So happy for my friend Scott Monserud. He retired as sports editor at the Denver Post yesterday. We played basketball together at the downtown Denver Y for over a decade. An Iowa State grad, Scott survived Stage 4 prostate cancer, later to hike across the U.K. with his family, crossing that item off his bucket list. Then, just for good measure, he married his sweetheart Dorothea at the Broadmoor during the pandemic.
Our mutual friend John Caldwell, for whose father the downtown Denver public library is named, gave Scotty the nickname “Gunslinger.” I’m not sure if that was because of his very flat jump shot – usually launched quickly from just behind his right ear with no more than a 3″ elevation off the floor – or because of his laconic Gary Cooper demeanor. But whatever the reason, the moniker stuck – at least among the group of guys who for many years frequented the Y on weekdays for pickup games at noon.
Personal news: I guess I’m officially retired. The Denver Post gave me a wonderful sendoff, including this page which features the world’s largest mug shot. I’m happy with my decision and have been very blessed in my career. I’ve been able to live out my dreams and work with incredibly talented, smart journalists: 44 years at newspapers, with the last 22 at The Denver Post, the last 17 as sports editor. It’s been a great run with so much luck being able to work at places such as The Post.
Happy Trails in retirement, Gunslinger.
Hope to see you soon in Castlewood Canyon.
And go, Cyclones!
Gunslinger is better than Dime as a nickname if it was because of basketball.