Name of Nominee Don Bates (individual or team) Address 3204 Austin Drive Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909 United States Accomplishments of the Nominee Don Bates has lived in Colorado Springs for 67 years. He first came here from Canada as a recruit to play for the Colorado College Hockey Team, in the position of Goalie. He was recruited by the Detroit Redwings during his Junior Year of High School. However, his parents insisted he receive a college education, so he went to play for Colorado College. He only played two seasons with the Tigers before contracting Tuberculosis. El Pomar Foundation, Julie Penrose, provided the financial assistance for him to be cared for and subsequently cured of the disease at Penrose Hospital. He was hospitalized for 19 months. He felt the need to re-pay Colorado College for his scholarship and education, so they hired him as CC's Junior Varsity Hockey Coach from 1949-1951. In 1947, he was voted CC's most popular player in KRDO's first annual Most Popular Player Award voted by the fans. During college, he worked as a radio announcer for KRDO Radio providing color for CC Hockey games, including the 1950 NCAA National Championship season. He also worked for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox Baseball team as their public address Announcer from 1949-1951. He served as a hockey referee at the college, high school and Young America levels in Colorado Springs and Denver for 27 years. The year the Broadmoor hosted the U.S. National Midget Championships (age 16 and younger) he was chosen as one of the on-ice officials. Don Bates was a member of the Colorado Springs Park and Recreation Young America Commission for four years. The Commission supervised the football, baseball, and hockey programs for young athletes throughout seasons. After the studio rink was added to the original Ice Palace at the Broadmoor, he played on the "Rink" Curling team, 1970-1972, where they won 1st Place and 1st Consolation Place in Club Championships.
(Club Bonspiel and the Ford Frick Broadmoor Curling Club Bonspiel) He has organized and participated in the sport of fly-fishing for the past 45 years, and as a pilot, has taken over 400 Coloradoans to his Canadian homeland, Northern Saskatchewan to experience some of the best lake fishing in North America. Don Bates is also a successful businessman in Colorado Springs founding Don Bates Insurance in Old Colorado City in the early 1970's. Affiliations Colorado Springs Park and Recreation Young America Commission 1975- present, Pikes Peak Regional Development Corporation (responsible for the re-development of Old Colorado City and downtown Colorado Springs.) Past President of Garden of the Gods Rotary Club Past Member of the Colorado Springs Airport Advisory Board Past President of the El Paso Club Founding Member of the Colorado Springs Country Club Member of the Colovest Investment Group Member of the Qwest Birdman Pilot's organization Member of Broadmoor Community Church Describe why this individual or team should be inducted to the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame I believe Don Bates exemplifies the qualities of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation's Hall of Fame Inductees. His success, leadership, sportsmanship, athleticism, contributions to youth sports, Colorado College Hockey team affiliation and overall highest standard of ethical conduct and character in our community are deserving of this recognition. Name of Person Laura Muir and Barbara Yalich Submitting Nomination Phone Number (Day) (719) 576-8301 Phone Number (719) 579-6517 (Evening) Email laurajmuir@msn.com
Address 41217 San Felice Pointe Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906 United States Relationship/Affiliation Long-time business affiliation through Colorado Springs Executives Association. to Nominee