DENVER – The University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation honored Student Programs Manager Amy Rask as the 2018-19 Unsung Hero, Vice Chancellor for Athletics, Recreation and Ritchie Center Operations Karlton Creech announced during his second Divisional Address on Monday morning.
 
Rask is the fifth recipient of the award, joining Athletic Director Ron Grahame (2014-15), Associate Athletics Director for External Operations Angel Field, former Faculty Athletic Representative Nancy Sampson (2016-17) and long-time equipment manager Mike DePaola (2017-18). 
 
Rask's Unsung Hero Award Plaque
Sports and wellness for our students here at the University of Denver is just as important as the academic requirements in our classrooms. Student opportunities through the Alpine Club, Club Sports and Intramural Sports offered here in the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness provide a positive outlet for students' overall development. Oversight of these student programs, a Masters Athlete herself, Amy Rask.
 
Amy Rask joined the University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation in June of 2014 to become the Division's Student Programs Manager. Prior to joining our Division, Amy spent two years at Texas A&M University as a Graduate Assistant for Intramurals Sports and five years at the University of Florida within various student programs in the Department of Recreational Sports.
 
The department manages nearly 30 student club teams annually, up to seven leagues and intramural tournaments each quarter (fall thru spring) and 375 Alpine Club members – the largest individual club on campus. Overall, student participation in student programs is at an all-time high of 63%. All this and more under Amy's watchful eye. 
Under Amy's direction, the Alpine Club reintroduced the Ski Bus Program in 2017 (in collaboration with Sustainability), an affordable and sustainable opportunity for students to get to the mountains on the weekends during the winter months. Participation in the Alpine Club increased from 578 participants in 2013-2014 to 639 participants in 2018-19.
Intramural Sports provide students the opportunity to start a team with friends throughout the school year in competitive and recreation league play. Amy's team provides leadership for various student offerings from pond hockey to Spikeball. The Intramural Sports staff have represented the University of Denver at both the state and regional level as officials for both flag football and basketball.
 
Amy's leadership has provided increased participation in Club Sports by 40% since 2013-14 from 828 members to 1158 members. To date, Club Sports has produced three individual and team National Championships in climbing (2015) and women's lacrosse (2016-2017). Our club teams also made 14 regional championship appearances and 14 national championship appearances in 2018-19. Last year, Denver Club Sports traveled across 27 states sharing their competitive spirit and increasing awareness for the University of Denver.
 
Amy's ability to develop our students through the power of play is commendable. She leads with an ambitious, infectious and competitive attitude. Just this past year one of Amy's student employees was named the University of Denver's Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year – an example of time and dedication towards our students.

It is an honor to know and work with Amy. She is an exceptional ambassador for our students as well as the University of Denver. Amy Rask is an Unsung Hero and Denver Pioneer.
 
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