In analyzing the history of high school sports coverage in Colorado, no one will argue that the benchmark for prep reporting was created by Scott Stocker. In 1971 after serving in the U.S. Army, Scott founded Colorado Sidelines, a weekly publication covering the state’s prep sports scene. He was its editor, reporter, publisher and distributor – along with its designer as he even set the type before the computer age came along. All while also working part-time as an emergency room and ICU nurse in Boulder during the 1970s. And “on the sideline,” he was a respected high school basketball official for over 20 years.
The editors of the Rocky Mountain News took note of his passion for high school sports and brought him on board in 1985. For the next 25 years until the paper folded in 2009, he coordinated prep coverage and was also the motorsports beat writer, another love of his. For the latter, he earned a reputation for being one of the sports’ top reporters, working hard to promote all angles and giving it the significant statewide publicity, it deserved.
Among the many honors recognizing his career achievements, the most notable are his inductions into the Hall of Fames for the Colorado High School Activities Association, the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports and the Colorado Dugout Club. In 1983, the Colorado High School Coaches Association presented him with its first Media Award. Scott has also been honored with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Jim Turner Award from the Colorado Chapter of the National Football Foundation for his service to Colorado youth football.
After graduating in 1963 from Boulder High School, where he lettered in both wrestling and track, he received his bachelor’s degree in Education and History from the University of Colorado in 1972. But in-between, he earned his A.A. degree from Northeaster Junior College, where he was a member of the national champion wrestling team. And in 1969, he earned a degree in Nursing from the University of Washington while serving in the Army. He would serve in the Army Medical Corps as a nurse, including a combat tour in Vietnam, and was honored the Bronze Star.
A Who’s Who list of those who have excelled in Colorado High School sports know what Scott’s devotion across the board in all sports meant. Familiar names such as Dave Logan, Tanya Haave, Tom Southall, and Mary Kvamme among others have praised his long-time dedication to the state’s prep sports scene.
Scott’s legacy will last indefinitely thanks to the prestigious Fred Steinmark Award that he created. Now in its 52nd year, it recognizes those athletes who excel in athletics, academics and citizenship. Named after the Wheat Ridge and University of Texas star, it is the most coveted statewide award male and female prep athletes can receive.
And now, it’s Scott Stocker who’s awarded the most coveted honor anyone associated with sports in the state can receive, induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
By Dave Plati
