When CU starting place kicker Aric Goodman realized that the Buffs game against Hawaii was scheduled for Yom Kippur, he was torn between fulfilling his religious obligations and being there for his team during an important game.
The 510, 195-lb. senior wanted to find a way to fast, attend services and play in the game. He sought the advice of Rabbi Yisroel Wilhelm, director of CU Chabad.
Rabbi Wilhelms first response was to forgo the game on Yom Kippur.
For Goodman, that was not an option.
After talking with CU Head Coach Dan Hawkins and Special Teams Coach Kent Riddle, Goodman will be allowed to attend services for Kol Nidre Friday night and Yom Kippur services Saturday morning. He will fast, but will receive intravenous hydration prior to the 1:30 p.m. game against Hawaii.
Normally, the night before a game, players are required to stay at the team hotel in Broomfield for team meetings and walk-through practices that evening and in the morning.
Coach Hawkins waived Goodman from that obligation as long as he could show up at the stadium ready to play. Goodman said his coach was very accommodating.
David Plati, CU associate athletic director for sports information, said that with sufficient advance notice Coach Hawkins would excuse a player from a game for religious reasons. Plati said that Goodman only requested to be excused from team meetings so he could attend services and meet up with the team in the locker room at game time.
I feel that I cannot let my team down, Goodman told the Intermountain Jewish News. Theres been so much work that weve put in as a team; too many people are counting on me.
In 2009, Goodman handled every placekick of the season (field goals, extra points and kickoffs), 101 kicks in all. He led the team in scoring with 61 points
Goodman, who graduated Cherry Creek in 2006, told the IJN he is being proactive this week. I am getting myself prepared, getting hydrated and eating right, so I can be ahead of the game.
