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“Go Denver Pioneers Spirit Fund” at 65% of year-end matching funds goal

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A few weeks ago, back on October 11th, the “Go Denver Pioneers Spirit Fund” was launched publicly, with a $2,500 matching funds challenge for donations made prior to December 31, 2018. Donations to this fund go directly to the University of Denver for school spirit initiatives.

We’re happy to report that the Let’s Go DU blog community has already made $1,615 in donations since then, putting us over halfway to the $2,500 matching funds goal.

We’re appealing to you to raise the remaining $885 before the end of the year! And since today is “Giving Tuesday”, it’s a perfect day to make your tax-deductible donation. You can read more about the fund here, as well as donate online here: Go Denver Pioneers Spirit Fund

We’ll continue to make updates on our progress toward the $2,500 matching challenge. 

Thank you for your support of this DU Pioneer spirit initiative! Go Pioneers!

Men's Basketball

Sleepless in Seattle: Denver drops two at the Elgin Baylor Classic

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Photo: Courtesy of goseattleu.com

There were few happy endings for the Denver Pioneers at the Elgin Baylor Classic as they dropped their final game to Fairfield and could only win one game out of three at the tournament. Despite the outcome, there were some positive signs for the Pioneers (2-4) but plenty of room to improve.

Absent three starters (Joe Rosga and Jake Krafka – rolled ankles, Tory Stewart-Miller – injured wrist), there were three to four freshmen on the floor for Denver most of the tournament – and the first-year players contributed along the way. Like most freshmen, their offensive consistency and interior defense were off-and-on all weekend but Joe Lanzi, David Nzekwesi, Jase Townsend, Taylr Gatlin, and Alperin Kurnaz got meaningful minutes and contributed in extended action. Continue reading Sleepless in Seattle: Denver drops two at the Elgin Baylor Classic →

Volleyball

Denver Volleyball earns return trip to NCAA Tournament

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Denver volleyball (27-2) was on the bubble. After dropping the Summit League conference tournament final to the University of South Dakota, the Pioneers had to anxiously wait at head coach Tom Hogan’s house Sunday evening. The Pioneers were rewarded for their outstanding season, undefeated in conference play, and will have an opportunity in the first round to avenge their regular season loss against the University of Utah.

Continue reading Denver Volleyball earns return trip to NCAA Tournament →

Hockey, Men's Sports

Crimson & Gold Show: Episode 3

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The #7 Denver Pioneers won and tied against the #9 Providence College Friars this weekend. It was easy to see a lot of growth from the Pioneers as secondary scorers made their presence felt both nights and despite a banner performance from referee Timm Walsh, the Pioneers played fairly well-disciplined hockey. It was an encouraging weekend on the whole in the last weekend of hockey at Magness Arena until 2019. With a trip to North Dakota looming in two weeks, Chris Bayee of Magness Mayhem and I assess where the Pioneers are and the kind of growth that they’ve experienced over the course of the past three weeks of the “gauntlet.”

Episode 3 of the Crimson & Gold Show is just below: Continue reading Crimson & Gold Show: Episode 3 →

Hockey, Men's Sports

Filip Larsson makes NCAA debut in barnburner tie against Providence

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Photo courtesy Shannon Valerio/DU Athletics

DENVER – After an offseason-plus of anticipation and consternation surrounding DU’s goaltending situation, the #7 Denver Pioneers finally have three healthy goalies as highly touted freshman Filip Larsson made his collegiate debut against the #9 Providence College Friars. A night after Devin Cooley limited the Friars to just one goal on 40 shots, Larsson kept the Pioneers in the game as the Pioneers and Friars tied 4-4 at Magness Arena.

Larsson looked at times like he never missed a game and at others, he looked like a goalie making his season debut at the end of November. Though DU’s defense didn’t do him many favors throughout the first two periods with poor defensive zone play that led to numerous Providence scoring chances. Continue reading Filip Larsson makes NCAA debut in barnburner tie against Providence →

Hockey

Resilient Pioneers Top Friars, 3-1

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Photo: Courtesy Kelly O’Connor

Following last weekend’s  Minnesota-Duluth series, the Pioneers (7-3-1, 3-3-0-0) had every reason to collapse when the Providence Friars (7-4-1, 4-2-0) tied the game 1-1 in the third period. With the visitors enjoying a significant face-off advantage, shots-on-goal, and penalty-minutes-served advantage, Denver overcame it all and responded with flying colors with two opportunistic goals in the third period to win, 3-1. And, again, Devin Cooley was a rock in goal for the Pioneers with 39 saves. Continue reading Resilient Pioneers Top Friars, 3-1 →

Men's Basketball

Seattle and Denver Follow Similar Path Seeking Hoops Relevance

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When the University of Denver and Seattle University basketball teams meet Friday at 1:00 MT at the Elgin Baylor Classic in Seattle, each program will be fighting for relevance, trying to break a cycle of low past expectations, turn around campus ambivalence and snap the reins of ill-fitting conferences.

But, that only happens with wins and significant fan bases. All made more difficult in large metropolitan areas with many other entertainment options and fan interests – and few natural league rivals. Continue reading Seattle and Denver Follow Similar Path Seeking Hoops Relevance →

Men's Soccer

Air Force won but their fans embarrassed the Academy

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Photo: Courtesy of Air Force Twitter

Let’s begin by saying the best team won last Sunday’s NCAA Tournament soccer match between Denver and the U.S. Air Force Academy – kudos to the AFA for upsetting DU on the road with a fine soccer performance on the field. Also, let’s further establish that our historical experience has normally been a very positive one with Air Force fans – be it lacrosse, hockey or basketball. Typically, our experience with Air Force fans are as exemplary as the high standards of conduct at the Academy. In fact, most of us DU fans cheer on Air Force when the Falcons aren’t playing DU, because the service academies represent some of the finest young men and women who serve our country with pride and distinction.

But yesterday was different. And we believe it was an embarrassment for the cadets and for the academy. Continue reading Air Force won but their fans embarrassed the Academy →

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