On the eve of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the Denver Nuggets made a return to a familiar place: the Arthur E. Johnson Boys and Girls Club. There, the franchise unveiled the brand-new Nuggets outdoor Sport Court in the Club's backyard. Funding was raised from Nuggets playoff activations last season.
"I want to thank Kroenke Sports Entertainment and Kroenke Sports Charities for their incredible support over the years. They have truly helped Arthur E. Johnson Boys and Girls Club become a magical place," said Lauren Kamm, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. "For over 25 years, these organizations have invested in kids with volunteerism, financial support, and renovations to this beautiful club."
Kroenke Sports Charities renovated the STEM Lab the last time it was there during the NBA Finals. Before that, KSC helped renovate the Teen Lounge and the Education Center at the Club, located at Cheltenham Elementary School in the West Colfax area.
The outdoor court and accompanying Nuggets equipment donations were made possible by Denver's deep playoff run. Funding came from the team's activations, including Arena Watch Party ticket sales and Nuggets Rally Towel sales. Altitude TV's Vic Lombardi, who emceed the event, revealed that on November 6, KSC will award $680,000 to 47 nonprofit organizations in the metro Denver area.
"Why 47?" Lombardi asked. "Because it represents 47 years of Denver Nuggets basketball."
Lombardi wasn't the only Altitude talent in attendance on Friday. Altitude TV's Chris Marlowe, Katy Winge, and Bill Hanzlik were all there, as well as Nuggets PA Announcer, Kyle Speller. Nuggets SuperMascot, Rocky, made an appearance, which drew excited cheers from the crowd of children. Nuggets Dancers and the Hype Squad were also there for the court's big debut.
Together, the group of Nuggets-affiliated talent helped demonstrate the full use of the multi-sport outdoor court: Basketball, of course, along with street hockey, volleyball, tennis, badminton, and pickle ball.
"This new court is going to provide you guys a lot of games, laughter, and healthy competition, and maybe even some of you are going to grow up to be future Denver Nuggets out there," said Kamm.