Best Coach — Professional 2016 | Wade Phillips | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Coach — Professional

Wade Phillips

In the past, this award has always gone to a head coach. But while Broncos boss Gary Kubiak deserves credit for helping his charges navigate a season filled with more than its share of melodrama, the real hero was defensive coach Phillips, who took a group of players that had been good in the past and transformed them into planet-toppers by way of an aggressive philosophy that unleashed their inner beasts. From game one, the D was terrific, which only makes its steady improvement through the regular season and into the playoffs that much more astonishing. Phillips's previous stints with the Broncos, including his two seasons as head coach during the early '90s, hardly prepared us for the majesty he would produce: gridiron brilliance that led directly to a win in Super Bowl 50. And as a bonus, he got to see Lady Gaga!

Readers' choice: Gary Kubiak

Best Coach — College

Tad Boyle, University of Colorado Boulder men's basketball team

Before Boyle's arrival, CU basketball had experienced some great moments (a lot of them related to Chauncey Billups's time on the squad), but hadn't become the kind of program that was strong year in and year out. But after turning around the Northern Colorado Bears, he's done the same at CU, where his teams have won more than twenty games — a major-conference mark of excellence — for five of his six years at the helm. No wonder students at the Boulder campus pack every home game. In Tad they trust — as well they should.

Readers' choice: Tad Boyle

Best Sports Announcer

Alan Roach

Plenty of local media observers were shocked when KOA pink-slipped Roach last year. But he's more than landed on his feet — and his spectacular vocal cords are the reason. His Twitter bio describes his gigs with becoming modesty; it notes that he is "heard at Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, DIA trains, Rio Olympics or anywhere with a script and $50." That apparently includes this year's NFL Pro Bowl and the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony — just two of the national events that have been enhanced by his bottomless tones.

Readers' choice: Dave Logan

Best TV Sportscaster

Vic Lombardi

For years, Lombardi was a mainstay on CBS4, and his departure from the station was a dispiriting sign of the times. Fortunately, though, he hasn't disappeared from the Denver sports landscape. By jumping to Altitude, the network home of the Nuggets and the Avalanche, he's found a more wide-open forum for his quick wit and strong opinions — qualities that make him a must-follow on Twitter, too. And while he lost his radio gig on 104.3/The Fan in December, we have a feeling it won't be long before he returns to that medium, too.

Readers' choice: Drew Soicher

Best Sports Mascot

Thunder

Colorado has its share of costumed mascots — men or women inside animal ensembles that would fit in nicely at the next Furries convention. But the state is also blessed with quite a few real animal mascots: Ralphie the buffalo at CU Boulder, Cam the ram at CSU, and Thunder, the Arabian horse that celebrates scores and more for the Denver Broncos. The team is actually on its third Thunder at this point, and seeing the magnificent creature pound across the gridiron is among the greatest thrills involved with being a Broncos fan. Thunder got nearly as big a reaction at the post-Super Bowl 50 victory parade as did Peyton Manning or Von Miller, and appropriately so.

Readers' choice: Rockie

Best Talk-Radio Sports Show

The Drive

The Drive is among the most addictive sports-talk shows in town, and chemistry is the reason. At least once a show (and often more than that), Darren "D-Mac" McKee will say something that will make you smack your forehead — but his willingness to offer bold proclamations plenty of others would keep to themselves is key to his oddball charm. Former Bronco Alfred "Big Al" Williams is equally opinionated, and his takes on the Broncos, the CU Buffs and plenty of other outfits and athletes on the current scene are informed by his deep knowledge and a zest for life that's second to none. Together, they make a helluva team.

Readers' choice: The Drive

Best Youth Program to Flip For

Mile High Tumblers

Anyone who's seen the Mile High Tumblers perform at events like Denver Nuggets games can testify to the thrilling nature of their aerial stunts: crazy twists and turns executed with and without the aid of mini-trampolines. But even better is the concept behind the spectacle. Thanks to founder Ozell Williams, who first made his name locally as a cheerleader for the University of Colorado Boulder and an Olympic athlete specializing in the rings, MHT serves as a youth program in which college-agers act as mentors for students in the early years of high school. Their goal: to reinforce positivity and build life skills while defying gravity. Williams is changing Colorado for the better, one flip at a time.

Best Cheap Summer Fun

Lakeside Amusement Park

Just three bucks gets you through the gates at Lakeside Amusement Park, which is all the money needed to enjoy a late summer night's stroll through its gorgeous grounds. Drop a few more dollars and get your thrills from the historic wooden Cyclone roller coaster, the daring dips of the Spider or the most famous of the landmark's jittery delights, the Wild Chipmunk. Kids get a miniature version of the amusement park all to themselves, complete with a baby coaster and tethered kiddie motorboats. End the night with a calming ride around the lake on a scaled-down but fully functional steam train, and catch a glimpse of the park's neon at night — a lovely reminder of a simpler time. Being in business for more than a century proves that Lakeside Amusement Park knows how to make fun affordable for everyone.

Best Arcade

Hyperspace

Hyperspace Facebook

When Xyla DuVal opened Hyperspace in June 2014, it featured mostly vintage arcade consoles, including a functioning Space War machine, the first stand-up video game. Through the summer of 2015, the arcade was open only for special events, including electronic dance nights and live experimental-music shows — and then it went on a long hiatus. Now Hyperspace is back, though, with a regular schedule and a $10 all-you-can-play fee. No charge for the classic combo of geek-tech culture and weird music in a layout reminiscent of early-'80s strip-mall arcades.

Best Historic Gym

20th Street Gym

The 20th Street Gym isn't fancy — which is all the more reason to take advantage of this rec center in the city. All of the average gym amenities are here — indoor pool, weight room, cardio equipment — and are paired with a schedule packed with pickleball games, pottery classes and Pilates. Almost as historic as the building itself is the gym's boxing program, offering kids and adults of all skill levels a chance to be trained by professionals and compete in the ring. The soaring windows and wooden rails of the grand staircase are reminders of the gym's antiquity, but it's the no-BS workouts and knowledgeable staff of teachers and trainers that bring the 20th Street Gym into the 21st century.

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