Donald Sidwell (1917-2007)

BOULDER ? One of the last links to Colorado’s first postseason basketball team passed away earlier this week, as Donald Sidwell died Monday in Centennial, a southern suburb of Denver. He was 90.

A letterman in both basketball and baseball, he was also a member of the United States Army and served overseas in China during World War II. Upon his return, he went to work in the oil business and worked as an independent oil man until his retirement.

He was on CU’s first basketball team to ever play in a postseason tournament, as a member of the 1937-38 team that participated in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) at Madison Square Garden back in the day when it was more significant that the NCAA Championship. That team, under the late Frosty Cox, went 15-6 and defeated New York University in the semifinals of the NIT before losing to eventual champion Temple in the finals.

Colorado was 39-15 during Sidwell’s sophomore through senior seasons, and was a member of two Mountain States Conference champion teams. He graduated from CU in the spring of 1939.

He was born July 18, 1917 in Winfield, Kan., he is survived by sons David and Steve, both of whom played football for CU, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wives Janet and June.

A memorial service is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 14) at Fairmount Cemetery (Little Ivy Chapel), 430 S. Quebec Street in Denver. Donations in his name can be made in care of CU’s Alumni C Club to the University of Colorado Foundation.

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