after appearing in the first five national tournaments colorado college had made the championship once in the next four years. cc's fortunes turned the year before when bill hay, a standout junior player from saskatchewan hitchhiked down to colorado springs and was able to talk both himself and his fried bob mccusker into athletic scholarships. both players made their varsity debut in 1956–57, as did much of the team, and the tigers quickly jumped to the top of the standings. after opening the regular season against two junior teams from canada, cc welcomed four different collegiate opponents into their building and won every single game.