Peggy Coppom and her twin sister Betty Hoover are some of CU Boulder’s most tried and tested fans, never missing a home football or basketball game for decades. They’d attend each event, stay until the bitter end, and never lose hope that their beloved Buffs could pull through with a win. Recently, Betty Hoover passed away due to pancreatic cancer, but that doesn’t mean Peggy Coppom won’t return to the stadium next season to cheer on the beloved football team, rain or shine.
Recently, Boulder’s new head coach, Deion Sanders (aka Coach Prime) paid the super fan a visit. The two CU Boulder die-hards chatted all things football and capped off the visit by Coach Prime, inviting Peggy to join him on the field during a home game next season. Here’s what you should know about this iconic Boulder woman and her formidable twin sister.
Sisters Through It All
Peggy and Betty were born in Walsenburg, Colorado, and moved to Longmont in high school, where they met their husbands. During junior and senior year, the pair attended Boulder High School, where they were cheerleaders and quickly turned into CU Buffs superfans. After graduating, their husbands – also best friends – became fighter pilots serving in WWII, and the families raised their children side-by-side in Boulder, Colorado.
At the end of her life, Betty Hoover battled pancreatic cancer, with her sister Peggy always at her side. They were together through Betty’s final night. When asked if Peggy would attend CU football and basketball games without Betty, she replied with the utmost certainty, sure that her sister would want her to be there, cheering twice as hard.
Mainstays in the Stands
The dedicated duo occupied the same seats for decades and got to know the players, coaches and stadium staff very well. Fans could spot them adorned in matching golden sweaters, buffalo-charm necklaces, with gold pom-poms in hand. They were so intertwined with the CU Buff community that Jeremy Bloom, former CU Buff’s superstar and Olympian skier, visited Peggy after the passing of her sister. CU even gave her a game ball dedicated to Betty. CU planted trees in honor of the twin sisters so that as the trees grow and blossom on campus, everyone who passes will be reminded of the positive and hopeful spirit these sisters shared wherever they went.
The Takeaway
In each interview of the sisters’ conducted at various times in their lives, two aspects remained ever-present – their dedication to the Buffs and their positive outlooks. They were raised to be optimistic and hopeful, always thinking on the positive side. Even when their families struggled, when their husbands were away on deployment, or, in Peggy’s case, when a sibling and best friend passed away, hope was never far away.
Boulder is an incredible place to live because people like Peggy and Betty choose to call this place home. CU Boulder is a mantelpiece in our town, creating a buzz during football games, and giving a rhythm to each passing year. Boulder wouldn’t be the same without it. Mark your calendar to attend a football or basketball game next season, and bring a pom-pom or two.