October 15, 2015
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VOLU ME 32 | ISSU E 16 | 50 ¢
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WheatRidgeTranscript.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A hero among us Steinmark remembered at Wheat Ridge High School
ABOUT THE MAN Steinmark graduated from Wheat Ridge in 1967 after lettering in football, baseball and basketball. He led the Farmers to the Class AAA football title as a senior
By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com The athlete Freddie Joe Steinmark, known for his football prowess and tenacity in fighting cancer, is an inspiration. Everybody who knew him took a part of his spirit along with them. And his family and friends gathered at his alma mater, Wheat Ridge High School, to celebrate that influence. The event was part of the lead-up to “My All American,” a movie about his life based on Bower Yousse’s biography, “Freddie Steinmark: Faith, Family, Football.” The movie will be released on Nov. 3, and Yousse, screenwriter and Wheat Ridge graduate, hosted the evening. “We were all blessed to be in the same place and the same time as Freddie,” Yousse said. “I was very nervous about writing his book, because I knew anything I wrote couldn’t measure up to Freddie.” Steinmark grew up in Wheat Ridge and went to the University of Texas, where he was one of the leaders of the team during its national title win in 1969. He died in 1971 from a cancer that cost him his leg. The evening featured conversations with some of the people Steinmark knew best — teammates and family members who were with him as he grew up in Wheat
He attended the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns win a national title in 1969, and gained national renown for his performance on an injured leg against Arkansas that season. Steinmark was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, or a cancerous tumor in the bone, and his leg had to be amputated. It was amputated just six days after the Arkansas game, known as “The Game of the Century.” He died in the summer of 1971. He served as a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, during which time he inspired President Nixon to promote and sign into law the National Cancer Act and officially begin the nation’s “War on Cancer.” The Steinmark Award was named in his honor and is given each year to a male and female recipient who are multi-sport athletes and excel on the field, in the class and in the community.
Ridge. About 53 members of Steinmark’s 1967 graduating class attended. And Kent Cluck, David Dirks and Rick Nabors, all of
Freddie Steinmark’s brother Sammy hugs Wheat Ridge athletic director Nick DeSimone at an event to honor Steinmark at the high school on Sept. 30. Photo by Clarke Reader whom played football with him, remembered their experiences on stage. “He was confident, dedicated, vicefree, selfless, honorable and fearless. He was a mentor me, especially because he was so spiritual,” Nabors said. “If kids have a passion for something they really want to do, they should apply the same traits Freddie did, and the world would be a better place.” His teammates spoke about his dedication to the team and how he never put himself above his fellow players. Colorado’s prestigious Steinmark Award, which honors the state’s top high school athlete, was named after him. Award founder Scott Stocker spoke about
the huge shadow Steinmark cast for all students. “I thought we had to have some kind of award that really says something about the best athlete in Colorado,” Stocker said. “I’m so grateful that his family let us name the award after him, and we’ve had some amazing kids recognized over the years.” Wheat Ridge Principal Griff Wirth and athletic director Nick DeSimone both highlighted Steinmark’s continued presence at the high school, along with the high bar he set for all students. “You never know when the next Freddie
Hero continues on Page 5
Wheat Ridge businesses honored Staff Report
POSTAL ADDRESS
WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 722 Washington Ave., Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE
The City of Wheat Ridge and the Wheat Ridge Business Association (WRBA) recognized outstanding businesses in the community at the 12th Annual Business Appreciation Awards Breakfast on October 8th. Local leaders and members of the business community joined Councilmember Bud Starker to celebrate the achievements of Wheat Ridge businesses in six categories. A Special Recognition Awards were presented during the ceremony to highlight two local companies. Citizens and local businesses nominated businesses for the Business of the Year and the Reinvestment Award. Nominations were reviewed and winners selected by a team of Jefferson County business professionals. The individual or organization sponsoring the other awards selected their winners. The 2015 award recipients are: Business of the Year: Anthony M’s Visions in Gold; Quality Auto Care. This award recognizes a business that exemplifies the Best in Business and represents the values of the community. Other nominees included: AAA
ELECTION GUIDE INSIDE! The 2015 Colorado Community Media candidate questionnaire election guide is located inside. Turn to Page 17 of this edition and pull out information on all the candidates running for your city’s city council race, as well as information on the Jeffco school board.
Propane, Amici’s Italian Restaurant, Cosmo’s Retail Store and Dog Biscuit Bakery, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Karebear Bakery, Kevin Robb Studios, Pet Club of Wheat Ridge, and T-Bird Roadhouse, VinylWorks. Reinvestment Award Winners: Confluent Development for the Kipling Ridge Shopping Center. This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated that has accomplished one or more of the following: made a significant investment in its property, improved the overall appearance of the site, maintained property at the highest standards, or updated their building in a manner to make it more marketable. Other nominees included: Lutheran Medical Center, Helliemae’s Caramels, Kidney Center of Wheat Ridge, and Natural Grocers Vitamin Cottage. Cultural Commission Award Winner: Colorado ACTS This award recognizes a business that has made an impact on the community through one or more of these activities: promoting/encouraging culture and the arts, promoting awareness of our cultural activities, diversity, or
The Wheat Ridge Business Association winners for 2015. Courtesy photo
heritage, supporting opportunities in art education for all ages or incorporating art into the architecture and design of their building. Other nominees included: Blu Iron Photography and Mid Mod Vintage. City Council Partnership Award Winner: La Fonda Mexican Restaurant The City Council recognizes a company or individual for their overall contributions to the City. It incorporates criteria from all
award categories as well as contributions in volunteerism, leadership, and community investment/involvement. Mayor’s Partnership Award Winner: Wazee Partners, LLC. The Mayor recognizes a company or program for their overall contributions. The award incorporates criteria from all categories as well as contributions in volunteerism, leadership, and Honored continues on Page 5
HELP US SALUTE OUR VETERANS Colorado Community Media wants to share with readers the stories of local residents’ service in the U.S. military in a special section that will publish in the papers of Nov. 12 and 13 saluting and honoring veterans. Servicemen and women — or members of their families — interested in submitting the history of their service to America may send information by email to newsdesk@coloradocommunitymedia. com Submissions must include the veteran’s full name, city or town of residence, dates of service in
the U.S. military, branch of service, military rank, medals and commendations, and a quote about why the individual served or the most meaningful aspect of his or her service. Contact information of the person submitting the information must also be included in case there are questions. For more information, email newsdesk@ coloradocommunitymedia.com or call Pat Smith at 303-566-4100. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Oct. 30.