LetsGoDU Projects Opening Day Lineup

Opening Day is over four months away and the Freshmen haven't stepped on campus yet, but we'll take a stab at the opening day lineup against Vermont on October 9th.

Forwards
Rakhshani - Ruegsegger - Shore
K. Ostrow - Colborne - Salazar
Maiani - Martin - S. Ostrow
Gifford - Glasser - Vossberg
(Jackson, Dewhurst, Cunningham, Knowlton)

Defensemen
Wiercioch - Wrenn
Donovan - Lee
Brookwell - Ryder
(Nutini, Phillips, Cook, Brehm)

Goaltenders
Chevy
(Murray, Paulgaard, Guinn)

1st PP
Rakhshani, Colborne, Shore
Wiercioch, Ruegsegger

2nd PP
K. Ostrow, Martin, Maiani
Donovan, Wrenn

1st PK
Colborne, K. Ostrow
Wiercioch, Wrenn

2nd PK
Martin, S. Ostrow
Donovan, Lee

NCAA Bureaucrat Crushes Air Force Hockey Player

(left) Air Force Academy hockey player Kevin Wright lost his NCAA eligibility as the result of erroneous advice he received years ago from a community college academic counselor

From: Colorado Springs Gazette

by Jake Schaller

Air Force hockey player Kevin Wright, who will be a junior in the fall, is out of eligibility, according to the NCAA.

Why? Not for anything nefarious, but because he inadvertently started his “five-year clock,” during which an athlete must play his or her four seasons, three years before coming to the academy.

He did it – get this – by taking classes at a community college that is not affiliated with the NCAA and does not have a hockey program.

After high school Wright had no Division I offers, so he played midget hockey to attempt to attract the attention of junior league teams, from which colleges recruit players. Nearly all of Air Force’s players came to the academy after playing for junior league teams.

Nearly all those players also take some classes at community colleges to show they haven’t given up on academics (it looks better for applicants trying to impress admissions folks).

So why didn’t they start their five-year clocks? Because they took classes part-time, while Wright took enough classes to be considered full-time. That’s right – he’s being punished for doing too much academic work.

If that sounds crazy, consider these facts:

1. He was told by a counselor at the community college that his eligibility would not be affected. So he received bad counsel.

2. He was unable to bring the credits he amassed to Air Force (he had to start from scratch), so he received no benefit other than the knowledge that he gained.

3. Again, players taking classes prior to starting their clocks is common. The only reason Wright was affected was because he was considered full-time.

Still, the NCAA rejected his request for a waiver and his subsequent appeal.

“I just think it’s a horrible injustice,” Falcons coach Frank Serratore said. “If he doesn’t qualify for an exemption, a waiver from the five-year rule, who the hell would?

There's a lot more about this in a story that appeared on the front page of The Gazette this morning.

The Pipeline Show Interviews Drew Shore

DU Recruit Drew Shore was interviewed last night on the Pipeline Show on Edmonton radio station 1260 AM. Hosts Guy Flaming and Dean Millard peppered Shore with questions about the upcoming NHL Draft, coming to the University of Denver next Fall and USA Hockey.

Shore also mentioned that he's "Pro Boone" so check it out.

Sleeping With The Enemy North Dakota Style

(above) Monqiue and Jocelyne Lamoureux are quitting the Gopher women's hockey team and heading back to North Dakota

From: Sports by Brooks

It’s been some tough times for the University of North Dakota. The state’s Board of Higher Education had recently ruled that the school must drop its beloved but controversial “Fighting Sioux” nickname by October 1, unless it can get the okay from the state’s two Sioux Indian tribes to let the college keep it. But now things are looking up for the soon-to-be non-Sioux.

The two ladies pictured above are Jocelyne & Monique Lamoureux. So why should a pair of hockey playing sisters cheer up the (still) Sioux nation - especially a pair that plays for UND’s hated rival, the Minnesota Golden Gophers? Because the Lamoureux sisters are coming home to Grand Forks, having announced that they are transferring to North Dakota.

Oh, and they’re pretty cute, too.

But it’s not just lovely looks that the Fighting Sioux are acquiring. As the MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE points out, the Lamoureux twins led the Gophers in scoring as freshmen, and both were named WCHA first-team all-conference players. Monique was even named the WCHA’s rookie of the year. And all this was done on a team that went 32-5-3 and made it to the NCAA women’s Frozen Four.

The arrival of the Lamoureux ladies would definitely be a welcome addition to a North Dakota squad that struggled to a 13-19-4 record this season. So why would the duo depart such a strong Gophers team to skate for the so-so Sioux? Because Grand Forks, home to UND, is also home to the Lamoureux family. The sisters’ father & oldest brother both played goalie for North Dakota, while their youngest brother was a freshman forward for the Fighting Sioux this past season.

Despite leaving, the Lamoureuxs have no ill will toward the Gophers:

“We feel this is in our best interests. It’s what is right for us,” Jocelyne Lamoureux said. “Obviously, the Fighting Sioux runs in our family. But Monique and I made the decision, and we have no parting jabs for Minnesota.”

But Gophers coach Brad Frost felt like he took a couple of jabs. When Monqiue & Jocelyne said they wanted out of their scholarships, Frost responded, “I can’t get into the specifics about it — I was definitely shocked when they informed me.”

So it seems that the Minnesota-North Dakota rivalry just got a little hotter - in more ways than one!

Sneak Peek At DU's 2009-10 Schedule

We still don't have DU's Official 2009-10 Hockey Schedule, but some dates and teams are known.

The University of Nebraka-Omaha is the fourth team in the Denver Cup, not Boston University as previously mentioned.

The October 17th game against Ohio State may be played in Nationwide Arena home of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Guesstimate Of DU's 2009-10 Schedule
10/4 Calgary (Ex)
10/9 Vermont
10/10 Vermont
10/15 @ Ohio State
10/17 @ Ohio State - 1 PM (Nationwide Arena?)
10/23 Minnesota
10/24 Minnesota
10/31 St. Cloud State* Homecoming
11/1 St. Cloud State* Homecoming
11/6 @ Alaska-Anchorage
11/7 @ Alaska-Anchorage
@ Minnesota State
@ Minnesota State
11/20 North Dakota
11/21 North Dakota
12/4 @ Colorado College
12/5 Colorado College
12/11 @ Minnesota Duluth
12/12@ Minnesota Duluth
1/2 Denver Cup (St. Lawrence, Boston College, Nebraska-Omaha)
1/3 Denver Cup (St. Lawrence, Boston College, Nebraska-Omaha)
1/8 Alaska-Anchorage
1/9 Alaska-Anchorage
Minnesota State
Minnesota State
1/22 @ Wisconsin
1/23 @ Wisconsin
1/29 @ North Dakota
1/30 @ North Dakota
2/5? Mercyhurst
2/6 @ Air Force
2/12@ Minnesota
2/13 @ Minnesota
2/19 Michigan Tech
2/ 20 Michigan Tech
3/5 Colorado College
3/6 @ Colorado College
3/12-14 WCHA 1st Round Playoffs
3/18-20 WCHA Final Five-St. Paul, MN
3/26-28 NCAA Regionals
(Worcester, St. Paul, Ft. Wayne, Albany)
4/8 & 10 Frozen Four-Detroit

DU Isn't The Only Institution Ignoring Democracy

From: Grand Forks Herald
by Steve Fool Bear

FORT YATES, N.D. — It’s disturbing to watch what is happening on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and in North Dakota.

In both places, leaders are ignoring those whom they’re entrusted with representing.

Standing Rock is a failed democracy. Likewise, some state government entities are backing (and imposing the views of) a radical few over the common sense of the progressive many. All in the name of political correctness, or maybe it’s fear of being called racist — who knows?

Standing Rock voted overwhelmingly to keep using our nation’s “Sioux” name a year ago. That issue was part of the anti-nickname activists’ continuing effort to deny tribal members a chance to vote in a UND nickname referendum.

The tribal council imposed a moratorium on such a referendum for one reason: to silence and deny the inevitable truth.

Standing Rock will vote in favor of UND and its Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, the same as Spirit Lake did. Otherwise, why would nickname opponents make such unethical political efforts to deny tribal members a chance to vote?

It completely contradicts democracy.

Instead, the nickname opponents spread racist propaganda throughout the reservation, using UND as reference in their efforts to change our nation’s proud Sioux name to Oyate. But they failed miserably, much like the anti-logo movement at Spirit Lake did.

Spirit Lake members forced the UND issue to a ballot — and the results were not surprising in Sioux country. We’ve known this all along: The “Silent Majority” is 2-1 ratio in favor of the UND nickname, the same ratio that emerged in the Oyate-vs.-Sioux vote.

The collective Sioux voice has been heard consistently but still is ignored: Is this not enough evidence?

But even so, North Dakota along with the rest of country continues to submit to this vocal few.

The facts are these: We are proud to be Sioux, and we are proud of the UND Fighting Sioux.

Democracy has proven this time and time again. However, this issue has proven that democratic leaders are not obligated to represent the majority.

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education has its reasons for their deciding as it did, but one would assume that North Dakota traditions, democratic evidence, progress and common sense would hold much more weight than would baseless rumors and the availability of an athletic conference.

The board is failing North Dakota’s heritage, much like the leadership at Standing Rock has failed us.

At the moment, the politicians are winning, but there is still time. Where are our leaders?

Long live the Sioux, and long live the UND Fighting Sioux.

CC Assistant Coach Applies For Omaha Opening

(left) CC assistant coach Mike Guentzel says he will apply for the vacant University of Nebraska Omaha position

From: Duluth News

As Nebraska-Omaha thinks about joining the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the selection process for hiring a new coach at the school is picking up steam.

The Omaha World-Herald has listed a number of potential Omaha candidates, but only Colorado College assistant Mike Guentzel, 46, has said publicly he would apply.

Guentzel, whose son Gabe is a freshman defenseman at CC, spent the last 14 seasons (1994-2008) as an assistant at the University of Minnesota and played an instrumental role in steering the Gophers to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2002 and 2003

Minne­sota Duluth assistant Steve Rohlik is being mentioned as a candidate to replace former coach Mike Kemp.

Others mentioned are Minnesota assistant Mike Hastings, 43, who was head coach of the U.S. Hockey League’s Omaha Lancers for 14 years; Boston University assistant and former Omaha assistant David Quinn, 42; former North Dakota and NHL coach Dean Blais, 58, now with the USHL’s Fargo Force; Miami of Ohio assistant Chris Bergeron, 38; and New Hampshire assistant David Lassonde, 46.

New Omaha athletic director & former ESPN pretty boy Trev Alberts has appointed a search committee, which includes Kemp. In his associate athletic director position, Kemp, 56, who was head coach for 12 years, will oversee the hockey program.

Women's Golf Finishes 5th At NCAA Championships


It was an up and down day once again for the University of Denver's Women's Golf Team, but a late match collapse by Duke allowed the Pioneers to sneak in 5th place at the NCAA Women's Golf Championships.

Denver's season was highlighted by winning the NCAA East Regionals two weeks ago and then unexpectedly surging to the first day lead at the NCAA Championships on Tuesday. However the Pioneers were unable to continue their magical run, as traditional Pac-10 powers applied mounting pressure.

In the past two seasons DU has firmly established themselves as a Top 10 golfing program under the leadership of coach Sammie Chergo. Chergo will look to add depth in the offseason as DU is within striking distance of a championship.

Graduating Seniors Katie Kempter & Dawn Shockley will be missed next season, but DU has an exciting Freshman class coming aboard. Stephanie Sherlock, one of the best golfers in the nation will anchor DU in her Senior year next season.
Go DU .... DU Women's Golf Friday at NCAA Championships .... Get live scoring updates .... Go DU


FRIDAY: DU's players will tee-off between 10:10-10:50 MT and will be paired against North Carolina & Virginia

DU Recruit William Wrenn Profiled In HF

Hockey's Future spoke to University of Denver recruit William Wrenn at the U18 Championships. He had just found out he was invited to the NHL combine, which he was excited about. He also talked about the decision to go to DU and what he needs to work on.

Its a very good interview, so check it out.

Turns out that incoming recruit Adam Murray may be one of DU's best recruiters.

DU Golfers Drop To 5th With 1 Day To Go

The University of Denver is in 5th place at the NCAA Women's Golf Championships with one day to play. DU shot +21 over par on Thursday dropping out of title contention.

DU's Stephanie Sherlock is in a tie for 8th place in the individual medal competition.

141 Days Until Opening Night Against Vermont


(above) Drew Shore will play for DU next season and his younger brother Nick, who hasn't committed to a college yet, are interviewed

INCH Touts DU For Frozen Four in 2010

Inside College Hockey has an article entitled "10 Things For 2010." They list the University of Denver as the WCHA's strongest candidate to make the Frozen Four in Detroit."

8. Which WCHA team will make it back to the Frozen after such a long (and enjoyable) absence?

OK, so it’s been a one-year hiatus. Consider the teasing payback for the 2005 Frozen Four in Columbus when we had to listen to how fabulous the Dub was ad nauseum.

It wasn’t a banner year for the WCHA in 2008-09. Stalwarts Minnesota and Wisconsin missed the NCAA Tournament. So did preseason favorite Colorado College and perennial postseason player St. Cloud State. Denver and North Dakota were first-round NCAA washouts. Were it not for Minnesota Duluth’s remarkable postseason run, the season would’ve been utterly forgettable.

Don’t expect a repeat in 2009-10. Of the teams in the league that can stake a claim to having Frozen Four aspirations, Denver appears to have the strongest case. The Pioneers can put together two legitimate scoring lines by mixing and matching forwards Joe Colborne, Anthony Maiani, Jesse Martin, Kyle Ostrow, Rhett Rakhshani, Tyler Ruegsegger, and Luke Salazar. That list doesn’t include incoming freshman Drew Shore, a U.S. NTDP product who’s projected by some to be a first-round selection in next month’s NHL Entry Draft. There’s not much point production from the blue line outside of Patrick Wiercioch, but with the talent up front, that isn’t a huge concern. Marc Cheverie, who put up solid numbers in his first season as the no. 1 guy in goal for DU, is back, too.

This could be the most talented team in George Gwozdecky’s tenure. Seriously.

DU In 3rd Place At NCAA Women's Golf

The University of Denver struggled on Wednesday finishing +16 over par, but still managed to stay in the top three spots at the NCAA Women's Golf Championships. DU trails UCLA by nine strokes and Southern Cal by two shots.

Stephanie Sherlock is in second place within two shots of the individual leader. Teammate Dawn Shockey has clawed back into the top 10.

Behind DU are nine schools within 10 strokes, so the pressure will be even more intense tomorrow.

142 Days Until Opening Game Against Vermont

(above) The DU Bleacher Creatures logo from the mid-Eighties

LetsGoDU Website To Debut This Summer

(above) The LetsGoDU Website is under construction

The LetsGoDU Website is under construction. The site is being designed by a DU student and will contain a message board, stories, photos, links, player stats and interactive content.

The site will debut on July 1, 2009.

DU Golfers Lead NCAA Championships After Day 1

The 13th ranked University of Denver charged to the lead of the 2009 Women's NCAA Golf Championships by two strokes after the first day of play in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Denver (6-over 294) has a two-shot lead over #2 seed UCLA (8-over 296). North Carolina is third at 11-over, followed by Southern California (13-over). #1 seed Arizona State is 8 strokes behind DU.

One competitor noted that, "The rough is much thicker, it's playing pretty long and it's longer than we usually play. The greens are much faster. It's championship golf. Regular season is tough, but this is definitely how a championship should be set up."

DU golfer Stephanie Sherlock is tied for the lead in the individual competition at -2 under par.

Play continues tomorrow as Denver tees off beginning at 6:30 AM MT from the 10th tee. The Pioneers will once again be paired with UCLA and Arizona State.

Fans can follow the action live via www.GolfStat.com

143 Days Until Regular Season Opening Game

(above) This will be a frequent sight in Boonetown next season
Photo Credit: Lauryn Sprung

DU Women's Golf Tee Off At NCAA's Today

(above) The DU's women's golf team look to upset the Arizona State at the NCAA Championships this week

The University of Denver women’s golf team tees off at 10:30 AM MST in the NCAA Championships at the Caves Valley Golf Club today.

Denver will play against No. 1 Arizona State and No. 2 UCLA.

Fans can follow the action live via www.GolfStat.com

New Look Clarion Features Another Boone Article

The University of Denver's student newspaper, The DU Clarion online edition received a major facelift this week. Sharper graphics, a cleaner look and more contemporary design is the result. For the sixth week in a row the paper features Boone coverage. This week the Swashbucking Steven Stoker wrote an editorial about the Boone Debate.

Stoker's editorial will surely grab the attention of DU's ultra-liberal PC faculty with jabs such as, "Ironically, this symbol [Boone] that was created to bring the school together has torn it apart, like an Indian violently scalping the hair off a dying pioneer settler."

Get ready for the howls of indication from DU's misnamed Center For Multicultural Excellence. They'll claim that the pioneers deserved to be scalped due to "microaggressions" perpetrated by the settlers and that the natives were the true victims.

Its a great read, so check it out.

Denver Post Previews DU Womens Golf Team

(above) DU's Golf Team will tee it up on Tuesday in the NCAA National Championships in Owings Mills, Md.

From: Denver Post
by Tom Kensler


Four rounds at this week's NCAA championship tournament in Owings Mills, Md., will determine whether the University of Denver women's golf team can improve upon its sixth-place finish of a year ago.

But DU coach Sammie Chergo is certain of one thing: Her team will compete as hard as any team out there in the tournament that begins Tuesday.

That's how Chergo coaches. That's who she recruits. DU's roster is filled with all-around athletes who have excelled at several sports and know what it takes to succeed.

"That's kind of become our 'brand,' " Chergo said. "Our top players are some of the most competitive kids that we've ever had. On days when they're not playing as well as they'd like to, they still have that competitive gear to switch to. They can turn their 'B' game into their 'A' game just because they're so competitive." [read rest of article]

Boston University May Return To Denver Cup

The University of Denver's 2009-2010 hockey schedule hasn't been released yet but a few dates on the upcoming season have been compiled from various sources. We've cobbled together DU's upcoming season based on other schools' schedules and DU's rotating WCHA opponents.

An email to DU season ticket holders said Boston College would be at the Denver Cup.

However a newspaper article back east said that defending National Champion Boston University may be making its second consecutive trip to the Denver Cup. The only teams that has officially been confirmed for the Denver Cup are St. Lawrence University & Boston College. St. Lawrence coach Joe Marsh said he believed "Boston University was in the mix."
Guesstimate Of DU's 2009-10 Schedule

10/4 Calgary (Ex)
10/9 Vermont
10/10 Vermont
10/16 @ Ohio State
10/17 @ Ohio State
10/23 Minnesota
10/24 Minnesota
10/30 St. Cloud State* Homecoming
10/31 St. Cloud State* Homecoming
@ Minnesota State
@ Minnesota State
11/20 North Dakota
11/21 North Dakota
12/4 @ Colorado College
12/5 Colorado College
12/11 @ Minnesota Duluth
12/12@ Minnesota Duluth
@ Alaska-Anchorage
@ Alaska-Anchorage
1/2 Denver Cup (St. Lawrence, Boston College, Boston University???)
1/3 Denver Cup
@ Wisconsin
@ Wisconsin
Minnesota State
Minnesota State
Alaska-Anchorage
Alaska-Anchorage
1/29 @ North Dakota
1/30 @ North Dakota
2/5? Mercyhurst
2/6 @ Air Force
2/12@ Minnesota
2/13 @ Minnesota
Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech
3/5 Colorado College
3/6 @ Colorado College
3/12-14 WCHA 1st Round Playoffs
3/18-20 WCHA Final Five-St. Paul, MN
3/26-28 NCAA Regionals
(Worcester, St. Paul, Ft. Wayne, Albany)
4/8 & 10 Frozen Four-Detroit

Billy Sweatt Will Return To CC For Senior Season

(above) Colorado College forward Billy Sweatt will return to Colorado College to try and help the team win its first National Championship since 1957

From: Colorado Springs Gazette
by Frank Schwab


Bill Sweatt took some time to let the feelings of a disappointing finish to the 2008-09 season pass, and debated every angle of turning pro against returning for his senior season at Colorado College.

Almost two months after CC's season ended, Sweatt decided to get his degree and play out his college eligibility.

"I'm really excited to come back," Sweatt said.

Sweatt, a wing who was a second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007, will be CC's leading returning scorer. He was fourth on the team last season with 23 points on 12 goals and 11 assists. He was one of two non-seniors, along with Stephen Schultz, to have double-digit goals last season.

CC already had goaltender Richard Bachman and defenseman Brian Connelly leave school early for the pros this offseason.

North Dakota Board Votes To Drop Nickname

From: Associated Press

North Dakota's Board of Higher Education has agreed to drop the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo, a move intended to resolve a decades-long campus dispute about whether the name demeans American Indians.

The name and logo, which is a profile of an American Indian man with feathers and streaks of paint on his face, could still be saved if North Dakota's Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes agree by Oct. 1 to give the university permission to use them for at least 30 years.

However, tribal officials say that possibility is remote. Unless the name and logo receive tribal endorsement, they will be retired for good on Aug. 1, 2010.

The board, which met Thursday at Dickinson State University, voted 8-0 to retire the logo and nickname. UND President Robert Kelley began making plans for replacements.

"This has been a long-standing tradition at UND, and I think the board action now instructs the university to develop new traditions," he said.

Board member Grant Shaft, who is chairman of a committee that has been studying the issue, said the move may help UND's likely application to join the Summit League, an 11-member NCAA Division I conference that is seeking a 12th school.

College Hockey News Ranks DU Preseason #1

College Hockey News ranked the top 10 contenders for next season and selected the University of Denver hockey team as their top choice. Hit the link to see the entire list.
1. Denver -- The Pioneers look stacked for a big run, assuming (again) that everyone comes back that's supposed to. Rhett Rakhshani and Tyler Ruegsegger already say they're returning. Throw in the likes of Patrick Wiercioch -- who dazzled as a freshman defenseman last year -- Marc Cheverie in net, and more scoring punch from Luke Salazar and Kyle Ostrow, and Denver is as healthy as ever. Keeping things in one piece, and keeping it together for a whole season, have been elusive concepts lately for Denver, but it has fewer questions marks and more talent than any team going into next season.

Denver Post Looking At Charging For Web Content

(left) MediaNews Group CEO William Dean Singleton's email to employees this week caused a stir

MediaNews Group Inc., owner of the Denver Post and 53 other daily newspapers in 11 states, says it plans to stop providing free online access to all its newspaper content on its websites and will develop ways to charge readers for some of its Web content.

“We cannot continue to give all of our content away for free,” MediaNews CEO William Dean Singleton and President Joseph “Jody” Lodovic said in a memo to company employees.

After the demise of the Rocky Mountain News earlier this year, the Denver Post is the only major newspaper in the area that regularly covers the University of Denver Athletics.

Clarion Looking For Alumni May Days Memories

(above) Finalists for DU's May Day's Queen in 1967

Next week The Clarion going to be doing a special section about May Days. They are hoping for a little help from alumni & LetsGoDU readers.

Please email your May Daze/Days memories to The Clarion (Arianna.Ranahosseini@du.edu) by Sunday at midnight. This another great opportunity for DU alums to connect with students via the Clarion.

Mike Chamber's Blog Has Awards Dinner Recap

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post was at the DU Awards Dinner on Friday night and spoke to many players about their plans for the upcoming season. He's dug up some pretty interesting news.

He has tidbits on Patrick Wiercioch, Rhett Rakhshani, Joe Colborne, Brock Trotter, Jesse Martin & recruit David Makowski.

Glenn Fisher's Team Playing In ECHL Playoffs

(above) DU Alum Glenn Fisher in goal for the Las Vegas Wranglers against the Alaska Aces in the ECHLsemi-finals

Former DU player T.J. Fast and the Alaska Aces scored a 3-1 victory over DU Alum Glenn Fisher in Las Vegas on Tuesday night.

The victory gave the Aces a 3-0 lead in the ECHL's best-of-7 National Conference finals. No team in the 21-season history of the ECHL has rebounded from a 3-0 deficit.

Clarion Letter Suggests Withholding Donations

Seven months ago Chancellor Coombe emailed students and staff at the University of Denver that, "Boone would not become the official mascot at the University of Denver on the grounds that it was divisive and a not a unifying influence on campus."

The Chancellor never bothered to notify our alumni of his decision and two more alums sent letters to the Clarion this week asking for Boone's return to campus. One of the letters suggested "alums withhold donations to DU" until the matter is resolved.

This is the fifth straight week that the Clarion has featured Boone coverage or letters. Props to the newspaper, students and alumni that are keeping this issue alive.

Some might recall that the Chancellor also suggested that, "We hold a community-wide discussion of what it means to be a Pioneer, for today and the future, and I ask that the history and traditions committee and our student and alumni organizations take up this question with a view to building community and clarifying our identity."

I think we can comfortably say that 95% of alumni who are aware of the Boone situation want the mascot back at DU. No one can doubt that Boone has unified our alumni.

Signing May Signal Wiercioch's Return To DU

(left) Erik Karlsson was Ottawa's 1st Round choice at 2008 NHL Draft

The Ottawa Senators signed Erik Karlsson, their top pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, to an entry level contract. Although nothing has been announced, this signing may signal that DU's Patrick Wiercioch will return to Denver for his Sophomore season.

Karlsson is defenseman who has great vision for the game and the ability to move the puck. Skills that appear to mirror Wiercioch's.

Senators general manager Bryan Murray says Karlsson has the skills and hockey sense to compete in the NHL.

“Erik is a special player, power-play guy, an offensive guy; he would certainly address a need on our blue line,” he says. “The last two months of the season in the Elite League he was really good. We will give him a chance; the odds are pretty good for him.”

Pioneers Playing Professional Hockey

CHL
Mike Handza - Amarillo Gorillas
Kevin Ulanski - Colorado Eagles
Erik Adams - Colorado Eagles

ECHL
Tom May - Utah Grizzlies
Glenn Fisher - Las Vegas Wranglers
T.J. Fast - Alaska Aces

AHL
Peter Mannino - Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NY Islanders)
Brett Skinner - Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers)
Brock Trotter - Hamilton Bulldogs
Ryan Dingle - Iowa Chops
J.D. Corbin - Lake Erie Monsters
Gabe Gauthier - Manchester Monarchs
Geoff Paukovich - Springfield Falcons
Connor James - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Adam Berkhoel - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Aaron Mackenzie - Lake Erie Monsters (Colorado Avalanche)
J.P. Testwuide - Houston Aeros
Andrew Thomas - Iowa Chops
Adrian Veideman - Iowa Chops

EUROPE
Ryan Caldwell - DEG Metro Stars (DEL-Germany)
Jussi Halme - Tappara Tampere (FNL-Finland)
Sinuhe Wallinheimo - JyPHT Jyvaskyla (FNL-Finland)
Antti Laaksonen - Lukko Rauma (FNL-Finland)
Luke Fulghum - Manchester Phoenix (EIHL-England)
Kevin Doell - Leksand IFStars (Allsvenskan-Sweden)
Gavin Morgan - VÃ¥lerenga Ishockey (GET-Norway)

NHL
Matt Carle - Philadelphia Flyers
Wade Dubielewicz - Columbus Blue Jackets
Chris Butler - Buffalo Sabres
Paul Stastny - Colorado Avalanche
Matt Pettinger - Tampa Bay Lightning

Signed Contracts
Tyler Bozak - Toronto Maple Leafs
Patrick Mullen - L.A. Kings

Dawn Shockley Is DU's Newest NCAA Hero

(above) Dawn Shockley won the individual title at the NCAA East Regionals

The University of Denver’s Dawn Shockley earned medalist honors for the NCAA East Regional Tournament yesterday. She carded the low round of the tournament on Saturday, finishing the event with a 1-under-par 209. She was one of three Pioneers in the top 10 for the victorious Denver team, joining Katie Kempter and Stephanie Sherlock.

Shockley has often been overshadowed by teammate Stephanie Sherlock, who has represented Canada in many international events as well as finishing fifth at the NCAA Championships last year.

Shockley, a Senior, was the top DU finisher at the Sun Belt tournament two weeks ago, finishing third. She also was a three sport star at Estes Park High School in cross country, basketball & golf and was named the Colorado 3A high school basketball player of the year in 2005.

It was Shockley's round of the tournament on Saturday that propelled DU past the University of Alabama. She fired a 4-under 66 that included five birdies – to win the individual title by two shots over Central Florida senior Stephanie Connelly.

In two weeks Shockley & Sherlock will lead DU for the final time at the NCAA Championships held May 19-22 at the Caves Valley Golf Club hosted by Georgetown University.

DU Rolls To NCAA East Regional Golf Title

(above) DU won the NCAA East Regional Championship on Saturday

From: Golfweek

When Denver got word they were being shipped across the country to the NCAA East Regional, the players didn’t pout or worry that they weren’t getting any respect.

Instead, they held an Ultimate Frisbee draft.

“We’re a little unique,” coach Sammie Chergo said, smiling.

With a healthy mix of fun and focus, Denver won the program’s first NCAA regional title Saturday at the University of Florida’s Mark Bostick Golf Course. The sixth-seeded Pioneers posted a 1-under 279 – the only sub-par round of the tournament – to erase an eight-shot deficit and top Alabama, the second seed, by four shots.

Senior Dawn Shockley notched the round of the tournament – a 4-under 66 that included five birdies. Senior Katie Kempter shot 68, and sophomores Sarah Faller and Stephanie Sherlock chipped in with a 72 and 73, respectively.

Any thoughts that the Pioneers couldn’t hang with SEC and ACC powerhouses were squashed. After all, why stress about golf when the day is still young?

“No one on our team ever gets too jacked up about golf,” said Shockley, who was the Colorado high school basketball player of the year as a senior at Estes Park High. “You’ve got to have a balance because golf can be a lot.”

That’s why, instead of pounding range balls after their rounds, the Pioneers drove a half-mile down 2nd Ave. from the Mark Bostick Golf Course to UF’s football facility. There, they put on custom-made T-shirts, marked off the field and played Ultimate Frisbee. Even coach Sammie Chergo suited up.

“It’s very easy for us to leave our games at the course,” said senior Katie Kempter. “That’s a huge part of our team.”

When Chergo started the program from scratch in 1997, she recruited players who were well-rounded in a number of sports. If golf wasn’t pursuit No. 1, that was OK. Her current squad features former softball, soccer, basketball and hockey players. Kempter even admitted to being a “marching band geek” in high school.

It’s a no-nonsense formula that has clicked, especially in the last few years. Denver won five events in the 2006-07 season and received its first regional bid, then followed that season with five team titles and a sixth-place showing at the NCAA Championship last season.

This year, Denver won three times, including its sixth consecutive Sun Belt Conference title.

Now, they’re heading back to the Big Dance knowing they belong.

“To see what’s been building, it’s so rewarding for me,” Chergo said. “But for them, too, for how they’ve grown with this program.”

DU will play in the NCAA Championships held May 19-22 at the Caves Valley Golf Club hosted by Georgetown University.

Chevy Nets MVP Award At Hockey Awards Party

(above) Marc Cheverie was named team MVP on Friday night

Sophomore goaltender Marc Cheverie earned Most Valuable Player honors, while senior captain J.P. Testwuide joined Cheverie in netting two awards as the University of Denver celebrated its 53rd Annual Hockey Awards Evening tonight at the Cable Center on the DU campus.

Women's Golf In 2nd Place At NCAA Regionals

DU Lax Coach Resigns Amid Player Assault Charges

University of Denver men’s lacrosse head coach Jamie Munro has resigned after 11 seasons, Vice Chancellor for Athletics Peg Bradley-Doppes announced today.

Munro has been reassigned at DU and will work with Bradley-Doppes and the senior staff on special projects until June 30. A national search for Munro’s replacement will begin immediately.

A late night incident in January at The Border Restaurant & Bar where two lacrosse players were charged with assualt, probably was a factor in the resignation.

CC Signs Last Minute Recruit To Full Scholarship

From: Anchorage Daily News
by Doyle Woody


After just one season of junior hockey, Anchorage center William Rapuzzi is headed to Colorado College of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in the fall.

Rapuzzi, 19, has given the Tigers his oral commitment after a strong season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the U.S. Hockey League. Rapuzzi was teammate of David Makowski who will join DU next season.

Rapuzzi said he had been recruited by several schools, but they wanted him for the 2010-11 season. Colorado College, he said, really made a push for him in the last few weeks and he accepted an offer of a full scholarship for next season, which he had expected to spend in Green Bay.

"It's been exciting, it's been real fun,'' he said. "It caught me off-guard because I wasn't expecting it.''

Rapuzzi played one season at Green Bay, shined in his only season of junior. He earned 21-30--51 totals and a +25 rating in 58 regular-season games, then bagged 3-4--7 totals and a +2 rating in seven playoff games.

The 5-foot-11, 187-pounder, who graduated from Dimond last year, said he has always wanted to play in the WCHA, the league that includes UAA. Colorado College is also known as an elite school academically.

"Since I've been little, I've always wanted to play in the WCHA for a good team that's also a good school, with a full scholarship,'' Rapuzzi said.

DU Women's Golf Off To Fast Start At Regionals

(above) The DU Womens golf team is in the hunt for to make the NCAA Championships

From: DU Athletics Website

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The No. 14 University of Denver women’s golf team is in fourth place after the first 18 holes at the NCAA East Regional Championship at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Fla.

The Pioneers finished day one with a 7-over par 287 performance to finish one stroke behind third-place finisher Vanderbilt. East Carolina University leads the pack with a 3-over par 283 while Alabama is second with a 4-over par 284.

“Overall, I think it was a fine start for us,” said head coach Sammie Chergo. “I am so pleased with all five of our players because each of them showed up to play. I always ask our kids to play competitively and that’s what they did today. They have a great competitive spirit and their performance today has put us in a great position. I am looking forward to getting back out on the course tomorrow.”

DU needs to finish in the Top 8 to make the NCAA Championships held May 19-22 at the Caves Valley Golf Club hosted by Georgetown University.

Fans can follow all the action live via www.GolfStat.com.

Hockey Awards Event Tonight

DENVER - The 53rd Annual University of Denver Hockey Awards Evening is tonight at The Cable Center on the campus of the University of Denver.

Heavy snow and rain in the Denver Metro Area forced the postponement on the event originally scheduled three weeks ago.

A reception with heavy hors d'oeurvres and silent auction begin at 6 p.m. and the awards program begins at 7 p.m. The Pioneers will celebrate their eighth consecutive season with 21 or more wins and their 20th appearance at the NCAA Tournament.

For more information, please contact Ruth Lipson at ruth.lipson@du.edu or 303.871.3397.

DU's Red Vest Golf Tournament Benefits Athletes

(above) DU's Red Vest Golf Tourney benefits 5th year student athletes

June 3, 2009
Sanctuary Golf Course

LINK: Red Vest Golf Tournament

Chancellor Coombe Starts His Own Blog

(above) Chancellor Coombe's new blog

University of Denver Chancellor Robert Coombe has a new blog. So far he's only posting once a month and a few students have responded with comments.

You must have a DU ID (faculty, staff, student) in order to comment on the blog postings.

Coombe has yet to address the mascot issue or "white privilege," but if he wants any pointers on inciting the masses or driving up readership LetsGoDU is here to help.

JP Testwuide Enrolled In "Playoff Beard Contest"

(above) J.P. Testwuide's Playoff Beard is coming in nicely

The Houston Aeros (AHL) signed University of Denver Alum JP Testwuide to an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2008-09 season. J.P. has appeared in three of the Aeros ten playoff games.

The big news is that the Aeros are having a beard growing contest and fans can vote for the "Sickest Beard Contest." Since J.P.'s fanbase in Houston is probably a little thin right now, it looks like LetsGoDU is going to have to pull off a "Danny King" and rig this election. Send an email to the Aeros and vote for J.P.
Send the name of your vote to online@aeros.com and reasoning behind your choice can’t hurt. The judges can be bribed. The beards will be revisited as the playoffs roll on and the winner will be announced and probably awarded a Bic razor when the playoffs are through.

This Week's Clarion Features Boone Letter

(above) DU student Alex Gallegos' Letter to the Clarion

DU student Alex Gallegos wrote a letter to the Clarion about the Boone Issue, the Senate Affairs Committee and the AUSA Senate Election. Long and the short of it is that the issue isn't going away.

DU Professors Label Kentucky Derby Horse Racist

(above) Pioneer of the Nile finished second in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday

The University of Denver's Center for Multicultural Excellence issued a press release yesterday denouncing the horse that finished in second place on Saturday in the Run for the Roses. They claim that the horse named "Pioneer of the Nile" is a racist.

Pioneer of the Nile's father was named Empire Maker which clearly denotes "cultural superiority." They also noted that horse racing is a symbol of white privilege, despite the fact that Pioneer of the Nile is owned by a Middle Eastern oil sheik.

It is believed that this is the first time that a horse has been labeled as a racist by a major American university, although Mel Brooks did imply that a horse was a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1974 movie Blazing Saddles.

Chancellor Robert Coombe noted in an email to students that, "Pioneer of the Nile would not become the mascot of the University of Denver because we simply cannot adopt an official mascot that has a divisive rather than unifying influence on our community."

Today Pinewood Derby - Tomorrow NASCAR

(above) Go Boone Racer, Go

When nine year-old Josh (DU '22) designed his entry for the 2009 Pinewood Derby in Denver last weekend, he decorated his car with his favorite mascot.

The Boonemobile finished in fourth place, barely missing out on winning a trophy.

CC's Top Recruit May Never Show Up On Campus

(left) CC recruit John Moore is weighing an offer to play in the OHL next season with the Kitchener Rangers

Note: The Pipeline Show Blog also speculated that Moore would probably go to the OHL

When Colorado College signed top recruit John Moore to a National Letter of Intent, there was a stunned silence from Pioneer Nation. Moore is considered to be a sure-fire first round draft choice in the NHL this summer, was considered to be one of the top defensemen in the USHL and was named USHL Player of the Year.

Several weeks ago Moore visited the Kitchener Rangers with his father and that sent off alarm bells among NCAA pundits.

Moore, who helped the U.S. Junior Select team capture a gold medal at the World Junior Challenge finished his second year playing for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. Moore (Winnetka, Ill.) was fourth among Steel scorers and second in defenseman-scoring.

Today Western College Hockey Blog announced that Moore was taken in the 2nd Round of the Ontario Hockey League draft and may sign with the Kitchener Rangers.

Moore isn't ready to make up his mind.

"It's a good problem to have," he said. "I have two tremendous options, Kitchener or Colorado College.
From WCH Blog

"Round 2 Pick 3 Kitchener: John Moore
- I mentioned that Moore was likely to get selected in this draft late in March, but forgot to mention it in my previews. Getting selected by Kitchener is better than London, but not by much. I don't think this changes the panic level at all for Colorado College fans, but it should have been pretty high to begin with. A lot of people are comparing him to John Carlson, which isn't fair since they're two different people, but the situations are certainly similar. Like Carlson last year, we should get a pretty good indication of what he's doing prior to the NHL Draft in June."

CU Removes Diversity Officer In Cost Cutting Move

(left) CU President Bruce Benson is cutting wasteful diversity spending, while DU Chancellor Coombe sings "Kumbaya" at multicultural pep rallies

Last week the University of Colorado announced budget cuts and layoffs, while the University of Denver has been wasting millions of dollars on multiculturalism, diversity issues and Pep Rallies touting "inclusive excellence."

Tuition & fees have risen every year that Chancellor Robert Coombe has been at the helm of the University of Denver. Despite spending millions of dollars on multiculturalism, DU's student body doesn't appear to be any more diverse today than it was when Coombe became Chancellor.

In a cost cutting move announced last week, the University of Colorado is even going so far as to remove a systemwide "Diversity Officer" from the payroll. Clearly, CU has realized that diversity initiatives are a waste of money, don't actually increase diversity and just add to bloated payrolls.
"The eliminated positions include the system's vice president for academic affairs and research, the systemwide diversity officer (within the next year) -- and all 6.5 full-time equivalent positions (nine employees total) at the Silver and Gold Record (a faculty newspaper), essentially eliminating the publication."
Chancellor Coombe needs to emulate the University of Colorado and cut millions more from the DU budget, especially in the area of multiculturalism and pass the cost savings along to students and parents.

He needs to bring back Boone, which will surely raise hundreds of thousands in increased merchandise sales and he needs to further reduce wasteful spending to decrease tuition and fees.

Ulanski Forced To Endure CC Alum Teammate

(above) DU Alum Kevin Ulanski hopes to lead the Colorado Eagles to a championship this season

From: Denver Post
by Terry Frei


LOVELAND — Left wing Kevin Ulanski, an assistant captain for back-to-back national championship teams at the University of Denver in 2004 and 2005, and defenseman Scott Polaski, who played for rival Colorado College at the same time, have become friends as Colorado Eagles teammates.

If you know anything at all about the Gold Pan rivalry, you know that was no sure thing.

"At first I was a little bit skeptical because it was such a huge rivalry," Polaski said with a laugh Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center. "But now that I've gotten to know him, I know they're good guys too. I love to play with him now."

Ulanski and Polaski have a lot in common.

They're both 26 and in their fourth full professional seasons after playing four years of NCAA hockey. They accept reality: Their chances of reaching the NHL are minuscule, and although both have made appearances at the sport's Triple-A level, the American Hockey League, they now embrace playing for the CHL Eagles as an optimum minor-league existence.

They're also going after a championship together.

Polaski had a goal in the Eagles' 5-4 overtime win against the Texas Brahmas in Game 2 of the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals on Friday. Tied 1-1, the series continues today with Game 3 in North Richland Hills, Texas.

A Colorado Springs native, Polaski stayed home to go to CC, and he spent part of his stay with the Tigers on a line with diminutive stars Brett Sterling and Marty Sertich, both now playing in the AHL.

After leaving DU, Ulanski made several stops in the ECHL and United Hockey League while wedging in 53 AHL games with Albany and Milwaukee. The native of Madison, Wis., signed with the Eagles before this season, and he had 24 goals in 63 games for Colorado in 2008-09 and has added five goals in 12 playoff games during the Eagles' run.

"I love the area," Ulanski said. "I spent four good years in college here, and I was looking to get back. When this opportunity jumped out at me, I had to take it. This is an awesome place to settle down, and I'm glad to be back.

"My daughter and her mother had moved to Denver from Madison, so that gives me a chance to be close to my daughter. I know a lot of people around here, and it's like a second home to Madison for me."

The Eagles have five players in their 30s, unusual in a league that allots four "veteran" spots per team. Ulanski isn't planning to emulate star winger Greg Pankewicz, still going strong at 38, but he hopes to keep playing for a few years before moving into the business world.

"I'd definitely like to finish my career here," Ulanski said. "And then when a job comes around, I'd like to stay in the Denver area. I was a finance-marketing major. It might be hard to get into that right now, but I'd also like to stay involved in hockey somehow. I'm not positive about what I'd like to do yet, but I've got my eyes open."

Considering the average salary is barely $500 a week in the CHL, this isn't a way to get wealthy or bankroll a future business venture. CHL teams pay living expenses, though, and offer other perks and connections. The major lure is virtually universal.

"We're playing because we love the game," Ulanski said. "It's an opportunity to keep playing."