When talking about Bill Hybl, one must first point out the correct Bill Hybl.Is he the chief of the El Pomar Foundation? Is he the former CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee? Maybe he’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, finding 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’s 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 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.”Bill Hybl is known for huge contributions to our community and to the state of Colorado,” Sports Corp. spokesman Mike Moran wrote in 2002. “Within the USOC, this tireless man is a giant whose stamp on the organization and his contributions are bigger than Texas.”-Contact the writer: 636-0252 or milo.bryant@gazettedev.gazette.com.Check out other stories from the series at www.gazettedev.gazette.com/sports

A worker checked the large screen display set up for the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Friday. Sen. Barack Obama is planning to accept his party’s nomination for president at the four-day event. Photo by (AP)