The Colorado State football team turned to an unusual practice venue this weekend as a nationwide FAA ground stop disrupted travel plans for athletic programs across the country.
With their flight to Pullman delayed, the Rams utilized the tarmac at Northern Colorado Regional Airport for a team walkthrough.
The scene was captured in a photograph shared by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, which showed players preparing for their upcoming matchup against Washington State.
According to “reporting from Yahoo Sports,” the team was forced to improvise while waiting to fly out for the Saturday night game.
The logistical challenges stemmed from an FAA ground stop that grounded aircraft throughout the United States.
As noted by “For The Win,” the disruption has caused significant chaos for various sports programs this weekend.
The team was reportedly waiting to depart for a game against Washington State when the delay occurred.
There has been no official word regarding whether the game itself will be postponed due to the ongoing travel issues.
The visual of the team practicing on the tarmac has drawn attention for its surreal nature during a broader aviation stoppage.
In his social media post, Thamel described the situation as a byproduct of the current stoppage.
The Rams were observed running through their plays while restricted to the airport grounds.
The situation highlights the cascading effects of flight delays on collegiate athletic schedules.
Observers noted that the tarmac provided a rare, open space for the team to maintain their routine while grounded.
The team remains in a holding pattern as they wait for clearance to travel to Washington.
The status of the Saturday night contest remains dependent on the resolution of the FAA ground stop.
University officials have not provided further updates regarding an alternative travel plan or a potential schedule change for the football program.