Denver

America SCORES Denver Staff

Brandon Blew
Executive Director

An educator, life long soccer player and a two-year high school varsity sports coach, Brandon relocated from Tucson to Denver with his wife when he joined America SCORES Denver in 2001.

Brandon graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas with a degree in International Studies and Spanish. He received his MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona after teaching English for a year at the Universidad de Guanajuato in Mexico.

Before joining America SCORES Denver, Brandon worked with the Tucson-Mexico Project fostering positive business and cultural relationships in Mexico for Arizona companies and residents. Brandon’s diverse background, including fluency in spoken and written Spanish, is invaluable to his work training, supporting and overseeing all of the America SCORES Denver literacy and soccer coaches.

Brandon and his wife, who is a special education teacher in DPS, have two children who attend Denver Public Schools. Active in their community, Brandon and his family lead book clubs, participate in a variety of youth sports, enjoy camping, running and skiing, and are regular spectators at Denver sporting events.  Brandon currently plays for an indoor adult team with members of the Denver Board of Directors and friends of SCORES, and always enjoys his time out of the office on the SCORES sites’ playgrounds and classrooms with poet-athletes.

Nikole Bruns Carey
Program Director

Nikole joined the America SCORES Denver staff in early 2011 as the Program Director.  Originally from Cheyenne, Wyoming and an alumna of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nikole majored in Psychology and English. Her first job as a counselor in a locked facility exposed Nikole to the rewards in pursuing a career working with youth.

Since moving to Denver in 1994, Nikole has managed group homes, a runaway shelter, and a staff-secure detention program, as well as worked as a volunteer in schools, her community, and the state to improve services for youth and families. Before joining America SCORES Nikole worked as a service representative for a large multinational corporation, managing up to 100 accounts along Colorado’s Front Range.

Nikole is a “soccer mom” of two boys, both students at Denver Public Schools. Nikole and her family camp and ski, play and watch sports, and enjoy the Mile High City’s many family-friendly attractions. Nikole is an active member of her community as a youth soccer team manager, a fundraiser for schools, and a founding member of the neighborhood babysitting co-op. While working with SCORES Nikole hopes to continue improving awareness of the program, build community partnerships, and see America SCORES become available to more Denver students.

Julie Eisen, Coach Across America member

America SCORES Denver welcomed back Julie in September 2011.  Julie previously worked for SCORES while completing her year of service with Americorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA).  Julie moved back to Colorado to become Denver’s  second Coach Across America member.

Originally from the Detroit area, Julie received her B.A. in General Management from Michigan State and attended the University of Central Florida for her M.B.A and Masters Degree in Sports Management.  Julie has held positions with the Orlando Magic, ASA Entertainment, and can always be found supporting youth development programs and activities in her local community.

A sports fanatic, Julie spends her free time in the stands of any stadium, court, or in front of a T.V. viewing favorite teams and, of course, cheering on her Spartans.  Julie is happy to be back in Colorado and enjoys hiking, camping, and the great outdoors.

Alberto Salazar, Coach Across America member

Alberto Salazar was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Alberto has been an America SCORES Denver coach for the past six years and loves it.

Alberto is an alumnus of Cheltenham Elementary School, one of the ten America SCORES Denver sites. Alberto continued his education and soccer career at Denver North High School.  After graduating Alberto went on to play college soccer at Laramie County Community College (Wyoming) where he studied Business Science.

Alberto is an avid soccer fan and continues his soccer career in the CASL (Colorado Amateur Soccer League). Alberto is also continuing his education and working towards a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Phoenix, which he hopes to complete within the next year.

Alberto is excited to be coaching the SCORES graduates team and to be working with America SCORES Denver to benefit his home town community.

Board Members

David Scott, Board Chair
Browstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Bob Boyle
BE Media Group

Elaine Berman
Colorado State Board of Education

Susan Casey
Former Denver City Council member

Dr. Bob Contiguglia
Former President of U.S. Soccer Federation

Bruce Dickinson, Secretary
Chair, Colorado Youth Soccer Foundation

Ellie Katz
Former Dean of Department of Education, University of Denver

Jeff Plush
Former Managing Director, Colorado Rapids

Ricardo Small
Managing Partner, PFS Capital Partners, LLC

Drew Wilson
Account Supervisor, Integer Group

Eric Wyatt
Regional Vice-President, Starbucks Coffee Company