Poke Pride is a series focusing on what it means to represent the state of Wyoming as a student athlete at the University of Wyoming. Whether they are a Wyoming native, or from across the globe, Poke Pride will display what competing in the Brown and Gold means to these Cowboys and Cowgirls.
Wyoming is well known as the only state in the U.S. to have only one public state university. Being the only team available to root for, playing for the Wyoming Cowboys comes with a special sense of pride, especially when it is all you’ve ever known.
For Wyoming natives Frank Crum and Caleb Driskill, playing for the Cowboys was always a dream, and when the Pokes came knocking, it was a no-brainer for both of them to play football for their home state.
“I was hungry man, I wanted a scholarship so bad, especially from my home state and hometown,” Crum explained, “It was Wednesday night, [coach Bohl] called me up to his office one night with my parents…and I knew I was gonna run with it.”
Crum, who grew up in Laramie, can still vividly remember the night Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl offered him a scholarship to come play for the Cowboys.
Wyoming hadn’t been the only school in the Mountain West conference that came knocking either.
Utah State and Colorado State were also interested in the then 6’7, 260 lbs recruit, but he always knew he’d stay home in Wyoming.
The moment was like a dream come true for Crum, but he knew that from there on out it was going to be a long and hard road. He knew that if he wanted to play at a college level, he’d have to better himself.
As a senior playing at Laramie High School, Crum was a first team 4A East all-conference offensive linemen who helped lead his team to the 4A state playoffs in 2017.
When he committed to Wyoming, he was the third generation of his family to play for the Cowboys. It was almost like it was in his blood to play football for the University of Wyoming.
“To be able to suit up at that time, at 18 years old, was special,” Crum said. “To represent not only myself and my family but the school and the state of Wyoming too.”
For Crum, it’s not only just about representing the state. To him, being able to put on the Brown and Gold is a lot more than just representation. It has become an integral part of who he is as a person and how he carries himself.
“I represent the state, but I am also part of the state,” Crum said, “I grew up here. This is who I am. This is who my family is. I know a lot of people in this state, so to represent them means the world to me, and they represent me in a great way as well.”
Crum was not shy at all when describing how much the state and the support from its people mean to him.
He knows that as long as he puts out the best version of himself on and off the field, the fans will rally behind him no matter what.
“The state of Wyoming is really appreciative of me and I’m very appreciative of them.”
For Driskill, a Gillette native, playing for Wyoming was also a no-brainer.
“I knew once [Wyoming] offered, that’s where I was going,” Driskill said.
Driskill played linebacker at Thunder Basin High School in Gillette and in his senior year in 2019, he led the Bolts to their first ever state 4A title appearance.
He was named to the class 4A First Team All State Team in his senior year of high school. According to 24/7 sports, Driskill was also the #1 ranked recruit out of Wyoming that year. He also held offers to play for other schools at the FCS level, but always knew he’d end up at Wyoming if they extended an offer.
So, when they finally did offer him a scholarship, it was like a dream come true, and playing in his first games really cemented that feeling of belonging.
“It’s just kind of a surreal moment…like you walk out and you touch that horse on the way out, it’s for real, you know?”
Driskill grew up coming to Wyoming games and dreaming of walking out onto that field. As soon as he was given the opportunity to join those players he grew up watching, he knew that he wasn’t going to be taking any moment for granted. He especially wasn’t going to take an entire state backing him for granted either.
“It’s pretty cool, I think it’s probably a pretty rare thing in college sports,” Driskill said in reference to the fans in Wyoming. “You know, just feeling that support that you get is crazy.”
Driskill also thinks of himself as a role model for any other Wyoming kids dreaming of playing for the Cowboys.
“Just seeing the role model you can be for younger kids and just showing people to just work hard and you can do what you want. If you want to go play at Wyoming, you can do it.”
Even after a hard day of practice when his body feels like it’s giving up on him, Driskill still feels extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to play for the Cowboys.
“I get to forever say that I played at the University of Wyoming,” Driskill said, “I get to always say that, so I feel lucky and I’m blessed and I’m glad I’m a Poke.”
