FORT COLLINS -- Sonny Lubick has gone out of his way to say he is not bitter about leaving the Colorado State Rams football program after 15 years, but his actions point in a different direction.

Lubick, who led the team to unprecedented heights, has turned down an offer to raise money for the school, the Fort Collins Coloradoan and The Denver Post reported Thursday. A letter addressed to Paul Kowalczyk, CSU athletic director, formally declined the offer.

Lubick was fired at the end of this season after finishing 3-9, his fourth consecutive nonwinning season after 10 strong finishes.

Lubick retained the support of fans who viewed him as the consummate class act.

"Sonny is a Ram and will always be a member of the Ram family," Kowalczyk said. "His work here speaks for itself. We honor and respect his decision."

Lubick told the Post that he will help raise money for numerous cancer and medical charities, but not for the CSU athletic department.

He indicated earlier that he didn't want to do anything that might cast a shadow on his replacement. He will still be paid the $256,000 annual salary he is due for two years.

Kowalczyk said Lubick's letter was very businesslike.

"I'm sure it was a decision he felt he needed to make, and we respect that," he said. "He'll always be a part of our program."