From the Chancellor

Character and Grit

You can’t spell “champion” without PIO!   

With our latest NCAA hockey title, the Pioneers are now the owners of a record 11 national championships. The pride we feel, as DU community members, as alumni, and as Denverites, is unmatched.  

What made this win special wasn’t only seeing our team out on the ice hoisting the trophy­­—it was the character and grit that made it all possible. Character development is a major component of our DU 4D Experience, and this year’s hockey team demonstrated grit and determination in big ways. Throughout the season, they dug deep, stayed connected to one another, and remained focused on their goal. And when the final two games tightened, they trusted their training, trusted each other, and delivered.   

Another way the team showed character was in what they chose to say after the final buzzer. Our coaches and student-athletes turned outward, thanking those who supported them throughout the season. They spoke about how the energy in the arena mattered, how support behind the scenes made the difference during games that went into double overtime, and how the championship belonged to more than the players on the ice.  

At DU, “team sports” means everyone. It includes the faculty and staff who support our student-athletes in visible and invisible ways, the students who show up and bring the noise, and the alumni who travel, cheer, and give back year after year. This championship belongs to all of us in Denver. From neighborhood watch parties to packed bars and living rooms, the city rallied behind DU. When fans and leaders call this region “Hockey Town,” they’re recognizing that DU is Denver’s home for championship-winning college sports.   

That’s the Pioneer standard. It’s reflected in how they played and won, how they represented DU and Denver on a national stage, and how, even while performing at elite athletic levels, they can also boast a 3.74 team GPA. Eleven national championships is record-breaking and galvanizing. We have something special here at DU. Congratulations again to our entire hockey program, and to every alum and fan who helped fuel this incredible season. Go Pios!   

Jeremy Haefner 
Chancellor