Author: Derek Kessinger

Leadership Questions for the Broncos and Buffs

Scandals for Colorado’s biggest sports institutions make it harder to enjoy sports as a safe-haven, Kessinger says.

“That’s when I really knew that I was alone.”

That line keeps coming back to me. With so many moments where sports served as a safe place in my life, it’s jarring to think of sports isolating someone else. Continue reading “Leadership Questions for the Broncos and Buffs”

We Were the Worst: That New Colorado Buffaloes Feeling

Since graduating from the University of Colorado, I have often felt in tandem with the football program. The Buffaloes tried to improve while I worked to find my footing in the professional world.  CU football mimicked post-college life rather than college.

I would watch the Buffs try in vain to win games against tough competition. There would be signs of obvious improvement on the field, but not on the scoreboard. The Buffaloes struggle and hard work may finally be paying off. Continue reading “We Were the Worst: That New Colorado Buffaloes Feeling”

Ex-Coach Patrick Roy has no ring to it

Derek Kessinger is a graduate of the University of Colorado who has covered Denver sports, and in particular hockey, for several years. He appears on 5280 Sports Network as a guest commentator.

Patrick Roy made a selfish move. The NHL Draft was six weeks ago, and Joe Sakic made it clear at that time that the team would move forward with its core. That’s Sakic, the Avalanche’s vice president of hockey operations and general manager — and Coach Roy’s boss. So if the media and fans knew, the Avalanche’s coach and VP must have also known.

So what’s he been doing for the past six weeks? Continue reading “Ex-Coach Patrick Roy has no ring to it”

We Can’t Just Trust You Again Denver Nuggets

It’s been over a year since the Denver Nuggets fired Brian Shaw. The Nuggets are retooled with enough young talent to soon make basketball in Denver fun again. Their coach, Michael Malone, is well respected around the league and is held with reverence among difficult players. The Nuggets have been better than expected this year, but are not playoff ready.

However, Denver doesn’t trust the Denver Nuggets. Continue reading “We Can’t Just Trust You Again Denver Nuggets”

A Walk to Reclaim Colfax

“I’m already to downtown Denver?” It was a May morning, and Liz Thomas had begun her urban hike down Colfax Avenue around 7:30 a.m. near Genesee Park. Now, she saw a church tower in the distance—the change in neighborhood keying her into her downtown approach. She wore a headlamp on her chest and a yellow vest as she walked against traffic on a route that included navigating stretches without sidewalks or shade. Oddly, the church tower only broke the skyline of a strip mall, Thomas realized as she drew closer, which caused her to laugh out loud. She was only to Casa Bonita.

Continue Reading: http://www.5280.com/travelandoutdoors/digital/2015/06/walk-reclaim-colfax

Amid Colorado Rockies’ Woes, Arenado Era Begins

After a Colorado Rockies victory, it’s a common sight—Nolan Arenado holding audience with the assembled media in the clubhouse. In his third Major League season, Arenado’s maturity at the plate is reflected in his thoughtful answers to questions about unbelievable fielding plays and rising home run totals. At 24 years of age, the two-time Gold Glove winner is trying to carry the Rockies to higher ground. It’s his team after all.

Continue Reading: http://www.5280.com/news/sports/digital/2015/06/amid-colorado-rockies-woes-arenado-era-begins

Rockies 162: A Tweet a Game

The #Rox162 project captures the reason each Colorado Rockies game is memorable in their 2015 campaign with a single tweet.

With 162 games, the individual games within a baseball season can run together. However, even the seemingly random games have moments that fans remember months later. While no one is picking the Colorado Rockies to make the World Series, the #Rox162 project captures the reason each Rockies game is memorable in their 2015 campaign with a single tweet. To suggest future summaries send tweets to @DerekinDenver with the hashtag #Rox162

Continue reading “Rockies 162: A Tweet a Game”

The Joy of the Rockies’ Opening Day

You can find reasons to admonish almost everything about the Colorado Rockies—from the mascot to the management. But you must admit, Denver does opening day right. Fans literally paint the town purple as though they are paying homage to Katharine Lee Bates’s famous line in “America the Beautiful”: “For purple mountain majesties.” Fans pack LoDo bars hours before the first pitch, then stroll down to the local diamond—Coors Field. While Dinger is the unwelcome relative at the party, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” greets your ears like an old friend. Patrons pack the park from the rooftop bar to the outfield concourse in hopes of a home run and a Rockies victory.

Continue Reading http://www.5280.com/news/sports/digital/2015/04/joy-rockies-opening-day