53 Years of Service to the Pueblo Community

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) is a group of people interested in promoting those prominent athletes, sports teams and recreational activities in Pueblo County to be a part of the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame.

The Pueblo Greater Sports Association (GPSA) has announced the passing of one of its own — David "Mike" Spence, a 2007 inductee who was currently living in Pueblo West, CO.

Spence graduated from Pueblo Centennial High School, where he was a member of state champion cross-country teams. He attended Southern Colorado State College and ran cross-country for the school for three years. An accomplished distance runner, he ran multiple Pikes Peak Marathons and Denver Marathons. Mike was a longtime journalist and began his career in Pueblo, Colo., as a sportswriter for The Pueblo Chieftain in 1975. In 1984, he moved to the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph to work as a beat writer covering the Denver Nuggets, Denver Broncos, and the U.S. Olympic Committee. While at the Gazette, he covered five Olympic Games, two Pan American Games, seven U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and numerous Super Bowls.

He also served as copy editor and acting deputy sports editor for the Gazette. From 2000 to 2005, he worked as a writer and editor for the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. He returned to Pueblo in 2005, working in various reporter/editorial roles at the Chieftain and also as the editor of the Pueblo West View. Mike earned several honors for his writing and reporting, including a national award from the Associated Press Sports Editors organization in 1984 and several state/regional awards.

He was voted Colorado Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association in 1998, the only writer with Pueblo roots to win the award. He was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association in 2007 and served as its president from 2012 to 2013. He authored the book, “Broncos: Three Decades of Football,” published in 1987. Mike’s greatest loves were history, reading, sports, and most importantly, his family.

The above obituary and photo are courtesy of Montgomery Steward Funeral Home, Pueblo, CO

Mike Spence Bio 

Below is the livestream of the GPSA's 53rd Hall of Fame induction Banquet held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at 7 p.m.  The event took place at the Occhiato Center Ballroom on the campus of CSU Pueblo.

Six new inductees were enshrined: Howard Ballage, Jim Brooks, Matt Gersick, Steve Ivan, Dick Schmaltz, and Frank Whalen. Mike Salardino was the night's Master of Ceremonies.

Below are pictures from the banquet and the 53rd GPSA Induction Ceremony.

Thanks to Cara Siegel, Director of Tourism for the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, for taking the pictures.

Below are short bios of the Brian Macartney Award recipients for the best male and female high school athletes during the 2024-25 school year.

Gavin Lockett —Pueblo West
* Three-sport athlete early in his high school career at Pueblo West (football, basketball, track).
* Eventually focused his talents on football and track and field.
* Two-year captain and record-breaking quarterback for the Cyclones who led football team to the state semi-finals.
* Holds the Cyclones football school records for total offense, career passing yards, and touchdowns.
* Named League Offensive MVP, First Team All-State, and a National Football Foundation All-Colorado selection his senior year.
* On the track, Gavin was a state champion and school record holder in multiple sprint events and relays, including the 200m, 400m, 4x200m, and 4x400m.
* Carried a 3.91 GPA in the classroom.
* Continued his football career at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO, after graduating. from Pueblo West.

 Bradie Menegatti —Pueblo West
Track
* In her freshman year, Mengatti set the school record in the 4x100m and 4x200m.
* Placed second at state in the long jump and third in the high jump her first season in track at Pueblo West.
* Set Cyclone school record in the long jump during her sophomore season.
* Placed third at state in high jump and fifth in the 100m hurdles (sophomore year).
* Long Jump and Triple jump (record holder) Champion and runner-up in the high jump (record holder) at Colorado State High School Track and Field Championships her junior season.
* Voted "Track Athlete-of-the-Year" as a junior.
* Qualified for state track championships in the high jump (new record), long jump, and 100m Hurdles (senior year).

Volleyball
* Freshman "Rookie-of-the-Year" in volleyball.
* Four-time All-league selection
* Top hitter as a freshman in the State of Colorado.
* Earned Volleyball Coaches Award as a sophomore.
* Named MVP of the South-Central League as a junior.
* Achieved 1,000 assists.
* 5A All-State selection.