We told you about the passing of one of DU’s most passionate advocates, former board member Joy Burns in 2020. Today, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner announced that her estate gift is “the largest in DU’s history, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Frank and Joy Burns at DU”. Continue reading Joy Burns Estate Awards DU with Largest Gift in School History
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For Denver Men’s Hoops, Hope Springs Eternal but Skepticism Still Remains
A new look Denver men’s basketball team takes to the floor tonight against Division II Regis University.
DU’s biggest battle this season revolves around credibility. Will the Pioneers be able to reverse a seasons-long basketball malaise where men’s basketball has become largely irrelevant on campus? In comes a new cast of characters, including head coach Jeff Wulbrun and his right-hand-lieutenant Brandon Dunston, with promises to transform the broken program into the ‘most improved in the nation‘. Continue reading For Denver Men’s Hoops, Hope Springs Eternal but Skepticism Still Remains
Pioneers Stretch Losing Streak to 4 After Sweep at North Dakota
All of Denver’s goodwill built by the 4-0 start against Arizona State and Air Force is gone as the #11 Denver Pioneers (4-4-0, 0-2-0) fell to the #8 North Dakota Fighting Hawks for the second straight night in Grand Forks, 4-1. Magnus Chrona played decently well both nights in net but the country’s best offense coming into the weekend was held to just two goals in two games and have scored three over their last three.
We will have a full weekend recap of and reaction to the weekend tomorrow.
DU Employees to Receive Covid Backpay and Bonus from University
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic had a big impact on many industries but especially higher education. DU was no exception. It had to put in place pay and staff cuts as the University faced a $45 million shortfall. Yesterday, however, a bit more than a year removed from the beginning of the oddest school year in memory, the University of Denver notified employees that they will be retroactively paying back those pay cuts and paying every full and part-time employee a bonus. We could not be prouder of DU. Continue reading DU Employees to Receive Covid Backpay and Bonus from University
Summit League Comissioner Tom Douple Retiring
Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple announced his retirement this Wednesday morning after leading the conference for 16 years. Douple’s retirement is effective Oct. 1 of this year. Continue reading Summit League Comissioner Tom Douple Retiring
Denver Men’s Soccer Withdraws from NCAA Tournament Due to COVID-19
Denver is out and Omaha is in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament due to COVID-19 protocols. DU and the Summit League announced Tuesday morning that the Pioneers are withdrawing from the tournament competition. Denver’s match against UNC Greensboro will now pit the Mavericks of Omaha against the UNC Greensboro Spartans on April 29th as the Summit League Representative. Continue reading Denver Men’s Soccer Withdraws from NCAA Tournament Due to COVID-19
DU Hires Former Stanford Assistant Jeff Wulbrun as Next Men’s Hoops Head Coach
The University of Denver has hired veteran assistant coach Jeff Wulbrun from Stanford to guide the Denver Pioneer basketball program. We will have more on this breaking news after we attend Wulbrun’s press conference this afternoon at 2:00 pm MT. Our initial reaction to the hire is extremely positive as Wulbrun appears to have a breadth of experience and may provide a much-needed steady hand to a program in flux.
Continue reading DU Hires Former Stanford Assistant Jeff Wulbrun as Next Men’s Hoops Head Coach
AD Creech Needs a Bold, Visionary Hoops Coach for DU
For die-hard Denver Pioneer fans, this week has been excruciating. Our sub-.500 hockey team did not get a bid to the NCAA Tournament and it’s also frustrating to watch basketball’s March Madness as Oral Roberts from the Summit League defeats both Ohio State and Florida, North Texas bounces Purdue and little Loyola-Chicago defeats #1 seed Illinois. It is all so distant – and disappointing. In one example, hockey, you have confidence that they will get back to the NCAA tournament soon. As for DU basketball, the answer feels more like never, especially to a long-suffering fan base. Continue reading AD Creech Needs a Bold, Visionary Hoops Coach for DU
Head Alpine Coach Andy LeRoy Leaving DU for CU
Tim Healy is a regular contributor to LetsGoDU on collegiate skiing
The head coach of DU’s Alpine ski team, Andy LeRoy, is headed back to his alma mater to replace CU’s legendary head coach, Richard Rokos, who is retiring after 35 years. Continue reading Head Alpine Coach Andy LeRoy Leaving DU for CU
Anatomy of a Summit League Men’s Basketball Coach
You might be surprised that one Summit League coach, Dave Richman from North Dakota State, had no prior head coach experience before joining the Bison. He worked his way up to an assistant role with his alma mater before getting the job. The highest level of head coaching experience by two other current Summit League coaches was high school. Each of the three had extensive experience as assistants, while two Summit League coaches had led DI programs in the past. One, Rob Jeter from Western Illinois, has even made two NCAA D1 Tournament appearances as head coach for UW-Milwaukee. UMKC’s Billy Donlon won 20+ games his last three seasons at Wright State in Dayton, Ohio Paul Sather (North Dakota), Darren Hanson (Omaha) and Todd Lee (South Dakota) came from the NCAA D2 ranks. The common thread for Summit League coaches is broad coaching experience working for a variety of distinguished head coaches and a significant level of success before their current assignment.
Continue reading Anatomy of a Summit League Men’s Basketball Coach