DENVER, Mar. 29 – The Denver Nuggets, in partnership with Kroenke Sports Charities, awarded four local high schools for dedication to their school’s athletic training programs as part of the Excellence in Athletic Training in Colorado High Schools awards program. The awards program is the concept of Jim Gillen, Head Athletic Trainer for the Denver Nuggets. Gillen presented the awards to the winning schools during an on-court presentation at the Nuggets home game on Saturday, March 29th.

"Our goal is to acknowledge outstanding Colorado high school athletic training programs that currently exist and generate awareness of the need for more high school athletic training programs,” said Gillen. “With this award, we hope to help schools provide improved care to their athletes and educate students who want to pursue a career in athletic training."

The program, now in its fifth year, awards $3,000 to help support high school athletic training programs. The money will be used for training room improvements, supplies, and student training. The award recipients will also be invited to spend a day working with the training staff of the Denver Nuggets and tour the team’s athletic training facilities.

This year’s award recipients include:

Winning Schools – $2,000 Award to Each School

Dakota Ridge High School – Larry Franca, Head Athletic Trainer

Fountain Fort Carson High School – John Salvatore, Head Athletic Trainer

Runner-Up Schools – $500 Award to Each School

Cheyenne Mountain High School – Shaun Carmody, Head Athletic Trainer

Glenwood Springs High School – Marni Barton, Head Athletic Trainer

Any Colorado high school that is a member of the Colorado High School Activities Association and has a Certified Athletic Trainer as a member of their staff is eligible for the award. The awards are given in March each year in conjunction with National Athletic Training Month.

Other generous sponsors of the program include The Gold Crown Foundation, Columbine Health Plan, Centennial Sales, Dr. Adam Lieberman, Dr. Steve Traina and Teammates for Kids.

For more information on the community initiatives of the Denver Nuggets or Kroenke Sports Charities, contact Deb Dowling at (303) 405-1325 or ddowling@pepsicenter.com.