The Colorado State University experience for Karen (B.S., ’88) and Steve (B.S., ’87) DeLine has been a series of chances – a chance to attend the University, a chance encounter at the Lagoon, and even a chance baby delivery shortly after attending a sports game. Those chances, and their continued connection to CSU, will culminate on Oct. 28 when the DeLines ring the Old Main Bell before the Rams take on the Air Force. The theme of that game day is “State Pride” and that is fitting for a family who has remained close to both their alma mater and the land of Colorado.
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Steve DeLine thought a college experience was guaranteed after he received a scholarship to the University of Wyoming. Equipped with only a GED (he left high school early to help on his family’s ranch in North Park), was denied access to Wyoming because they did not accept out-of-state GEDs.
“I was told that if I could get through the admissions process at CSU, I would have a scholarship waiting for me,” Steve explained. “I applied to the animal sciences program, which was looking for students with an ag background, and they took a chance on me.”
Steve thrived in animal sciences – adding CSU’s groundbreaking research and innovative ranching ideas to his generational knowledge – as well as a kicker for the Rams after receiving a football scholarship from Fum McGraw. He would go on to be drafted into the National Football League as a kicker for the San Francisco 49ers and play for both the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers. But the desire to get back to the Colorado landscape and continue raising cattle would eventually pull him back to the ranch.
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Like Steve, Karen DeLine was born in Colorado but being the daughter of a soldier in the U.S. Army, had lived mostly in Germany by the time she was ready to attend college. After her father retired, he attended CSU before moving the family to Arvada. When it was her time to go to school, Karen enrolled in CSU to earn a degree in human development and family studies.
“I was the third of my four siblings to go to CSU. I’d visited it and loved it,” Karen said. “I loved everything about my time at CSU – gameday, the classes, my major, the people I met there – it was a blast.”
One day, by chance, Karen and Steve were both walking on the path beside the Lagoon. Karen had seen the cowboy kicker before and as he passed her she thought she’d turn around to get another look. As she looked back, she saw Steve doing the same exact thing.
“We both had a mutual friend, so I talked him into introducing me to Steve. That was my freshman year and then in my junior year, I married him,” Karen explained. “Thinking about it now, I was so young, but at the time, it seemed so right. We actually got our best grades that year we were married.”
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After college, and Steve’s stint in the NFL, the DeLines settled into raising cattle on their ranch in North Park. For Steve, ranching was as natural as pulling on his boots in the early morning, and Karen, despite having no experience, instantly fell in love with it.
“My dad was a computer programmer, but when I was a kid I would always ask him to buy a ranch or a farm. I have no idea where that came from. I guess it’s just internal in some people,” Karen said.
CSU, too, has always been an integral part of the DeLine’s lives post-graduation.
“We have constantly used CSU in our time as ranchers and the learning relationship has never changed,” Steve said. “I still talk with my old professors to help understand how to raise the best cowherd possible, we’ve hired people from CSU, we’re part of the group who started the Beef Club – it’s always been a helpful relationship.”
Even without that connection, Karen and Steve are Rams through and through – they’ve held football season tickets since they graduated, all three of their children attended the University (with their two sons also playing football for the Rams), and one of their children was almost born in Moby Arena.
“It was late September and I was two weeks past due. We went to Fort Collins for a football game and then a volleyball game. Just as I laid down after we got home, my water broke,” Karen said with a laugh. “It was a very busy day.”
Karen, who also serves on the College of Health and Human Sciences Executive Leadership Council, added that it’s a fun, prideful thing to remain so close to the University. As a Leadership Council member, Karen helps support the college as it implements long- and short-term goals, community outreach, and partnership development. It’s just another way Karen and her family stay connected to the University, which isn’t always the case for alums from other universities. Karen cited Steve’s brother who went to CU Boulder and who always marvels at how tight-knit the CSU community is.
“A lot of people don’t have the passion [for their university], but it’s always been a big part of our lives and so exciting that we get to share that with our children,” Karen said.
“CSU is really our extended family,” Steve added.
It will be a family affair on Oct. 28 when Steve, Karen and their children, Ben (B.S., ’13), Erika (B.S., ’14), and Joe (B.S., ’21), along with Joe’s wife, Brianne (B.S., ’19), ring back tradition and showcase their state pride when they ring the Old Main Bell.
“I don’t know if it’s our lifestyle, but we love tradition and are humbled and excited to take part in this tradition,” Karen said.
“We’re so proud, and to have our children with us will be a very special moment and add to our great love and relationship with CSU,” Steve added.
