The Colorado High School Activities Association is remembering a leader who served for decades and helped modernize the organization.
On Monday evening, longtime CHSAA assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann died of an illness he had been dealing with recently, the CHSAA announced in a press release on its website Tuesday. The disease rapidly progressed to a more serious condition before his death.
Borgmann was married to the late Alexandra Hays and is survived by two children, Logan and Callie, as well as a grandson, Gunnar.
CHSAA
“It is very difficult to quantify the loss of someone like Bert who had such a strong and positive impact on so many lives,” CHSAA Commissioner Michael Krueger said in a news release. “In our heartbreak today, it is comforting to think of the thousands of friends, colleagues, athletes and coaches whose lives were touched by such a caring leader. There is a debt of gratitude that can only be repaid by recognizing and celebrating the powerful legacy Bert leaves with us.”
According to the press release, Borgmann was hired in 1988 and retired after the 2020-21 school year. as the longest serving CHSAA employee to date with 33 years of service to the CHSAA and its membership.
Borgmann has been described as a trailblazer, trailblazer and true leader. He is said to have been instrumental in the creation of the CHSAA Hall of Fame and served as either president or acting president from 2004 until his retirement in 2021.
Borgmann was a student at Broomfield High School. As a professional, he served many years in athletic and activities administration, which included sports information offices at CSU and UNC in Colorado before joining the CHSAA staff. Borgmann oversaw nearly every sanctioned sport, as well as music, during his CHSAA career.
Nationally, Borgmann has also served on various boards, including chairman of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Election Committee. He also served as chairman of the National Records Committee and was a member of the National High School Hall of Fame’s Screening and Sportsmanship Committee and the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee. He was a member of the NFHS Softball Rules Committee and the NFHS Annual Summer Meeting Advisory Committee.
“Bert was one of my first friends in the CHSAA office, and from day one he was the most loyal, dedicated, dedicated and selfless person I knew,” CHSAA Associate Commissioner Bethany Brookens said in a press release. “His life was devoted to education-based pursuits and he will be sorely missed throughout the state, as well as by the people across the country whose lives he positively impacted.”
Borgmann has been honored and recognized during his time with the CHSAA. He received the Jim Saccomano Award (National Football Federation – Colorado Chapter), the Ray Lutz Award (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference), a member of the Colorado Dugout Club (Colorado Baseball Coaches Association) Hall of Fame, and received the NFHS Section 6 “Citation Award” for outstanding contributions to the mission of the NFHS, has served as Chairman and Acting Member of the NFHS Press Committee and is a Lifetime Honorary Member of Board 4 of the International Association of Certified Basketball Officials, as well as many other honors.
“He never hesitated to take on any task – from basketball king to snow plow – and he did it with enthusiasm, a desire to learn and improve, and an unusual ability to work with athletes, coaches, officials, event managers and even parents,” Former CHSAA Commissioner Bob Ottewill said in a press release.
“His heart was so big,” Roberts-Uhlig said in the post. “Bert was everyone’s biggest cheerleader and helped make the CHSAA what it is today. He loved the CHSAA membership and the many great people within it. He was an incredible advocate for high school athletics and activities, as well as the media. His legacy will live on for many years to come. year.”