Pioneer Perspectives
5/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
May 25, 2007
As we continue our growth towards One DU, there is no question that our people will be the difference in our success. Our expertise, engagement and support of each other will prove to be true difference makers.
To increase our global knowledge of our staff functions and backgrounds, each month we will spotlight business units by area. This month we spotlight the recreation/athletic events/Ritchie Center operations responsibility center. Over the past year, the recreation/athletic events/Ritchie Center operations department has continued its evolution by reallocating a range of responsibilities that have included: all campus and community recreation programs; scheduling of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness; realignment of athletic events and related functions such as concessions, parking and outside contractors; centralization and management of all building projects; management of building assets including all primary venues, office space, and associated resources; new facility construction; and maintaining partnerships with campus support services such as facilities management, parking services, custodial services and other entities.
Please find an introduction to each of the team members below:
Stuart Halsall
Stuart begins his ninth year with the Division of Athletics and Recreation and has served in a variety of roles during his tenure. This will be his second year overseeing the merged responsibilities of recreation/athletic events/Ritchie Center operations. Prior to the University of Denver, Halsall spent time at Indiana University and James Madison University and was born and raised in the United Kingdom. As part of his One DU efforts, Stuart is responsible for the management and improvement of recreation program and service delivery to campus and community participants, a quality athletic event experience, and managing the venues and assets of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness to deliver a quality environment to the user.
Janine Stephens
Janine begins here fifth year managing the scheduling office for the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness. She is in charge of managing the calendar for all of the Ritchie Center venues including the scheduling of practice schedules, varsity events, recreational programming, student programming, university events and community programming and events. In addition, Janine assists the community with procuring and managing rental opportunities in the facility.
Gabriella Duran
Gabriella enters into her second year at DU this July. Transitioning from 18 years of corporate experience she brings a perspective that embraces the value and spirit of One DU. Duran supports the Division of Athletics and Recreation in multiple aspects including; office management; key, phone and furniture management; and management of daily customer needs including all incoming e-mail to recreation@du.edu
The staff members above form the administration team for the recreation/athletic events/Ritchie Center operation.
Matt Gohl
Matt started his career at the University of Denver as a student in 1995. After attaining undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university, Matt has continued to work in the Division of Athletics & Recreation. Gohl's responsibilities have changed over the years, and he currently has oversight of the aquatics and fitness programs and operations that serve students, faculty, staff and the Denver community including the health club operation, youth instructional and competitive swimming, adult swimming and events.
Tiffany Ulatowski
Tiffany begins her 3rd year at DU and oversees all programming, member services, and day-to-day operations of the Coors Fitness Center and the El Pomar Natatorium.
Nate Becker
Nate begins his second year at DU. After working in facility and event management at Western State College, Nate moved back to Denver to pursue a career in business and financial operations at the collegiate level. Nate is responsible for managing the financial and daily business transactions of the Coors Fitness Center and El Pomar Natatorium.
Matt Smock
Matt is responsible for the management of front desk operations and the lifeguard staff for the aquatics and fitness operation. He is also engaged in the retention of current members and touring and selling memberships, programs and services to current and potential members.
Carin Orr
Carin Orr starts her first year at DU. She comes to DU with an extensive aquatics and scuba diving background. She is responsible for all recreational fitness and aquatics programming at the University.
The staff above represents the aquatics and fitness operation within the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness. They provide all of the membership, programs and services to students, faculty, staff, alumni and community participants as well as managing a main information point for the facility.
Dave Mueller
After working in the corporate world as a project manager, Dave decided to change directions with a return to campus. This is Dave's fourth year as the leader of DU's ice programming. Some of the program areas he is responsible for are youth hockey, figure skating, public skating, outside rentals and special events such as the annual ice show.
Bill Reed
As an alumnus of the Daniels School of Business, Bill is now putting his acquired knowledge to use. Bill is finishing his 3rd year as a member of the division. He is responsible for staffing the front desk area, scheduling the ice in both Joy Burns and Magness arenas and tracking the venue's financial transactions.
Toni Rogers
Toni is finishing her 3rd year at DU. She left a career in marketing and communications to put her 20 years of competitive skating and coaching experience to work. Toni schedules, staffs and administers the competitive freestyle and Learn to Skate programs, as well as directs the annual ice show.
Lincoln Coverdale
Lincoln is starting his 3rd year as the leader of the Jr. Pioneer youth hockey program. He administers the youth hockey regular season, several tournaments and a number of different summer hockey programs. Lincoln's 20 years of playing and coaching experience has allowed him to have a significant impact on the development of the Jr. Pioneer Hockey program.
The staff above represents the ice programming operation within the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness. They provide all of the rentals, programs and services to students, faculty, staff, alumni and community participants as well as managing a main information point for the facility.
Ruth Brown
After completing her master's degree at Indiana University, Ruth chose DU to pursue a career in special events and the opportunity to combine student and community involvement. She is responsible for the oversight of the Intramural, Club Sports, Adult Sports, and Youth Activities programs at DU.
Jennifer McDuffie
Jennifer McDuffie is currently in her first year at DU. Prior to this position; she attended Mississippi State University where she completed a Master of Science in Counselor Education with an Emphasis in Student Affairs. In her current position, Jennifer oversees P.A.S.S. Camp, School Days Off, Birthday Parties, Field Trips and the Climbing Wall.
Dan Wahl
Dan is beginning his third year here at DU. Dan is responsible for the direct oversight of Club Sports and the Alpine Club student organizations consisting of approximately 1,200 members on campus. He is also actively involved in the administration of the Pioneer Athletic Super Summer (P.A.S.S. Camp) for local youth.
Brad Logar
Brad came to DU after completing his master's degree at Indiana University and is now in his third year. Brad is responsible for all aspects of the DU Intramural and Adult Sport programs including marketing, staffing, training, team recruitment, scheduling, and participant recognition.
The staff above represents the campus and community operation within the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness. They provide all of the student programs through the facility and also providing sports opportunities through camps, clinics, and leagues for youth and adults from the community.
Michael Simon
Michael's involvement in gymnastics spans more than four decades as competitor, coach, clinician and program director. In his eighth year with DU Youth Gymnastics, he oversees programming for the Denver community that ranges from preschool classes to the DU Jr. Pioneer competitive team. In addition, Michael serves as director of several events throughout the year and is currently a board member for CO USA Gymnastics.
Kristin Baker
After working three years as a coach in the DU youth gymnastics program, Kristin begins her first year as a full-time staff member. Kristin brings years of coaching, competitive and administrative experience to the program. Her current responsibilities include managing the recreational coaching staff as well as overseeing class programming and daily operations of the gymnastics venue.
The staff above represents the youth gymnastics operation within the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness. They provide a program with over 700 youth participants that is sold out.
Doug Cordill
Doug begins his fourth season at DU. An alumnus of Kansas State University, Cordill came to the University of Denver in the summer of 2001 as event manager after working for two years as an event coordinator for K-State Athletics. His responsibilities include the administration of NCAA Division I events to include event management and game operations.
Chad McCallum
Chad joined DU as an intern in the spring of 2000. He acts as the primary contact for Pioneer hockey and men and women's soccer. A Denver native, Chad is responsible for the successful operation of NCAA Division I events, including all technical aspects of the event setup within the facility as well as scheduling personnel for game day operations.
Lukhvinder (Lucky) Rai
Lucky is the current Athletics Event intern. Currently working on his MBA in Sport Management, he is responsible for facilitating and supporting the Athletic Event staff in the quality administration of all Pioneer athletic events. This season, Lucky served as event manager for Men's and Women's basketball as well as Women's Lacrosse.
The staff above represents the athletic events operation within the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness. They provide oversight to all NCAA Division I and supporting events including management of support services.
Many Thanks to our countless part-time staff and partners!
The department of recreation/athletic events/Ritchie Center operations has over 400 part-time staff and multiple partners that it works with. We are proud of the work and support that is provided from these individuals and they truly make a big difference across the operation. These staff work at our front desks, instruct programs and classes, greet guests at the games and much more. Please thank them if you have the chance.
