Fresno State Athletics
Colburn Honored for Humanitarian Spirit
12/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 16, 2010
BOISE, IDAHO - Senior quarterback Ryan Colburn was recognized Thursday evening in the presence of his teammates, coaches, bowl council members, sponsors and the Northern Illinois Huskies by the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl for his hard-working dedication to excellence on and off the field with the 2010 Humanitarian Award.
The humanitarian award, which is nominated to one player on each participating team each year in the bowl game, is bestowed upon a student-athlete whose charitable service exceeds others. In keeping with the goal of the humanitarian bowl, both team's leaders were honored with a video feature and trophy presentation by the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl executive director, Kevin McDonald.
Colburn will leave his mark on Bulldog football in statistical numbers and in the history books with more than 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career as he prepares to play his last game as a Bulldog Saturday at Bronco Stadium against Northern Illinois University.
But his leadership extends beyond the football field.
A Christian whose faith has compelled him to give back to those in need, Colburn has given back to his home community of the California Central Valley and to the reaches of the earth.
At the end of 2008, Colburn teamed up with Fresno State team physician Eric Hanson, along with Fresno's Well Community Church and the Integrated Tribal Development program to help many villagers in Thailand restore fresh, clean water.
"The idea to do the trip was inspired from my faith," said Colburn. "I am a Christian and that's where the calling came from. I was feeling a calling to serve and to get myself plugged in somewhere. This is the only time in the calendar year I can be gone for two weeks away from football and it was an incredible experience."
Making the 18-hour, 8,000 mile trip was just the start of the journey for Colburn, who helped build a dam, filtration system and 10,000 gallon water tank by hand in a two week span. The group also dug a half-mile trench and laid PVC pipe to provide fresh, clean water for the villagers, a physically demanding job that Colburn credits his physical fitness from football for the successful completion of the project.
"I really gained so much perspective on not only how blessed we are but I learned what true poverty was," Colburn explained. "You can work incredibly hard and pay a bunch of money to go do something, you can go through incredible travel and go all this way and give your time away and you're just giving, giving, giving but I just feel like I received so much in return. To see and interact with these people and to be able to give them something that they had been waiting for so long was incredible. I gained a ton of perspective on life and I learned it is important to give back because we are very blessed."
In addition to his great works abroad, Colburn is equally committed to civic duty in his community, the Central Valley, where he's aided in many causes and works with young people, from rebuilding dilapidated homes to leading sports camps for those who look up to him.
"I think it is has been an experience that is not only important for the guys who are in the spotlight but also for those we are helping," said Colburn. "It is great to see the joy and the people's faces when you help them and it is an ultimate opportunity," said Colburn.
"I think it has been a season of ups and downs and football is like that. It has been a season of highs and there are some lows and it has been great for us this past week and to get some big wins and we want to finish this season right with the bowl game."
And the Bulldog quarterback has a great reputation amongst his teammates for his proven hard work in all facets of the game. Colburn is an inspiration to many by leading by example, and it is safe to say, he was born with a true humanitarian spirit.
"Ryan and I have been together for six years," said head coach Pat Hill. "Ryan came onto the team young at the semester and it seems like he's been with me for half of my lifetime at Fresno State. When you talk about leadership, and when you talk about what exemplifies Bulldog football, Ryan Colburn exemplifies what Bulldog football is all about. We say it is tough, hard nosed and he has had phenomenal effort to get those wins. A very special group of people are Ryan's family, his parents Ron and Lisa, and his bride to be, Allanah. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"It is really fulfilling to see Ryan recognized," said Ryan's father, Ron Colburn. "He has worked hard for six years and has done everything right and has overachieved in everything he's gotten to do so it has been a blessing to our family and to see him make right decisions and it is just a blessing."
And the bowl festivities continue as game day nears. Fresno State's marching band arrived in Boise today, and will be playing the national anthem for the Idaho Steelheads game on Friday night as well as playing during intermission breaks during the game.
Fresno State will also hold a pep rally at 5 p.m. at the Lobby of the Grove Hotel on Friday to pump up fans and bring out the Bulldog spirit. Both the band and the cheer squad will perform at the event as well.
"We Are Your Team!" -- Fans are encouraged to check www.gobulldogs.com for information regarding the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl, including ticket, travel and hotel accommodations.
