The mayor of Colorado Springs should be on The Gazette’s list of the area’s most influential sports figures by default. He is the face of the local government and wields a tremendous amount of influence over what happens in this city.

Because of his pull, Lionel Rivera is No. 14.

Air Force hockey coach Frank Serratore was No. 20, followed by USOC Communications Director Darryl Seibel, Pacific Coast League President Branch B. Rickey III, running legend Matt Carpenter, Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Director Paul Butcher and Sports Corp. Communications Director Mike Moran.

But Rivera, conservative by nature, surprised more than a few by orchestrating a deal that kept the U.S. Olympic Committee base in Colorado Springs.

Spearheading a group that pulled together $53 million, including almost $27 million from the city, to keep the USOC and expand the Olympic Training Center is a very non-conservative thing to do.

“He really showed that he was up to the task of keeping the United States Olympic Committee headquartered here for the foreseeable future,” El Pomar boss Bill Hybl said. “The mayor was not only tenacious but creative in the way that he dealt with the United States Olympic Committee and those individuals representing them. I think this community can be proud of the effort made by the mayor and the city council.”

The USOC moved from New York to Colorado Springs in 1978. There was ample talk about the organization and many of its national governing bodies moving from the city.

“Lionel really stepped out,” Colorado Springs Sport Corp. CEO Tom Osborne said. “He did a marvelous job with leading the charge for the city to secure the USOC. Lionel really took the lead on that, and it was most impressive.”

About the list

Continuing until Aug. 24, The Gazette will chronicle the 20 Most Influential Sports Figures in the Colorado Springs area.

We compiled a list of local sports power brokers and e-mailed it to numerous movers and shakers of the Colorado Springs sports community. They, and some members of our sports staff, had the not-so-simple task of telling us who would be on their list – in order from No. 1 to No. 20.

We received 37 full lists, partial lists and lists of all the people we should’ve added to the original list.Folks with more than 20 were asked to whittle it down. Folks with fewer than 20 were asked to increase the number.

In the end, we received 22 lists of 20.

Twenty points were awarded to every first-place vote. Second place votes received 19 points, third place 18, fourth place 17 and so on – 440 points were possible.

The person with the most points received the highest rank.On the 24th, when we reveal No. 1, we will also reveal the total number of votes each of the 20 people received. There will be an “others receiving votes category.”

Media members were ineligible to receive votes.Also on the 24th, on gazettedev.gazette.com you will be able to give us your arrangement of the 20 finalists.

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