Through the years, Steve Schuck says he’s tried to get former Presidents George Herbert Walker Bush and George W. Bush to come to Colorado for one award, ceremony, christening or another.
But he admits that each attempt — even when he tried to name drop his personal relationship with Karl Rove, W’s former senior adviser — was nothing more than an effort in futility.
“I never got to first base,” said Schuck, a Colorado Springs real estate developer and former Republican candidate for governor. “I never even got to stand in the batter’s box.”
Which is why Schuck is as amazed as anyone that George W. Bush is coming to Colorado Springs in April to receive the Lion’s Heart Award from Colorado Springs Christian Schools.
“I guess persistence does pay off,” Schuck said. “But I’ll tell you, I’m not surprised. He does stuff like this all the time.”
“He” is Roland DeRenzo, Colorado Springs Christian Schools’ CEO/superintendent. The school has 900 K-12 students on two campuses.
The award being presented to Bush is the cornerstone of the school’s annual fundraiser. And although circumstance has it that the former president’s visit coincides with the school’s 40th anniversary, DeRenzo said the process of securing the appearance was years in the making.
Just before he left office, the school asked Bush to join them for its 2009 gala.
“That didn’t work out,” DeRenzo said. “He kind of went into a sabbatical, where he was away from the public eye. But this past fall we contacted him and tried to resurrect the request.”
The school made another formal proposal and sat back and waited for Bush to finish his book tour.
The invitation was accepted in December.
The Lion’s Heart Award honors outstanding contributions in education and has traditionally been given to locals, including event co-chair Schuck and former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer, who chairs the state Board of Education.
DeRenzo said the school thought it could veer from tradition for Bush.
“We felt we could make an exception in this case because of his work in education as a governor (of Texas) and as president,” DeRenzo said. “There’s the ‘No Child Left Behind’ legislation and the passion he and Mrs. Bush have. We thought he fit the criteria.”
Bush, who according to published reports has been receiving in the vicinity of $150,000 for speaking engagements since leaving office, will be the keynote speaker at the gala.
To help underwrite the event, CSCS is offering sponsorship opportunities ranging from a $250 individual ticket to a “signature event sponsor,” including seating for four at the former president’s table, two other tables with seating for 10 and a VIP reception and photo opportunity.
All for just $50,000.
“We have several people who are considering it,” DeRenzo said.
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com
