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The Colorado School of Mines is one of the strangest programs in college football, but in the best way possible. This week, the team is going viral for the bizarre player photos on its athletics website.
You’ll find crazy hairstyles and ridiculous facial hair up and down the roster, which seems to be tradition in Golden, CO.
Last season, linebacker Miles Minnehan made waves after being pictured with a half-shaved beard ahead of the DII National Championship.
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Fast forward to 2023, and it seems everyone is taking part in the shenanigans.
Looking up and down the official football site, you’ll be hit with a group of the strangest looking teammates in the country. Mullets, mustaches, bandanas, pigtails, and even a little hair dye.
Typically, you’ll see buttoned up team members wearing suits and ties for their respective picture days. Colorado School of Mines players are ditching their Sunday best, instead donning full pads and uniform.
Fans are wondering just what exactly is going on in Golden.
Colorado School of Mines seems like an interesting place pic.twitter.com/fkPjpzYEvE
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) September 28, 2023
You’ll be hard-pressed to find another player photo showing a team member with blue facial hair. That’s team captain John Matocha, by the way, and he’s going all out with the team spirit.
Maybe the funniest picture, though, is that of safety Blake Ramsey, who’s sporting a tonsure.
— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) September 28, 2023
Another thing you might notice scrolling through the roster is that everyone’s major is either some form of engineering or computer science.
The Colorado School of Mines ranks as one of the top engineering schools in the US, listed at the No. 3 in the nation by Money Magazine while also being the No. 1 mineral and mining engineering school by the QS World University Rankings.
This might be a way to let go of the academic stress that comes with attending the college.
Whatever the reason, it seems to be working. The football program has won six conference championships over the last decade while finishing as national runner-up last season.
Keep it weird.