DENVER – In the 50 years since DU sanctioned its first women's varsity programs, women's athletics at the University of Denver has experienced incredible success. Since transitioning to Division I in 1998-99, Denver's women's athletic programs have combined to win 48 regular-season conference titles and 75 conference tournament titles, and secured 124 NCAA Tournament appearances.  

Denver Gymnastics made its first NCAA Championship appearance in 2019, the peak of a program that has produced decades of established national success. More recently, Denver women's lacrosse made its first run to Championship Weekend in 2023, defeating USC, Albany and North Carolina to punch its ticket to the final weekend of the season.  All while the women of Alpine and Nordic skiing continue to be amongst the best in the nation annually. Denver currently has eight women in head coaching positions within its 18 varsity sport programs, earning an A-rating from the Tucker Center which represents the department having a significantly higher proportion of women in head coaching roles compared to the department's peers.  

None of the accomplishments listed above would have been possible without the decades of hard work and success in the 25 years preceding the athletic department's transition to Division I to establish the strong foundation of our programs.  

To sustain the perpetual excellence of women's athletics at DU, the University of Denver athletics department has launched the Pioneer Women's Athletics Endowment to continue to elevate and empower the student-athletes at the University of Denver. This new endowment will serve a dual purpose in honoring every female student-athlete that has helped achieve incredible success in our history while also ensuring sustained excellence for women student-athletes both now and in the future. 

"The University of Denver is committed to the comprehensive excellence model across all 18 of our varsity sports programs, and our position as the top I-AAA school in the country is a direct result of our dedication to our women's teams and the success that they attain year in and year out," Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations Josh Berlo said. "Much deserved attention has come in the direction of women's sports in the last few years in the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, and I'm really looking forward to continuing to strengthen our women's programs at DU and to see the growth of women's sports across the country in the next 50 years. This endowment will directly support our women's programs, and the eight women that serve in head coaching roles who help develop our young student-athletes in a holistic environment at Denver. As we enter a new era of women's athletics, we are fully committed to being amongst the best in the nation in empowering women through athletics." 

Denver's long-term goal is to grow the Pioneer Women's Athletics Endowment to more than $1 million. To date, we have already received commitments of more than $200,000. As it continues to grow, the endowment will have an immediate and sustained impact on our 11 women's varsity programs.   

"Being a student-athlete at DU changed my life," Deputy Athletic Director for Development Kacie Dohrmann (Volleyball '11) said. "I found my voice as a leader and discovered my passion for providing individuals with life-changing opportunities. It truly is a privilege to work every single day to pay it forward to future generations of female Pioneer student-athletes. I'm really excited about the energy that is already behind this endowment and the resources it will provide for women in sport at DU." 

With your support, Denver will continue empowering Pioneer women student-athletes to serve the public good while excelling in sports and academics, and fostering a legacy of excellence. Your generous contributions either to the Pioneer Women's Athletics Endowment, Women's Athletics and Gender Equity Initiatives Fund, or a women's varsity program will directly benefit DU's nearly 200 women student-athletes. 

Interested in making a gift or multi-year pledge to support women's athletics at DU? Click here for more information.  

"I helped lead the charge to ensure the sponsorship of five women's sports at DU," former Pioneer student-athlete, administrator and Executive Director at Sportswomen of Colorado Annie Hoskinson (Field Hockey, Women's Basketball '75) said. "Being a part of that effort changed my life, from being a PE teacher to dedicating my life to provide as many girls and women as possible the opportunity to participate in sports. Most importantly, I realized the importance of giving back to an institution that gave me a second chance and allowed me to develop my leadership skills. I'm proud to be a PIONEER." 

On March 9, Denver will host a women's athletics event starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Gottesfeld Room of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center ahead of women's lacrosse's meeting with Fairfield at 11 a.m. and women's gymnastics' meet against Arizona State at 1:45 p.m.  This event is open to all female former student-athletes, supporters, fans, and community members. Click here to RSVP.  

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