Like a point guard hitting an open teammate with a clever pass, there was a satisfying connection made over the May 12-14 weekend during the Colorado’s Finest Exhibition basketball event produced by Triple Crown Basketball.
Held at Regis University in Denver, the tournament brought eight 17u club programs together (six of Colorado’s best, one from Washington state and one from New Mexico) for a cause close to their hearts, as admission fees and concessions sales were directed to the Colorado Women’s Sports Fund Association. The CWSFA is active in many spaces when it comes to athletics; these proceeds help fuel the 25 $500 Opportunity Gifts for individuals and the 10 $500 grants that go to non-profit organizations also designed to help the cause of women and girls in sports. Athletes of all ages are encouraged to apply for these grants – anyone from a 4-year-old gymnast to a 65-year-old skeleton/sledder have been recipients. You can apply through the organization’s website (www.cwsfa.org) from Sept. 1-Nov. 1 for the Opportunity Gifts, and Nov. 1-Dec. 31 for the grants. Awards are announced in February, in conjunction with National Girls & Women In Sports Day. Through eight years of the program, the CWSFA has awarded more than $135,000. “We are very thankful to be hosting this event, and (for) anything that gives back to women’s sports. Regis is obviously a service institution, and we pride ourselves in serving others,” said Regis women’s head coach Molly Marrin. “It’s a beautiful combination, and we’re excited to be a part of it.” The event also offered a high-energy recruiting opportunity for a number of regional college and junior college programs: Fort Lewis: Head Coach Jason Flores, Assistant Coach Maylinn Smith Regis: Head Coach Molly Marrin, Assistant Coach Taylor Harris Western State: Head Coach Lora Westling Metro State University of Denver: Head Coach Tanya Haave, Assistant Coach David Wells UCCS: Head Coach Lynn Plett, Assistant Coach Liz Doran CCU: Head Coach Corey Laster, Assistant Coach Jon Asp Otero Junior College: Head Coach Taylor Shaffer Colorado College: Head Coach Katherine Menendez South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: Assistant Coach Hope Bonlander Johnson & Wales University: Assistant Coach John Stene Western Nebraska CC: Head Coach Chad Gibney |