When talking about Bill Hybl, one must first point out the correct Bill Hybl.Is it the chief of the El Pomar Foundation? Is it the former CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee? Maybe it’s the Hybl who served as vice chairman for the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy or the Hybl who was the U.S. Representative to the General Assembly of the United Nations.”I’ve known Bill for many years, and I don’t know of anybody else as strong as … how can I put this? Bill is … hmm … is, in my opinion the most influential sports person in this town,” Colorado Springs Sports Corp. boss Tom Osborne said, find it difficult to express his admiration for Hybl. “What he’s done with the United States Olympic Committee and the national governing bodies and the support from El Pomar – to me Bill is … ahh … you know Bill is … he’s tops in my mind.”Hybl has a resume that could’ve taken him anywhere. But, the son of a nurse and a Maytag salesman grew up in Pueblo, did his undergraduate studies at Colorado College and got his law degree from the University of Colorado.He has been around the globe several times, but home has remained on the Front Range. And the Front Range sports scene is thankful.”He has been in a position to wield influence by virtue of his roles,” USA Hockey executive director Dave Ogrean said. “But he has wielded it effectively into the huge benefit of all of the sports organizations in this town. And it’s not just sports organizations. It really extends all the way down into the entire populace.”The fact of the matter is, without Bill Hybl and his vision and support and commitment, there is no Colorado Springs World Arena, there is no El Pomar Youth Sports Center and there are several NGBs (national governing bodies) who might not have had the wherewithal to be where they are or to have ever moved to Colorado Springs.”In the past 15 years alone, Hybl has received more than 40 national and civic awards for his service.Columnist Milo Bryant can be reached at 636-0252 or milo.bryant@gazettedev.gazette.com. Check out Milo’s blog, The Extra Milo, at milobryant.freedomblogging.com

US Soccer team member Carli Lloyd, left is fouled by Brazil’s Erika in the second half of the US team’s 1-0 win over Brazil in the Gold Medal Soccer game Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette

MARK REIS