All posts by 5BWest

WEEKLY RECAP: DU Volleyball Highlighted Challenging Week

We told you about Friday night’s hockey game and banner raising and Saturday night’s heartbreaking loss to Michigan. While a sweep was disappointing, there were some positives to take away from the series sweep. The men’s and women’s soccer teams absorbed a loss and a draw, respectively, while Denver volleyball collected a pair of impressive road wins. Continue reading WEEKLY RECAP: DU Volleyball Highlighted Challenging Week →

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 →

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.

Continue reading Senate Antitrust Legislation Aims to Reign in NCAA Lawsuits and Standardize Guidance →

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.

Continue reading Proposed Legislation Placing Roster Caps on Foreign Athletes Would Damage DU Athletics →

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 →

DU Volleyball Enters Historic Week, Soccer Teams Follow

DU women’s volleyball (7-6) had a mixed week, defeating Air Force 3-0 before traveling to Greeley for a pair of 3-0 losses to Northern Colorado and Utah. More significantly, Denver hosts its very first West Coast Conference (WCC) match against Pacific this Thursday at 6:00 pm at Hamilton Gym. Continue reading DU Volleyball Enters Historic Week, Soccer Teams Follow →

DU Soccer Teams Continue to Struggle, Volleyball Rebounds, and Hockey Championship Rings Delivered

Men’s and women’s soccer are usually solid if not outstanding teams for Denver. Yet, through the early portion of nonconference play, both teams are in a tailspin. The sides went 0-2 on the week, outscored 11-0. They were outshot 49-8, with 28 of those on goal to a mere 4 for Denver. Both losses came on the road, with Denver losing 5-0 to West Virginia, and the women falling 6-0 to Colorado in Boulder. Continue reading DU Soccer Teams Continue to Struggle, Volleyball Rebounds, and Hockey Championship Rings Delivered →

DU Men’s Basketball Releases 2026-27 Schedule Featuring Nonconference Gauntlet

Denver men’s basketball seems serious about upgrading their non-conference play in preparation for their first season in the West Coast Conference (WCC). DU’s new hoops conference insists on strength of schedule, and Denver delivered what is almost certainly its toughest non-conference slate in program history. Jayhawks, Badgers, and Buffs, Oh My!

The 2026-27 schedule has been released, and the highlights include: Continue reading DU Men’s Basketball Releases 2026-27 Schedule Featuring Nonconference Gauntlet →