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December 20, 2010
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Graduating Senior Nick Owens is more than ‘Nugget’ of inspiration
An inspiration in the community and a motivated student in the classroom, 25-year-old speech communication major Nick
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Nick Owens, graduate in speech communication, received his degree from former Denver Nugget and Metro State Board Trustee Bill Hanzlik |
Owens has overcome the many physical challenges of spina bifida, including more than 30 operations, to become a philanthropist, member of the Denver Nuggets organization and a college graduate.
Working as locker-room ticket attendant, Owens has more tenure with the Denver Nuggets than anyone on the active roster. He has been working for the team for 13 years, most recently in charge of delivering tickets to the will-call window for the players. He is present at every home game; rarely does he miss his duties. Owens was first introduced to the Nuggets when he was 5 years old, in his capacity as ambassador for Children’s Hospital.
Also a philanthropist, Owens has raised more than $100,000 in cash donations for the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, among others. He has been the largest fundraiser for the March of Dimes in Colorado six out of the last seven years.
“My mode of operation for fund-raising has always been, ‘ask anybody,’ and it has worked well for me,” he says.
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Nick Owens was recognized on center court Dec. 18 for graduating from Metro State and his 13 years of service to the Denver Nuggets. |
Owens’ optimism and sense of humor is infectious. March of Dimes and Children’s Hospital continue to ask him to be a motivational speaker at fund-raising events and meetings with corporate sponsors. With hopes of landing a full-time position in a community relations and fund-raising capacity, Owens says he would like to continue to be a motivational speaker.
“I was taught at an early age through my relationship with my sister (Jacqueline) that ‘I can’t’ would never be a part of my vocabulary,” says Owens. “I feel that everyone should recognize the gifts they have been given and use them to help others.”
Because of his inspiration to the Denver Nuggets organization, Owens wasrecognized at the Dec. 18 game on center court for graduating with a 3.8 GPA from Metro State, and was presented with his diploma by Bill Hanzlik, former Denver Nugget and Metro State Board
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Nick Owens receives tickets from Denver Nuggets player Ty Lawson to deliver to will-call in his job for the Denver Nuggets. |
Trustee, at the College’s Dec. 19 commencement ceremony at the Colorado Convention Center.
During Owens’ last semester at Metro State, he took a social documentary course and traveled to San Francisco to document the city’s lack of accessibility for those with disabilities. While there, he also he visited a pioneering new development project, Ed Robert Campus, a newly opened facility in Berkeley designed to help people with disabilities live independently and without discrimination.
Owens has been featured most recently in The Denver Post and on ESPN.comfor his inspiring leadership.
