John Branch (Bus’89; MJour’96), reporter, The New York Times

John Branch joined The New York Times in 2005 as a sports reporter. He won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 2013 for “Snow Fall,” a story about a deadly avalanche in Washington State, and was a finalist for the prize in 2012 for his series of stories about Derek Boogaard, a professional hockey player who overdosed on painkillers. He is the author of three books, including Sidecountry, in 2021, a collection of New York Times stories. Raised in Colorado, he lives with his family near San Francisco.

Michael Ceilley, senior vice president and general manager of partnership marketing and media sales, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

Michael Ceilley is responsible for the partnership and media sales business of KSE’s Colorado properties, including the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth, Ball Arena, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the Paramount Theatre, and Altitude Sports and Entertainment. He has worked in sales and marketing roles since 2004. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and an executive MBA from the University of Denver, is active in the Colorado community and resides in the Denver area with his wife, Lindsay, and three daughters.

Michael Davies (Jour’94), executive vice president, Fox Sports

Michael Davies has more than two decades in sports TV management. He heads day-to-day live broadcast operations and technological integration at FOX Sports, specializing in technical production and global team management, and oversees major events like the Super Bowl and World Cup. An innovator, Davies holds patents in broadcast innovation and has pioneered technical partnerships, enhancing both production and viewer experience. In a previous role with HBO Sports, he won multiple Sports Emmys. He chairs the Sports Video Group and resides in Los Angeles and Virginia with his family.

B.J. Hopetner Evans (Jour’90), communications manager, USA Volleyball​

B.J. Hoeptner Evans has worked in Colorado Springs as USA Volleyball’s communications manager for 18 years. She has been a press officer at six Olympic Games and one Paralympics. She was the first female sports editor of the CU school newspaper (the Campus Press) and she can drive a Zamboni.

Brendan McNicholas (Comm’00), vice president, media and player relations, Colorado Avalanche

In addition to overseeing the organization's communications and media relations efforts, Brendan McNicholas' role includes coordinating individual player appearances and team events; handling tickets for players and their families; and working as a liaison with the team charter, bus companies and hotels. His previous duties have included overseeing the team's official website and social media efforts. His career has included front-office roles for MLB, NHL and NFL teams, as well as two NCAA Division I athletic departments. He has staffed All-Star games in three of the four major sports, as well as two Stanley Cup Finals, three AFC Championship games, the NLCS and NLDS, and numerous NCAA championships.

Jill Painter Lopez (Jour’94), sideline and features reporter, KCBS/KCAL

Jill Painter Lopez is a sports reporter and analyst for KCAL News and KCBS, in Los Angeles. She is also the voice of the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team and a freelance writer for the Southern California Golf Association and The Associated Press. She was previously a sports reporter for Bally Sports West, and in 2019 was named the Southern California Sports Broadcasters sports reporter of the year. Before that, she was a national award-winning sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News.

Nick Rothschild (Jour’12), sports anchor and reporter, Denver7

A Colorado native, Nick Rothschild didn’t have to look far for his career in sports media. In 2013, he landed a job at a local TV station in Grand Junction (KKCO/KJCT) and navigated through Colorado Springs (KRDO) to end up in Denver (KMGH) in 2019. He has covered every level of Colorado sports, and followed both the Avalanche and Nuggets during their respective championship runs in 2022 and 2023.

Jay Parry (Fin’80), president & CEO, 2024 Men’s Final Four Host Committee

Jay Parry is president and chief executive officer of the 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four Host Committee, in Phoenix. After becoming an executive vice president at Bank of America, she left the industry to pursue professional sports, starting as president and chief operating officer of the Women's National Basketball Association franchise Phoenix Mercury. Following seven seasons with the Mercury, which included two WNBA championships, she moved to the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. In 2013, she became president and CEO of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, where she oversaw all aspects of planning and executing the record-breaking Super Bowl XLIX.

She then served as chief operating officer of the WNBA before returning to Arizona to lead the Host Committee for Super Bowl LVII in 2023. A native of Del Mar, California, she has been active in board roles and community service throughout her career.

Kate Reed (StratComm’18), communications coordinator, Milwaukee Bucks

Kate Reed is in her third season as communications coordinator for the Milwaukee Bucks. In her role, she serves as a liaison between the team and local, national and international media. Her responsibilities include coordinating interviews with players, coaches and organizational leadership; managing media credentials and media availability during Bucks home games; and creating statistical publications for the team. She also works to generate media coverage for the organization’s community initiatives and business developments.

Prior to joining the Bucks, she held communications internships with the Colorado Avalanche and Milwaukee Brewers, and worked as a freelance writer for the Brewers in 2019. 

In addition to her bachelor’s degree form CU Boulder, she earned a graduate certificate in sports communication from Northwestern University in 2021 and completed CU Boulder’s Business of Sports Certificate in 2019. She is a native of Milwaukee.

Curtis Snyder (StratComm’98), information director, CU Athletics

Curtis Snyder is in his 26th season working for the University of Colorado Athletics Communication Office, his 30th season in the industry and his first as the associate athletic director overseeing the department. A Boulder native, he is the lead media contact for the football team under Coach Prime.

Harrison Wind (Comm’13), Nuggets Reporter and Analyst, DNVR

Harrison Wind has covered the Nuggets as a reporter and analyst for the last eight years. He also co-hosts the DNVR Nuggets podcast and the DNVR Nuggets pre- and post-game shows.