Best Of :: Sports & Recreation
Following the gruesome massacre in the school library on April 20, 1999, Columbine High School students had little to feel good about until December 4, when the Columbine Rebels beat favored Cherry Creek 21-14 to take the state 5A football championship. Fittingly, the winning players gave the trophy to Adam Kechter, the thirteen-year-old brother of their late teammate Matt Kechter, one of the students who was slain.
Readers' choice: CU Buffaloes
Who cares about what's in a name. What really matters is what's inside. Which is why the blueprints for the Denver Broncos' new, still-under-construction stadium make the perfect, if slightly pricey, gift. But then, who's counting? Certainly not the Metro Football Stadium District, which is selling two kinds of numbered, limited-edition blueprints. The larger framed version (32 inches by 42 inches) shows the stadium's south and west sides and includes a conceptual color photo of the stadium at night, for only $299.95. The smaller framed version (17 inches by 21 inches) shows the same things, along with a color photo of the actual stadium model, for $199.95. Proceeds go toward the MFSD's public art and education programs. Oh, and the right to name the stadium is still for sale as well. It'll cost you a little more, though.
Who cares about what's in a name. What really matters is what's inside. Which is why the blueprints for the Denver Broncos' new, still-under-construction stadium make the perfect, if slightly pricey, gift. But then, who's counting? Certainly not the Metro Football Stadium District, which is selling two kinds of numbered, limited-edition blueprints. The larger framed version (32 inches by 42 inches) shows the stadium's south and west sides and includes a conceptual color photo of the stadium at night, for only $299.95. The smaller framed version (17 inches by 21 inches) shows the same things, along with a color photo of the actual stadium model, for $199.95. Proceeds go toward the MFSD's public art and education programs. Oh, and the right to name the stadium is still for sale as well. It'll cost you a little more, though.
That drafty old barn where the University of Denver Pioneers pounded the puck for half a century has been replaced by beautiful Magness Arena in the new Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness, a $70 million Italianate vision in Hansen sandstone, limestone and copper. Seating 6,200 for hockey, 7,200 for hoops and up to 8,000 for concerts, lighting and high style, thanks to architect Cab Childress of Denver's Davis Partnership. The hallmark of the Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness, which also houses a second ice arena, a practice gym, a fitness center and a natatorium, is, of course, the soaring Carl B. Williams spire, finished in gold leaf.
That drafty old barn where the University of Denver Pioneers pounded the puck for half a century has been replaced by beautiful Magness Arena in the new Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness, a $70 million Italianate vision in Hansen sandstone, limestone and copper. Seating 6,200 for hockey, 7,200 for hoops and up to 8,000 for concerts, lighting and high style, thanks to architect Cab Childress of Denver's Davis Partnership. The hallmark of the Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness, which also houses a second ice arena, a practice gym, a fitness center and a natatorium, is, of course, the soaring Carl B. Williams spire, finished in gold leaf.
You haven't really seen softball until you've seen it played by athletes in wheelchairs -- it's a whole new ballgame demanding ample space and smooth ground for all the sharp turns and attendant maneuvers required. But the Colorado Rockies Wheelchair Softball League is covered: The Colorado Rockies baseball organization not only provides monetary support, it's also opened up the north parking lot at Coors Field for league practices, games and clinics. Meanwhile the League, sponsored by Paralyzed Veterans of America Mountain States Chapter, has grown from three members to 500 in only five years, making it the largest such organization in the country.
You haven't really seen softball until you've seen it played by athletes in wheelchairs -- it's a whole new ballgame demanding ample space and smooth ground for all the sharp turns and attendant maneuvers required. But the Colorado Rockies Wheelchair Softball League is covered: The Colorado Rockies baseball organization not only provides monetary support, it's also opened up the north parking lot at Coors Field for league practices, games and clinics. Meanwhile the League, sponsored by Paralyzed Veterans of America Mountain States Chapter, has grown from three members to 500 in only five years, making it the largest such organization in the country.
Dan Issel's largely forgettable Nuggets continue to be anchored by sharpshooting forward Antonio McDyess, who ranked ninth in the NBA last season in field-goal percentage (.507) and sixteenth in rebounds (8.5 per game). The franchise player, Dice averaged 19.1 points per game, but his biggest night probably came in a 115-114 overtime win against the L.A. Clippers on April 15, when he logged 30 points and a career-high 21 rebounds. As McDyess goes, so go the Nuggets.
Readers' choice: Antonio McDyess
Dan Issel's largely forgettable Nuggets continue to be anchored by sharpshooting forward Antonio McDyess, who ranked ninth in the NBA last season in field-goal percentage (.507) and sixteenth in rebounds (8.5 per game). The franchise player, Dice averaged 19.1 points per game, but his biggest night probably came in a 115-114 overtime win against the L.A. Clippers on April 15, when he logged 30 points and a career-high 21 rebounds. As McDyess goes, so go the Nuggets.
Readers' choice: Antonio McDyess
Patrick Roy's net-minding lapses and Joe Sakic's vanishing act in the Western Conference finals reminded Colorado Avalanche fans that the master of finesse, Peter Forsberg, is still the best player on a club well-stocked with -- excuse the expression, Dallas-haters -- stars. Always a great passer and playmaker, the former Swedish Olympic standout showed more willingness to shoot the puck in 1999-2000, and he remains the essential nucleus of a Stanley Cup-contending team that has managed to underachieve two years running. If 2001 is the time, Peter's the Man.
Readers' choice: Peter Forsberg
Patrick Roy's net-minding lapses and Joe Sakic's vanishing act in the Western Conference finals reminded Colorado Avalanche fans that the master of finesse, Peter Forsberg, is still the best player on a club well-stocked with -- excuse the expression, Dallas-haters -- stars. Always a great passer and playmaker, the former Swedish Olympic standout showed more willingness to shoot the puck in 1999-2000, and he remains the essential nucleus of a Stanley Cup-contending team that has managed to underachieve two years running. If 2001 is the time, Peter's the Man.
Readers' choice: Peter Forsberg
After dreaming through more than half a season of mediocrity, a listless Colorado Avalanche club was suddenly awakened by the arrival March 6 of two veteran Bostonians, Dave Andreychuk and Ray Bourque, who reminded their new teammates what they had going -- a rare shot at the Stanley Cup. Bourque, in particular, set the Avs aflame. In twenty years as a Bruin, he had never won a championship, and his teammates visibly elevated their game after he got inside their heads. The Avs cruised into the NHL playoffs, and defenseman Bourque's mysterious injury in a game against Detroit (a leg bruise? a knee sprain?) sharpened their focus to the killing point. The best news: Bourque has re-signed with the Avs for next year.
