Lytle: "Super Dave" a Colorado State legend

You may not know the name Dave Culbertson.

Even if I say "Super Dave," you may not know who I'm talking about.

But you should.

And if you've been to a CSU volleyball game any time in the last 30 years, you know who he is.

He's the man with the sweatband around his head, chasing volleyball's all around the Moby Arena floor.

He fills one basket, ushers it to wherever it's needed and races off to fill another.

It's a thankless job. One of those details most fans never even think of.

Apparently 30 years ago no one at Colorado State University thought about it either, because there was nobody picking up the balls.

So Culbertson took it upon himself to start doing it.

Thirty years later it's quite an operation he has going. He finally has some help, with others shagging balls during warmups.

During games he makes sure the young kids helping out make sure the get the ball's to servers quickly and accurately and the frustration shows on his face when they lose focus — as middle school-aged kids are wont to do.

Culbertson's a perfectionist. He takes pride in what he does in making the game operation run smoothly.

If he was a player, he would be a coach's dream.

Culbertson is known as "Super Dave" by everyone in the halls of Moby Arena.

People like him are what make a program special.

He simply loves CSU and wanted to do whatever he could to make things a little better for a volleyball team that has become one of the premier programs in the country.

You may not see why what he does is such a big deal. You would be wrong. Opposing players and coaches notice and appreciate his efforts and it's just one more thing that sets CSU volleyball apart from most programs.

"Super Dave" is also a longtime staple in the halls at Poudre High School where he does the same thing of helping make sure everything runs smoothly.

Now after 30 years he's calling it a career at CSU.

The Rams honored him with a great ceremony last week where he received a letter jacket and was introduced as part of the starting lineup.

His huge smile was a joy to see.

Hopefully "Super Dave" will get a couple NCAA tournament games at Moby Arena to send him out on a high note.

If not, CSU's home game at 7 p.m. Wednesday will be his last contest as a Ram.

So come out to Moby Arena once more to salute Dave Culbertson.

A true CSU legend.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle.