Head men’s soccer coach Jamie Franks has never veered from his ambition to achieve a national championship. One of his keys is a challenging non-conference schedule. A 2-0 loss to Creighton last week dropped the team to a 2-3 record and likely eliminated the option of an at-large NCAA bid, leaving the Pioneers hanging by a Summit League tournament thread. Continue reading Denver’s NCAA Path Narrows with 2-0 Loss to Creighton
Category Archives: Men’s Sports
DU Hockey’s Depth Chart: A Preliminary Prediction
As the 2025-26 University of Denver Pioneers hockey team took to the ice at Magness Arena for its first official practice earlier this week, DU fans finally saw the 10 new freshmen in Pioneer helmets and pads for the first time. DU will be a young team again, with only three seniors, but being young has not stopped the Pioneers from strong finishes in recent years, including NCAA titles in 2022 (t-2nd youngest in Division I) and 2024 (2nd youngest). Continue reading DU Hockey’s Depth Chart: A Preliminary Prediction
The End of Niche College Sports?
An article by Mark Novicoff in The Atlantic contends that the end of Division I college sports as we currently know them is coming. The author considers all niche, non-revenue sports outside of football and basketball as dodo birds, headed for certain extinction. We, of course, heartily disagree. Continue reading The End of Niche College Sports?
Fall Sports Begin Prior to the September 9th Academic Start
DU’s Autumn academic quarter has not begun, and students aren’t even on campus yet. However, fall sports are well underway at University and Buchtel. Basketball just finished summer practices, and men’s (1-1) and women’s (1-0-3) soccer are in full swing. Volleyball begins play later this week. All this as questions swirl around the changes, challenges, and opportunities confronting Denver and collegiate athletics at large. Continue reading Fall Sports Begin Prior to the September 9th Academic Start
Denver Secures 2024-25 I-AAA Director’s Cup For the 12th Straight Time
It’s almost become ho-hum but it is an outstanding achievement by DU athletics. After reviewing the final season-ending rankings, the University of Denver has won the I-AAA (Division I, non-football schools) Director’s Cup once again for the 2024-25 season. This marks the 12th straight year and 16th out of the last 17 that DU has won the award. It’s getting hard to calculate and track how dominant Denver has been over the past couple of decades. Overall, DU finished 56th in the final 2024-25 Learfield Directors’ Cup standings. Continue reading Denver Secures 2024-25 I-AAA Director’s Cup For the 12th Straight Time
University of Denver & The NCAA Face Brave New World Post House Settlement
The House v. NCAA settlement was officially ratified on Friday, clearing the way for universities to directly pay student-athletes starting in 2025. The University of Denver announced months ago that as a non-power conference member, it will opt in and abide by the settlement terms, which take effect on July 1, 2025. What will this mean for DU, mid-majors, and the Power Four conference members (Big 10, Big 12, SEC, ACC)? Continue reading University of Denver & The NCAA Face Brave New World Post House Settlement
Portal Update – Basketball and Gymnastics Take Hits
When taking a look at DU’s major sports teams, the transfer portal has had a mixed impact. Basketball is undergoing the biggest transformation, and gymnastics has taken a big hit, losing its biggest star. Hockey and soccer remain stable, and it is a wait-and-see for lacrosse. Continue reading Portal Update – Basketball and Gymnastics Take Hits
Independent Hockey Teams Offer Useful Model for Private University Tournaments
Could a recently announced independent college hockey tournament serve as a model for Division I private university tournaments in other sports? Continue reading Independent Hockey Teams Offer Useful Model for Private University Tournaments
David Carle Signs Multi-Year Extension With Denver, Reaffirms Commitment to Program
The University of Denver Department of Athletics announced today that hockey head coach David Carle, pursued heavily by NHL teams with head coach openings, signed a multi-year contract extension. As DU is a private institution, the exact terms and length of the agreement are and will not be released to the public. His current deal, which runs through the 2026-27 season, was signed after he guided the program to its ninth championship in 2022. Continue reading David Carle Signs Multi-Year Extension With Denver, Reaffirms Commitment to Program
Golden Eagles Extinguish Men’s Lacrosse Season; Women Dust Villanova for Title
The DU men’s lacrosse (7-7, 2-3) fell 18-11 at Marquette to close out a choppy season. DU reeled off three straight goals to open the game but Marquette exited the first quarter with a 5-4 lead. Cody Malowski knotted up the game, 5-5, but the Pioneers lost contact when the Golden Eagles reeled off three straight goals by halftime to lead 8-5. The Golden Eagles opened the half with a pair of goals from Carson Brandt to double up DU, 10-5. MU held a four goal edge heading into the final period. The teams traded a pair of goals before MU went on a run to close out the game, 18-11. Continue reading Golden Eagles Extinguish Men’s Lacrosse Season; Women Dust Villanova for Title