Where good news shines

University of Denver basketball coach Tim Bergstraser was named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, given annually to the top first-time head coach in Division I college basketball.

Bergstraser led the Pioneers to a 15-16 regular season and a tie for fourth place in the Summit League in his first campaign in charge of the program. Denver finished 8-8 in the Summit League regular season, its first league campaign at .500 or better in eight years. The Pioneers fell to North Dakota on Friday in the Summit League quarterfinals.

Bergstraser recruited 11 new players to the Pios’ roster, including four from his previous job at Minnesota State Moorhead in Division II. One of those four, Carson Johnson, was named the Summit League’s Player of the Year on Tuesday.

The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis during the Final Four.

(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at [email protected].)