DENVER  
During the month of February, the University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation will catch up with eight former black student-athletes, reflecting back on their DU careers.
 
Former University of Denver men's lacrosse student-athlete Terry Ellis helped the Pioneers to their first three Championship Weekend appearances in 2011, 2013 and 2014. After a recruiting story that left Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Tierney scratching his head (Read Mike Chambers' Denver Post story here), Ellis was key to Denver's defensive midfield in his final couple of years with the program. The former Pio played in 51 career games, totaling 24 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers and two assists.
 
"I chose DU because of the people at the University," Ellis said. "The coaches, support staff and most importantly my teammates were extremely supportive. The camaraderie and memories that were made on and off the field were incredible. I still support the Pioneers however, and whenever I can." 
 
During his childhood in St. Louis, many of Ellis' friends grew up playing other sports, but a high school friend of his stopped him one day, and told him he should play lacrosse – and that he'd be good at it. "My friend lent me his equipment and I fell in love with it. And here I am," Ellis said in the aforementioned 2013 Denver Post article.

"Words can't express how proud we are," said Ellis' mother, Sherry. "Terry knew what he wanted. He never played lacrosse until his sophomore year in high school, and he knew he wanted to play Division I."

In the summers, during his collegiate playing days, Ellis gave back to his hometown Missouri community, introducing the sport he loves to an inner-city boys club.
 
Following graduation, Ellis was drafted by the Denver Outlaws and was a member of the 2014 MLL Championship Team. Ellis was also selected 42^nd overall in the 2014 National Lacrosse League draft by the Colorado Mammoth, where he spent two seasons.
 
Like last Thursday's feature, Hannah Hook, Ellis became the co-director of the Denver Pride Women's Lacrosse club program after a volunteer assistant stint on Liza Kelly's staff at Denver. While serving as a volunteer assistant, Ellis pursued a master's degree in global finance, trade and economic integration.
 
In September of last year, Ellis accepted the girl's lacrosse head coaching job at Valor Christian High School.
 
"DU prepared me for what I am currently doing by showing me how to create and foster a cultured, winning program and environment," Ellis said. "The experiences at DU showed me that success isn't always linear. The values of hard work, and persistence cannot be overstated and were ingrained in me daily by the teachers and coaches. Having the opportunity to be a part of both the men's and women's lacrosse programs and learn from Hall of Fame coaches in both; while also learning from the coaches in hockey, basketball and gymnastics allowed me to see how to run a championship program."
 
Ellis still has a hand in the men's game as well, spending his summers the last couple of years prior to the pandemic as a coach for the Colorado Collegiate Box Lacrosse League's Fighting Bison, leading the Bison to the National Championships in Huntington Beach, California in 2019.
 
Coronavirus Updates: 
For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here. 
 
COVID Relief Fund: 
University of Denver Athletics and Recreation announced the launch of the 5280 COVID Relief Fund in September, a yearlong campaign with a goal of raising $1 million that will go towards supporting divisional operating costs negatively affected by COVID-19. Click here to donate to the 5280 Together COVID Relief Fund.  
 
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