program.”
For as much pride as the Driscolls have for CSU, the University has just as much for them: as a quarterback for the Rams from 1972-75, Mark still holds the University’s oldest passing record of throwing six touchdown passes on Oct. 19, 1974, in a 66-17 win over the University of Nevada.
“CSU changed my life,” Mark said. “To have a chance to get a football scholarship, to continue playing football, and to travel was a wonderful experience. It created an opportunity for me to go to school, and I ended up with a successful business career and was able to stay here in Fort Collins. It was really the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Neyla and Mark were married in 1975, and after graduation, Mark tried out for the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, but neither team kept him on their rosters, so he and Neyla returned to Fort Collins. Mark had the opportunity to be a Rams assistant football coach for four seasons between 1976 and 1979. Although he enjoyed coaching, Mark’s interest in business and in using his degree was his long-term goal. In 1980, Mark accepted a position with First National Bank, eventually becoming president of that bank in 1994.
“To be able to be a CSU grad and stay [in Fort Collins] in business, created an immediate network that helped me succeed in business,” Mark said. “I have always believed that I’ve gotten a lot more than I ever gave to the University.”
That might be hard to believe considering Mark stepped away from his banking career from 2003 to 2006 to serve as the athletics director for CSU Athletics, as well as serving as a Rams football color commentator, providing expert analysis and background information on radio broadcasts for the Colorado State Sports Network, between 2015 and 2021.
Rams tend to be humble, committing themselves to their alma mater and community without any expectation of recognition. But Rams also recognize Rams, and that’s why the CSU Alumni Association will give the Driscolls the acknowledgement they deserve and honor them with the Jim and Nadine Henry Distinguished Alumni Award, as well as letting them ring the Old Main Bell on that special homecoming weekend in October.
“We stand for all those super fans that we met along the way the last 50 years, and those who have passed, and the ones who received this award before us, we do it honor them,” Neyla concluded.
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When you join the Colorado State University Alumni Association, you become part of something bigger – a global community of green and gold that keeps alumni connected to the University and each other. Life members Mark and Neyla Driscoll are making an impact on current students and future Rams through volunteerism and donations; providing support for alumni programming, outreach, and nationwide engagement; and preserving time-honored traditions that bind us together as Rams. You can make a difference too, and gain access to benefits such as exclusive invites, bookstore savings, career services, and more. Become a member today!
