According to an article in Today’s U Sports Despite Utah News, Potential New Lacrosse Programs Face Roadblocks, DU’s trademarked ‘Lacrosse Capital of the West’ slogan will remain both symbolic and real over the immediate term.
Tag Archives: Denver Sports
DU releases Men’s Hoops non-conference schedule, will play Texas A&M
Yesterday, the University of Denver Men’s Basketball team released its non-conference schedule for the 2016-17 season. With this being head coach Rodney Billups’ first season on the sideline for the Pioneers, there was much anticipation for what kind of opponents he would land. Continue reading DU releases Men’s Hoops non-conference schedule, will play Texas A&M
Pacific Rim Line loses another as Trevor Moore signs with Toronto
Earlier today, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced via Twitter that they have signed former University of Denver forward Trevor Moore to a three-year entry level contract. The announcement comes on the heels of Moore’s reportedly “great” development camp with the Maple Leafs earlier this month. Continue reading Pacific Rim Line loses another as Trevor Moore signs with Toronto
‘DU District’ Helps Athletics
Chancellor Rebecca Chopp has endorsed the creation of a ‘DU District.’ Her vision, as outlined in her 2025 strategic plan, is to build a more cohesive, active community in and around DU to include the campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. The idea is to connect the University more closely with the community, create a distinct identity, and take an active role in the rapid growth of residential, commercial, and retail development surrounding University Park. Continue reading ‘DU District’ Helps Athletics
Top 100 Lax Poll Slights DU & the West
Photo: Modified New Yorker Magazine cover (March 29th, 1976) view of lacrosse in the United States
Either the DU coaching staff are miracle workers at molding middling talent into national contenders or national lacrosse prep rankings are wrong again.
A prominent lacrosse survey, Recruiting Rundown, shows the University of Denver landing the second ranked recruit, Ethan Walker, a left-handed Canadian playing at a Culver (Indiana) prep school (as reported by LetsGoDU as well). However, DU had no other recruits in the Top 50 and garnered only two more recruits, Kyle Smith (#59) and Sam Harnish (#71), from the Top 100 list. Only one Colorado prep player even made the top 100 – Cherry Hills Henry Adams came in #82 and is headed to Michigan. Continue reading Top 100 Lax Poll Slights DU & the West
Three Pioneer Alums Headed to 2016 Rio Olympics
Three DU 2016 Olympians: Left: Jessica Lopez ’09 Gymnastics, Venezuela, Top Right Espen Kofstad ’11 Golf, Norway; Lower Right: Simona Castro ’13 Gymnastics, Chile. Photos Courtesy University of Denver
Three University of Denver athlete graduates will represent their respective countries at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil — one men’s golfer and two women’s gymnasts, representing the countries of Norway, Venezuela, and Chile, respectively. Continue reading Three Pioneer Alums Headed to 2016 Rio Olympics
Denver lacrosse commit named Player of the Year
Photo courtesy of Culver Academy
For the second season in a row, University of Denver lacrosse commit, Ethan Walker (Culver Military Academy, Indiana) was named Lacrosse Magazine’s Midwest Region High School Player of the Year. In his senior year, the star attackman tallied an astounding 108 goals and 53 assists in leading his Eagles to a 20-3 finish on the year. Continue reading Denver lacrosse commit named Player of the Year
DU does right by all by extending Montgomery
Photo courtesy: Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post
Barely a week after the Calgary Sun reported that University of Denver hockey head coach Jim Montgomery was one of the finalists for the Calgary Flames’ open head coach position, DU announced that it had extended Montgomery’s contract by five years. Montgomery signed his name on the dotted line, and the rest is history…or so we hope. Continue reading DU does right by all by extending Montgomery
Monty Signs New Five-Year DU Contract
The University of Denver has signed head hockey coach Jim Montgomery to a new five-year contract extension, according to a story broken by Mike Chambers of the Denver Post on June 28, and made official by the University of Denver in a press release on June 29. The contract will extend Montgomery through the 2020-2021 season, and financial terms were not disclosed, per DU policy.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be signing Jim to this well-earned extension and we’re incredibly excited about the state of our hockey program,” said DU Director of Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes in the press release. “Jim’s dynamic leadership, technical proficiency and passion for his sport are all unparalleled, as is his dedication to his craft. The style of play he has brought to Denver has definitely reinvigorated the program and we look forward to the Pioneers’ legacy continuing to grow and thrive in the coming years under his leadership.”
Montgomery, who turns 47 on June 30, has led the Pioneers to progressively better finishes in each of his three seasons since taking over the Pioneer program in 2013 after legendary head coach George Gwozdecky was fired. Last season, the Pioneers made it to the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time since 2005.
According to the Calgary Sun, Montgomery was a finalist for the NHL’s Calgary Flames vacant head coach position earlier this month, but the Flames selected Glen Gulutzan for the job. The flirtation with Calgary may have helped expedite the the DU deal, as some NHL teams are becoming increasingly interested in promising NCAA coaches. This new interest is based on the solid performances turned in by former University of North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol with the Philadelphia Flyers and former Western Michigan coach Jeff Blashill with the Detroit Red Wings, who both guided their NHL teams to the playoffs in their rookie seasons as NHL head coaches. Prior to last season, former college head coaches in the NHL were very rare.
The Denver Post reported that the new contract represents a substantial raise from his previous deal, and will place him in the upper echelon of coaching pay packages in the NCHC.
“I’m very pleased with the offer they put in front of me, that’s for sure,” Montgomery told the Denver Post.
Puck Swami is the internet moniker of a long-time DU fan and alumnus.
Three Pioneers drafted, streak extended to 15 years
Photo courtesy: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
Over the weekend, the National Hockey League held its annual entry draft. Coming into the weekend, the University of Denver hockey program had a player drafted in 14 straight years. On Friday night, when the Florida Panthers selected incoming freshman Henrik Borgström with the 23rd overall pick in the first round, that streak was extended to 15. Continue reading Three Pioneers drafted, streak extended to 15 years