Colorado Mesa University

The Maverick : Fall 2018

The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.

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13 FALL 2018 • VOLUME 8.1 COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY H a ll o f H ono r A w a r d W hen Brett Armour graduated from Fruita Monument High School in 2002, Mesa State College was not on his radar. Instead, the pitcher left Colorado to play ball for a junior college in Arizona. "I was a late bloomer," Armour shared. "I convinced myself that going the junior college route would give me more playing time while my body developed." After two successful years, it looked as if Armour's plan was paying off when he signed a letter of intent to play Division I baseball at Oral Roberts University. A redshirt pitcher his first year, Armour intended to return to Oklahoma in the fall, only to find that his scholarship had been pulled. Scrambling, Armour contacted Mesa Head Baseball Coach Chris Hanks and was invited to walk on. And with that tenuous offer in hand, this third generation Grand Valley native came home. "Coming back to Mesa was the best decision I could have made," said Armour. "Mesa provided an environment in which I was comfortable and which shaped me from ages 21 to 23." While pitching for Mesa, Armour earned some of baseball's highest collegiate awards, racked up impressive statistics and ended up signing with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007. Armour earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, which laid the groundwork for his professional success in mortgage lending and banking. He also met his wife, Rachel, at Mesa in 2006. Armour said he credits the university's welcoming environment, passionate and engaged faculty, and top-notch student experience with helping him succeed. Named to the CMU Alumni Association Board in July 2018, Armour is thrilled to help increase alumni engagement and promote CMU to incoming and prospective students. "CMU still feels very much like home to me. I hope kids coming to campus today feel that way too." • BRETT ARMOUR Hometown: Fruita, Colorado Age: 34 Profession: Mortgage banker, Bank of the San Juans Most Memorable Book: The Bible "It's the book that has been most impactful in my life." Favorite Place Visited: The Colorado mountains Hobbies: Archery hunting and hunting in general Favorite CMU Professors: Tim Hatten, PhD, and John Snyder, PhD, both of the Department of Business Accomplishments: • RMAC All-Century Team, RMAC Pitcher of the Year, 2006 RMAC Conference Tournament Most Valuable Pitcher • ABCA All-American • Pitched in two NCAA tournaments (2006, 2007) • 2007 NCAA National Wins Leader with 14 • Signed professionally with Tampa Bay Rays in 2007 • Leading producer for mortgage units at Bank of the San Juans • Six-year volunteer with the Kids Aid Colorado Backpack Program • Serving on the CMU alumni board in both a personal and professional capacity • Being married to wife, Rachel, and having their two boys, Ben (7) and Rylan (4) COMING HOME Honoree was successful while attending Mesa and is now giving back to the university By Kristen Lummis

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