News and Events
Denver Broncos and NFL Provide New Field at DPS All-City Stadium and Launch New Tackle-Football League for Denver Middle School Students
DENVER, Sept. 3, 2008 – As the fall football season begins, Denver Public Schools has a new field at All-City Stadium, and will introduce a new tackle-football program for middle school students, thanks to support from the Denver Broncos and the National Football League (NFL).
A new Astroturf field was installed at All-City Stadium this summer, thanks to funding from the NFL Grassroots Program, an initiative of the NFL and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. All-City Stadium, located at South High School, hosts DPS games and tournaments for football, soccer, track and field, lacrosse, and field hockey.
Additionally, grants from Denver Broncos Charities and the NFL will allow DPS to introduce its first-ever tackle football program for students in seventh and eighth grades. The Denver Broncos Futures League will begin in March 2009, allowing 300 students from 32 DPS schools to participate in competitive tackle football. The program requires students to maintain high standards in academics, behavior and attendance in order to maintain weekly eligibility.
“The Futures League is an excellent way to keep students engaged in school and focused on success,” said Cindy Kellogg, vice president of community development for the Denver Broncos Football Club. “Athletics programs teach students about teamwork and good sportsmanship, increase their physical fitness level, and provide them with an incentive to maintain good grades. The Broncos will engage in a variety of activities throughout the fall that will encourage students to focus on achievement both in the classroom and on the field.”
Currently DPS’s Prep League, the official middle school sports program for the district, offers competitive flag football for students in grades 6-8. The new tackle program will allow seventh and eighth grade students to build game skills and confidence before heading into high school, creating a pipeline of potential players for the high school football teams. The flag football program will also remain, taking place in the fall while the tackle program will take place in the spring only for seventh and eighth grade students.
With the addition of the Denver Broncos Futures League, all of Denver’s major professional sports teams are now supporting the district’s Prep League program, which is expected to engage 4,500 students in sports during the 2008-2009 school year. The Colorado Rockies and Kroenke Sports, owner of the Nuggets and Avalanche, have sponsored Prep League for several years. For the 10 years following district budget cuts in 1997, the middle school sports program in DPS has been funded entirely by community support, generated through the Denver Public Schools Foundation.
“The middle school years are challenging for many students and our Prep League sports program keeps thousands of students interested in school,” said John Andrew, athletics manager for DPS. “The program keeps students active, provides them with adult supervision after school, and lets them have fun and make new friends. We are so thrilled to have the Broncos and NFL involved in providing these opportunities for our middle school students.”
About Denver Broncos Charities The Denver Broncos strive to improve the lives of Coloradans through youth health, hunger and homeless relief initiatives. Furthermore, the NFL is dedicated to improving the physical fitness level and overall health of children nation wide, launching its NFL Play 60 initiative, encouraging children to get 60 minutes of physical activity in a day.
About the Denver Public Schools Foundation The DPS Foundation raises funds in support of The Denver Plan, the district’s ambitious education reform plan to improve student achievement. The Foundation supports programs such as professional development for principals and teachers, improved curriculum and quality of instruction, after-school programs, and community partnerships. For more information, visit www.dpsfoundation.org.
News and Events
Warm Thoughts from Justin
As summer turns to fall and the leaves begin to change, it can only mean one thing; another year of DPS Prep League Sports is upon us. This year the Prep League is proud to welcome a host of new schools to its already extensive lineup. Joining the ranks for the 2008-2009 seasons are: Fairmont, Cole, Bryant Webster, Howell, Greenwood, Waller, Roberts, Greenlee, Gilpin and Whittier. On behalf of everyone associated with Denver Public Schools Athletics I would like to extend a warm welcome to all ten of our new members. We look forward to the development of new friendships along with a few new rivalries as well.
This year the Prep League will be offering eleven sports for the student athletes of DPS. The fall season includes a loaded lineup of activities which includes: boy’s soccer, flag football, volleyball, softball and cross-country. In the winter season the Prep League will be offering boy’s and girl’s basketball. In our spring season students can choose from boy’s baseball, girl’s soccer, or boy’s and girl’s 6th grade basketball. As you can tell there is something for everyone to enjoy and participate in, so don’t delay and contact your school’s Principal or Athletic Director today to inquire about the sport’s we have to offer.
News and Events
Hamilton Sweeps Spring Sports
Behind tremendous speed and skill the Hamilton Husky Soccer and Baseball Teams swept through the playoffs with great alacrity. In soccer the girls’ showed impressive passing and teamwork in defeated fellow Eastern Division rival Slavens by a score of 5-1. The undefeated Huskies, led by coaches Tara Schneider and Tracy Zimmerman, were virtually unstoppable this season while completing their undefeated season. In route to the championship the Huskies defeated Rishel 9-0 and cross town powerhouse Morey 3-0.
The boys’ baseball team showed the same resolve in completing one of the most difficult feats to accomplish in sports….A THREE PEAT. The Huskies, led by coach Lee Lampert, displayed tremendous hitting power against the Centennial Prospectors on their way to the 2008 championship. Pitcher Tony Yacovetta showed tremendous poise in keeping the bats cold for the Prospectors.Hamilton won the game 7-1.
News and Events
Nuggets Avalanche Athlete of the Year Award Click here Nuggets Athlete of the Yearfor the nomination process.
News and Events
Smiley Middle School and Hamilton Claims Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Championships
The Smiley Cougar Girls’ Basketball team outpaced the MLK Panthers last night in front of a large crowd at Bruce Randolph Middle School to earn the title of Middle School Basketball Champions for 2008. The Panthers of MLK battled hard and displayed some impressive defense against the Cougars. Je’Nae Hardy and Jamesha Briscoe led the Cougars down the stretch by spreading the floor and forcing MLK to foul. Eventually the Smiley Cougars outlasted the Panthers for the win. The final score was 22-18. This is the 3rd Championship in a row for the Cougars.
The boys’ championship was a hard fought battle with both teams showing impressive dribbling and passing skills. Both teams came into the contest with undefeated records. Hamilton took an early lead in the game but the Eagles of Henry showed great poise in mounting a comeback. Minutes into the 3rd quarter Hamilton’s dominant center Eric Andres suffered a sprained ankle and the Eagles were able to close the gap. Andres returned later in the 4th quarter and took over the game on the offensive and defensive end. The final score was 32-25.
The Denver Nuggets/Colorado Avalanche Prep League has been a success since its inception in 1997. By creating a sports league (volleyball, basketball, soccer, cross country, baseball, softball and flag football) for boys and girls in 22 DPS middle schools, more than 3,200 middle school students maintain good grades in the classroom in order to participate in games. The existence of this academic requirement helps students develop good study habits and appreciate the importance of maintaining good grades in order to have the privilege of playing organized sports.
The participating middle schools are: Centennial, Grant Ranch K-8, Grant, Hamilton, Henry, Hill, Horace Mann, Kepner, Kunsmiller, Lake, Martin Luther King Jr., Merrill, Moore K-8, Morey, Noel, Park Hill K-8, Place, Randolph, Rishel, Skinner, Slavens K-8 and Smiley.
The League is funded primarily by grants from the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche Community Funds, FSN Rocky Mountain, Colorado Rockies and the Denver Public Schools Foundation.
The Denver Nuggets Community Fund and the Colorado Avalanche Community Fund have together made grants totaling more than $1.5 million to the DPS Prep League since 1998. The DPS Foundation plays a significant role in helping the students in Denver Public Schools.
News and Events
Ida Jeng wins Nugget for a Day Award
Ida Jeng, 8th grade student at Martin Luther King Jr. Early college won the Nugget of the Day award for the month of December.
She was recognized in an
assembly at school by Mark Randall, a former player for the Denver Nuggets and current Community Ambassador.
She received a Carmelo Anthony Jersey, and 2 tickets to a Nugget practice where she received many autographs and pictures
including this nice pose with
NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony.
She was also awarded with 4 catered suite tickets to the Nuggets/Hornets game on 12/12. Ida is a softball
player, community volunteer and she is a great role model to the students of MLK.
Winners of FSN Scholastic Award Program
Fox Sports Rocky Mountain has teamed up with the Denver Public Schools Foundation to highlight the DPS Prep League’s commitment to sportsmanship, sound academic performance, leadership, citizenship, and bright futures. Now that the season has come to a close, we are pleased to announce the winners of the fall 2007 Prep League Scholastic Awards Program. After reviewing all of the teacher evaluations and student submissions, the following teams were selected by the Awards committee for their outstanding performance both in the classroom and in their respective sports:
- Volleyball- Hamilton
- Boys Soccer- Morey Middle School
- Flag Football- Rachel Noel
- Cross Country- Hill Middle School
- Softball- Martin Luther King
To honor these teams and their accomplishments, we are pleased to invite all team members, coaches, and parents to a special awards ceremony on November 15th. Each team member will be presented with a complimentary Scholastic Awards tee shirt and medal. The event will be held at Morey Middle School from 4-6 PM. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.
Additionally, we are proud to announce that Alanna Rizzo from Fox Sports Rocky Mountain will be on-hand to host the event on behalf of our sponsor. FSN Rocky Mountain is in their third year as a partner of the DPS Foundation and their first year as the presenting sponsor of the Prep League Scholastic Awards.
We would encourage all parents, coaches, and teachers to attend the event and honor the Award recipients! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments you might have. I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday.