Welcome back University of Denver friends, fans, sponsors, donors and alumni! I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer. Can you believe it's already time for Denver's 13th season of competing at the NCAA Division I level for all 17 of its sports programs? Are you ready?
I want to thank everyone for their tremendous support during the fifth annual Red Vest Invitational and "Pioneers in Paradise" Pre-Party/Auction this past June. The event supports and celebrates all our sports programs. We had a great turnout at the pre-party and everyone enjoyed a beautiful day of golf at Green Valley Ranch Golf Course.
We had another outstanding year on the playing field during the 2010-11 athletics season. YOUR Pioneers captured their unprecedented fourth consecutive Learfield I-AAA Directors' Cup as the top athletics program among non-football schools. In addition, we topped the Sun Belt Conference and all Front Range institutions with our No. 54 finish for the fourth consecutive year as well. Our season was highlighted by our men's lacrosse NCAA Final Four appearance, three individual NCAA skiing titles, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and eight conference championships. We take great pride in the overall athletic and academic success of our athletic program and winning this trophy annually is important to us.
In July, six of the nations' top NCAA Division I men's ice hockey programs, including YOUR Denver Pioneers, became founding members of the newly-formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference which will begin competition for the 2013-14 season. Joining Denver as founding members are Colorado College, Miami University, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha and North Dakota. We are certainly excited about the changing landscape of college hockey and our fans should look forward to seeing these five schools and other top programs come to Magness Arena on an annual basis.
The 2011-12 season brings new challenges and new hopes. Can YOUR Pioneers extend their Directors' Cup I-AAA championship to five seasons? Which teams will advance to the NCAA Tournament? We are certainly excited about this season. Our men's and women's soccer programs are off to good starts and our hockey program begins exhibition action on Oct. 1.
Our social media committee did an excellent job highlighting our annual Hockey Student Season Campout on Sept. 24 with a video featuring Denver Boone. Click here to enjoy the video and visit www.DenverPioneers.com or call 303-871-GOAL to get your hockey tickets.
I would like to personally welcome Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development/Major Gifts Officer Scott Koskoski, Associate Athletics Director for Development Ryan Peck, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Chuck Lobe, Director of Women's Basketball Operations Michelle Augustavo and other new staff that have recently joined the DU family. Koskoski's experience, leadership and passion for intercollegiate athletics will further strengthen the Division of Athletics and Recreation's component of DU's ASCEND fundraising efforts.
Finally, after five years of wear and tear we have installed new field turf at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. The new playing surface will include the addition of the official DU logo at the center of the field and this type of field turf will have much stronger fibers for greater longevity.
See you at a DU home game soon and Go Pioneers!
Peg
Peg Bradley-Doppes
Vice Chancellor for Athletics Recreation and Ritchie Center Operations
