Archie Manning – Keynote Speaker

Archie`s appeal transcends his athletic achievements. People far and wide have been inspired by his warm personality, his drive and sense of humor. He was recently selected as one of 10 outstanding New Orleanians by Family Service of Greater New Orleans and named Hornblower of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America (New Orleans Chapter). He currently serves in public relations and consulting capacities for several local, regional and national companies. He hosts four Archie Manning Cystic Fibrosis benefit golf tournaments in Louisiana and Mississippi and is active in a wide variety of charitable and civic causes.  Archie was born May 19, 1949, in Drew, Mississippi. He attended the University of Mississippi where he was named an All-American Quarterback and is the only Ole Miss player to have his number retired. He was voted Mississippi`s Greatest All-Time Athlete in 1992, and recently named Mississippi`s Most Popular Athlete of the Century. He was elected to the 50-Year All-South Team (1940-1990), named one of the Top 25 Athletes of the Century in Louisiana and he and his son Peyton were named among the 100 All-Time Greatest College Football Players. Archie was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame and is a member of other Halls of Fame including Louisiana and Mississippi.  While in pro football, he received the Byron "Whizzer" White Humanitarian Award, the Bart Starr Humanitarian Award, the Spirit of Good Sports Award from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and the U.S. Jaycees named him one of 10 Outstanding Young Americans.  His community activities include Louisiana Special Olympics, the New Orleans Area Boy Scout Council, the Salvation Army, United Way Speakers Bureau, NOKIA Sugar Bowl Committee, New Orleans Sports Foundation, and National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Board of Directors.  Archie and his wife Olivia reside in New Orleans and have three sons, Cooper, Peyton and Eli.

Ray Baker - Gold Crown Foundation Co-Founder and Chairman

Ray Baker is the co-founder and chairman of the Gold Crown Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to improving the lives of Colorado ’s children through athletics and education.  He founded the organization in 1986 with the help of then Denver Nuggets guard Bill Hanzlik. Ray has watched the growth of the Foundation’s athletic programs from a one-week summer girl’s basketball camp with an enrollment of 150 to its current level of providing more than 35,000 opportunities annually for participants ages 6-18 in numerous programs including basketball, golf, volleyball, lacrosse, technology and art. The Gold Crown Foundation also owns and operates two outstanding youth facilities, the Gold Crown Field House and Coca-Cola All Star Park .  A highly regarded Denver businessman, Ray has been involved in banking and real estate for over 35 years and has played an active role in numerous real estate transactions throughout the metropolitan Denver region, Pueblo and the Western Slope.  He has been instrumental in changing the face of Denver's sports scene by serving as the chair of both the Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District and the Denver Metropolitan Football Stadium District, helping to ensure that both stadiums were completed on time and on budget.  Outside of Gold Crown Foundation Ray has served on many boards and commissions in government, non-profits, and professional organizations.  As head coach Ray led the Lakewood High School girl's softball team to two state championships in 1997 and 1998 and was named Coach of the Year by the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News and the Jefferson County Schools Athletic Directors.

Governor John Hickenlooper - Governor of Colorado

A geologist-turned brewpub pioneer who had never run for political office (not even student council) before being elected Mayor of Denver in 2003, John Hickenlooper was elected Governor of Colorado in November 2010. He took office two months later. His ambition for the state is even bigger than his name. Gov. Hickenlooper, drawing on his diverse background as an exploration geologist and restaurateur, is bringing bright, creative leadership and innovative thinking to the state Capitol. His boundless energy and Western spirit of collaboration are generating tremendous optimism and confidence in Colorado’s future.

Mayor Bob Murphy - Mayor of Lakewood

Bob served on the Lakewood Planning Commission from 1994-1999.  He was elected to two terms on Lakewood City Council, serving from 1999-2007.  In 2007 he was elected Mayor of Colorado’s fourth largest city.  Bob is a past chair of the Metro Mayors Caucus, an organization of 40 mayors working collaboratively on many issues, including regional planning, economic development, environmental, health & wellness and legislative matters.  He also is the Chair of the Metro Mayors Caucus FasTracks Task Force.  He has also collaborated with other public and private sector individuals on many key pieces of legislation, at both the State and Federal level.  Bob is the recipient of the Jefferson Economic Council’s 2010 Elected Official of the Year award as well as the 2012 Distinguished Service Award from the Denver Regional Council of Governments.  His wife Ina is a 32-year Flight Attendant with United Airlines and owns a jewelry manufacturing business. Daughter Erin, has a B.A. and M.A.T. from Colorado College and is a teacher in the Jefferson County School District .  Son Cole is a student at Metro State .  All three are graduates of Lakewood High School .  Bob is the owner of a Lakewood-based food brokerage firm.

Scott Blackmun - CEO US Olympic Committee

Scott Blackmun became the chief executive officer of the United States Olympic Committee in January 2010. He was also a senior executive at the USOC from January 1999-October 2001, serving as general counsel; deputy executive director; senior managing director for sport; and, from October 2000-October 2001, acting chief executive officer.  Prior to joining the USOC, Blackmun practiced law in Colorado as a partner with Holme Roberts & Owen LLP (1988-93 and 2006-09) and Hogan & Hartson (1994-98). From 2002-06, he served as the chief operating officer of Anschutz Entertainment Group, one of the world’s largest, most respected presenters of sports and entertainment events.  Blackmun is a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Marketing Commission and currently serves on the board of directors of the USOC; National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition; and the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corporation. In the past, he has served as a board member for Major League Soccer, the California Chamber of Commerce, the National Soccer Hall of Fame and numerous local charitable organizations in Colorado and Los Angeles.  Blackmun graduated summa cum laude in 1979 from Dartmouth College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and was a member of the varsity soccer team for four years. He received a law degree from Stanford Law School in 1982.  Blackmun and his wife Ann live in Colorado Springs with their three children.

Joe Ellis - President of Denver Broncos

Joe Ellis enters his second season as President of the Denver Broncos in 2012, a year that marks his 18^th season with the franchise. Named the Broncos’ President on Jan. 5, 2011, Ellis owns extensive experience and expertise at both the club and league level through his 25 seasons working in the NFL.  In his current position as team president, Ellis operates atop the Broncos’ management structure and has primary responsibility for the organization. Having worked with Owner and Chief Executive Officer Pat Bowlen for nearly 30 years, he has been entrusted with substantial authority regarding all aspects of the Broncos. Ellis’ leadership skills and business knowledge have helped the Broncos strengthen their reputation as one of the most successful and fan-friendly franchises in all of professional sports. Ellis brings a comprehensive understanding of what the Denver Broncos mean to the state and surrounding community. Ellis worked closely with Mr. Bowlen to hire John Elway as executive vice president of football operations in January 2011, bringing back the Broncos’ Hall of Fame quarterback and giving him the responsibility of building a championship football team. Ellis’ numerous responsibilities with the club’s business operations include overseeing its financial management, marketing and sales, media relations, community relations, ticket operations, facilities and administrative efforts.  He began his nearly 20-year relationship with the Broncos in 1983 as their director of marketing, leading all of the club’s marketing and promotions for three seasons.  Ellis left the Broncos following the 1985 season to obtain his master’s degree from Northwestern University. After graduating in 1988 and joined the NFL in 1990 as vice president of club administration and stadium management.  Ellis worked closely with Roger Goodell during his time at the league office, building a strong professional association and friendship with the future NFL commissioner.  A representative of the Broncos on numerous boards and civic organizations in the metropolitan area.

Tom Green - KWGN Daybreak Morning Show Anchor

Tom Green anchors the Emmy-award winning Daybreak, the morning show which airs on KWGN from 5-9 a.m. Monday through Friday.  Tom is a news and sports veteran within the Denver market, with more than twenty years experience and 10 Emmy awards.  Tom made the transition to news anchor when he joined KWGN after three years as the main sports anchor at KMGH-TV (ABC) in Denver, CO. Tom's experience also includes play-by-play, color and sideline reporting for ABC and Fox Sports, hosting a national game show (Sports On Tap) for ESPN. Tom also was radio host for KKFN-AM where he inaugurated shows featuring then-Nuggets head coaches Doug Moe and Dan Issel. Previously Tom was sports anchor for more than 13 years for KUSA-TV ( NBC) in Denver, CO after working for ESPN.  In addition to 10 Emmy awards, Tom was named the Colorado Sportscaster of the Year 4 times by the National sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.  Tom grew up in New York, and attended Ithaca College.

 Paul Angelico – CHSAA Commissioner

Paul is a 1972 graduate of Wasson High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Business and Economics in 1977. He also competed for the Bears’ mens’ gymnastics team. He is currently working toward an MBA with an emphasis in Management. Prior to joining the CHSAA in 1990, Angelico was activities director and business manager, girls’ gymnastics coach and student council advisor for Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs (1979-89). Prior to his stint at Air Academy, Angelico was a business education teacher, boys’ and girls’ gymnastics coach, student council advisor and activities director for Coronado High School (1977-79). Angelico, 55, was president of A & R Sports Corporation’s gymnastics school in Colorado Springs (1977-82) and served as chairman of the Colorado Springs Gymnastics Games Committee which hosted 20 national and international gymnastics competitions for the United States Gymnastics Federation.

Derek Chaney - District AD Douglas County Schools

Derek played basketball at Green Mountain High School where he was recognized as the MVP of the Jefferson County League and earned All-State honors.  He continued his basketball career at the University of Northern Colorado.  At UNC, he graduated as the 3rd all-time leading scorer, 2nd in career assists, and the school leader in 3 pointers made.  He was also a 3-time All-Academic NCC 1st team selection during his career at UNC.  He was inducted into the UNC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.  After he finished his playing career, he became the head boys basketball coach at Lakewood High School at the age of 23.  After teaching and coaching for 5 years at Lakewood, he became the athletic director at Dakota Ridge High School.  He then moved to ThunderRidge High School in Douglas County, where he was an assistant principal and activities director.  In 2010, Derek became the District Activities and Athletics Director for Douglas County School District.  In this role, he also oversees Student Leadership and Student Wellness for DCSD.

 Kerry Cremeans – DU Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Former Auburn University Associate Head Coach Kerry Cremeans was named Head Coach of the University of Denver women's basketball team in April of 2012. Cremeans spent eight seasons at Auburn, including the last two as the program's associate head coach, and is widely regarded as one of the top recruiters in the country. Cremeans arrives at Denver with more than 18 years of coaching experience. A 1994 graduate of Florida and four-year basketball letter-winner, Cremeans served on the coaching staff of her alma mater in 2003-04 after spending seven years as the top recruiter at Purdue under legendary head coach Nell Fortner. During her time at Purdue, Cremeans helped the Boilermakers to an impressive 181-49 record and seven consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. During the 1999 season, Cremeans played an instrumental role in leading Purdue to an unprecedented 34-1 record and an NCAA title. In seven seasons at Purdue, Cremeans helped lead the Boilermakers to four Big Ten Tournament titles (1998, 1999, 2000 and 2003) and three regular season conference titles (1999, 2001 and 2002). During her time at Florida, Cremeans aided in the resurgence of the then-struggling Gator program, leading them to a 19-11 overall record in 2003-04. Cremeans started her coaching career in 1994 as an assistant women's basketball coach at Kentucky. Cremeans earned her degree in exercise science from Florida in 1994 and her master's in sport management from Kentucky in 2004. A GTE Academic All-American, she helped lead the Gators to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the first two in the school's history. She concluded her career at Florida as the all-time leader in three-pointers made.

 Steve Markel - Founder & Chairman of Families of Character

Steve is Founder and Chairman of Families of Character. Families of Character is a parenting program that helps parents develop virtues in themselves and their children. Several hundred parents are currently enrolled in the course. Before developing Families of Character, Steve and Nancy organized talks, discussions and other parenting programs in the Denver area .  Prior to developing Families of Character, Steve was a Senior Vice President at American Funds for 21 years.  American Funds is the Distribution Company for the Capital Group which is one of the oldest and largest money management organizations in the U.S., managing over $1.5 trillion for over 3 million investors, at the point of his retirement.  Steve was responsible for the distribution of  Mutual Funds and Annuities to the retail brokerage community.  He spoke on a local and national level to Advisors on the economy, the financial markets, working with the retail customer and the particular application of American Funds to the retail customer.  Steve’s division at the time of his departure had over $1 billion in sales.  Prior to American Funds Steve was the Director  of Franchise Development for Companies such as; U.S. Electronics (a regional retailer of audio, video and computer equipment) and National Indoor Advertising (an indoor advertising organization).  Steve serves on several boards in his community and has been a speaker at both a local and national conferences on “Developing Successful Families”.  He and his wife Nancy have 5 children and have 5 grand children.

Tracy Maxwell – HazingPrevention.org Executive Director

Tracy is the founder and Executive Director of HazingPrevention.Org, headquartered in Denver. Tracy has worked in and around higher education throughout her career. She has written extensively on the subject of hazing, been interviewed by a number of media outlets including ABC News, the New York Times and NPR, and appeared as a guest this spring on ESPN's Outside the Lines. Prior to founding HazingPrevention.Org, she was the executive director of CAMPUSPEAK, the nation’s premier agency for educational speakers and programs of interest to college students. Maxwell holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Western Kentucky University and a master’s in organizational communication from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. She served in a consulting role as Greek solutions coordinator for the National Interfraternity and Panhellenic Conferences, then as coordinator of Greek Life and community service at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater before joining CAMPUSPEAK.

Staci McCormack – Douglas County School District

Staci has served in a variety of educational arenas for over 25 years and is currently the Douglas County School District Student Wellness Coordinator. As a former high school teacher, guidance counselor and principal, Staci is able to bring a varied background to her current role as Douglas County School District’s Student Wellness Coordinator. She is an expert in working with parents, staff and students in creating organizational cultures that promote respect and acceptance.

Don Moseley – Ralston House Executive Director

Don has been the Executive Director of Ralston House since 2006. He has worked with victims of crime, homeless families, abused and neglected children and youth, and adults suffering with long-term mental illness. He currently serves as Chair of the Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement Board for the First Judicial District; he is a member of the Jefferson County Fatality Review Committee; and is Past President of the Colorado Children's Alliance. He was a member of the First Judicial District’s Crime Victim Compensation Board for six years. Before coming to Ralston House, Mr. Moseley worked at Family Tree as a managing director. Mr. Moseley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management and is a Colorado Trust Fellow.

K. Brooke Pengel, MD – Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children

Dr. Pengel regularly presents lectures to local physicians, coaches and parents on issues related to the prevention and treatment of youth sports injuries. Dr. Pengel is also active in sports-related community service, serving for example, as a team physician for numerous high schools throughout the Denver metropolitan area. In addition, Dr. Pengel has presented nationally on sports medicine topics and she has authored several book chapters on sports medicine. As a result of her dedication to the field of sports medicine, Dr. Pengel was recognized in 2009 as a “Top Doctor” in the field of Sports Medicine (as published in 5280 magazine). Dr. Pengel has appeared on Channels 4, 7, 9 as a local expert on various youth sports medicine topics.

Mitchell Seemann, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Seemann is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine, Arthroscopic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Knee and Shoulder. He completed his medical degree at the Medical School of Ohio in Toledo. For his internship and residency, Dr. Seemann attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. After determining his specialty would be sports medicine, and in particular injuries to the shoulder and knee, he completed fellowship training at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. Dr. Seemann is a former staff physician for the US Women's Ski Team. Currently, Dr. Seemann is a Colorado Delegate to the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). Dr. Seemann stays involved with local athletes through his work as the Medical Director of Jefferson County Athletic Trainers and a member of the Medical Team for the PGA and LPGA and received the honor of "Top Doc" 2005/2006/2012 in the Denver magazine, 5280.

Abby Waner – DU Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach

Abby joined DU this year after working in television as an analyst for both ESPN and The Mountain Network for the past four years. As a collegiate athlete Abby was a standout women's basketball player at Duke University, where she was a two-time preseason National Player of the Year candidate (2008, 2009), honorable mention All-American (2008) and three-time All-ACC selection (2006-09). Waner also graduated from Duke as the school's all-time leader in three-point field goals made, as well as a member of the 2006 Duke Final Four team. Among numerous other achievements, Waner also earned three gold medals with USA Basketball and was selected 21st overall by the New York Liberty in the 2009 WNBA Draft. At ThunderRidge High School Waner was National High School Coaches Association's National Player of the Year in 2005, as well as being named Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American. Waner led Thunder Ridge to three Colorado State titles, while being named Miss Colorado Basketball twice during her high school career (2004, 2005). Waner was also recognized as the Colorado Sportswoman of the Year in 2006. She graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2009, and was a three-time All-ACC Academic Team selection (2007-09). Waner was also named to ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-District III Team in 2007 and 2008.