Denver Nuggets

For Women's History Month 2023, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment is highlighting women across their organizations.

Get to know Taylor A. Schott, who has been the Executive Assistant to CEO, COO, CFO & General Council for seven years.&nbsp;

Please share a little bit about yourself, (hometown, where you went to school, how long you've lived in Colorado, hobbies etc).

My name is Taylor Schott, and I am from Merced, California. I went to Colorado Mesa University on a collegiate softball scholarship in Grand Junction Colorado, Go Mavs! After college I made the move to Denver, where I currently reside. I am an avid skier and spend most of my winters at our home in Beaver Creek.

What made you want to pursue a career in sports?

My family has been around the sports world since I was born. Watching my uncles play in the MLB as a child, I knew I wanted to work in the industry in some kind of capacity.

What are some of your favorite things or experiences when it comes to working in sports?

I love being able to work with opposing teams and their front office Executive Assistants. We have formed such a community within the leagues, it's truly special to be apart of such amazing collaboration.

How important is it to see women continue to push past barriers especially in a male-dominated industry?

It is so important for women to continue to overcome adversity and challenging stereotypes in the sports industry. I believe it helps cultivate our own potential and abilities as well as our fundamental right to be equal everywhere.

What's the most rewarding part about being a woman in sports?

The admiration and respect received outside of the industry.

What advice would you want to share with women looking to break into the industry?

Work harder than anyone else. Everyday. It will never go unnoticed.

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Women's History Month 2023 featuring Taylor A. Schott

Get to know Kerry Wilson, who has been theDirector of Human Resources since November 2021.&nbsp;

I've lived in Colorado most of my life and grew up primarily in Colorado Springs. I received my BS in Business Administration from The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO, and my MBA in Operations Management from Regis University in Denver, CO. I love summer in Colorado and try to pack in as much hiking and camping with my husband and our two dogs whenever possible. I also enjoy teaching tap dance and am a company member of the professional tap dance company Rocky Mountain Rhythm.

It's hard not to be a sports fan when you grow up in Colorado, but to this day it still surprises me that I was several years into my career before the idea of applying my skills within the sports industry occurred to me. During an HR networking event the topic of HR in the sports industry came up which sparked my interest. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought about HR as a career within the sports industry with all the opportunities in Colorado. Soon after that event, I was very fortunate to come across an opportunity to join the KSE Human Resources department and begin my current journey. Since then, I've had countless conversations with students at job fairs who also didn't realize how their degrees could translate into the sports industry. There's so many avenues beyond playing the sport itself and the assortment of talent required to keep this industry moving is immense.

What does a typical day at your current job look like or entail?

That is one of the fun parts of working in Human Resources: There is no such thing as a typical day! In my role I have the opportunity to engage with leaders and staff all across KSE providing guidance to HR-related matters including employee relations, performance management, training, staffing and recruitment, compensation, and everything in-between. Needless to say, this is not a one-person job, and I am so thankful for everything my amazing HR team does on a daily basis to provide exceptional support across our teams, venues, and business units.

There is an energy that's hard to describe when you're working in sports. An immeasurable sense of excitement and pride comes from seeing your teams march towards championships with every game won and record set. Being a part of the excitement surrounding the Colorado Avalanche's Stanley Cup Championship win in 2022 was monumental and an unforgettable celebration to be a part of. So much happens behind the scenes and I love supporting the staff who make each season possible. Every win as well as every loss is felt throughout KSE, so getting to see the looks of excitement and tears of joy when the Avs staff received their championship rings was such a special moment to be a part of during my tenure here.

Pushing past barriers is an impactful way to create change. The more diverse representation within a company, the more versions of success you will see. Innovation comes from new voices and experiences, and that's why I'm thankful to be surrounded by so many strategic, insightful, and compassionate female leaders throughout KSE and the sports industry. They are opening doors every day that foster ever-growing opportunities for women interested in the sports industry careers.

Creating a positive impact. I value having a voice at KSE as a woman and as a leader. I know that is due in large part to having strong female leadership in my department and across the company. Being a woman in the sports industry is already tough, which is why I love seeing empowered women at KSE empower each other. Encouraging one another and lifting each other up is the key to generating upward growth and setting the example for future female leaders in sports.

Be courageous. So many times, we hold ourselves back from taking a risk because of fear. Just because you're afraid, doesn't mean you are in danger. Understanding the difference can help remove the mental barrier that can hold many of us back. So, say yes to the unknown, volunteer for the scary, and above all, bet on yourself and all you have to offer.

Who is a woman - could be in any industry - that you look up to and admire and why?

My mom, hands down! My mom is a CPA and embodies a high sense of ethical standards that I've always admired. How hard she works, not just for herself and clients, but for her family, never ceases to amaze me. She has a strong moral compass, lifts others up, and sets the standard for what a strong female leader, and mom, should be.

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Women's History Month 2023 featuring Kerry Wilson

Get to know Kathleen Besser, who has been theSenior Vice President of Internal Audit for 15 years.

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Women's History Month 2023 featuring Kathleen Besser

Please provide your full job title and how long you have held the position.

Game presentation Coordinator – 18 years

Kroenke Sports total years of employment -&nbsp; 23 years

Please share a little bit about yourself, (hometown, where you went to school, how long you’ve lived in Colorado).

College: &nbsp;University of Colorado |Denver - BA Communications|Theatre

What are your hobbies and why do you enjoy it/them?

Attending plays/theatre. As a fan, you get to immerse yourself into the storytelling and forget the outside world for 2-3 hours.&nbsp; To me, that’s “magical”!

Flying West Book of Plays by author Pearl Cleage

Love the game of basketball but was really looking for a job after graduating college. Getting in the door was my first step.&nbsp; The next move was on me to move up in the organization with the skills I have. &nbsp;I worked my way up from working in security for 6 months to the position I’m in now. I have also had to perform the anthem at a Nuggets game because my anthem singer got sick right after sound check.&nbsp; That’s live entertainment!

Going to different websites to find new half-time acts that I feel our demographics/fans would enjoy.&nbsp; Want to try and find different acts each season but also still include the fan favorites (such as Red Panda and Christian and Scooby).&nbsp; Generating contracts and all the logistics that come with booking a musical act. Coordinate set-up so client/performer is fully prepared for their performance. Booking and listening to anthem links for potential anthem singers not only for the Nuggets.

Traveling to different countries that I might not have had the opportunity to go to such as China and London. Also worked the Mammoth lacrosse championship game in New Orleans right after Katrina and was able to meet a lot of people who were affected by the tragedy in New Orleans.&nbsp; Nuggets also, had a game where over 50 people that were relocated to Colorado attended a game.&nbsp; Wonderful moments to make people SMILE.

I LOVE IT!&nbsp; Seeing them slowly being incorporated into a male-dominated industry as an assistant coach, referee.&nbsp; One foot in the door is all it takes for Women to take that next step.&nbsp; Men better watch out!&nbsp; Next step - a woman head coach one day.&nbsp;

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Women in Sports Q&A Features - Lynette Nickelson

Nuggets Fans – Celebrate Black History Month by bidding on limited edition Denver Nuggets Martin Luther King Jr. Warm-Up Shirts. The items are up for auction at&nbsp;ksc.givesmart.com or text KSC to 76278.

The Denver Nuggets Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Warm-Up auction will be LIVE through Thursday, February 3rd&nbsp;at 8:00 pm MST.&nbsp;

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Warm-Up Auction

Denver, Jan. 24, 2022 –&nbsp;The NBA has announced that Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday Jan. 17th to Sunday Jan. 23rd.

Jokić wins the award for the first time this season and has now earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors 10 times in his career, tying Carmelo Anthony for the most in franchise history.

Jokić, 26, averaged 36.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 2.30 steals, shooting .650 from the field and .400 from three-point range while helping lead the Nuggets to a 2-1 week. The Nuggets have now won six of their last nine games, improving to sixth in the Western Conference at 24-21.

Jokić kicked off the week by registering a season-high 49 points (16-25 FG, 3-5 3FG, 14-16 FT), 14 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals in a season-high 41 minutes, earning an overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on 1/19. Jokić joined Larry Bird and Russell Westbrook as the only players in NBA history to put up 49+ points, 14+ rebounds, 10+ assists and 3+ steals in game. He also became only the second center since 1970-71 (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 1975) to have a 45+ point triple double in a winning effort and it was the fourth most points ever in a triple double by a center. The Joker then posted 26 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds and two steals vs. Memphis on 1/21, marking his fourth straight game with a triple-double and league leading 11th&nbsp;game overall. Jokic capped his week by registering 34 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and two steals in 36 minutes in a home victory over Detroit on 1/23.

The Sombor, Serbia native, leads the NBA in PER, is second in rebounds per game, seventh in points per game and ninth in assists per game while averaging 26.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.40 steals in 33.2 minutes per game. He also ranks first in the NBA in field goal makes, while ranking 19th&nbsp;in field goal attempts.

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Nikola Jokić Named Western Conference Player of the Week

DENVER, January 21, 2022 –&nbsp;The Denver Nuggets have signed center DeMarcus Cousins to a 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Cousins, 6-10, 270, has appeared in 17 games (five starts) for the Milwaukee Bucks this season, averaging 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 46.6% from the field in 16.9 minutes per game. Cousins scored 10+ points in six games and posted two double-doubles in his stint with Milwaukee.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 10-year NBA veteran has played in 623 career games (559 starts) with Sacramento, New Orleans, Golden State, Houston, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee, holding career averages of 20.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 30.6 minutes per game. Cousins has reached the playoffs twice, in 2019 and 2021, appearing in 15 games (five starts), averaging 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 12.7 minutes.&nbsp;

The fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, Cousins was selected to four all-star games as a member of the Sacramento Kings (2015-17) and New Orleans Pelicans (2018). He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2015 and 2016 and he was a gold medal winner for the United States in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, as well as the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.&nbsp;

Cousins will wear number four for Denver.

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Denver Nuggets Sign DeMarcus Cousins to 10-Day Contract

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Come out to the Denver Nuggets 2022-23 Draft Party Thursday, June 23rd @ 6:00 p.m. at Tom's Watch Bar, presented by Miller Lite! 

Watch your Denver Nuggets make their pick, win team signed gear, and meet Super Mascot Rocky! For more information <a href="https://www.nba.com/nuggets/watch-parties">Click Here</a>