Ohio duo take long journey to Boulder
Stewart, Rippy now CU teammates, roommates
By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Since arriving in Boulder, Rodney Stewart hasn't let many days pass without showing his gratitude to longtime friend and roommate Doug Rippy.
They will been seen frequently on the University of Colorado campus during the next four years, Stewart being the little guy (5-foot-6, 175 pounds) with the high-wattage smile rarely switched off, Rippy being the big guy (6-2, 230) who appears more stoic.
They met four years ago at a basketball game in Ohio and never, ever could have guessed they would be reunited on a football field in Colorado. It happened by chance.
Rippy, of Trotwood, Ohio, was headed for Nebraska until rumblings of former coach Bill Callahan's firing surfaced. Stewart, of Columbus, Ohio, likely was headed for a Mid-American Conference or Atlantic Coast Conference school until CU assistant Darian Hagan resumed recruiting Rippy - and Rippy recommended his buddy.
Recalled Hagan: "I was talking to Rippy, and he was asking me if we were going to get Darrell (Scott). I was like, 'I don't know.' He said, 'I got this guy in Columbus nicknamed 'Speedy.' "
" 'Speedy?' " said Hagan, reacting as any running-backs coach would, whipping out his cell phone and begging Rippy to elaborate.
