From preps to pros, Mile High Sports recognizes the top athletes, coaches, executives and teams each year.
These outstanding individuals were among the best in their respective sports in 2017, earning nominations as finalists for the annual Mile High Sports Awards.
Check out the January 2018 edition of Mile High Sports Magazine to see who is named the Executive of the Year.
Executive of the Year Finalists
Jeff Bridich
General Manager, Colorado Rockies
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The moves Jeff Bridich made on the field – signing Mark Reynolds to a minor-league contract, assembling arguably the best bullpen in club history, adding key free agents at the trade deadline – produced the first Rockies playoff appearance since 2009 and first winning season since 2010. Perhaps more importantly, Bridich has established a culture of winning – a group belief that the club can compete for a World Series now and into the future.
Joe Garone
President, Furniture Row Racing
Credit: Randy Parietti Photography-Mile High Sports
Joe Garone is a Colorado success story who reached the mountain top this past year. Just in case you live under a rock, it was Garone who helped guide Furniture Row Racing and driver Martin Truex Jr. to the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship and Erik Jones to NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors. It was an incredible accomplishment for a classic underdog story and team. A native of our great state, Garone has been in the racing world his whole life.
Joe Parker
Athletic Director, Colorado State University
Credit: Aspen Green-Mile High Sports
He built it – and he got paid. Joe Parker deserves a large part of the credit for CSU’s new state-of-the-art football stadium that opened in 2017, and the University feels the same way, as Parker was rewarded with a handsome 5-year, $2 million contract extension in December. The deal makes him the third highest paid athletic director in the Mountain West. Throw in a solid student athlete graduation rate, and good football, basketball and volleyball teams and Parker is a worthy nominee.
Chris Stewart
General Manager, Colorado Eagles
Credit: John Barto Photography
The Colorado Eagles, and their GM Chris Stewart, had a year – and a winning streak – no one will forget for a long time. From late January until early March, the team couldn’t lose. In fact, the Eagles won 17 games in a row en route to a 99-point season, which resulted in the club’s sixth consecutive season earning a bid into the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Stewart’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed by ECHL coaches, who rightfully named him the league’s General Manager of the Year.