Public Service Hires Football Coach

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — With an eye toward improving community image, the $850 million Public Service Credit Union of Denver has hired a popular, 70-year-old football coach to spruce up the Norlarco image as the CU also promotes greening activities in this environmentally-conscious college town.

Since Public Service's NCUA-engineered takeover of the defunct Norlarco CU in February, CU management has worked hard through media interviews and public relations outreach to ensure public familiarity with the Public Service name.

One element of that program in April was recruiting Sonny Lubick, a former Colorado State University coach fired last fall after some losing seasons to serve as the CU's vice president of community outreach and public relations with offices in a former Norlarco branch.

Lubick, who once belonged to a CU but confesses scant knowledge of CU business, has told community groups of his delight in working for a CU while in his talks has discussed the importance of motivation and the work ethic.

"This is great to be out in the community interacting with people and involved with helping to motivate young people," Lubick said.

Lubick, described as Colorado State University's legendary coach let go last November after 15 seasons, acknowledged he is on a fast-track of speaking engagements to civic and school groups, including one earlier this month to a booster club Hall of Fame dinner of Columbine High School, the site of the 1999 shooting massacre.

"We believe Sonny will be of great help and counsel to us as we go forward with our social and community efforts in Fort Collins," said David Maus, president/CEO of PSCU.

Lubick, who is working part-time, "will be a full-fledged staff member and help us put together the game plan" in addition to executing it, said Maus adding Lubick's "knack for recognizing and developing local Colorado strength makes him a wonderful partner for the credit union."

Meanwhile, the CU in April helped host a green summit trade show recognizing eco-friendly firms and also enrolled in a City of Fort Collins program run by its climate wise unit, which analyzes company operations for waste disposal, recycling and the like.

As a further part of greening, last weekend Public Service CU conducted a "Shred Fest," destroying for free documents of members of the public. "This also fit in well with our identity theft promotion," said a CU spokeswoman.

As for Lubick, Maus, the CEO, told The Coloradan newspaper that Lubick can help the credit union get past Norlarco's troubles and "move on under the PSCU brand."

Lubick said in a press release he got his first car loan from a teacher's credit union. "That was pretty important back then." CUs, he said, made an even bigger impact when Lubick and his family lost their Florida home during Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

"We had nothing left, and the credit union gave us $10,000 to help us get back on our feet," he said. "It was a lifesaver when we did not know where else to turn."

Apart from Lubick and greening, CU officials said they also have been participating in any number of community events.

They include Cinco de Mayo participation, CSU alumni events, Poudre Valley Hospital Foundation, gay and lesbian community support, as well as chamber and city programs.

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