Denver Athletics – Home of Champions
Across 18 sports, Denver Athletics consistently contends with some of the largest and best-funded programs nationwide.
Currently ranked fourteenth among U.S. universities in NCAA Division I team national championships (35), our student-athletes also boast a 96% graduation success rate, and a 3.59 annual average GPA.
Denver Athletics transforms student-athletes into leaders, champions, and agents of positive change. Through our distinctive 4D Experience, Pioneers are empowered to become champions – in athletics, academics, and life.
Denver Hockey
By capturing our 10th National Championship in April 2024, DU solidified it's legacy as the top program in college hockey. This accomplishment, 75 years in the making, was made possible by countless alumni, coaches, staff, fans, and supporters.
Now chasing championship #11, philanthropic support is more important than ever as we look to sustain and elevate this proud program to even greater heights.
Need for Support
Among the program's top funding priorities is growing their operational endowment, the Murray Armstrong Men’s Hockey Student-Athlete Enhancement Fund.
This endowment provides a long-term funding source for the program, ensuring they are equipped with the resources required to develop and empower Pioneers to compete for championships and become leaders and great men on and off the ice.
Current Examples:
- Charter travel – Each costing roughly $100,000
- Post practice nutrition – $2,000 per week ($35,000 per season)
- Elite equipment room resources
- Sport medicine enhancements
- Student-athlete support
Murray Armstrong Men’s Hockey Student-Athlete Enhancement Fund
No person has left a more indelible mark on the program’s success than legendary Head Coach Murray “The Chief” Armstrong. Coach Armstrong was directly responsible for laying the foundation and framework for the overall continued success of DU Hockey.
Leading the Pioneers from 1956-1977, Armstrong guided DU to five NCAA Championships in 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968, and 1969. The number of on-ice accomplishments for the program was rivaled only by the positive impact Armstrong had on the lives of countless student-athletes at DU. Armstrong regularly noted that among his proudest life accomplishments was “all the fine young men” whose lives he touched.
Overall Record of 460-215-31
5 NCAA Championships
11 WCHA Tournament Championships
11 NCAA Tournament appearances
In January 2022 DU Hockey alum, Dave Paderski paid tribute to Murray Armstrong by establishing a new endowed fund in Murray’s memory that will serve a dual purpose in honoring Coach Armstrong while continuing to enhance the championship level resources provided to our hockey student-athletes. Gifts are invested with the principal amount preserved in perpetuity. A portion of the investment’s annual earnings is distributed to the program each year, while the principal remains untouched, allowing the endowment to grow over time.
This creates a sustainable, perpetual source of income that supports DU Hockey's strategic goals and long-term initiatives.
Funding Progress:
As of May 2025, we have received $3 million in total commitments in support of the fund.
Current market value: $581,000
+ Outstanding pledge balances
+ Testamentary bequest commitments
= Total progress to date: $3,073,413.
Estimated current annual distribution (4.5% of market value): $26,145
"This fund will allow our program to stay at the cutting edge of college hockey by enhancing the opportunities and resources available to our student-athletes... The fund will ensure the legacy of Murray Armstrong, builder of DU Hockey, is felt forever."
David Carle
Richard & Kitzia Goodman Denver Hockey Head Coach
Request for Support
Private support is vital to DU Hockey's continued success. We sincerely hope that you will consider leaving a mark of your legacy with a gift in support of the Murray Armstrong Men’s Hockey Student-Athlete Enhancement Fund.
You can help us reach our goals by making a gift of cash, appreciated securities, or real estate, a distribution from your IRA or Donor-Advised Fund, or a pledge of up to five years. Additionally, you can help ensure the long-term sustainability of the fund by including DU as a beneficiary of your will, trust or retirement account. The University of Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making your entire donation tax-deductible.
Thank you for your consideration. Please contact Kacie Dohrmann, Deputy Athletic Director for Development at 303-871-7675 or Kacie.Dohrmann@du.edu for more information.