Foundation News
September 11th, 2021 marked a somber 50 year anniversary of the 1971 bus accident. But, it was so much more. Our community far and wide shared stories, celebrated new beginnings, supported our new generation of GHS football players, honored the memory of our teammates and coach, and continued the legacy of what it means to be a GHS Cowboy. We did a large fundraising drive to continue our mission of promoting bus safety and offering scholarships to Gunnison High School graduates. We also had wide news coverage from across the state with the help of GHS alumni. Read on to revisit our 2022 50th and news.
Denver Post September 11, 2021 50th Coverage
Images by RJ Sangosti, a GHS alumni
Click on the image above to take you to a gallery search of RJ Sangosti's editorial images from the 50th coverage.
Sangosti is an acclaimed photojournalist and a Gunnison High School graduate.
9 News September 11, 2021 50th Memorial Coverage
GHS Student Coverage of Bill Marshall's 50th Anniversary Ride
Follow Bill Marshall on his powerful journey. A survivor of the accident, Bill and his team rode their bikes over Monarch Pass with the goal of raising $50,000.00 in honor of his fallen teammates and coach.
"The Salida hospital is where we all were transported after the accident. But, you know, not all of us came back home... I want this to be about the Foundation and it's also therapeutic for me. "
Bill's Memorial Ride Home was one of hope and healing, and his mission is to create sustainable funding for the 1971 GHS Football Memorial, Inc.'s continued scholarships and work.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
1971 GHS Football Memorial Foundation News Updates
Follow our Current GHS Cowboy Football Team.
2021 Press Release Archives
Click on a file to open, print, and read our archived press releases. Our most recent information is highlighted at the top of this page.
NR-1971 GHS FOOTBALL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION^J 9-11 Crash Led to Improved Bus Safety Standards in Colorado.docx - Google Docs.pdfNR-Legacy of 9-11 Bus Crash Embraced by New Generation, 9-11-21.docx2021 0308 GHS 1971 Football Memorial News Release.pdfA Homecoming to Remember
Our 50th remembrance anniversary was a huge success. The community of Gunnison truly rallied. A new generation of students and cowboy fans committed to our mission is evident and we are forever grateful for all of the effort, work, and love we shared on September 11, 2021.
GHS Football Team Visits Memorial
Our current GHS Cowboy Football Team visited the memorial this year with their coach on September 11, 2019. Follow their story on Facebook or Instagram.
Scholarship Updates
Scholarships are available for current and former GHS graduates.
Please take a look at our growing list of scholarship recipients. Our 2021 recipients will have been announced.
The 1971 GHS Football Memorial Foundation, Inc. has awarded well over $100,000 to these fine students and we hope to increase the scholarship amounts as finances allow.
If you would like to donate to this cause, and the non profit foundation, please contact us to do so.
Cowboy Memorial Stadium Dedication
The dedication of the new Cowboy Memorial Stadium was held in September of 2011 and The 1971 GHS Football Memorial Foundation Inc. would like to thank each and every GHS student and faculty member for their contributions in making the new stadium a reality. The dedication was touching as well as fitting and this class of classy seniors did not stop there. They have featured this event along with an interview with Pat MacIntosh and photos of our “Cowboys Forever”in their 2012 GHS yearbook. It is very well done and so we say “well done GHS, well done!”
