All posts by 5BWest

Women's Basketball

DU Women’s Hoops Defeat New Mexico 83-75, Earn first NCAA D1 Postseason Win

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Photo: Denver WHoops Twitter

They’ve made it there three times before – the postseason that is. But this year, an unlikely Pioneer squad went on the road in the NIT to Albuquerque and defeated an excellent New Mexico Squad, 83-75, for their first tournament win.

Denver women’s basketball was a mess when Jim Turgeon took the reins of the floundering program two years ago. He brought in coaches Kayla Ard, Terry Moyers and Tommy Johnson and they turned around the program’s fortunes in only two seasons, going from 6-24 to 18-13 this season, and hanging in nearly every game. Continue reading DU Women’s Hoops Defeat New Mexico 83-75, Earn first NCAA D1 Postseason Win →

Hockey, Men's Sports

North Dakota fans get a jump-start on spring cleaning

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Photo: Students try to scrub away the memory of the 2018-2019 season

GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA – With an uncharacteristic early exit this season at the hands of the Denver Pioneers, North Dakota hockey fans got a jump-start on spring cleaning.

Gretta Speaks near downtown Grand Forks used the day to organize her living room. Speaks refused to be pictured because she was not wearing her make-up.

Continue reading North Dakota fans get a jump-start on spring cleaning →

Women's Tennis

Houston industrialist shares past, looks to bright future

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Damien Goddard (left) got an early start Saturday before a busy day of tennis and hockey.

Buffeted by headwinds from the bomb-cyclone, Houston entrepreneur (and LetsGoDU founder) Damien Goddard jetted to Colorado Friday night and toured the University of Denver campus today to see new facilities and evaluate progress.

“No job is too small – especially when you are reaching for the stars.” said the corporate titan

Continue reading Houston industrialist shares past, looks to bright future →

Men's Basketball

Pioneers remain stuck in ‘Never Made the Tournament Club’

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Photo: Courtesy of USA Today

Every year we write the story and hope we never have to write it again.

The Gardner-Webb Running Bulldogs, members of the Big South,  already did it.

Closer to home in the Summit League the Omaha Mavericks almost did it – but fell short Tuesday night 73-63 to North Dakota State.

Gardner Webb will be dancing while Omaha stays in the Never Made the Tournament Club, along with the University of Denver. But this year hurts even more for Pioneer fans because preseason expectations were so high and the title was up for grabs in the Summit League this season. Continue reading Pioneers remain stuck in ‘Never Made the Tournament Club’ →

Hockey

Fan Profile: North Dakota Pageant Winner Defies Convention and Odds

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Photo: Defiant North Dakota Miss America, Cara Mund, claims she can get back into ‘pageant shape’ whenever she wants

She’s a big college hockey fan and rooting for North Dakota in next weekends playoffs (even though she went to NDSU) – but most people know her as a former Miss America.

In 2017, Mund won the Miss America Pageant  in Atlantic City, New Jersey. No contestant from the state of North Dakota had ever won the title and worn the prized tiara.

North Dakota Miss America
Cara Mund at better times

Continue reading Fan Profile: North Dakota Pageant Winner Defies Convention and Odds →

Uncategorized

University Park loses Fermaentra, its only microbrewery

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In a surprising turn of events, the owners of Fermaentra (1715 East Evans Avenue) have closed their doors. According to the Washington Park Profile, the “owners cited overhead and rising costs as the reason for the closure”.

The site shows ‘For Lease”. Furniture and brewing equipment remain.

The brewery closing is a surprise considering that the location was usually bustling during business hours – but the location did not open up until the afternoon – one of the operation’s shortfalls. The microbrewery operated with food trucks (a Denver ordinance for food service at microbreweries), featured local art on its walls and offered board games for patrons. Fermaentra was particularly busy after hockey and lacrosse games as well as other on-campus events. Continue reading University Park loses Fermaentra, its only microbrewery →

Men's Basketball

DU Men’s Basketball left to plot rather than play in March

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Photo: Courtesy Mile High Sports

While other basketball teams face tournament play as March gets underway, the University of Denver (8-22, 3-13 Summit League) has begun evaluating this past season and have begun making plans for the 2019-2020 season.

Denver will once again be young next season with a large core of underclassman. In particular, this season’s five freshmen will have a big voice in the future of Denver basketball. Freshman David Nzekwesi is the most intriguing of this class but needs a summer of development and conditioning. Said Billups, “If he decides to get in shape and get his body right during the spring and summer…there are great things to come. He could be one of the better players to ever walk this campus. If he doesn’t do that, he is going to struggle to play multiple minutes.” Continue reading DU Men’s Basketball left to plot rather than play in March →

Men's Sports, Women's Sports

Top 7 Reasons CC will not win the Gold Pan Giving Challenge

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We have until March 17th when the Gold Pan Giving Challenge ends. Of course, we must give to the cause to ensure certain victory but here are the Big 7 reasons why CC will fall:

7.  CC trust funds still depleted from failed Fyre Festival

6. “What’s the big deal – we grew up with gold pans!”

5. ‘Winning’ is seen as offensive in pass/fail CC culture

4. The money will only go to under-the-table payments to the City Council who secretly approved the new hockey arena in CC’s Old North End neighborhood

3. Mom and dad already committed funds to the “Green New Deal”

2. CC grads too busy bussing tables to participate

1. “Really! We have a hockey team?”

You can direct your financial gift to athletics or any number of Denver initiatives. Click here to give and defeat the Kittens. The challenge ends 3/17/19.

Women's Sports, Women's Tennis

Women’s Tennis buoyed by Founder’s presence

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Sure, it was a loss to Rice (4-3) and a win against Minnesota (6-1) but the highlight of the weekend for DU Women’s Tennis was off the court. The DU women’s tennis team was in awe when meeting LetsGoDU founder Damien Goddard in his corporate headquarter town of Houston.

Goddard holding court

The Pioneer legend witnessed the Pioneers first-hand against Rice and Minnesota – and provided tennis tips along the way. Goddard was known for a vicious backhand as a student at DU.

Some second hand reports state that some team members were moved to tears – not with the loss to Rice or the big win against Minnesota but with the opportunity to meet the Texas icon.

Goddard invited the team to visit Houston again. And his thought about the weekend? “I can’t believe they fly coach.”