Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Olympic moguls skier Jeremy Bloom were chosen Tuesday for two awards given by the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and will be honored April 18 at the induction banquet at the Marriott City Center Hotel.
Bailey was selected pro athlete of the year for his performance during the Broncos’ 13-3 regular season. Only three players in the NFL this season had more interceptions than Bailey’s eight, and Bailey returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Bloom, bound for the Winter Olympics next month in Turin, Italy, was selected the top performer in world and Olympic events. He holds a record six consecutive World Cup victories in one season.
Awaiting their Hall of Fame inductions are Ceal Barry, former women’s basketball coach at the University of Colorado; former Broncos safety Dennis Smith; Davis Phinney, an Olympian in cycling; former high school coaches Tom Hancock (Lakewood football) and Pat Patten (Boulder wrestling); and Bill Hybl, former chair- president of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Special awards also will go to: high school girls, Abby Waner, basketball; high school boys, Tony Mustari, wrestling; college women, Loree Smith, Colorado State, track and field; and college men, Marty Sertich, Colorado College, hockey.
Special citations will go to: University of Denver hockey and ski teams; Colorado Crush, football; Colorado Eagles, hockey; Horst Richardson, CC, soccer; Torbin Walters, wrestling; Chealsea Taylor, track and field; Colorado Chill, basketball; Adams State cross country and track; Gary Gait, Colorado Mammoth; LenDale White, football; and Mark Simpson, CU, golf.
