thedenverpost--2020-05-24--From Manual to Denver East, Rudy Carey’s status as a Colorado hoops icon is clear as he closes in on

From Manual to Denver East, Rudy Carey’s status as a Colorado hoops icon is clear as he closes in on all-time CHSAA wins record

Editor ’ s note : Third in a series about basketball icons in Colorado .
The first two installments profiled Alex English and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf .
He was an all-state point guard at Denver East , then all-WAC at Colorado State .
But it wasn ’ t until 1975 — when Rudy Carey was invited to Nuggets training camp , and later cut — that the 67-year-old Colorado prep hoops icon first seriously thought about coaching .
“ I never really knew if that was something I wanted to make a career out of , ” said Carey , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I was working and continuing to play ( after college ) , but evidently I wasn ’ t good enough for the Nuggets .
After I was cut , I wanted to stay in basketball in some form , so I decided to go into coaching.
” Carey began his career as a graduate assistant at Western State , then was an assistant coach for two seasons at George Washington .
His first head coaching stop came at Manual in 1979 , where he won three titles before moving over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more titles with the Angels , and 17 Denver Prep League titles overall , has pushed Carey ’ s record to 837-213 , second all-time in CHSAA history .
As DPL historian Dick Nelson puts it , Carey “ put DPS basketball back on the map when he started winning over at Manual .
And then when he got to East , which had also been down , things changed overnight there , too.
” Carey built his two powerhouses with blunt leadership as a self-described “ proud man ” whom former all-state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you exactly what he ’ s thinking , and he never sugarcoats anything.
” “ He ’ d be hard on us in practice , he ’ d challenge us , he ’ d tell us the straightforward , ugly truth , ” said Kountz , now at Northern Colorado .
“ If you weren ’ t playing good that day , you would hear about it .
But that kept the expectations high for individuals and the program.
” Carey ’ s son and longtime assistant , David Carey , describes his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” whose relationships with his players and their families was a driving force in the rise of both Manual and Denver East .
“ Players gravitated toward him , ” Nelson said .
“ If you ’ re a talented kid playing basketball , you want to go where you know you have a chance to go to state and be in the mix every season .
For a long time , that was almost ( exclusively ) with Rudy.
” Across 42 years at Manual and Denver East , Carey has coached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dominique Collier , who won the award twice ) , 25 first-team All-Colorado players and 33 Division I players — three marks which are all-time bests among the state ’ s boys basketball coaches .
And while some naysayers chalk Carey ’ s success up to the pure talent of his players comparative to the rest of the field , longtime ThunderRidge coach Joe Ortiz said that ’ s not the case .
Ortiz and Carey have coached against each other about 20 times , including in three state title games , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Rudy does a great job strategically , ” Ortiz said .
“ The second time we played them in the state finals in 2004 after we beat them the year before , they pressed us to start the game , they jumped on us and got us down .
They controlled the game the whole time .
Just one example of why he ’ s underrated ( in Xs and Os ) .
” Speaking of naysayers , like with just about any prep dynasty , there have long been accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no question Denver East has benefited from a bevy of transfers and out-of-neighborhood kids over the years , starting with Carey ’ s first season on City Park Esplanade , when his son , David , and several other Manual starters transferred to Denver East along with their coach .
But Carey said the school , and the program , recruits itself .
“ East is such an attractive DPS school academically and socially , that I didn ’ t have to recruit — kids were coming anyway , ” Carey said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m the author of that , but I know in 1960 when ( coach ) Bill Weimer went to George Washington , he took the whole starting five from East and they went over and won a state championship at G.W .
( in 1961 ) .
But people want to act like Rudy Carey was the author of recruiting.
” Even with the rise of suburban powerhouse programs such as ThunderRidge since the turn of the century , Denver East remains a talent pipeline that major college coaches always make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In that vein , players who don an Angels uniform walk the walk of a feared , storied prep program .
“ Rudy instills a great amount of confidence in his team , so they have quite a bit of swagger , ” Ortiz said .
“ They know they ’ re the program ; they feel they are the team to beat .
And they play like that , and that comes from his leadership … Plus back in the day , Denver Prep only played league games , so you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tournament , and I would say there was kind of an aura , or an intimidation factor , about them.
” That “ intimidation factor ” no doubt starts with Carey , who is well known for his on-court intensity .
As the coach himself sees it , “ people say I ’ m animated , but I call it passion for the game.
” That passion adds to Denver East ’ s mystique .
“ He makes it uncomfortable , ” Ortiz said .
“ He makes the officials uncomfortable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You ’ ve got to be mentally tough to beat him.
” Carey ’ s own toughness was forged in his childhood neighborhood just north of City Park , where he grew up at 35th Avenue and Fillmore Street .
The son of two longtime DPS workers , Carey said he “ saw lots of my buddies go to the penitentiary , a lot of them killed.
” But strict boundaries set by his parents , and an intensely-channeled love for the game , enabled him to rise above obstacles as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that Denverite is right alongside the state ’ s widely-proclaimed all-time best player , Chauncey Billups , as “ certainly the two biggest Colorado basketball icons ” in J.B. Bickerstaff ’ s mind .
“ It ’ s Rudy , and it ’ s Chauncey Billups , ” said Bickerstaff , who won a state title under Carey as a senior in 1996 and is now the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers .
“ You talk about impact , about name recognition and overall resume… Those guys are in their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around long enough to break the all-time wins mark ?
Carey stands 39 shy of Dick Katte ’ s 876 victories , accomplished from 1964 to 2012 at Denver Christian .
Considering the Angels have averaged about 20 wins a year as of late , the record could be broken as early as 2022 .
“ He still has the mental capacity , the passion , the energy , the ability to motivate the kids , ” David Carey said .
“ So he ’ s going to be around for a while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best that I can put it .
”

Editor’s note: Third in a series about basketball icons in Colorado. The first two installments profiled Alex English and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
He was an all-state point guard at Denver East, then all-WAC at Colorado State.
But it wasn’t until 1975 — when Rudy Carey was invited to Nuggets training camp, and later cut — that the 67-year-old Colorado prep hoops icon first seriously thought about coaching.
“I never really knew if that was something I wanted to make a career out of,” said Carey, who has nine state titles to his name. “I was working and continuing to play (after college), but evidently I wasn’t good enough for the Nuggets. After I was cut, I wanted to stay in basketball in some form, so I decided to go into coaching.”
Good call, coach.
Carey began his career as a graduate assistant at Western State, then was an assistant coach for two seasons at George Washington. His first head coaching stop came at Manual in 1979, where he won three titles before moving over to his alma mater in 1992. Six more titles with the Angels, and 17 Denver Prep League titles overall, has pushed Carey’s record to 837-213, second all-time in CHSAA history.
As DPL historian Dick Nelson puts it, Carey “put DPS basketball back on the map when he started winning over at Manual. And then when he got to East, which had also been down, things changed overnight there, too.”
Carey built his two powerhouses with blunt leadership as a self-described “proud man” whom former all-state guard Daylen Kountz said “always tells you exactly what he’s thinking, and he never sugarcoats anything.”
“He’d be hard on us in practice, he’d challenge us, he’d tell us the straightforward, ugly truth,” said Kountz, now at Northern Colorado. “If you weren’t playing good that day, you would hear about it. But that kept the expectations high for individuals and the program.”
Carey’s son and longtime assistant, David Carey, describes his dad as a “players’ coach” whose relationships with his players and their families was a driving force in the rise of both Manual and Denver East.
“Players gravitated toward him,” Nelson said. “If you’re a talented kid playing basketball, you want to go where you know you have a chance to go to state and be in the mix every season. For a long time, that was almost (exclusively) with Rudy.”
Across 42 years at Manual and Denver East, Carey has coached six Mr. Colorado Basketball selections (including Dominique Collier, who won the award twice), 25 first-team All-Colorado players and 33 Division I players — three marks which are all-time bests among the state’s boys basketball coaches.
And while some naysayers chalk Carey’s success up to the pure talent of his players comparative to the rest of the field, longtime ThunderRidge coach Joe Ortiz said that’s not the case. Ortiz and Carey have coached against each other about 20 times, including in three state title games, of which Carey’s Angels won two.
“Rudy does a great job strategically,” Ortiz said. “The second time we played them in the state finals in 2004 after we beat them the year before, they pressed us to start the game, they jumped on us and got us down. They controlled the game the whole time. Just one example of why he’s underrated (in Xs and Os).”
Speaking of naysayers, like with just about any prep dynasty, there have long been accusations of Carey recruiting standouts. And there is no question Denver East has benefited from a bevy of transfers and out-of-neighborhood kids over the years, starting with Carey’s first season on City Park Esplanade, when his son, David, and several other Manual starters transferred to Denver East along with their coach.
But Carey said the school, and the program, recruits itself.
“East is such an attractive DPS school academically and socially, that I didn’t have to recruit — kids were coming anyway,” Carey said. “(Critics) act like I’m the author of that, but I know in 1960 when (coach) Bill Weimer went to George Washington, he took the whole starting five from East and they went over and won a state championship at G.W. (in 1961). But people want to act like Rudy Carey was the author of recruiting.”
Even with the rise of suburban powerhouse programs such as ThunderRidge since the turn of the century, Denver East remains a talent pipeline that major college coaches always make sure to check in with each winter. In that vein, players who don an Angels uniform walk the walk of a feared, storied prep program.
“Rudy instills a great amount of confidence in his team, so they have quite a bit of swagger,” Ortiz said. “They know they’re the program; they feel they are the team to beat. And they play like that, and that comes from his leadership … Plus back in the day, Denver Prep only played league games, so you never really got to experience them until the tournament, and I would say there was kind of an aura, or an intimidation factor, about them.”
That “intimidation factor” no doubt starts with Carey, who is well known for his on-court intensity. As the coach himself sees it, “people say I’m animated, but I call it passion for the game.” That passion adds to Denver East’s mystique.
“He makes it uncomfortable,” Ortiz said. “He makes the officials uncomfortable, opponents uncomfortable, he makes everybody uncomfortable. You’ve got to be mentally tough to beat him.”
Carey’s own toughness was forged in his childhood neighborhood just north of City Park, where he grew up at 35th Avenue and Fillmore Street. The son of two longtime DPS workers, Carey said he “saw lots of my buddies go to the penitentiary, a lot of them killed.” But strict boundaries set by his parents, and an intensely-channeled love for the game, enabled him to rise above obstacles as a youth.
Fast forward several decades, and that Denverite is right alongside the state’s widely-proclaimed all-time best player, Chauncey Billups, as “certainly the two biggest Colorado basketball icons” in J.B. Bickerstaff’s mind.
“It’s Rudy, and it’s Chauncey Billups,” said Bickerstaff, who won a state title under Carey as a senior in 1996 and is now the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. “You talk about impact, about name recognition and overall resume… Those guys are in their own category.”
But will the icon hang around long enough to break the all-time wins mark? Carey stands 39 shy of Dick Katte’s 876 victories, accomplished from 1964 to 2012 at Denver Christian. Considering the Angels have averaged about 20 wins a year as of late, the record could be broken as early as 2022.
“He still has the mental capacity, the passion, the energy, the ability to motivate the kids,” David Carey said. “So he’s going to be around for a while longer, and that’s the best that I can put it.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--How a La Nina could impact Colorado weather this year

It appears increasingly likely that La Nina conditions will develop in the central Pacific Ocean later this year , and that could have significant short- and long-term impacts on Colorado ’ s weather .
The opposite of El Nino , a La Nina means that sea-surface temperatures in the east-central Pacific Ocean are running cooler than average .
In short , this creates a well-documented domino effect on global weather — including direct impacts on Colorado ’ s weather .
National Weather Service computer forecast models and official Climate Prediction Center ( CPC ) prognostications are indicating an increased probability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific Ocean this fall and winter .
Last week , the CPC increased the odds of a La Nina developing this winter up to 45 percent – and lowered the odds of an El Nino event to just 10 percent .
El Nino and La Nina , known as the ENSO cycle , tends to have a big ( although varying ) impact on weather , particularly during the winter months .
La Nina tends to bring in colder and wetter winter weather to the northern United States , often putting Colorado right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s because the polar jet stream tends to stay a bit further north during a La Nina winter , bringing in frequent waves of colder weather and snowfall .
Because of Colorado ’ s central continental location , though , ENSO impacts are highly variable , and they change dramatically from one side of the state to the other .
In general , an El Nino winter tends to increase snow totals in southern Colorado , due to a more active subtropical jet stream during the winter .
But , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter in mind , that could favor northern Colorado ’ s winter snow chances .
In general , La Nina winter storm tracks tend to favor the Pacific Northwest , and that could increase odds for a snowier winter in northern parts of the state .
In the shorter term , though , ENSO conditions are expected to remain neutral , something that could increase probabilities of a more active Atlantic basin hurricane season , but that ’ s unlikely to have significant impacts on Colorado ’ s summer weather .
The Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moisture for the southwestern United States , and especially for southern Colorado .
During non-El Nino summers , though , that can lead to a below average season in the Eastern Pacific .
That could potentially lead to slightly lower moisture values across the Southwest this summer .
In the near term , the CPC summer outlook for Colorado generally leans warmer and drier than average .
With a possible La Nina on the horizon though , there are at least some hints that Colorado weather could see some big impacts from it @ @ @ @ @ @

It appears increasingly likely that La Nina conditions will develop in the central Pacific Ocean later this year, and that could have significant short- and long-term impacts on Colorado’s weather.
The opposite of El Nino, a La Nina means that sea-surface temperatures in the east-central Pacific Ocean are running cooler than average. In short, this creates a well-documented domino effect on global weather — including direct impacts on Colorado’s weather.
National Weather Service computer forecast models and official Climate Prediction Center (CPC) prognostications are indicating an increased probability of cooler-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the central-eastern Pacific Ocean this fall and winter. Last week, the CPC increased the odds of a La Nina developing this winter up to 45 percent – and lowered the odds of an El Nino event to just 10 percent.
El Nino and La Nina, known as the ENSO cycle, tends to have a big (although varying) impact on weather, particularly during the winter months.
La Nina tends to bring in colder and wetter winter weather to the northern United States, often putting Colorado right on the border of those impacts. That’s because the polar jet stream tends to stay a bit further north during a La Nina winter, bringing in frequent waves of colder weather and snowfall.
Because of Colorado’s central continental location, though, ENSO impacts are highly variable, and they change dramatically from one side of the state to the other. In general, an El Nino winter tends to increase snow totals in southern Colorado, due to a more active subtropical jet stream during the winter.
But, with the growing prospect of a La Nina winter in mind, that could favor northern Colorado’s winter snow chances. In general, La Nina winter storm tracks tend to favor the Pacific Northwest, and that could increase odds for a snowier winter in northern parts of the state.
In the shorter term, though, ENSO conditions are expected to remain neutral, something that could increase probabilities of a more active Atlantic basin hurricane season, but that’s unlikely to have significant impacts on Colorado’s summer weather.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season can lead to more moisture for the southwestern United States, and especially for southern Colorado. During non-El Nino summers, though, that can lead to a below average season in the Eastern Pacific. That could potentially lead to slightly lower moisture values across the Southwest this summer.
Odds of #ElNino for peak of Atlantic #hurricane season (August-October) have dropped from 22% (with early April forecast) to 10%, per the latest outlook from NOAA. El Nino typically reduces Atlantic hurricane activity thru increases in vertical wind shear, especially in Caribbean pic.twitter.com/U8cLtf3V0V — Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) May 14, 2020
In the near term, the CPC summer outlook for Colorado generally leans warmer and drier than average.
With a possible La Nina on the horizon though, there are at least some hints that Colorado weather could see some big impacts from it, especially by this winter.


thedenverpost--2020-05-25--Fatal encounter with Colorado Springs police prompts investigation

A fatal encounter between Colorado Springs police officers and a man reported as having a weapon Sunday morning has prompted an investigation .
The man died after police tried to arrest him , which led to a struggle and the use of a Taser , according to a summary by El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder released Sunday evening .
When the Taser appeared ineffective and the man continued to struggle , the summary said , police “ controlled ” him take him into custody .
“ At this time the suspect became limp , ” it said .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2700 block of Ashgrove Street , when five officers were dispatched about 9:55 a.m. after a report that the man had a weapon .
Police contacted the person who made the report and were told the man was involved in “ a disturbance ” with neighbors .
When the man collapsed , police called paramedics and tried to revive him .
The man was unresponsive and died at the scene .
The coroner is to determine the cause of death .
The police were uninjured and have been placed on leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is required under state law when police use force that leads to the death of a suspect .
El Paso County authorities declined to release the name or age of the suspect or provide other details about this case .

A fatal encounter between Colorado Springs police officers and a man reported as having a weapon Sunday morning has prompted an investigation.
The man died after police tried to arrest him, which led to a struggle and the use of a Taser, according to a summary by El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder released Sunday evening. When the Taser appeared ineffective and the man continued to struggle, the summary said, police “controlled” him take him into custody.
“At this time the suspect became limp,” it said.
This happened Sunday morning in Colorado Springs, in the 2700 block of Ashgrove Street, when five officers were dispatched about 9:55 a.m. after a report that the man had a weapon. Police contacted the person who made the report and were told the man was involved in “a disturbance” with neighbors.
When the man collapsed, police called paramedics and tried to revive him. The man was unresponsive and died at the scene.
The coroner is to determine the cause of death. The police were uninjured and have been placed on leave. Elder will lead the investigation, which is required under state law when police use force that leads to the death of a suspect.
El Paso County authorities declined to release the name or age of the suspect or provide other details about this case.


thedenverpost--2020-05-25--Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning win a TV charity match as good as real thing

Tom Brady delivered the shot of the match that made it easy to forget the rest of his swings .
Tiger Woods didn ’ t miss a fairway and earned a small measure of revenge against Phil Mickelson .
The PGA Tour is set to return in just over two weeks , and it has a tough act to follow .
In the second and final charity match that brought live golf to TV , this exhibition was as entertaining as the real thing .
Woods lagged a long birdie putt close enough that his partner , Peyton Manning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That secured a 1-up victory over Mickelson and Brady in “ The Match : Champions for Charity.
” The goal was to raise $ 10 million or more for COVID-19 relief funds , and online donations sent money climbing toward about twice that much .
This made-for-TV exhibition would have have worth pay-per-view , the model Woods and Mickelson used for a $ 9 million winner-take-all match in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend in 2018 that Mickelson won in a playoff under lights .
It felt forced , lacked banter and turned out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Throw in two NFL greats in Brady and Manning , and this allowed viewers to ride along for 18 holes at Medalist Golf Club among four of the biggest stars in sport .
Justin Thomas pitched in as an on-course reporter , bringing a mixture of humor and insight with the right amount of words .
Woods and Manning took the lead on the third hole and never trailed , building a 3-up lead in fourballs on the front nine , with Manning making two birdies ( one was a net par ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titles are more than any NFL quarterback in history , took a beating on social media and in the broadcast booth from Charles Barkley , who twice offered $ 50,000 of his own money toward charity if Brady just hit the green on a par 3 .
He missed so far right it would be comparable to a pass that landed three rows into the stands .
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton weighed in on Twitter , noting Brady signing as a free agent with Tampa Bay by saying he liked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Keeler : Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods have edge on Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson , Broncos kicker Brandon McManus says • “ Peyton ’ s Places ” to return to ESPN+ for second season • Denver Sports Omelette : Should more professional athletes give back during these troubling times ?
• Manning , Elway , Broncos and Rockies donate more than $ 16 million to Colorado COVID-relief • WATCH : Peyton Manning pokes fun at Tom Brady , wanted to play golf in Boston “ where they don ’ t like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100,000 if Brady could just make a par .
One shot shut everyone up .
Never mind that Brady had to take a penalty drop before getting back to the fairway on the par-5 seventh .
With his fourth shot , with Barkley needling him relentlessly , Brady ’ s shot landed beyond the pin and spun back into the cup .
“ Shut your mouth , Chuck , ” said Brady , whose microphone piece dangled off the back of his pants .
Woods still thought he won the hole with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard off the back of the lip .
All that , and they ended up halving the hole .
Donations for COVID-19 relief funds kept piling up , and the entertainment didn ’ t stop even as the rain returned .
It caused a 45-minute delay at the start , and as Woods said on the practice range , “ I don ’ t normally play in conditions like this.
” Mickelson brought out his “ Tiger Slayer ” putter that he used to shoot 64 at Pebble Beach in 2012 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group on the PGA Tour .
Woods shot 75 that day .
It didn ’ t help Lefty with a few critical birdie putts to square the match , though he rolled in a 15-foot par putt to stay 1 down with two to play .
The back nine was modified alternate shot — all players hit tee shots , and it was alternate shot from there .
It was key for the quarterbacks to find the fairway for the pros to hit shots into the green , and Brady came through until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time since Feb. 16 when he finished last at Riviera in Los Angeles .
He chose not to play the next four weeks with his back not feeling just right , and then the pandemic shut down golf and sports worldwide .
Woods looked sharp for the most part , with his game and his words .
Mickelson on the fifth hole asked Woods to mark his ball from some 80 yards away .
“ You want me to mark with a U.S. Open medal , ” said Woods , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t won .
“ Do you have one ?
I have some silver ones , ” Mickelson said , referring to his record six runner-up finishes .
Mickelson boasted about taking Woods down on his home course at Medalist , and now their TV matches are tied at 1 , even with each getting a little help .
Mickelson says he was a little nervous on the front nine until he found his groove , driving the green on the par-4 11th with Brady making a 20-footer for eagle that began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was nervous .
I know Tom and I were comparing notes , ” Manning said .
“ To be behind the ropes in these guys ’ worlds , to be in the arena with them , it was really a special experience .
I was not comfortable the entire time .
Knowing $ 20 million was raised and helping people going through tough times , it was an honor to be invited .

Tom Brady delivered the shot of the match that made it easy to forget the rest of his swings. Tiger Woods didn’t miss a fairway and earned a small measure of revenge against Phil Mickelson.
The PGA Tour is set to return in just over two weeks, and it has a tough act to follow.
In the second and final charity match that brought live golf to TV, this exhibition was as entertaining as the real thing.
Woods lagged a long birdie putt close enough that his partner, Peyton Manning, didn’t have to putt. That secured a 1-up victory over Mickelson and Brady in “The Match: Champions for Charity.”
The goal was to raise $10 million or more for COVID-19 relief funds, and online donations sent money climbing toward about twice that much.
This made-for-TV exhibition would have have worth pay-per-view, the model Woods and Mickelson used for a $9 million winner-take-all match in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend in 2018 that Mickelson won in a playoff under lights. It felt forced, lacked banter and turned out to free because of technical issues.
Throw in two NFL greats in Brady and Manning, and this allowed viewers to ride along for 18 holes at Medalist Golf Club among four of the biggest stars in sport.
Justin Thomas pitched in as an on-course reporter, bringing a mixture of humor and insight with the right amount of words.
Woods and Manning took the lead on the third hole and never trailed, building a 3-up lead in fourballs on the front nine, with Manning making two birdies (one was a net par).
Brady, whose six Super Bowl titles are more than any NFL quarterback in history, took a beating on social media and in the broadcast booth from Charles Barkley, who twice offered $50,000 of his own money toward charity if Brady just hit the green on a par 3. He missed so far right it would be comparable to a pass that landed three rows into the stands.
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton weighed in on Twitter, noting Brady signing as a free agent with Tampa Bay by saying he liked the “Florida” Brady much better.
Brooks Koepka offered $100,000 if Brady could just make a par.
One shot shut everyone up.
Never mind that Brady had to take a penalty drop before getting back to the fairway on the par-5 seventh. With his fourth shot, with Barkley needling him relentlessly, Brady’s shot landed beyond the pin and spun back into the cup.
“Shut your mouth, Chuck,” said Brady, whose microphone piece dangled off the back of his pants.
Woods still thought he won the hole with a 25-foot eagle putt that instead spun hard off the back of the lip. All that, and they ended up halving the hole.
Donations for COVID-19 relief funds kept piling up, and the entertainment didn’t stop even as the rain returned. It caused a 45-minute delay at the start, and as Woods said on the practice range, “I don’t normally play in conditions like this.”
Mickelson brought out his “Tiger Slayer” putter that he used to shoot 64 at Pebble Beach in 2012, the last time they were in the final group on the PGA Tour. Woods shot 75 that day. It didn’t help Lefty with a few critical birdie putts to square the match, though he rolled in a 15-foot par putt to stay 1 down with two to play.
The back nine was modified alternate shot — all players hit tee shots, and it was alternate shot from there. It was key for the quarterbacks to find the fairway for the pros to hit shots into the green, and Brady came through until the 18th.
Woods was playing for the first time since Feb. 16 when he finished last at Riviera in Los Angeles. He chose not to play the next four weeks with his back not feeling just right, and then the pandemic shut down golf and sports worldwide.
Woods looked sharp for the most part, with his game and his words. Mickelson on the fifth hole asked Woods to mark his ball from some 80 yards away.
“You want me to mark with a U.S. Open medal,” said Woods, a three-time champion of the only major Mickelson hasn’t won.
“Do you have one? I have some silver ones,” Mickelson said, referring to his record six runner-up finishes.
Mickelson boasted about taking Woods down on his home course at Medalist, and now their TV matches are tied at 1, even with each getting a little help. Mickelson says he was a little nervous on the front nine until he found his groove, driving the green on the par-4 11th with Brady making a 20-footer for eagle that began their rally.
“Phil said he was nervous. I know Tom and I were comparing notes,” Manning said. “To be behind the ropes in these guys’ worlds, to be in the arena with them, it was really a special experience. I was not comfortable the entire time. Knowing $20 million was raised and helping people going through tough times, it was an honor to be invited.
“It’s something I’ll always remember.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--Suzanne Morphew disappearance: Investigators finish search of property near Salida

The authorities investigating the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew were looking for more clues Sunday night after concluding a three-day search of a residence east of Salida .
They ’ ve received hundreds of tips , but Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze is seeking more .
“ Someone has that key piece of information in this case that will help us locate Suzanne , and I ’ m asking our community members to continue to use the tip line ( 719-312-7530 ) to provide any information , no matter how inconsequential the tip may seem , ” Spezze said .
Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investigation agents joined in the search with Chaffee County deputies at the residence on County Road 105 .
Investigators went to that site based on leads and wrapped up their search about 5 p.m. Sunday .
“ They were unable to make any connection , ” Spezze said .
The owner was fully cooperative and not connected with the disappearance , he said .
Details of the search weren ’ t made available .
Morphew , 49 , was reported missing May 10 after riding her bicycle , authorities said .
A neighbor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappearance .
Since then , authorities searched an area near Maysville after finding a personal item .
A dive team searched along waterways .
Spezze asked residents who have home security cameras to save their footage .
The investigators , under a search warrant , have taken control of Morphew ’ s home .
No searches were planned for Monday , but authorities said they would follow up on leads .

The authorities investigating the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew were looking for more clues Sunday night after concluding a three-day search of a residence east of Salida.
They’ve received hundreds of tips, but Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze is seeking more.
“Someone has that key piece of information in this case that will help us locate Suzanne, and I’m asking our community members to continue to use the tip line (719-312-7530) to provide any information, no matter how inconsequential the tip may seem,” Spezze said.
Federal Bureau of Investigation and Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents joined in the search with Chaffee County deputies at the residence on County Road 105. Investigators went to that site based on leads and wrapped up their search about 5 p.m. Sunday.
“They were unable to make any connection,” Spezze said. The owner was fully cooperative and not connected with the disappearance, he said. Details of the search weren’t made available.
Morphew, 49, was reported missing May 10 after riding her bicycle, authorities said. A neighbor called Chaffee County dispatchers and reported a disappearance.
Since then, authorities searched an area near Maysville after finding a personal item. A dive team searched along waterways. Spezze asked residents who have home security cameras to save their footage. The investigators, under a search warrant, have taken control of Morphew’s home.
No searches were planned for Monday, but authorities said they would follow up on leads.


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--Kirk 2.0: Capt. Christopher Pike of new “Star Trek” a welcome new icon

In the beginning , in the “ Star Trek ” universe , there was only Captain Kirk .
At least to the general public .
When the Starship Enterprise first whooshed across American television screens on Sept. 8 , 1966 , William Shatner ’ s James T. Kirk was the smart leader sitting in the captain ’ s chair .
He was stouthearted .
Eloquent .
Curious .
Fair .
Kennedylike , even .
He was a principled explorer committed to spreading New Frontier values to the 23rd-century stars .
And yet : Kirk could also be something of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a top-down manager who earned his privilege but also often presumed it .
Despite being progressive for his era , he could be condescending to anyone but his top righthand men — and sometimes creepily appreciative of the women he encountered .
But Kirk had actually been preceded as captain of the Enterprise by Christopher Pike — a stoic , vague figure played by Jeffrey Hunter in a rejected 1964 “ Trek ” pilot who made only a fleeting appearance in the original series — mainly so the pilot footage could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent movie reboots , portrayed ably by Bruce Greenwood , but was never a foundational fixture of “ Star Trek ” lore .
“ Trek ” aficionados were thrilled this month to learn that Pike ( now played by Anson Mount ) , his first officer “ Number One ” ( Rebecca Romijn ) and the still-evolving , pre-Kirk version of Spock ( Ethan Peck ) would be following up their season-long stints on “ Star Trek : Discovery ” with a brand-new show .
Called “ Star Trek : Strange New Worlds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade before Kirk takes command .
And as played today by Mount , Captain Pike — now framed through a creative lens that has captured 55 years of captaining by Kirks , Picards , Siskos , Janeways and Archers — may be the finest , most intuitive leader that the “ Star Trek ” universe has ever produced .
“ Pike ’ s lack of ego makes him a perfect model of leadership worth aspiring to , ” Earl said .
Jessie Earl , whose Trek-focused “ Jessie Gender ” YouTube videos explore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an episode about Pike last year .
“ Pike represents what ` Star Trek ’ has always been about : showing us what we could be if we strove to actively pursue and cultivate the best parts of ourselves.
” It ’ s not accidental that Pike is the son of a father who taught science AND comparative religion — an embodiment of the empiricism-faith equation that “ Star Trek ” and its captains have always espoused .
In many ways , in fact — even more so than Chris Pine in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T. Kirk 2.0 .
Both are utterly principled and committed to their missions .
But where Kirk could be arrogant , Pike is steadfast .
Where Kirk was expansive and welcomed attention , Pike is wary of it — but seamlessly claims center stage when needed .
Most of all , where Kirk was deeply committed to his responsibility to ship and crew — crippled by it , even — Mount ’ s Pike adds the view of himself as a servant-leader who derives his sense of command not only from the success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successes of his crew .
This is in line with how the captains who came after Kirk reframed the notion of command in “ Star Trek.
” Each contained ingredients that , in 55 years , led the character of Pike from its 1964 iteration ( “ I can ’ t get used to having a woman on the bridge ” ) to the more enlightened current version ( “ Starfleet … is a promise .
I give my life for you .
You give your life for me .
And nobody gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many “ Star Trek ” sequels and movies that have emerged over the decades , this will be the first live-action one to take place aboard the starship that started it all — Kirk ’ s original Enterprise .
And while television storytelling has come many light years since the original series ’ era , to hear the producers and actors tell it , “ Strange New Worlds ’ will strive for the sensibility of the original — a spirit of exploration and optimism , and even nonserialized , single-episode arcs .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of the original Enterprise itself , a ship so storied that a mail-in campaign by fans in the mid-1970s led NASA to rename the first space shuttle after it .
Lovingly reconceived to appear in the second season of “ Discovery , ” it is sleek and moody and rich with the colors and layout that made it so compelling in the 1960s — updated for today ’ s HD audiences but holding onto the soul of its low-budget predecessor .
And smack in the middle , in a chair familiar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pike , charged with embodying everything in a half-century of “ Trek ” that made captains effective and memorable .
Kirk was a master class in leadership for the 1960s , just as Picard was a thoughtful , more introspective model for the carpeted , richly paneled bridge of the late-1980s Enterprise-D .
But yanking a thinly developed character from the beginning of “ Star Trek ” lore and offering him up as a model of leadership for the 2020s — well , that ’ s not an easy task .
“ Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected in 2021 , will be doing that every week .
In first developing the character that would evolve into Captain Pike , “ Trek ” creator Gene Roddenberry described him this way : “ He is a complex personality with a sensitivity and warmth which the responsibilities of command often forces him to hide.
” That was 1964 .
Today , for this latest captain of the Enterprise , sensitivity and warmth are no longer hidden .
They ’ re right there front and center , along with all the complexity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even in its darkest hours is about building a brighter future — is better off for it .

In the beginning, in the “Star Trek” universe, there was only Captain Kirk. At least to the general public.
When the Starship Enterprise first whooshed across American television screens on Sept. 8, 1966, William Shatner’s James T. Kirk was the smart leader sitting in the captain’s chair. He was stouthearted. Eloquent. Curious. Fair. Kennedylike, even. He was a principled explorer committed to spreading New Frontier values to the 23rd-century stars.
And yet: Kirk could also be something of an interstellar Don Draper — brooding, arrogant, a top-down manager who earned his privilege but also often presumed it. Despite being progressive for his era, he could be condescending to anyone but his top righthand men — and sometimes creepily appreciative of the women he encountered.
But Kirk had actually been preceded as captain of the Enterprise by Christopher Pike — a stoic, vague figure played by Jeffrey Hunter in a rejected 1964 “Trek” pilot who made only a fleeting appearance in the original series — mainly so the pilot footage could be recycled. The character reappeared in two recent movie reboots, portrayed ably by Bruce Greenwood, but was never a foundational fixture of “Star Trek” lore.
Until now.
“Trek” aficionados were thrilled this month to learn that Pike (now played by Anson Mount), his first officer “Number One” (Rebecca Romijn) and the still-evolving, pre-Kirk version of Spock (Ethan Peck) would be following up their season-long stints on “Star Trek: Discovery” with a brand-new show. Called “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” it is set in the decade before Kirk takes command.
And as played today by Mount, Captain Pike — now framed through a creative lens that has captured 55 years of captaining by Kirks, Picards, Siskos, Janeways and Archers — may be the finest, most intuitive leader that the “Star Trek” universe has ever produced.
“Pike’s lack of ego makes him a perfect model of leadership worth aspiring to,” Earl said. Jessie Earl, whose Trek-focused “Jessie Gender” YouTube videos explore social and political issues, said in an episode about Pike last year. “Pike represents what `Star Trek’ has always been about: showing us what we could be if we strove to actively pursue and cultivate the best parts of ourselves.”
It’s not accidental that Pike is the son of a father who taught science AND comparative religion — an embodiment of the empiricism-faith equation that “Star Trek” and its captains have always espoused. In many ways, in fact — even more so than Chris Pine in the movie reboots — Pike functions as James T. Kirk 2.0.
Both are utterly principled and committed to their missions. But where Kirk could be arrogant, Pike is steadfast. Where Kirk was expansive and welcomed attention, Pike is wary of it — but seamlessly claims center stage when needed. Most of all, where Kirk was deeply committed to his responsibility to ship and crew — crippled by it, even — Mount’s Pike adds the view of himself as a servant-leader who derives his sense of command not only from the success of his mission but directly from the successes of his crew.
This is in line with how the captains who came after Kirk reframed the notion of command in “Star Trek.” Each contained ingredients that, in 55 years, led the character of Pike from its 1964 iteration (“I can’t get used to having a woman on the bridge”) to the more enlightened current version (“Starfleet … is a promise. I give my life for you. You give your life for me. And nobody gets left behind.”).
Of the many “Star Trek” sequels and movies that have emerged over the decades, this will be the first live-action one to take place aboard the starship that started it all — Kirk’s original Enterprise.
And while television storytelling has come many light years since the original series’ era, to hear the producers and actors tell it, “Strange New Worlds’ will strive for the sensibility of the original — a spirit of exploration and optimism, and even nonserialized, single-episode arcs.
They’ll also be exploring the rich history of the original Enterprise itself, a ship so storied that a mail-in campaign by fans in the mid-1970s led NASA to rename the first space shuttle after it. Lovingly reconceived to appear in the second season of “Discovery,” it is sleek and moody and rich with the colors and layout that made it so compelling in the 1960s — updated for today’s HD audiences but holding onto the soul of its low-budget predecessor.
And smack in the middle, in a chair familiar to generations of fans, will sit Christopher Pike, charged with embodying everything in a half-century of “Trek” that made captains effective and memorable.
Kirk was a master class in leadership for the 1960s, just as Picard was a thoughtful, more introspective model for the carpeted, richly paneled bridge of the late-1980s Enterprise-D. But yanking a thinly developed character from the beginning of “Star Trek” lore and offering him up as a model of leadership for the 2020s — well, that’s not an easy task. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” expected in 2021, will be doing that every week.
In first developing the character that would evolve into Captain Pike, “Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry described him this way: “He is a complex personality with a sensitivity and warmth which the responsibilities of command often forces him to hide.”
That was 1964. Today, for this latest captain of the Enterprise, sensitivity and warmth are no longer hidden. They’re right there front and center, along with all the complexity. And “Star Trek” — which even in its darkest hours is about building a brighter future — is better off for it.


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--COVID-19 testing ramps up in Colorado as confirmed cases rise to 24,174

Testing has confirmed 24,174 cases of novel coronavirus in Colorado , and 1,332 people infected with the virus have died , according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment tally Sunday evening .
The number of cases was up by 210 , with five more deaths since Saturday .
The number of people tested for COVID-19 , the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the virus , reached 150,308 , the latest state records show .
More than 2,500 people were tested in one day .
The actual number of people in Colorado with COVID-19 is thought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed by testing .
On Sunday , state records showed 4,119 people have been hospitalized with the virus since it first was detected in Colorado in March .
State health officials were tracking 264 outbreaks at nursing homes , factories , prisons and other group settings .
The health department has changed the way it reports deaths related to the virus , listing the number of fatalities among people with the virus ( 1,332 ) as well the number of deaths directly attributed to COVID-19 on a death certificate — 1,088 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes .
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby or , possibly , be inhaled into the lungs .
Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the virus is more likely to spread when people are in close contact with one another — within about 6 feet .
It ’ s possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or eyes .
This isn ’ t thought to be the main way the virus spreads .
Heath experts say they ’ re still learning more about this virus .
But it is clear that the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily .
Health officials monitoring the continuing COVID-19 pandemic say it appears to be spreading more efficiently than influenza , but not as efficiently as measles .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Testing has confirmed 24,174 cases of novel coronavirus in Colorado, and 1,332 people infected with the virus have died, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment tally Sunday evening.
The number of cases was up by 210, with five more deaths since Saturday.
The number of people tested for COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the virus, reached 150,308, the latest state records show. More than 2,500 people were tested in one day. The actual number of people in Colorado with COVID-19 is thought to be several times higher than the number confirmed by testing.
On Sunday, state records showed 4,119 people have been hospitalized with the virus since it first was detected in Colorado in March.
State health officials were tracking 264 outbreaks at nursing homes, factories, prisons and other group settings.
The health department has changed the way it reports deaths related to the virus, listing the number of fatalities among people with the virus (1,332) as well the number of deaths directly attributed to COVID-19 on a death certificate — 1,088.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby or, possibly, be inhaled into the lungs.
Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the virus is more likely to spread when people are in close contact with one another — within about 6 feet. It’s possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes. This isn’t thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Heath experts say they’re still learning more about this virus.
But it is clear that the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily. Health officials monitoring the continuing COVID-19 pandemic say it appears to be spreading more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--Ceal Barry coaching tree to continue CU Buffs legend’s impact on women’s basketball

It wasn ’ t a meeting that , at first glance , foretold of some momentous and extremely successful working relationship .
It was more like grabbing an after-work burger .
In the spring of 1996 , and LaTonya Watson was visiting Colorado Springs from Texas while working a basketball camp at the Air Force Academy .
Ceal Barry , then the women ’ s basketball coach at Colorado , was working as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women ’ s National Team , which would win a gold medal later that summer at the Atlanta Olympics .
Barry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for one of the most informal yet ultimately successful job interviews in Colorado basketball history .
“ That conversation lasted all of an hour .
And at the end of that hour she asked me if I wanted to be part of her staff , ” Watson said .
“ It was a no-brainer for me .
The rest is history as far as that is concerned .
I wouldn ’ t be here where I am , and I wouldn ’ t be who I am , without the mentorship and learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time , and probably the last time , that I will ever have an interview for a job wearing shorts and a polo , and her wearing a warm-up suit.
” As Barry calls it quits on a CU coaching and administrative career that spanned 37 years , the legacy she built at Boulder will be carried forward by a vast and ever-expanding coaching tree bursting with former Barry players and assistants .
In many ways , Watson represents the tracing of Barry ’ s coaching career from beginning to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Watson played for Cheryl Getz , who played for Barry at the University of Cincinnati during Barry ’ s pre-CU days .
Following that fateful Boston Market interview , Watson became an assistant on Barry ’ s final eight Buffs teams , including the 2002 Elite 8 squad .
During Barry ’ s administrative years at CU , Watson returned to CU for a three-year stint under Linda Lappe , another former Barry player .
“ She is one of my biggest champions .
A mentor , friend .
Any major decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything major that has happened in my life , she is one of my first phone calls , ” said Watson , who returned to CU last year as a visiting coach with the New Jersey Institute of Technology .
“ When I need advice , sound advice — and not just the feel-good stuff , but the truth and honesty — I call on Ceal .
She ’ s always been there for me.
” Barry ’ s influence on women ’ s college basketball won ’ t run dry any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just finished her second season as the head coach at Northern Colorado .
Lappe has followed Barry ’ s career path a step further than most , serving as a senior associate athletic director and the senior woman administrator at the University of San Francisco .
Former CU assistant Tanya Haave is leading the women ’ s program at Metro State .
And Barry ’ s ongoing influence isn ’ t limited strictly to Xs and Os .
Former CU assistant Karen Morrison , who was on the staff for the Buffs ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spent eight years as the NCAA ’ s Director of Inclusion .
“ She ’ s all about how it ’ s not about you , but about serving others .
That ’ s a lot of her advice , ” Huth said .
“ She ’ s been on calls with me a lot this spring and she talks with me about how to act as a head coach .
What are the characteristics .
You ’ re not an assistant anymore .
You have to walk into this role of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lead your staff , you ’ ve got to lead your players , and explaining what an amazing responsibility being a head coach is .
I think in her retirement she can now sense how much of an impact she made .
”

It wasn’t a meeting that, at first glance, foretold of some momentous and extremely successful working relationship. It was more like grabbing an after-work burger.
In the spring of 1996, and LaTonya Watson was visiting Colorado Springs from Texas while working a basketball camp at the Air Force Academy. Ceal Barry, then the women’s basketball coach at Colorado, was working as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team, which would win a gold medal later that summer at the Atlanta Olympics.
Barry met Watson at a nearby Boston Market for one of the most informal yet ultimately successful job interviews in Colorado basketball history.
“That conversation lasted all of an hour. And at the end of that hour she asked me if I wanted to be part of her staff,” Watson said. “It was a no-brainer for me. The rest is history as far as that is concerned. I wouldn’t be here where I am, and I wouldn’t be who I am, without the mentorship and learning from Ceal Barry.
“That was the first time, and probably the last time, that I will ever have an interview for a job wearing shorts and a polo, and her wearing a warm-up suit.”
As Barry calls it quits on a CU coaching and administrative career that spanned 37 years, the legacy she built at Boulder will be carried forward by a vast and ever-expanding coaching tree bursting with former Barry players and assistants.
In many ways, Watson represents the tracing of Barry’s coaching career from beginning to end. As a player at Eastern Michigan, Watson played for Cheryl Getz, who played for Barry at the University of Cincinnati during Barry’s pre-CU days. Following that fateful Boston Market interview, Watson became an assistant on Barry’s final eight Buffs teams, including the 2002 Elite 8 squad. During Barry’s administrative years at CU, Watson returned to CU for a three-year stint under Linda Lappe, another former Barry player.
“She is one of my biggest champions. A mentor, friend. Any major decision that I’ve made, or anything major that has happened in my life, she is one of my first phone calls,” said Watson, who returned to CU last year as a visiting coach with the New Jersey Institute of Technology. “When I need advice, sound advice — and not just the feel-good stuff, but the truth and honesty — I call on Ceal. She’s always been there for me.”
Barry’s influence on women’s college basketball won’t run dry any time soon. Jenny (Roulier) Huth just finished her second season as the head coach at Northern Colorado. Lappe has followed Barry’s career path a step further than most, serving as a senior associate athletic director and the senior woman administrator at the University of San Francisco. Former CU assistant Tanya Haave is leading the women’s program at Metro State. And Barry’s ongoing influence isn’t limited strictly to Xs and Os. Former CU assistant Karen Morrison, who was on the staff for the Buffs’ Elite 8 teams of 1993 and 1995, spent eight years as the NCAA’s Director of Inclusion.
“She’s all about how it’s not about you, but about serving others. That’s a lot of her advice,” Huth said. “She’s been on calls with me a lot this spring and she talks with me about how to act as a head coach. What are the characteristics. You’re not an assistant anymore. You have to walk into this role of head coach and you’ve got to lead your staff, you’ve got to lead your players, and explaining what an amazing responsibility being a head coach is. I think in her retirement she can now sense how much of an impact she made.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--With spring football scrapped, Colorado high school coaches make due amid coronavirus

Jeremy Bennett already had enough to worry about this spring .
The 47-year-old took over the Mullen High School football program in February after serving as D ’ Evelyn High ’ s head coach for the past 15 years .
He had new schemes to install , students walking the halls to recruit and a coaching staff to get acquainted with .
Doing all of that without the benefit of face-to-face contact has been far from ideal .
“ It ’ s hard to have poetry in motion with 11 people if you don ’ t script it and go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennett lamented .
In a normal year , Colorado ’ s prep programs would be in the thick of spring football right about now .
Many teams ’ first practices would have started last week , with 10-day training sessions and team camps in pads and helmets scattered across the state .
Instead , coaches like Bennett have been forced to hold virtual sessions with their teams as in-person workouts are prohibited by the Colorado High School Activities Association through May due to the coronavirus pandemic .
It will soon be up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to extend that moratorium through the summer months .
Many districts have tentatively pushed that back a startup to July 1 , at the earliest , including Mullen in southwest Denver .
“ I ’ ve tried to spin this as positive as possible , ” Bennett said .
“ One of the things we tell ( the players ) is nobody will ever be able to take this away from us at Mullen High School .
With a brand new staff and kids we had to push through the biggest adversity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And when we come out of the backside of this , we ’ re going to be stronger for it.
” Of course , no program has been spared by the coronavirus crisis .
Even for someone like Columbine head coach Andy Lowry , who ’ s led the Rebels for the better part of three decades , there are plenty of obstacles and concerns .
Among them is simply connecting with students .
“ Kids need us , and that ’ s the hard part about it right now , is they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever needed us and we ’ re not able to be there in person , ” Lowry said .
Added Bennett , “ Yeah , we want to be playing football .
Yeah , I want to be on the field doing those things .
But I want our kids to be OK mentally .
I want our kids to know that we ’ re there , and not just ( for ) football players .
I think as educators and coaches we owe it to kids to make sure that mentally they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some ways , it ’ s almost like going back in time for Lowry , who began his first head coaching job at Lakewood High in 1992 .
Back then , there was no such thing as 7-on-7 football or spring practices , and team camp was still a few years from becoming an established part of the high school football experience .
“ I think as coaches in our state , we have kept kids busy , and maybe too busy over the course of the summers over the course of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lowry said .
“ I ’ ve been around long enough to know when we used to start up in August and we didn ’ t have all this stuff in the summer and we were able to get our kids up and ready to go.
” That could be the challenge once again for high school coaches — if , of course , there ’ s actually a season to play .
CHSAA has yet to move any start dates for the 2020 fall sports season .
Golf is set to tee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to follow suit the next week .
But CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green has previously said “ nothing is off table ” in regards to returning high school athletics to play for the 2020-21 school year .
There have been promising developments , including Gov .
Jared Polis recently saying he expects schools to re-open this fall .
It ’ s likely things will look quite a bit different , however , and it doesn ’ t appear many coaches will be able to have in-person contact with athletes until July 1 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Publics Schools have prohibited in-person workouts between players and coaches until Aug. 1 , but administrators for both districts acknowledged those dates could be moved up as conditions change .
“ I have confidence that we can get our kids ready in a couple weeks to go as long as they are doing all the physical activity on their own , ” Lowry said .
“ When it comes to football and work with kids for any sport , coaches are pretty innovative on how they can do it.
” As for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in charge at Mullen , a private Catholic school , will give their coaches and trainers the green light to start working with student-athletes sometime soon .
It ’ s not just about installing a new system , but getting players ready for the rigors of a football season .
“ You can ’ t go from 0 to 60 , ” he said .
“ How do you get ready to play football especially , but any sport , without being able to train your athletes ?
… Can you do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If not , I ’ ve got some safety concerns .
”

Jeremy Bennett already had enough to worry about this spring.
The 47-year-old took over the Mullen High School football program in February after serving as D’Evelyn High’s head coach for the past 15 years. He had new schemes to install, students walking the halls to recruit and a coaching staff to get acquainted with.
Doing all of that without the benefit of face-to-face contact has been far from ideal.
“It’s hard to have poetry in motion with 11 people if you don’t script it and go over it over and over,” Bennett lamented.
In a normal year, Colorado’s prep programs would be in the thick of spring football right about now. Many teams’ first practices would have started last week, with 10-day training sessions and team camps in pads and helmets scattered across the state.
Instead, coaches like Bennett have been forced to hold virtual sessions with their teams as in-person workouts are prohibited by the Colorado High School Activities Association through May due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will soon be up to local school districts to decide whether or not to extend that moratorium through the summer months. Many districts have tentatively pushed that back a startup to July 1, at the earliest, including Mullen in southwest Denver.
“I’ve tried to spin this as positive as possible,” Bennett said. “One of the things we tell (the players) is nobody will ever be able to take this away from us at Mullen High School. With a brand new staff and kids we had to push through the biggest adversity anyone in our generation has faced. And when we come out of the backside of this, we’re going to be stronger for it.”
Of course, no program has been spared by the coronavirus crisis.
Even for someone like Columbine head coach Andy Lowry, who’s led the Rebels for the better part of three decades, there are plenty of obstacles and concerns. Among them is simply connecting with students.
“Kids need us, and that’s the hard part about it right now, is they need us more than they’ve ever needed us and we’re not able to be there in person,” Lowry said.
Added Bennett, “Yeah, we want to be playing football. Yeah, I want to be on the field doing those things. But I want our kids to be OK mentally. I want our kids to know that we’re there, and not just (for) football players. I think as educators and coaches we owe it to kids to make sure that mentally they are going to be OK.”
In some ways, it’s almost like going back in time for Lowry, who began his first head coaching job at Lakewood High in 1992.
Back then, there was no such thing as 7-on-7 football or spring practices, and team camp was still a few years from becoming an established part of the high school football experience.
“I think as coaches in our state, we have kept kids busy, and maybe too busy over the course of the summers over the course of the last 10 or 15 years,” Lowry said. “I’ve been around long enough to know when we used to start up in August and we didn’t have all this stuff in the summer and we were able to get our kids up and ready to go.”
That could be the challenge once again for high school coaches — if, of course, there’s actually a season to play.
CHSAA has yet to move any start dates for the 2020 fall sports season. Golf is set to tee off Aug. 3, with everything else scheduled to follow suit the next week. But CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green has previously said “nothing is off table” in regards to returning high school athletics to play for the 2020-21 school year.
There have been promising developments, including Gov. Jared Polis recently saying he expects schools to re-open this fall. It’s likely things will look quite a bit different, however, and it doesn’t appear many coaches will be able to have in-person contact with athletes until July 1 at the earliest.
Jeffco Public Schools and Denver Publics Schools have prohibited in-person workouts between players and coaches until Aug. 1, but administrators for both districts acknowledged those dates could be moved up as conditions change.
“I have confidence that we can get our kids ready in a couple weeks to go as long as they are doing all the physical activity on their own,” Lowry said. “When it comes to football and work with kids for any sport, coaches are pretty innovative on how they can do it.”
As for Bennett, he’s hoping those in charge at Mullen, a private Catholic school, will give their coaches and trainers the green light to start working with student-athletes sometime soon. It’s not just about installing a new system, but getting players ready for the rigors of a football season.
“You can’t go from 0 to 60,” he said. “How do you get ready to play football especially, but any sport, without being able to train your athletes? … Can you do it? If they are physically fit. If not, I’ve got some safety concerns.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--WATCH: Rockies vs. Phillies MLB The Show 20 live stream, May 24, 2020

With the start of the Major League Baseball season postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic , we here at The @ @ @ @ @ at how the Rockies would fare in MLB The Show 20 on PlayStation 4 .
@ @ @ @ @ for every game that had been scheduled until real-life baseball returns .
Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Rockies ’ preseason preview .
Entering Sunday ’ s game , the Rockies were 35-15 @ @ @ @ @ ) takes the mound for Colorado against Philadelphia ’ s Zack Wheeler ( 5-4 ) @ @ @ @ @ stream will begin at 3:10 p.m. MT .
Mobile users , if you can ’ @ @ @ @ @ tap here .

With the start of the Major League Baseball season postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, we here at The Denver Post took a look at how the Rockies would fare in MLB The Show 20 on PlayStation 4. We will have a story for every game that had been scheduled until real-life baseball returns. Here’s a look at the virtual Rockies’ preseason preview. Entering Sunday’s game, the Rockies were 35-15.
German Marquez allowed just two runs, but the Rockies’ offense fell flat in a 4-1 loss to the Phillies Sunday at Coors Field.
Marquez (6-4) gave up a two-run home run to Bryce Harper in the first inning but then settled down, allowing four hits and striking out five in six innings of work.
Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler dominated Colorado’s hitters, allowing five hits and a run in 7 1/3 innings.
Colorado didn’t get on the board until the eighth inning. Down 2-0, Daniel Murphy got on base with an infield single. It set up Sam Hilliard, who crushed an RBI triple to cut the lead to one. The Rockies tried a squeeze play with Garrett Hampson, but the pinch hitter couldn’t lay down the bunt and Hilliard was tagged out at home.
Mobile users, if you can’t see the video, tap here.
The Rockies fall to 35-16 and hold a six-game lead over the Dodgers (29-22) for the National League West. The two teams begin a three-game series at Coors Field on Monday. Jon Gray (8-1) takes the mound for Colorado against Los Angeles’ Walker Buehler (4-4). The live stream will begin at 3:10 p.m. MT.
Box score
PHI — 200-000-002 — 4-8-0
COL — 000-000-010 — 1-6-0
Philadelphia — Segura 5-0-0-0, McCutchen 4-1-2-0, Harper 4-1-1-2, Hoskins 3-0-1-0, Gregorius 4-0-1-0, Realmuto 4-0-0-0, Williams 4-1-2-1, Kingery 3-0-0-0, Robertson 0-0-0-0, Haseley 1-1-1-1, Dominguez 0-0-0-0. Totals — 35-4-8-4.
Colorado — Dahl 4-0-0-0, Blackmon 4-0-1-0, Arenado 4-0-0-0, Story 3-0-0-0, McMahon 2-0-0-0, Murphy 3-1-2-0, Hilliard 3-0-1-1, Davis 0-0-0-0, Almonte 0-0-0-0, Wolters 3-0-1-0, Marquez 1-0-0-0, Tapia 1-0-0-0, J. Diaz 0-0-0-0, Hampson 0-0-0-0, Daza 1-0-1-0. Totals — 29-1-6-1.
2B — Gregorius, McCutchen, Williams. 3B — Hilliard. HR — Harper, Haseley, Williams. SB — McCutchen. CS — Tapia, Hilliard. WP — Wheeler (6-4). LP — Marquez (6-4). S — Dominguez (1).


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--U.S. Muslims try to balance Eid rituals with virus concerns

By MARIAM FAM , The Associated Press With no congregational prayers or family gatherings , Salsabiel Mujovic has been worried that this year ’ s Eid al-Fitr celebration will pale .
Still , she ’ s determined to bring home holiday cheer amid the coronavirus gloom .
Her family can ’ t go to the mosque , but the 29-year-old New Jersey resident bought new outfits for herself and her daughters .
They are praying at home and having a family photo session .
The kids are decorating cookies in a virtual gathering , and popping balloons with money or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tradition of giving children cash gifts for the occasion .
“ We ’ re used to , just like , easily going and seeing family , but now it ’ s just like there ’ s so much fear and anxiety , ” she said .
“ Growing up , I always loved Eid .
… It ’ s like a Christmas for a Muslim.
” Like Mujovic , many Muslims in America are navigating balancing religious and social rituals with concerns over the virus as they look for ways to capture the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the feast of breaking the fast — marks the end of Ramadan , when Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset .
Just like they did during Ramadan , many are resorting to at-home worship and relying on technology for online gatherings , sermons and , now , Eid entertainment .
This year , some Muslim-majority countries have tightened restrictions for the holiday which traditionally means family visits , group outings and worshippers flooding mosques or filling public spaces .
The Eid prayer normally attracts particularly large crowds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a body of Islamic scholars , encouraged Muslims to perform the Eid prayer at home .
“ We don ’ t want to have gatherings and congregations , ” Sheikh Yasir Qadhi , who prepared the council ’ s fatwa , or religious edict , said in an interview .
“ We should try to keep the spirit of Eid alive , even if it ’ s just in our houses , even if we just decorate our houses and wear our finest for each other.
” Qadhi , resident scholar at East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been “ dreading ” delivering an Eid sermon broadcast online with no worshippers .
“ It ’ s going to be very strange to dress up in my Eid clothes and to walk to an empty place and to deliver a sermon to an empty facility , ” he said before the start of the holiday .
“ It ’ s going to be very , very disheartening.
” But , he said , it ’ s the wise decision .
Even as restrictions have eased , the mosque is still closed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few others , it is holding a drive-by Eid ceremony to safely distribute thousands of bags of sweets and goodies to children in cars .
While some are eager for mosques to re-open , Qadhi said , “ We don ’ t want to be a conduit for the situation exacerbating .
We need to think rationally and not emotionally.
” The North Texas Imams Council , of which he is a member , has recommended mosques remain closed .
He said he expected the majority of mosques to stay closed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mosques re-opening .
In Florida , the Islamic Center of Osceola County , Masjid Taqwa is holding the Eid prayer outdoors in the parking lot with social distancing rules in place .
Guidelines posted online include worshippers bringing their own prayer rugs , wearing mandatory masks and praying next to their cars while staying at least six feet apart .
Participants are told not to hug or shake hands and to listen to the sermon from their cars .
“ Eid is important but more important is the health of the people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imam .
“ We ’ ve been taking a lot of precautions , ” and not acting on “ sentiments or emotional feelings , ” he said , adding they have been consulting with health and other officials .
Major Jacob Ruiz , the major of administration at Osceola County Sheriff ’ s Office , said he and the sheriff met with Patel before the celebration .
“ They wanted to have something and they felt it was important but they wanted to do it with pretty much the blessing and the guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sheriff , ” he said .
“ Everybody was in agreement that it ’ s going to be something that ’ s gon na be successful for them.
” The Muslim community in the county “ has been very receptive and proactive in ensuring that they keep safety guidelines , ” he said .
The Masjid Taqwa prayer is for men only , the mosque said , citing “ constraints.
” Plans for men-only prayers announced by at least one other mosque prompted objections by some about excluding women .
For Masjid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men was taken because having families together would make crowd control more difficult , Patel said .
In Michigan , the Michigan Muslim Community Council is organizing a televised Eid ceremony .
It will include the Eid sermon , greetings from local elected officials and members of Muslim communities .
“ People will be at home seeing each other instead of gathering in large numbers , ” said council chairman Mahmoud Al-Hadidi .
“ It ’ s just to keep people connected , ” he said , adding that “ we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus.
” Normally , Eid is an all-day celebration with large gatherings over meals and a carnival for kids , he said .
“ Eid is a huge thing here.
” Back in New Jersey on the holiday ’ s eve , Mujovic and two of her daughters joined friends and others online to decorate cookies .
Squeezing icing out and spreading it on cookies shaped like Ramadan lanterns or spelling out the word “ EID , ” the girls stopped to lick their fingers or munch on the treats .
As children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creations , it started to feel like Eid for Mujovic .
“ It was nice seeing happy faces , ” she said .
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .

By MARIAM FAM, The Associated Press
With no congregational prayers or family gatherings, Salsabiel Mujovic has been worried that this year’s Eid al-Fitr celebration will pale. Still, she’s determined to bring home holiday cheer amid the coronavirus gloom.
Her family can’t go to the mosque, but the 29-year-old New Jersey resident bought new outfits for herself and her daughters. They are praying at home and having a family photo session. The kids are decorating cookies in a virtual gathering, and popping balloons with money or candy inside — a twist on a tradition of giving children cash gifts for the occasion.
“We’re used to, just like, easily going and seeing family, but now it’s just like there’s so much fear and anxiety,” she said. “Growing up, I always loved Eid. … It’s like a Christmas for a Muslim.”
Like Mujovic, many Muslims in America are navigating balancing religious and social rituals with concerns over the virus as they look for ways to capture the Eid spirit this weekend.
Eid al-Fitr — the feast of breaking the fast — marks the end of Ramadan, when Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Just like they did during Ramadan, many are resorting to at-home worship and relying on technology for online gatherings, sermons and, now, Eid entertainment.
This year, some Muslim-majority countries have tightened restrictions for the holiday which traditionally means family visits, group outings and worshippers flooding mosques or filling public spaces.
The Eid prayer normally attracts particularly large crowds. The Fiqh Council of North America, a body of Islamic scholars, encouraged Muslims to perform the Eid prayer at home.
“We don’t want to have gatherings and congregations,” Sheikh Yasir Qadhi, who prepared the council’s fatwa, or religious edict, said in an interview. “We should try to keep the spirit of Eid alive, even if it’s just in our houses, even if we just decorate our houses and wear our finest for each other.”
Qadhi, resident scholar at East Plano Islamic Center in Texas, has been “dreading” delivering an Eid sermon broadcast online with no worshippers.
“It’s going to be very strange to dress up in my Eid clothes and to walk to an empty place and to deliver a sermon to an empty facility,” he said before the start of the holiday. “It’s going to be very, very disheartening.”
But, he said, it’s the wise decision.
Even as restrictions have eased, the mosque is still closed to worshippers, he said. Like a few others, it is holding a drive-by Eid ceremony to safely distribute thousands of bags of sweets and goodies to children in cars.
While some are eager for mosques to re-open, Qadhi said, “We don’t want to be a conduit for the situation exacerbating. We need to think rationally and not emotionally.”
The North Texas Imams Council, of which he is a member, has recommended mosques remain closed. He said he expected the majority of mosques to stay closed to the public, though he worries about smaller mosques re-opening.
In Florida, the Islamic Center of Osceola County, Masjid Taqwa is holding the Eid prayer outdoors in the parking lot with social distancing rules in place.
Guidelines posted online include worshippers bringing their own prayer rugs, wearing mandatory masks and praying next to their cars while staying at least six feet apart. Participants are told not to hug or shake hands and to listen to the sermon from their cars.
“Eid is important but more important is the health of the people,” said Maulana Abdulrahman Patel, the imam. “We’ve been taking a lot of precautions,” and not acting on “sentiments or emotional feelings,” he said, adding they have been consulting with health and other officials.
Major Jacob Ruiz, the major of administration at Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, said he and the sheriff met with Patel before the celebration.
“They wanted to have something and they felt it was important but they wanted to do it with pretty much the blessing and the guidance of the sheriff’s office and the sheriff,” he said. “Everybody was in agreement that it’s going to be something that’s gonna be successful for them.”
The Muslim community in the county “has been very receptive and proactive in ensuring that they keep safety guidelines,” he said.
The Masjid Taqwa prayer is for men only, the mosque said, citing “constraints.” Plans for men-only prayers announced by at least one other mosque prompted objections by some about excluding women. For Masjid Taqwa, the decision to include just men was taken because having families together would make crowd control more difficult, Patel said.
In Michigan, the Michigan Muslim Community Council is organizing a televised Eid ceremony. It will include the Eid sermon, greetings from local elected officials and members of Muslim communities. “People will be at home seeing each other instead of gathering in large numbers,” said council chairman Mahmoud Al-Hadidi.
“It’s just to keep people connected,” he said, adding that “we’re trying to avoid any spread of the coronavirus.”
Normally, Eid is an all-day celebration with large gatherings over meals and a carnival for kids, he said. “Eid is a huge thing here.”
Back in New Jersey on the holiday’s eve, Mujovic and two of her daughters joined friends and others online to decorate cookies. Squeezing icing out and spreading it on cookies shaped like Ramadan lanterns or spelling out the word “EID,” the girls stopped to lick their fingers or munch on the treats.
As children waved, squealed and showed off their creations, it started to feel like Eid for Mujovic. “It was nice seeing happy faces,” she said.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.


thedenverpost--2020-05-24--Colorado National Guard to conduct Memorial Day helicopter flyovers

Colorado National Guard pilots plan to fly helicopters over metro Denver , Colorado Springs and the Western Slope on Monday in a Memorial Day salute to Coloradans who died on missions abroad and to health care workers and emergency responders helping residents amid the pandemic .
Starting at 9 a.m. until about noon , the pilots will be flying one CH-47 Chinook , two UH-60 Black Hawks , one LUH-72 Lakota and two UH-60s .
The pilots plan to fly three routes — two along the Front Range and one on the Western Slope .
“ We are really excited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to focus some of our training hours to thank our veterans and the health care workers and first responders caring for them during these difficult times , ” Col. William Gentle said .
“ This Memorial Day is unique but no less important than any other in our nation ’ s history .
We must never forget those who have sacrificed so much to keep this great nation free.
” Colorado National Guard officials said people watching for the helicopters should maintain safe distances in accordance with COVID-19 control protocols .
Here are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely will be visible : 8:30 a.m. — Buckley Air Force Base 8:45 a.m. — Centennial Airport 10 a.m. — J.S Parker Cemetery , Parker 10:10 a.m. — Highlands Ranch 10:15 a.m. — Fort Logan National Cemetery , Englewood 10:20 a.m. — Arvada 10:25 a.m. — Thornton 10:35 a.m. — Denver 10:45 a.m. — Centennial Airport 9 a.m. — High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site , Gypsum 9:25 a.m. — Rifle 9:50 a.m. — Grand Junction 10:15 a.m. — Montrose 11:30 a.m. — Silverton 12:25 p.m. — Gunnision 1 p.m. — Gypsum

Colorado National Guard pilots plan to fly helicopters over metro Denver, Colorado Springs and the Western Slope on Monday in a Memorial Day salute to Coloradans who died on missions abroad and to health care workers and emergency responders helping residents amid the pandemic.
Starting at 9 a.m. until about noon, the pilots will be flying one CH-47 Chinook, two UH-60 Black Hawks, one LUH-72 Lakota and two UH-60s. The pilots plan to fly three routes — two along the Front Range and one on the Western Slope.
“We are really excited that U.S. Army leadership has allowed us to focus some of our training hours to thank our veterans and the health care workers and first responders caring for them during these difficult times,” Col. William Gentle said. “This Memorial Day is unique but no less important than any other in our nation’s history. We must never forget those who have sacrificed so much to keep this great nation free.”
Colorado National Guard officials said people watching for the helicopters should maintain safe distances in accordance with COVID-19 control protocols.
Here are approximate locations and times when the helicopters likely will be visible:
Route 1
8:30 a.m. — Buckley Air Force Base
8:45 a.m. — Centennial Airport
10 a.m. — J.S Parker Cemetery, Parker
10:10 a.m. — Highlands Ranch
10:15 a.m. — Fort Logan National Cemetery, Englewood
10:20 a.m. — Arvada
10:25 a.m. — Thornton
10:35 a.m. — Denver
10:45 a.m. — Centennial Airport
Route 2
10:55 a.m. — Centennial Airport
11:30 a.m. — Colorado Springs
Noon — Buckley
Route 3
9 a.m. — High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, Gypsum
9:25 a.m. — Rifle
9:50 a.m. — Grand Junction
10:15 a.m. — Montrose
11:30 a.m. — Silverton
12:25 p.m. — Gunnision
1 p.m. — Gypsum


thedenverpost--2020-05-25--A Denver mother crossed borders so her kids could one day cross a graduation stage. Then came the pa

A Denver mother crossed borders so her kids could one day cross a graduation stage. Then came the pandemic.

Liseth Figueroa and her young daughters crossed two countries ’ borders , the Guatemalan mother propelled through Mexico into the United States by the image of her girls one day crossing a grand stage with caps , gowns and diplomas in hand .
Amid years of financial hardships , language barriers , culture shock , violence and work ethic , Estéfani Peña Figueroa , now 24 , never lost sight of the graduation stage — an ambition instilled by her mother , whose life became a pilgrimage to give her daughters the education she never had .
This year was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peña Figueroa , a student with DACA protection , graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver this month with a degree in health care management .
Her younger sister is graduating from Denver ’ s DSST : College View High School .
But because the coronavirus pandemic upended academic life and put a halt to large gatherings , there has been no pomp , no circumstance and no graduation stage to complete the Figueroas ’ educational odyssey .
Many Colorado academic institutions canceled or postponed their graduation ceremonies in an effort to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
For first-generation college students like Peña Figueroa — the first person in her family to earn a college degree — the dissolution of a graduation ceremony felt especially stinging .
“ I really wanted to go to school since I was little , but the education in Guatemala was so expensive and not the best opportunity , ” Peña Figueroa said , her voice cracking .
“ Although my mother didn ’ t really know how to read back then , she would always try to read to me and always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional — she would always tell me about the importance of going to school and going to college .
My parents decided to give my little sister and I a better future.
” Fleeing violence and in search of educational opportunities , Peña Figueroa and her family came to the United States when she was 7 years old .
“ The journey wasn ’ t easy , ” Peña Figueroa said .
“ When I got here , I went to elementary school and faced a lot of challenges with culture shock , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she also lived with a violent man for a period growing up .
“ Nevertheless , my mom ’ s biggest dream was for my little sister and I to graduate and be able to attend college , ” Peña Figueroa said .
Peña Figueroa had been interested in anatomy since she was a little girl with dreams of becoming a doctor or nurse .
Her aspirations were underscored when her mother got a terrible ear infection after the family moved to the United States .
Liseth Figueroa didn ’ t have health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by rent , groceries and child care .
When Peña Figueroa ’ s mother finally sought medical care , she was left with a hefty bill .
“ I was little , but I so clearly remember finding her crying because she couldn ’ t afford to pay it , ” Peña Figueroa said .
The moment shaped Peña Figueroa , who would later study health care management at MSU Denver , learning about health insurance policies and providing care to vulnerable communities .
She hopes to use her degree to work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical care .
Will Simpkins , MSU Denver ’ s vice president for student affairs , said the sense of loss among students he ’ s talked with in the midst of the pandemic is palpable .
To ease the pain , Simpkins said MSU committed to continuing to pay students and hourly staff , calling or texting all 19,000 MSU students once a month to check in and see what they might need , and planning a graduation ceremony for December .
Sam Borrego , MSU Denver ’ s coordinator for first-gen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself .
Borrego explained how the disrupted final college semester was hitting first-gen students hard .
“ You wait for this moment that ’ s going to bring closure to your experience , and it ’ s something that you envision yourself doing since you ’ re a little kid , ” Borrego said .
“ Not being able to bring in their family and for them to share that moment and be that example to children and younger siblings is hard because a lot of first-gen students see themselves as role models @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your cap and gown on and you ’ re in that arena — it ’ s a good example of an image for younger siblings and children to have.
” Borrego organized a virtual graduation ceremony for first-gen students so their lifelong efforts still got some form of recognition .
While the strut across the graduation stage that Peña Figueroa imagined may only happen in her dreams , her mother ’ s pride is the sweetest celebration .
COVID-19 forced the Figueroa family to cancel a graduation trip to California to see family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the tight-knit mother and daughter trio is still reveling in their accomplishments together .
“ I owe everything — all my accomplishments — to her , ” Peña Figueroa said .
“ I ’ m so thankful for everything she has done .
My mom is laid off right now , but she is so positive for us .
She is so proud because my sister and I did it .
She always said , ‘ I can not help you financially , but I can help you with all my support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love.
’ We did it , Mom .
”

Liseth Figueroa and her young daughters crossed two countries’ borders, the Guatemalan mother propelled through Mexico into the United States by the image of her girls one day crossing a grand stage with caps, gowns and diplomas in hand.
Amid years of financial hardships, language barriers, culture shock, violence and work ethic, Estéfani Peña Figueroa, now 24, never lost sight of the graduation stage — an ambition instilled by her mother, whose life became a pilgrimage to give her daughters the education she never had.
This year was going to be the rich reward.
Peña Figueroa, a student with DACA protection, graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver this month with a degree in health care management. Her younger sister is graduating from Denver’s DSST: College View High School.
But because the coronavirus pandemic upended academic life and put a halt to large gatherings, there has been no pomp, no circumstance and no graduation stage to complete the Figueroas’ educational odyssey.
Many Colorado academic institutions canceled or postponed their graduation ceremonies in an effort to reduce the spread of the highly contagious new coronavirus. For first-generation college students like Peña Figueroa — the first person in her family to earn a college degree — the dissolution of a graduation ceremony felt especially stinging.
“I really wanted to go to school since I was little, but the education in Guatemala was so expensive and not the best opportunity,” Peña Figueroa said, her voice cracking. “Although my mother didn’t really know how to read back then, she would always try to read to me and always tell me — sorry I get so emotional — she would always tell me about the importance of going to school and going to college. My parents decided to give my little sister and I a better future.”
Fleeing violence and in search of educational opportunities, Peña Figueroa and her family came to the United States when she was 7 years old.
“The journey wasn’t easy,” Peña Figueroa said. “When I got here, I went to elementary school and faced a lot of challenges with culture shock, a different language.”
Peña Figueroa said she also lived with a violent man for a period growing up.
“Nevertheless, my mom’s biggest dream was for my little sister and I to graduate and be able to attend college,” Peña Figueroa said.
Peña Figueroa had been interested in anatomy since she was a little girl with dreams of becoming a doctor or nurse. Her aspirations were underscored when her mother got a terrible ear infection after the family moved to the United States. Liseth Figueroa didn’t have health insurance, and her paycheck was consumed by rent, groceries and child care. When Peña Figueroa’s mother finally sought medical care, she was left with a hefty bill.
“I was little, but I so clearly remember finding her crying because she couldn’t afford to pay it,” Peña Figueroa said.
The moment shaped Peña Figueroa, who would later study health care management at MSU Denver, learning about health insurance policies and providing care to vulnerable communities. She hopes to use her degree to work in a hospital and support undocumented individuals seeking medical care.
Will Simpkins, MSU Denver’s vice president for student affairs, said the sense of loss among students he’s talked with in the midst of the pandemic is palpable.
To ease the pain, Simpkins said MSU committed to continuing to pay students and hourly staff, calling or texting all 19,000 MSU students once a month to check in and see what they might need, and planning a graduation ceremony for December.
Sam Borrego, MSU Denver’s coordinator for first-gen initiatives, was a first-generation college student herself. Borrego explained how the disrupted final college semester was hitting first-gen students hard.
“You wait for this moment that’s going to bring closure to your experience, and it’s something that you envision yourself doing since you’re a little kid,” Borrego said. “Not being able to bring in their family and for them to share that moment and be that example to children and younger siblings is hard because a lot of first-gen students see themselves as role models for others. That moment you have your cap and gown on and you’re in that arena — it’s a good example of an image for younger siblings and children to have.”
Borrego organized a virtual graduation ceremony for first-gen students so their lifelong efforts still got some form of recognition.
While the strut across the graduation stage that Peña Figueroa imagined may only happen in her dreams, her mother’s pride is the sweetest celebration.
COVID-19 forced the Figueroa family to cancel a graduation trip to California to see family and show Liseth Figueroa the ocean, but the tight-knit mother and daughter trio is still reveling in their accomplishments together.
“I owe everything — all my accomplishments — to her,” Peña Figueroa said. “I’m so thankful for everything she has done. My mom is laid off right now, but she is so positive for us. She is so proud because my sister and I did it. She always said, ‘I cannot help you financially, but I can help you with all my support, all my encouragement and all my love.’ We did it, Mom.”