Welcome to the
iHonor CU Flag
at the CU Athletic Department
remembering CU Football's legendary Sal Aunese

[ iHonor CU Flag for Sal flying with another fallen CU Alum... iHonor American Flag for CU-AFROTC '08 / USAF Capt 'Pyro' DuBois (to be presented to Coach Tucker) ]

iHonor CU Flag dedicated to quarterback, (#8) Sal Aunese, posted and flying at Flag Steward HQ before shipment [zoom-in on pics]

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iHonor CU Football Fallen:
Siasau "Sal" Aunese

Proud Samoan, who was a tough, confident warrior, yet humble teammate and father
Siasau "Sal" Aunese, 21, was a member of the CU Football team from 1986 to 1989
CU's Quarterback played with passion, power, agility, and a 'never stop me' attitude 
 Died of a rare, inoperable stomach and lung cancer on September 23, 1989

We honor and thank legendary CU Quarterback Sal Aunese for guiding and inspiring CU Football to new heights on and off the field.

[ pics from CU SID and McCartney family ]

Siasau "​Sal" Aunese
Born May 8, 1968 in Oceanside, CA 
Raised by Samoan descent parents with 6 brothers and sisters
High School All-American Quarterback at Vista HS
Led Vista HS football team to CIF section and California State Championship in 1985
Recruited to play football at University of Colorado - Boulder in 1986
Proposition 48 sidelined him from football his freshman ('86) year
As starting CU Quarterback in 1987, led team to 7-4 record
Named 'Big 8 Newcomer' for impressive 1987 season
Led CU to 1988 Freedom Bowl with 8-3 season record

​Diagnosed with inoperable stomach and lung cancer in March 1989
Inspired CU Football team by battling to attend the 1989 Spring Game (see pic above)
Became a loving father, with Kristy McCartney, to Timothy Chase "T.C." McCartney in April 1989

​Courageously fought through chemotherapy and mentored new QB, Darian Hagan, and offense leading into and during 1989 season
Spent last days in August and September doing what he loved - being with his son and teammates and motivating them to reach new heights
Became rallying, warrior cry, with "Sal" imprinted on CU Football jerseys, for CU's perfect 1989 regular season (11-0) 

[ CU honors Sal after victory at Washington in 1989 ]

​His lasting impression and legacy pushed CU to use its 1990 Orange Bowl (and National Champion title) loss to Notre Dame as fuel to win another Big 8 Championship in 1990 and redeem itself against Notre Dame at the 1991 Orange Bowl - attaining its first "National Champion" title in football

Inspirational Quotes about Sal

"(Sal is ) the epitome of inspiration.  He lets you know you can always fight harder.  He's the one who brought this team together."
- Jeff Campbell (#84), CU teammate of Sal

"When you put somebody in a tough bind and have to count on them, that's when Sal's spirit shined brightest.  He was the ultimate team player.  He wanted to win it for his buddies.  That's what happened at Vista (High School), and it happened again at Colorado."
- Coach Les Miles, recruited Sal to CU

"You talk about a warrior!  Our guys love him and hurt with him and suffer with him.  His presence means a lot."
- Coach Bill McCartney, CU Football Head Coach 1982-1994

[ Sal and teammate, fellow Samoan, Oakland Salavea  ]

Sources & References
[pics from CU SID and McCartney family]
CLICK HERE to review the Wikipedia page about Sal Aunese
GO HERE to see CU Buffs' 2009 article commemorating Sal
​​​CLICK HERE to read ESPN OTL 'Full Circle' article about Sal and TC
GO HERE to examine Sal's tribute on FindAGrave.com

Check out these video tributes to Sal Aunese

SHARE your experiences with this #iHonorFlag 
(Take a pic of it on runs/hikes, at school show&tell, flying on a public flagpole or at home, etc.)

Click to Post on ANY or ALL of these #iHonorFlag social networks

​iHonor CU Flag : Visitor Comments for Sal Aunese
... posted here from newest to oldest ...

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Sal, I'm honored to have been inspired by you (with some coaxing from your neighbor - our Lord ;) to make this first ever iHonor (school) Flag - relaying your motivational story.  Now, looking back at 1989 and my awestruck interactions with you while I was ushering, along with a couple other Marine NROTC buds at the Flatirons Club boxes, I'm still amazed at how upbeat and loyal you remained until the end. With your guts and lungs literally poured out while cheering on our Buffs, you never relented (and I was content to go empty your cup full of ... ;)  Thanks for leading me on this path to inform and inspire folks, especially our youth, with stories about community/school champions like you.
- from Sean on 4/24/19
[  photo of Sal's iHonor CU Flag being hung and packaged for shipment- the first hand inscribed iHonor team flag and tribute page built  ]

​​Submit your note of support, inspirational memory, funny anecdote, etc. about this iHonor Flag Honoree
​Fill-in form below with memories and media (optional pics, video, audio) to share with visitors to this honoree's iHonor page

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Message for this iHonor American Flag owner or whomever else wants to 'own' this tribute ...
[  Now, it's your turn to "do some good" by adding more to this honoree's story - informing and inspiring others who visit your iHonor American Flag. 
Email Staff@FlagSteward.org and we'll give you access and instructions to edit this page.  
GO HERE to see an iHonor American Flag that was edited to tell more of the honoree's life story - never to be forgotten. 
PS - If a 50-year old Jarhead ;) Marine can build this website and app than you can certainly handle customizing this page to your liking. ]

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more Patriots to Honor
Other iHonor Flags to visit include:

CLICK HERE to visit another Interactive American Flag HONORS GWOT FALLEN: for Army SGT Joya-Mendoza of W. Hollywood, CA

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CLICK HERE to visit another Interactive American Flag HONORS GWOT FALLEN: for USMC Cpl Salazar of Las Vegas, NV

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CLICK HERE to visit another Interactive American Flag HONORS GWOT FALLEN: for US Army SPC Workman of Greenwood, NE

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CLICK HERE to visit another Interactive American Flag HONORS GWOT FALLEN: for US Army SGT Phipps of Chicago, IL

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PATRIOT POPPY says, I WANT YOU to help recruit more Flag Stewards ... to be Caretakers & Heralders of the stories, lessons, & virtues woven within Our Flag.  CLICK HERE to send friends a link to install the Flag Steward app.

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