Colorado football's rich tradition has spawned a number of books over the years.

The latest is likely the most comprehensive yet. Dave Plati, who has served in the school's sports information office for 25 years, has written "University of Colorado Football Vault: The History of the Buffaloes."

The coffee table book, which will be available in bookstores on Aug. 1, features a forword from current CU coach Dan Hawkins and an afterword from former coach and athletic director Eddie Crowder.

The book covers CU gridiron history from 1890 through last season -- the people, the games, the highlights and lowlights, the players and, naturally, CU's 1990 national championship season.

The book includes rarely seen photos and reproductions of a variety of memorabilia, ranging from an 1897 game program, a stat sheet from the 1938 Cotton Bowl, Byron "Whizzer" White's Hall of Fame letter from 1952 and a 1990 national championship sticker.

The book is is part of the Football Vault series from Whitman Publishing, LLC of Atlanta. The 144-page hardcover 12x10 book with slipcase will be available for $49.95 in bookstores.

The book can also be ordered online at www.CollegeVaultBooks.com.