The result never mattered. Never mind that it was a mid-October matchup between arguably the best two teams in the country – teams that are not at risk of missing the NCAA Tournament. Then, add in Denver’s pregame banner-raising ceremony, which featured a fantastic video chronicling the Pioneers’ journey to the program’s record 11th title in Vegas last Spring; the game itself between the #1 Denver Pioneers (2-1-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) and #2 Michigan Wolverines (5-0-0, 0-0-0 Big 10) was always secondary. But while the score – a 4-1 loss – wasn’t what the Crimson & Gold faithful wanted on such a celebratory night, the game itself, win or lose, was secondary to the celebration. Continue reading Pioneers’ 11th Title Celebration Spoiled with 4-1 Loss to Wolverines
Converting University of Michigan’s Pain into Denver’s Gain
The University of Michigan has recently spent more than $19 million directly tied to Wolverine Athletic Department malfeasance. Here is what you could purchase in Denver with the Wolverines’ wasted cash: Continue reading Converting University of Michigan’s Pain into Denver’s Gain
RECAP: Denver Men’s Soccer Down San Francisco 2-1, Frozen Four Rematch this Weekend
Denver women’s volleyball (8-9, 1-4) played the conference-leading Loyola Marymount University Lions into extra points but fell 3 games to 2. Alicia Thibodeau paced DU with 17 kills, Lily van Hal contributed 34 assists and Madison Winkler produced 25 digs. Ultimately, it was the Lions outside hitters, (6’4″) Maria Tabacuks and (6’3″) Nicole Schuetz, who combined for 34 kills along with 19 digs from Delfina Schuh. Service aces also played a role with the Lions serving up 9 winners to only 4 for Denver. Denver, without any seniors, continues to face an experience and size deficit against their West Coast Conference peers. Next up is a trip to Portland on Thursday night to face the Pilots at 7:00 pm MT. Continue reading RECAP: Denver Men’s Soccer Down San Francisco 2-1, Frozen Four Rematch this Weekend
Hockey Road Trip Recap: Pioneers Sweep Seawolves Behind High-Flying Freshmen to Kick Off Title Defense
The #1 Denver Pioneers (2-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, this weekend to take on the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (0-2-0) to open the 2026-27 season and begin their defense of the program’s 11th national title. On Friday, Daxon Rudolph opened Denver’s scoring with his first collegiate goal before the Pioneers cruised to a 6-2 victory, but DU had to work a bit harder on Saturday to come away with a gritty 4-1 victory to clinch the sweep. Continue reading Hockey Road Trip Recap: Pioneers Sweep Seawolves Behind High-Flying Freshmen to Kick Off Title Defense
DU Men’s Soccer Defeats LMU for First WCC Win
Denver men’s soccer team earned its first West Coast Conference victory last night with a 2-1 win over Loyola Marymount University (LMU) at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. It was Camp Reunion night so a good crowd of over 1,200 had many youth in attendance. Continue reading DU Men’s Soccer Defeats LMU for First WCC Win
Senate Antitrust Legislation Aims to Reign in NCAA Lawsuits and Standardize Guidance
In an effort to gain control of run-away NCAA athletic lawsuits , the Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (S.4668) on Monday. The Act, different from the TEAM USA Act that we discussed earlier this week (you’d be forgiven if you’re losing track of all of the Congressional meddling in collegiate athletics lately), passed by a bipartisan vote of 77–22. The purpose of the legislation is to clarify and standardize operating rules and grant the NCAA limited antitrust protection. Up until this point, nearly every decision by the NCAA to establish standard operating rules and enforcement was challenged in court. The bill advances to an uncertain future in the U.S. House of Representatives, which is on recess until after the November mid-term elections.
This is the first time NCAA antitrust legislation has been formally introduced by the US Congress.
Proposed Legislation Placing Roster Caps on Foreign Athletes Would Damage DU Athletics
The recently introduced TEAM USA Act, sponsored by Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Representative Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), looks to transform Division I athletics. The bill intends to cap international student-athletes at 20 percent of each varsity team’s roster for colleges that receive federal student aid. Teams with fewer than 10 athletes (think triathlon) would be limited to a single international player. If passed, which is highly unlikely, the rule would start in the 2029–30 academic year to give schools time to change their recruiting plans. Such legislation would have a huge impact on Denver athletics, especially hockey and skiing. However, other teams like tennis and golf would be impacted as well.
DU Completes Successful WCC Start, Title Defense Begins This Friday
Thursday, Denver volleyball (8-6, 1-1) opened with a 3-0 sweep of Pacific at Hamilton Gym as the Pioneers cinched their first ever conference win. Kayla Patel had 15 kills and Lily Van Hal had 20 assists. On Saturday afternoon, Denver volleyball lost to the St Mary’s Gaels 3-1. However, Denver held a late 19-14 edge in the final set but the Gaels came back in extra points, 28-26. St Mary’s had a decided size and talent edge but Denver was scrappy and libero Madison Winkler’s 18 digs kept the Pioneers in the hunt. Next up is a trip to San Diego on Saturday, October 3rd. Continue reading DU Completes Successful WCC Start, Title Defense Begins This Friday
Name Denver’s West Coast Conference Rival
We’ve talked a lot about Denver’s joining the West Coast Conference (WCC), but we have never identified the Pioneers’ primary rival(s). We laid out a few thoughts below on our new WCC mates. Vote on the school you think should be DU’s biggest rival. Denver officially joined the conference July 1st and hosts their first conference matchup in any sport tonight, as the volleyball team takes on Pacific at 6:00 pm MT in Hamilton Gym. Continue reading Name Denver’s West Coast Conference Rival
Denver Men’s Soccer drops final non-conference game to Creighton 1-0
Despite a valiant effort, Denver men’s soccer dropped their final non-conference game to Creighton 1-0 last night at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. The game was a battle with DU having a 16-6 advantage on shots and 8-3 margin with shots on target. Creighton is undefeated with a 8-0-2 record while Denver dropped to 1-6-1. Continue reading Denver Men’s Soccer drops final non-conference game to Creighton 1-0