Long before Colorado Rockies Todd Helton, Matt Holliday and Troy Tulowitzki became the toasts of the town, there was a fellow named Bill Hanzlik who played guard for the Denver Nuggets.
He arrived here by way of a trade from the Seattle SuperSonics and for eight seasons his skill on the basketball court helped propel the Nuggets to the National Basketball Association playoffs. That and his easygoing manner made him one of the city’s most popular athletes.
His popularity certainly endures, and on a night that Coors Field was filled with baseball fans watching the Rockies move one step closer to the World Series, another big crowd was at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center to see Hanzlik honored at the 11th Red Wagon Ball.
He received the 2007 Friend of Children Award, which Advocates for Children gives to individuals who go out of their way to help youngsters in need.
In 1986, Hanzlik teamed with businessman Ray Baker to start the Gold Crown Foundation.
It has grown from a one- week summer basketball camp for girls to a year- round sports and character development program that will reach 35,000 boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 18 this year alone.
“Both of our organizations are focused on a child’s best interests,” Hanzlik noted, “But for the abused and neglected children you serve, the stakes are much higher and the services are so much more critical.”
The ball raised $250,000 thanks to ticket sales, sponsorships, auctions, and a pair of $50,000 outright contributions from Shellie and Simon Moore of Town & Country Foods and Karen and Larry Lommen of L&K Ranch.
Amy Krza, whose husband, Mike, heads the Advocates for Children board, chaired the ball, working with Catherine Bowman, Shannon Mackenzie, Bev Hachmeister, Stephanie Mackey, Meg Harry, Karen Svendsen, Amy Leonard, Samantha Tanenholtz, Val Lunka and Glory Weisberg.
Hanzlik was accompanied by his wife, Maribeth, and son, Robbie. The 350 guests also included Kris and Wes Becker, Fran and Ray Baker, Graham and Heather Benes, Ramey and Max Caulkins, Jim and Shery Galbreath, Marshall and Joyce Gottesfeld, Steve and Karen Gottesfeld, Tim and Angie Romani, April and Mark Zesbaugh, Kirby and Jeff Joseph, Tom and Tammy Krause, auctioneer Gary Corbett, Advocates for Children volunteer Bev Hachmeister, and mistress of ceremonies Libby Weaver of Fox-31.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also contributes at blogs.denverpost
