UNDATED (AP) — The NFL and the players’ union have sent a planner to the 32 teams outlining procedures for the full reopening of their practice facilities.

A memo written by Commissioner Roger Goodell and approved by the NFL Players Association describes protocols focusing on screening, testing, and infection prevention and treatment for COVID-19, including response for new infections.

Also included are instructions on proper facility access, cleaning and disinfecting; physical distancing; hygiene, health education and medical services. There are instructions on food preparation; supplies; and team travel.

No timetable has been set for the return of most players to team complexes. Only players rehabilitating injuries have been allowed to enter the buildings.

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL and the players’ union have sent a planner to the 32 teams outlining procedures for the full reopening of their practice facilities.A memo written by Commissioner Roger Goodell and approved by the NFL Players Association describes protocols focusing on screening, testing, and infection prevention and treatment for COVID-19, including response for new infections.Also included are instructions on proper facility access, cleaning and disinfecting; physical distancing; hygiene, health education and medical services. There are instructions on food preparation; supplies; and team travel.No timetable has been set for the return of most players to team complexes. Only players rehabilitating injuries have been allowed to enter the buildings.

NFL sends plan to teams for return to facilities

ATLANTA (AP) — John Zook, who teamed with Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey to give the Atlanta Falcons a dynamic combination at defensive end, has died. He was 72.

His brother, Dean Zook,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ajc.com/blog/further-review/goodbye-john-zook-classic-falcon/9X9bDd5uUq3kBZY8jFJ4AO/" target="_blank">confirmed the death</a>&nbsp;to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The former player died Saturday in his native Kansas after a long battle with cancer.

Initially a fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams out of Kansas, Zook wound up in Atlanta after a pair of trades, first to Philadelphia, then to the Falcons.

Zook was with Atlanta from 1969-75, lining up on the right while Humphrey held down the left side. The team has scant success, with only two winning seasons and no playoff appearances during that time, but the duo was recognized as one of the team’s few strong suits.

Zook never missed a game during his tenure with the Falcons, starting 97 of 98 contests. He made his only Pro Bowl appearance in 1973, joining Humphrey in the all-star game.

“The most fun I had the whole time I played football was the time John and I had that season when we were both selected to the Pro Bowl,” Humphrey told the Atlanta newspaper. ”We figured out we were better together than we were individually.”

Zook was dealt to St. Louis in 1976, spending his last four seasons with the Cardinals.

Zook had four career interceptions and notably recorded the first safety in Falcons history in 1971.

He grew up in Larned, Kansas. Attended Kansas University.

ATLANTA (AP) — John Zook, who teamed with Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey to give the Atlanta Falcons a dynamic combination at defensive end, has died. He was 72.His brother, Dean Zook,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ajc.com/blog/further-review/goodbye-john-zook-classic-falcon/9X9bDd5uUq3kBZY8jFJ4AO/" target="_blank">confirmed the death</a>&nbsp;to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The former player died Saturday in his native Kansas after a long battle with cancer.Initially a fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams out of Kansas, Zook wound up in Atlanta after a pair of trades, first to Philadelphia, then to the Falcons.Zook was with Atlanta from 1969-75, lining up on the right while Humphrey held down the left side. The team has scant success, with only two winning seasons and no playoff appearances during that time, but the duo was recognized as one of the team’s few strong suits.Zook never missed a game during his tenure with the Falcons, starting 97 of 98 contests. He made his only Pro Bowl appearance in 1973, joining Humphrey in the all-star game.“The most fun I had the whole time I played football was the time John and I had that season when we were both selected to the Pro Bowl,” Humphrey told the Atlanta newspaper. ”We figured out we were better together than we were individually.”Zook was dealt to St. Louis in 1976, spending his last four seasons with the Cardinals.He played 144 games, with 134 starts.Zook had four career interceptions and notably recorded the first safety in Falcons history in 1971.He grew up in Larned, Kansas. Attended Kansas University.

Longtime Atlanta Falcons DE John Zook dies at age 72

The TMP-Marian Monarchs 18U baseball team split a
doubleheader with Russell Friday at the TMP-Field in the season opener for
both. Russell rallied to tie game one then scored five in the eighth for 14-10
extra inning win game one. The Monarchs grabbed the early lead and took game
two 6-2 in five innings.

Game 1: Russell 14,
Monarchs 10 (8 innings) 
TMP-Marian led 6-4 after five innings but Russell rallied with four runs in the
sixth and five in the top of the eighth to take the lead for good.

After falling behind in the top of the sixth, the Monarchs
scored twice in the bottom of the inning to tie the game 8-8.

Each team scored in the seventh before Russell broke it open
in the eighth on Andrew Roth’s RBI double.

Mason Robbins allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits
in 2 2/3 innings of relief and takes the loss.

Noah Gibson had three of the Monarchs seven hits and drove
in two runs. Jace Wentling also had two RBIs.

Game 2: Monarchs 6,
Russell 2 (5 innings) 
The Monarchs scored three in the first and two in the second to take game
two and gain a split. Nick Helget’s two-out double to right scored two in the bottom
of the first and gave TMP-Marian the lead for good. Nick Herman followed with
an RBI single which scored Helget.

Tyson Dinkel and Ethan Atherton both drove in runs in the second.

Herman allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts
and two walks and picked up the complete game victory.

Zeke Haag had two hits. Atherton and Helget both drove in
two runs.

The TMP-Marian Monarchs 18U baseball team split a
doubleheader with Russell Friday at the TMP-Field in the season opener for
both. Russell rallied to tie game one then scored five in the eighth for 14-10
extra inning win game one. The Monarchs grabbed the early lead and took game
two 6-2 in five innings.Game 1: Russell 14,
Monarchs 10 (8 innings) 
TMP-Marian led 6-4 after five innings but Russell rallied with four runs in the
sixth and five in the top of the eighth to take the lead for good.After falling behind in the top of the sixth, the Monarchs
scored twice in the bottom of the inning to tie the game 8-8.Each team scored in the seventh before Russell broke it open
in the eighth on Andrew Roth’s RBI double.Mason Robbins allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits
in 2 2/3 innings of relief and takes the loss.Noah Gibson had three of the Monarchs seven hits and drove
in two runs. Jace Wentling also had two RBIs.Game 2: Monarchs 6,
Russell 2 (5 innings) 
The Monarchs scored three in the first and two in the second to take game
two and gain a split. Nick Helget’s two-out double to right scored two in the bottom
of the first and gave TMP-Marian the lead for good. Nick Herman followed with
an RBI single which scored Helget.Tyson Dinkel and Ethan Atherton both drove in runs in the second.Herman allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts
and two walks and picked up the complete game victory.Zeke Haag had two hits. Atherton and Helget both drove in
two runs.

Monarchs 18U split season opener with Russell

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas announced late Friday it had reached a settlement with former football coach David Beaty, who had filed a lawsuit against the school alleging athletic department officials were trying to circumvent terms of his contract.

The school agreed to pay $2.55 million to end all litigation and disputes.

The two sides had been in a legal battle since shortly after Kansas fired Beaty near the end of the 2018 season. His contract called for a $3 million buyout, but the school refused to pay it after discovering potential NCAA infractions during routine end-of-season interviews with Beaty's coaching staff.

The school reported the discoveries to the NCAA and was given a Level II violation.

Beaty, who won just six games in four seasons, filed his lawsuit in March 2019 in an attempt to get the full sum of his contract. The settlement will be paid from the money placed in escrow the year after he was fired.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas announced late Friday it had reached a settlement with former football coach David Beaty, who had filed a lawsuit against the school alleging athletic department officials were trying to circumvent terms of his contract.The school agreed to pay $2.55 million to end all litigation and disputes.The two sides had been in a legal battle since shortly after Kansas fired Beaty near the end of the 2018 season. His contract called for a $3 million buyout, but the school refused to pay it after discovering potential NCAA infractions during routine end-of-season interviews with Beaty's coaching staff.The school reported the discoveries to the NCAA and was given a Level II violation.Beaty, who won just six games in four seasons, filed his lawsuit in March 2019 in an attempt to get the full sum of his contract. The settlement will be paid from the money placed in escrow the year after he was fired.

Kansas agrees to $2.55M settlement with ex-football coach Beaty

Hummer Sports Complex selected as the new site of the 47th Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl

After Washburn University announced the closure of their campus on May 5th, due to health and safety concerns from&nbsp;COVID-19, the fate of the 47th Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl was unknown. Today, the Kansas Shrine Bowl is excited to&nbsp;announce they will stay in Topeka and play their game at Hummer Sports Complex. “While health and safety concerns&nbsp;are still a factor, we are excited to have a new venue and are increasingly hopeful we will be playing football on July&nbsp;18th,” said B.J. Harris, Executive Director of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. “Hummer Sports Complex is an amazing facility and&nbsp;their staff and support will be a tremendous asset.”

The new venue is a positive step, but the Kansas Shrine Bowl recognizes the challenges and changes that could affect the&nbsp;event. “All activities are being coordinated with assistance from the Shawnee County COVID-19 Task Force,” added&nbsp;Harris. “The health of our players, participants and fans is the top priority and we look forward to working with local&nbsp;officials to execute a safe event.”

The announcement of Hummer Sports Complex as the sight of the 2020 game is a great step forward, but the 47th&nbsp;Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl will be anything but business as usual. The biggest change will the cancellation of the Kansas&nbsp;Masonic All-State Marching Band. “After discussions with multiple high school and collegiate band directors it became&nbsp;evident that a successful band camp would not be possible with the expected limitations,” said Harris. “We are&nbsp;disappointed for our band kids, but we’re hopeful we can keep them engaged with our event and execute an alternative&nbsp;that could keep the band present at this year’s game.”

Dr. William Woodsworth, Director of Athletic Bands at Emporia State University and A.J. Pence, Band Director at Valley&nbsp;Falls High School, will be working to put together the 37th Annual Kansas Masonic All-State “Virtual” Band. “It is&nbsp;important to allow these fine students to share their talents and their passion, especially given these trying times,” said&nbsp;Dr. Woodsworth. “Ultimately, although it will never be able to replace an in-person performance, our purpose will still&nbsp;hold true. This summer’s performance of the 2020 Kansas Masonic All-State “Virtual” Band will still be ‘For the Kids’!”

Other changes to the 47th Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl will be the cancellation of the Participant Appreciation Banquet,&nbsp;Strong Legs Run 5K and hospital screening clinic. The Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Camp has been shortened to a two-day, commuter camp and will take place at a Topeka school district facility. The Kansas Shrine Bowl Parade, high school football combine, and Jr. All-Star Challenge are still being considered but could be altered or cancelled. The four-man golf scramble is still scheduled at the Topeka Country Club and hosted by the Arab Shrine Golfers on Friday, July 17th.

Individuals who have purchased banquet tickets or banquet sponsorships will be contacted for refund arrangements.Kansas Masonic Lodges will be contacted regarding their band sponsorships and how to proceed over the next few weeks.

East and West training camps are still set to be held in Ottawa and Salina; further details will be provided to parents and&nbsp;players in the coming days.

“We remain fully aware that additional changes and disruptions could occur as we continue to plan for our event, and&nbsp;we encourage our fans and supporters to remain engaged and flexible,” said Harris. “Our fundraiser will only move forward with the support and guidance of local authorities; we trust their leadership and hope to execute a quality event on July 18th.”

<h2>Hummer Sports Complex selected as the new site of the 47th Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl</h2>After Washburn University announced the closure of their campus on May 5th, due to health and safety concerns from&nbsp;COVID-19, the fate of the 47th Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl was unknown. Today, the Kansas Shrine Bowl is excited to&nbsp;announce they will stay in Topeka and play their game at Hummer Sports Complex. “While health and safety concerns&nbsp;are still a factor, we are excited to have a new venue and are increasingly hopeful we will be playing football on July&nbsp;18th,” said B.J. Harris, Executive Director of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. “Hummer Sports Complex is an amazing facility and&nbsp;their staff and support will be a tremendous asset.”The new venue is a positive step, but the Kansas Shrine Bowl recognizes the challenges and changes that could affect the&nbsp;event. “All activities are being coordinated with assistance from the Shawnee County COVID-19 Task Force,” added&nbsp;Harris. “The health of our players, participants and fans is the top priority and we look forward to working with local&nbsp;officials to execute a safe event.”The announcement of Hummer Sports Complex as the sight of the 2020 game is a great step forward, but the 47th&nbsp;Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl will be anything but business as usual. The biggest change will the cancellation of the Kansas&nbsp;Masonic All-State Marching Band. “After discussions with multiple high school and collegiate band directors it became&nbsp;evident that a successful band camp would not be possible with the expected limitations,” said Harris. “We are&nbsp;disappointed for our band kids, but we’re hopeful we can keep them engaged with our event and execute an alternative&nbsp;that could keep the band present at this year’s game.”Dr. William Woodsworth, Director of Athletic Bands at Emporia State University and A.J. Pence, Band Director at Valley&nbsp;Falls High School, will be working to put together the 37th Annual Kansas Masonic All-State “Virtual” Band. “It is&nbsp;important to allow these fine students to share their talents and their passion, especially given these trying times,” said&nbsp;Dr. Woodsworth. “Ultimately, although it will never be able to replace an in-person performance, our purpose will still&nbsp;hold true. This summer’s performance of the 2020 Kansas Masonic All-State “Virtual” Band will still be ‘For the Kids’!”Other changes to the 47th Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl will be the cancellation of the Participant Appreciation Banquet,&nbsp;Strong Legs Run 5K and hospital screening clinic. The Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Camp has been shortened to a two-day, commuter camp and will take place at a Topeka school district facility. The Kansas Shrine Bowl Parade, high school football combine, and Jr. All-Star Challenge are still being considered but could be altered or cancelled. The four-man golf scramble is still scheduled at the Topeka Country Club and hosted by the Arab Shrine Golfers on Friday, July 17th.Individuals who have purchased banquet tickets or banquet sponsorships will be contacted for refund arrangements.Kansas Masonic Lodges will be contacted regarding their band sponsorships and how to proceed over the next few weeks.East and West training camps are still set to be held in Ottawa and Salina; further details will be provided to parents and&nbsp;players in the coming days.“We remain fully aware that additional changes and disruptions could occur as we continue to plan for our event, and&nbsp;we encourage our fans and supporters to remain engaged and flexible,” said Harris. “Our fundraiser will only move forward with the support and guidance of local authorities; we trust their leadership and hope to execute a quality event on July 18th.”Kansas Shrine Bowl Release

 Kansas Shrine Bowl announces new stadium, same city for 2020 game

By AARON BEARD The Associated Press

Oklahoma State was fined $10,000 and its men’s basketball team was banned from the upcoming postseason Friday after the NCAA found that former assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $22,000 in bribes intended to help steer athletes to choose certain financial advisers.

The NCAA ruling included three years of probation, the fine self-imposed by the school along with an additional 1% from the program budget, recruiting restrictions and a reduction in basketball scholarships.

Evans also received a 10-year show-cause order in the case tied to the federal corruption investigation into college basketball, which became public in fall 2017. The school received a notice of allegations last year.

Evans was among 10 people originally indicted by federal prosecutors, including four assistant coaches. Evans was later sentenced to three months in prison for accepting bribes in the criminal case.

The NCAA ruling states Evans “used his role ... to sway student-athletes’ important career choices and steer them toward the advsiors’ services.”

The NCAA has issued charges against multiple schools tied to the federal probe, including Kansas, North Carolina State and Louisville. The case involving N.C. State has been accepted into the NCAA’s new independent resolution process designed for complex cases.

By AARON BEARD The Associated PressOklahoma State was fined $10,000 and its men’s basketball team was banned from the upcoming postseason Friday after the NCAA found that former assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $22,000 in bribes intended to help steer athletes to choose certain financial advisers.The NCAA ruling included three years of probation, the fine self-imposed by the school along with an additional 1% from the program budget, recruiting restrictions and a reduction in basketball scholarships.Evans also received a 10-year show-cause order in the case tied to the federal corruption investigation into college basketball, which became public in fall 2017. The school received a notice of allegations last year.Evans was among 10 people originally indicted by federal prosecutors, including four assistant coaches. Evans was later sentenced to three months in prison for accepting bribes in the criminal case.The NCAA ruling states Evans “used his role ... to sway student-athletes’ important career choices and steer them toward the advsiors’ services.”The NCAA has issued charges against multiple schools tied to the federal probe, including Kansas, North Carolina State and Louisville. The case involving N.C. State has been accepted into the NCAA’s new independent resolution process designed for complex cases.

NCAA hits Oklahoma State with postseason ban in corruption case

June 9 vs. Great Bend (DH, 6/8pm (Larks Park) June 17 at Buhler (DH, 6/8pm June 19-20 at Bob Hooper Tournament (McPherson) June 24 vs. Smith Center (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) June 25-28 at Kansas Grand Slam Tournament (Salina) June 30 vs. McCook (DH, 6/8pm (Larks Park)

July 2-5 Wild West Fest Touranament (Larks Park, Hays High) July 7 vs. Smith Center (DH, 6/8pm (Larks Park) July 8 at Dodge City (DH, 6/8pm July 14 vs. Russell (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) July 18-19 (TBD) July 22 at Great Bend (DH, 6/8pm July 23 at McCook (DH, 5/7pm

June 10 vs. Salina Outlaws (DH, 5/7pm (Larks Park) June 16 vs. Salina (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) June 19-20 at Emporia Tournanent June 23 vs. Buhler (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) June 25-28 at Kansas Grand Slam Tournament (Salina) June 30 at McCook (DH, 5/7pm

July 2-5 Wild West Fest Touranament (Larks Park, Hays High) July 10-12 at Ottawa Wood Bat Tournanent July 15 vs. Salina Hawks (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) July 17-19 at Garnett Tournament July 21 at Russell (DH, 6/8pm July&nbsp;23 vs. McCook (DH, 5/7pm (Hays High)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591368539154.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hays Eagles 19U Schedule</h2>June 9 vs. Great Bend (DH, 6/8pm (Larks Park) June 17 at Buhler (DH, 6/8pm June 19-20 at Bob Hooper Tournament (McPherson) June 24 vs. Smith Center (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) June 25-28 at Kansas Grand Slam Tournament (Salina) June 30 vs. McCook (DH, 6/8pm (Larks Park)July 2-5 Wild West Fest Touranament (Larks Park, Hays High) July 7 vs. Smith Center (DH, 6/8pm (Larks Park) July 8 at Dodge City (DH, 6/8pm July 14 vs. Russell (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) July 18-19 (TBD) July 22 at Great Bend (DH, 6/8pm July 23 at McCook (DH, 5/7pm<h2>Hays Eagles 17U Schedule</h2>June 10 vs. Salina Outlaws (DH, 5/7pm (Larks Park) June 16 vs. Salina (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) June 19-20 at Emporia Tournanent June 23 vs. Buhler (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) June 25-28 at Kansas Grand Slam Tournament (Salina) June 30 at McCook (DH, 5/7pm July 2-5 Wild West Fest Touranament (Larks Park, Hays High) July 10-12 at Ottawa Wood Bat Tournanent July 15 vs. Salina Hawks (DH, 6/8pm (Hays High) July 17-19 at Garnett Tournament July 21 at Russell (DH, 6/8pm July&nbsp;23 vs. McCook (DH, 5/7pm (Hays High)

2020 Hays Eagles 19U and 17U baseball schedules

2020 Hays Larks schedule

Fort Hays State wins the first of their back-to-back NAIA national championships with a thrilling win over Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the 1984 title game.

Fort Hays State wins the first of their back-to-back NAIA national championships with a thrilling win over Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the 1984 title game.<div><iframe title="1984 NAIA national championship vs. Wisconsin-Stevens Point (March 20, 1984)" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/tg5qc-dede92?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=7&auto=0&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: 1984 NAIA title game

Historic meeting at YMCA
 in 1920 may never have happened if not for 1918 pandemic

By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2020-05-30/how-a-global-pandemic-100-years-ago-led-to-the-founding-of-the-negro-leagues-in-kansas-city">Kansas News Service</a>

Getting past a disruption caused by a global pandemic is nothing new 
for professional baseball. Even as Major League Baseball considers a 
shortened season this year amid the ongoing coroanavirus outbreak, the 
sport faced an even more dire threat a century ago with the flu 
pandemic.

That event, combined with World War I and a major gambling scandal, jeopardized the very future of the game.

Part
 of what came next was history, made in Kansas City: the Negro Leagues 
were formed 100 years ago at the Paseo YMCA, just as professional 
baseball was trying to figure out how to move on from a series of 
world-altering events.

‘The biggest entertainment business in America.’

Before
 1917, Eliot Asinoff wrote in his bestseller “Eight Men Out” that 
baseball was “the biggest entertainment business in America.”

But 
in 1920, at the same time that Kansas City jazz was taking off in the 
18th and Vine district, Rube Foster of Chicago and J.L. Wilkinson, who 
had recently moved to Kansas City from Iowa, met at the nearby YMCA on 
The Paseo to formalize the Negro National League in the Negro Leagues.

It was an unusual partnership for its time. Foster was black, and Wilkinson was white.

“Foster,
 I understand, would’ve preferred to have had all-black leadership for 
the leagues, but could not deny the connection that Wilkinson had,” said
 Raymond Doswell, vice president and curator for Kansas City’s Negro 
Leagues Baseball Museum, which has been closed since mid-March as a 
precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.

Foster knew 
Wilkinson from the integrated barnstorming team Wilkinson owned called 
the All Nations team. It was made up of players from a variety of 
backgrounds, including African Americans, Latino Americans and Asian 
immigrants.

Barnstorming teams —semi-professional outfits that 
traveled around the country playing other local teams— got in on the 
success that professional baseball had produced at that time.

“I 
do know the All Nations played the Chicago American Giants,” said Tom 
Fredrick, a Kansas City attorney who has published research on 
Wilkinson. “In other words, Rube Foster’s team, pre-Negro National 
League formation, in October of 1916. In Kansas City, Missouri.”

Despite the difference in the color of their skin, Doswell said Foster and Wilkinson had a lot in common.

“These were two baseball men who were visionaries in many respects, who understood the broader picture,” said Doswell.

Their partnership, though, came out of global tragedy and turmoil.

When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Wilkinson’s All Nations players were among those who enlisted according to Fredrick.

“He (Wilkinson) lost All-Nations roster to the Great War. We know that,” he said.

Things
 worsened in 1918 when baseball—and especially barnstorming teams that 
had to travel to make money—were hit hard by the global flu pandemic.

Then, as now with the coronavirus, the flu impacted black communities more, according to Doswell.

“There’s
 a lot of urbanization, so it’s easy for these kinds of things like the 
flu or even tuberculosis to sweep through black communities very 
easily,” he said. “That was a problem in some large communities for many
 years.”

By 1919, the war had ended and the flu had subsided. But baseball had
 another lingering problem: gambling. Though an issue before the war and
 pandemic, the problem reached its apex when several members of the 
Chicago White Sox took money to intentionally lose the 1919 World Series
 against the Cincinnati Reds.

After those chain of events, Doswell said Foster and Wilkinson converged in Kansas City in 1920.

“They
 were being pushed by the black press mostly,” he said. “Black sports 
news editors were sometimes also the editors of different papers. They 
were commenting on the fact that black baseball was loose, and it was 
not organized.”

Kansas City’s signature franchise

From
 Fredrick’s research on Wilkinson, it was discovered that Wilkinson, 
being the shrewd businessman that he was, planned to start up the Kansas
 City Monarchs, with or without an organized league.

But as it 
turned out, the Monarchs became one of the league’s signature teams 
under Wilkinson’s ownership. Wilkinson, who entered the National 
Baseball of Fame in 2006, had earned the respect of his players.

One of them was former Monarchs first baseman and manager Buck O’Neil, who before his death in 2006, praised Wilkinson.

“J.L.
 (Wilkinson was) an outstanding individual. Great baseball mind,” he 
said. “He’s a promoter. He knew how to make money,” O’Neil said at that 
time.

One hundred years ago, the formation of the Negro Leagues 
was a historic step for baseball, one that may never have happened if 
not for world-shaking events. That’ something for Major League Baseball 
to keep in mind now, as it tries to move on after another global 
pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591289256619.png" alt="J.W. Wilkinson's traveling All-Nations team in 1916. The squad was made up of players from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, but its roster was decimated by both World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc." />
 <figcaption>J.W. Wilkinson's traveling All-Nations team in 1916. The squad was made up of players from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, but its roster was decimated by both World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Historic meeting at YMCA
 in 1920 may never have happened if not for 1918 pandemic</h2>By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2020-05-30/how-a-global-pandemic-100-years-ago-led-to-the-founding-of-the-negro-leagues-in-kansas-city">Kansas News Service</a>Getting past a disruption caused by a global pandemic is nothing new 
for professional baseball. Even as Major League Baseball considers a 
shortened season this year amid the ongoing coroanavirus outbreak, the 
sport faced an even more dire threat a century ago with the flu 
pandemic.That event, combined with World War I and a major gambling scandal, jeopardized the very future of the game.Part
 of what came next was history, made in Kansas City: the Negro Leagues 
were formed 100 years ago at the Paseo YMCA, just as professional 
baseball was trying to figure out how to move on from a series of 
world-altering events.‘The biggest entertainment business in America.’Before
 1917, Eliot Asinoff wrote in his bestseller “Eight Men Out” that 
baseball was “the biggest entertainment business in America.”But 
in 1920, at the same time that Kansas City jazz was taking off in the 
18th and Vine district, Rube Foster of Chicago and J.L. Wilkinson, who 
had recently moved to Kansas City from Iowa, met at the nearby YMCA on 
The Paseo to formalize the Negro National League in the Negro Leagues.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591289387032.png" alt="Kansas City Monarchs owner J.L. Wilkinson (left) and Rube Foster, owner of the Chicago American Giants, were the two driving forces behind the founding of the Negro Leagues in 1920. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc. " />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Monarchs owner J.L. Wilkinson (left) and Rube Foster, owner of the Chicago American Giants, were the two driving forces behind the founding of the Negro Leagues in 1920. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc. </figcaption>
 </figure>It was an unusual partnership for its time. Foster was black, and Wilkinson was white.“Foster,
 I understand, would’ve preferred to have had all-black leadership for 
the leagues, but could not deny the connection that Wilkinson had,” said
 Raymond Doswell, vice president and curator for Kansas City’s Negro 
Leagues Baseball Museum, which has been closed since mid-March as a 
precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.Foster knew 
Wilkinson from the integrated barnstorming team Wilkinson owned called 
the All Nations team. It was made up of players from a variety of 
backgrounds, including African Americans, Latino Americans and Asian 
immigrants.Barnstorming teams —semi-professional outfits that 
traveled around the country playing other local teams— got in on the 
success that professional baseball had produced at that time.“I 
do know the All Nations played the Chicago American Giants,” said Tom 
Fredrick, a Kansas City attorney who has published research on 
Wilkinson. “In other words, Rube Foster’s team, pre-Negro National 
League formation, in October of 1916. In Kansas City, Missouri.”Despite the difference in the color of their skin, Doswell said Foster and Wilkinson had a lot in common.“These were two baseball men who were visionaries in many respects, who understood the broader picture,” said Doswell.A war, a pandemic and a scandalTheir partnership, though, came out of global tragedy and turmoil.When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Wilkinson’s All Nations players were among those who enlisted according to Fredrick.“He (Wilkinson) lost All-Nations roster to the Great War. We know that,” he said.Things
 worsened in 1918 when baseball—and especially barnstorming teams that 
had to travel to make money—were hit hard by the global flu pandemic.Then, as now with the coronavirus, the flu impacted black communities more, according to Doswell.“There’s
 a lot of urbanization, so it’s easy for these kinds of things like the 
flu or even tuberculosis to sweep through black communities very 
easily,” he said. “That was a problem in some large communities for many
 years.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591289439235.png" alt="The Chicago American Giants, owned by Rube Foster (back row, middle, wearing suit) were a pre-Negro Leagues barnstorming team made up of all black players. This was the 1918 squad. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc." />
 <figcaption>The Chicago American Giants, owned by Rube Foster (back row, middle, wearing suit) were a pre-Negro Leagues barnstorming team made up of all black players. This was the 1918 squad. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure>By 1919, the war had ended and the flu had subsided. But baseball had
 another lingering problem: gambling. Though an issue before the war and
 pandemic, the problem reached its apex when several members of the 
Chicago White Sox took money to intentionally lose the 1919 World Series
 against the Cincinnati Reds.After those chain of events, Doswell said Foster and Wilkinson converged in Kansas City in 1920.“They
 were being pushed by the black press mostly,” he said. “Black sports 
news editors were sometimes also the editors of different papers. They 
were commenting on the fact that black baseball was loose, and it was 
not organized.”Kansas City’s signature franchiseFrom
 Fredrick’s research on Wilkinson, it was discovered that Wilkinson, 
being the shrewd businessman that he was, planned to start up the Kansas
 City Monarchs, with or without an organized league.But as it 
turned out, the Monarchs became one of the league’s signature teams 
under Wilkinson’s ownership. Wilkinson, who entered the National 
Baseball of Fame in 2006, had earned the respect of his players.One of them was former Monarchs first baseman and manager Buck O’Neil, who before his death in 2006, praised Wilkinson.“J.L.
 (Wilkinson was) an outstanding individual. Great baseball mind,” he 
said. “He’s a promoter. He knew how to make money,” O’Neil said at that 
time.One hundred years ago, the formation of the Negro Leagues 
was a historic step for baseball, one that may never have happened if 
not for world-shaking events. That’ something for Major League Baseball 
to keep in mind now, as it tries to move on after another global 
pandemic.

How 1918 pandemic sparked founding of Negro Leagues in Kansas City

WICHITA, Kan. - The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (KSHOF) has announced the members of the Class of 2020, who will be inducted on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Kansas Star Casino.

KYM CARTER BEGEL&nbsp;- Wichita East H.S., 1982 / Louisiana State University, 1987

Three-time state high jump champion in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Set national high school high jump record at 6’2.25” in 1982; still a Kansas high school state record. All-state basketball selection in 1982. Five-time All-American selection at the University of Houston and Louisiana State University. Two-time All-American selection at Houston: 1985 and 1986 indoor high jump. Won four Southwest Conference titles at Houston: 1984 and 1986 indoor high jump, 1984 and 1985 outdoor high jump. Three-time All-American selection at LSU: 1987 indoor high jump, outdoor high jump, and heptathlon. Won two Southeast Conference titles at Louisiana State University: 1987 indoor high jump, 1987 shot put. Finished third in 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials in the heptathlon. Finished eleventh in the 1992 Olympics in the heptathlon. Three-time USATF Heptathlete of the Year. Inducted to the Wichita East Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

CASEY BLAKE - Indianola (IA) H.S., 1992 / Wichita State University, 1996

Three-time baseball All-American selection at Wichita State in 1993, 1995, and 1996. Played for KSHOF inductee Gene Stephenson. Named Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) MVP in 1996. Three-Time All-MVC selection. Three-time Academic All-American selection in 1994, 1995, and 1996. Named MVC All-Centennial Team. Holds school, single-season record for put-out assists with 194 in 1995. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1996. Played thirteen years in the major leagues with the Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Career totals: .264 batting average, 1,186 hits, 167 home runs, and 616 RBI. Inducted to the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

HEATHER LEVERINGTON DOTTERER - Flint Hills H.S., 1997 / Emporia State University, 2002

Five-time national champion at Emporia State in the shot put. Two outdoor championships in 1999 and 2001; three consecutive indoor championships from 1999-2001. Set NCAA Division II outdoor record twice. Seven-time NCAA Division II All-American: indoor shot put in 1999, 2000, and 2001; outdoor shot put in 1999, 2001, and 2002; outdoor hammer throw in 2001. Holds Emporia State indoor and outdoor records in shot. Named the 2002 NCAA Kansas Woman of the Year. Finished ninth in the 2000 U.S. Olympic trials. Won two gold medals in the shot put and discus in the 2018 U.S. Transplant Games. Won silver medal in the shot put and bronze medal in the discus at the 2019 World Transplant Games. Inducted to U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007, the Emporia State Hall of Honor in 2012, and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2014.

STEVE FRITZ - Gypsum-Southeast of Saline H.S., 1986 / Kansas State University, 1991

Three-time state track champion at Southeast of Saline: 1985 high jump, 1986 110-meter hurdles and 1986 300-meter hurdles. Two-sport athlete at Hutchinson Community college in basketball and track. Led Blue Dragons to NJCAA basketball title in 1988. Won NJCAA National title in decathlon in 1988; set HCC school record in points in decathlon. Two-sport athlete in basketball and track at K-State. Played basketball at K-State for KSHOF inductee Lon Kruger. Two-time All-American decathlete in 1989 and 1990; set K-State school record in points in decathlon. Won two conference titles in decathlon. Competed on ten U.S. national teams in decathlon. Finished fourth in decathlon at the 1996 Olympics. Assistant track coach at K-State for over twenty years. High school basketball and track coach at Riley and Wamego. Inducted to the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Hutchinson Community College Quarterback Club in 2012.

DREW GOODEN - El Cerrito (CA) H.S., 1999 / University of Kansas, 2002

Two-time All-Conference basketball selection at the University of Kansas in 2001 and 2002. First-team All-American selection in 2002. 2002 CoNational Player of the Year. 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year. Led Jayhawks to Big 12 title and Final Four appearance in 2002. Led team in scoring in 2002; rebounds in 2000 and 2002; steals in 2002. Second player in KU history to total at least 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 100 steals, in career. Teammate of KSHOF inductee Nick Collison. Drafted fourth overall in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Played fourteen professional seasons with the Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Washington Wizards. Professional career totals: 8,653 points, 896 assists, 544 steals, 474 blocks, 5,618 rebounds, in 790 games played. Jersey retired by KU in 2003. Inducted to the KU Booth Family Hall of Athletics.

ADRIAN GRIFFIN - Wichita East H.S., 1992 / Seton Hall University, 1996

Two-time All-State basketball selection at Wichita East in 1991 and 1992. Led Blue Aces to 1992 state championship; 1991 runner-up. Four-year letterman at Seton Hall. Two-time All-Big East selection. Led Pirates to two NCAA Tournament appearances and one Big East Conference title. 1996 Big East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Played nine seasons in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and the Seattle SuperSonics. Averaged 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, in 477 career games. Began as assistant NBA coach in 2008; served as assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Toronto Raptors. Won 2019 NBA Championship with the Raptors. Inducted to the Wichita East Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

BILL MORRIS - Russell H.S., 1957 / University of Oklahoma, 1962

Won 1956 U.S. Junior Trapshooting All-Around Championship. ATA Southwest Regional Singles Champion in 1959. Won 1963 U.S. internationalstyle championship in skeet shooting. Won bronze medal in 1964 Tokyo Olympics in Men’s Trapshooting. Won Olympic bronze medal while serving as a lieutenant in the Army stationed at Fort Benning, GA. Two-time U.S. Interservice international champion, Southwest Regional Champion and a seven-time Kansas champion in singles, doubles, all-around, and handicap divisions. Tied world record of international skeet with 297 out of 300 in 1963. Inductee of the Kansas Trapshooters Association Hall of Fame in 1988 and the US Army Marksmanship Shotgun Hall of Fame.

JORDY NELSON - Riley County H.S., 2003 / Kansas State University, 2008

Three-sport athlete at Riley County in football, basketball, and track. All-state basketball selection in 2003; led Falcons to state tournament appearances in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Won five state track championships: 400-meter in 2002; 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, and long jump, in 2003. Played football collegiately at K-State for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. Consensus All-American selection in 2007. Set school record for single game receptions with 15 and receiving yards with 214; season receiving yards with 1,606 and season yards per game with 133.8. Biletnikoff Award Finalist in 2007. Drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Played eleven seasons in the NFL with the Packers and Oakland Raiders. Won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers in 2010. 2014 Pro Bowl selection. Professional career totals: 613 receptions, 8,587 yards, 72 touchdown receptions. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2015. Selected to be inducted in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.

TERENCE NEWMAN - Salina Central H.S., 1998 / Kansas State University, 2003

Four-sport athlete in football, basketball, track, and baseball, at Salina Central. All-state football player in 1997. Three-time state champion in track in 1998 in 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter. Played football collegiately at K-State and lettered all four years. Played for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. Two-time All-Conference selection in 2001 and 2002. Consensus All-American selection in 2002. 2002 Thorpe Award winner as nation’s top collegiate defensive back. 2002 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Drafted fifth overall in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Played fifteen seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings. Two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2007 and 2009. Professional career totals: 42 interceptions, 183 passes defended, 11 fumble recoveries, and 879 combined tackles. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2008. Inducted to the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Salina Central Hall of Fame in 2019.

DARREN SPROLES - Olathe North H.S., 2000 / Kansas State University, 2004

Two-sport athlete at Olathe North in football and track. Two-time all-state selection in football in 1999 and 2000. Played football collegiately at KState for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. All-American selection at running back in 2003. Three-time All-Conference selection in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Set school record for single game rushing attempts with 43, single game rushing yardage with 292, single season rushing yardage with 1,986, career rushing attempts with 815, and career rushing yardage with 4,979. Led NCAA in all-purpose yards per game in 2004 with 187.91. Finished fifth in Heisman Trophy in 2003. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Played fourteen NFL seasons with the Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles. Three-time Pro Bowl selection in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Career professional totals: 3,552 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, 4,840 receiving yards, 32 receiving touchdowns, 7 punt return touchdowns, and two kickoff return touchdowns. Ranked fifth in career all-purpose yards at time of retirement with 19,696 yards. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2015.

The induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Kansas Star Casino, located at 777 Casino Drive, Mulvane, KS, 67110. The ten member class raises the total number of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inductees to 307. The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is in its 59th year of operation and is located at the Wichita Boathouse.

WICHITA, Kan. - The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (KSHOF) has announced the members of the Class of 2020, who will be inducted on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Kansas Star Casino.KSHOF CLASS OF 2020:KYM CARTER BEGEL&nbsp;- Wichita East H.S., 1982 / Louisiana State University, 1987Three-time state high jump champion in 1980, 1981, and 1982. Set national high school high jump record at 6’2.25” in 1982; still a Kansas high school state record. All-state basketball selection in 1982. Five-time All-American selection at the University of Houston and Louisiana State University. Two-time All-American selection at Houston: 1985 and 1986 indoor high jump. Won four Southwest Conference titles at Houston: 1984 and 1986 indoor high jump, 1984 and 1985 outdoor high jump. Three-time All-American selection at LSU: 1987 indoor high jump, outdoor high jump, and heptathlon. Won two Southeast Conference titles at Louisiana State University: 1987 indoor high jump, 1987 shot put. Finished third in 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials in the heptathlon. Finished eleventh in the 1992 Olympics in the heptathlon. Three-time USATF Heptathlete of the Year. Inducted to the Wichita East Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.CASEY BLAKE - Indianola (IA) H.S., 1992 / Wichita State University, 1996Three-time baseball All-American selection at Wichita State in 1993, 1995, and 1996. Played for KSHOF inductee Gene Stephenson. Named Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) MVP in 1996. Three-Time All-MVC selection. Three-time Academic All-American selection in 1994, 1995, and 1996. Named MVC All-Centennial Team. Holds school, single-season record for put-out assists with 194 in 1995. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1996. Played thirteen years in the major leagues with the Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Career totals: .264 batting average, 1,186 hits, 167 home runs, and 616 RBI. Inducted to the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.HEATHER LEVERINGTON DOTTERER - Flint Hills H.S., 1997 / Emporia State University, 2002Five-time national champion at Emporia State in the shot put. Two outdoor championships in 1999 and 2001; three consecutive indoor championships from 1999-2001. Set NCAA Division II outdoor record twice. Seven-time NCAA Division II All-American: indoor shot put in 1999, 2000, and 2001; outdoor shot put in 1999, 2001, and 2002; outdoor hammer throw in 2001. Holds Emporia State indoor and outdoor records in shot. Named the 2002 NCAA Kansas Woman of the Year. Finished ninth in the 2000 U.S. Olympic trials. Won two gold medals in the shot put and discus in the 2018 U.S. Transplant Games. Won silver medal in the shot put and bronze medal in the discus at the 2019 World Transplant Games. Inducted to U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007, the Emporia State Hall of Honor in 2012, and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2014.STEVE FRITZ - Gypsum-Southeast of Saline H.S., 1986 / Kansas State University, 1991Three-time state track champion at Southeast of Saline: 1985 high jump, 1986 110-meter hurdles and 1986 300-meter hurdles. Two-sport athlete at Hutchinson Community college in basketball and track. Led Blue Dragons to NJCAA basketball title in 1988. Won NJCAA National title in decathlon in 1988; set HCC school record in points in decathlon. Two-sport athlete in basketball and track at K-State. Played basketball at K-State for KSHOF inductee Lon Kruger. Two-time All-American decathlete in 1989 and 1990; set K-State school record in points in decathlon. Won two conference titles in decathlon. Competed on ten U.S. national teams in decathlon. Finished fourth in decathlon at the 1996 Olympics. Assistant track coach at K-State for over twenty years. High school basketball and track coach at Riley and Wamego. Inducted to the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Hutchinson Community College Quarterback Club in 2012.DREW GOODEN - El Cerrito (CA) H.S., 1999 / University of Kansas, 2002Two-time All-Conference basketball selection at the University of Kansas in 2001 and 2002. First-team All-American selection in 2002. 2002 CoNational Player of the Year. 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year. Led Jayhawks to Big 12 title and Final Four appearance in 2002. Led team in scoring in 2002; rebounds in 2000 and 2002; steals in 2002. Second player in KU history to total at least 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 100 steals, in career. Teammate of KSHOF inductee Nick Collison. Drafted fourth overall in the first round of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Played fourteen professional seasons with the Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Washington Wizards. Professional career totals: 8,653 points, 896 assists, 544 steals, 474 blocks, 5,618 rebounds, in 790 games played. Jersey retired by KU in 2003. Inducted to the KU Booth Family Hall of Athletics.ADRIAN GRIFFIN - Wichita East H.S., 1992 / Seton Hall University, 1996Two-time All-State basketball selection at Wichita East in 1991 and 1992. Led Blue Aces to 1992 state championship; 1991 runner-up. Four-year letterman at Seton Hall. Two-time All-Big East selection. Led Pirates to two NCAA Tournament appearances and one Big East Conference title. 1996 Big East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Played nine seasons in the NBA for the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and the Seattle SuperSonics. Averaged 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, in 477 career games. Began as assistant NBA coach in 2008; served as assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Toronto Raptors. Won 2019 NBA Championship with the Raptors. Inducted to the Wichita East Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.BILL MORRIS - Russell H.S., 1957 / University of Oklahoma, 1962Won 1956 U.S. Junior Trapshooting All-Around Championship. ATA Southwest Regional Singles Champion in 1959. Won 1963 U.S. internationalstyle championship in skeet shooting. Won bronze medal in 1964 Tokyo Olympics in Men’s Trapshooting. Won Olympic bronze medal while serving as a lieutenant in the Army stationed at Fort Benning, GA. Two-time U.S. Interservice international champion, Southwest Regional Champion and a seven-time Kansas champion in singles, doubles, all-around, and handicap divisions. Tied world record of international skeet with 297 out of 300 in 1963. Inductee of the Kansas Trapshooters Association Hall of Fame in 1988 and the US Army Marksmanship Shotgun Hall of Fame.JORDY NELSON - Riley County H.S., 2003 / Kansas State University, 2008Three-sport athlete at Riley County in football, basketball, and track. All-state basketball selection in 2003; led Falcons to state tournament appearances in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Won five state track championships: 400-meter in 2002; 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, and long jump, in 2003. Played football collegiately at K-State for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. Consensus All-American selection in 2007. Set school record for single game receptions with 15 and receiving yards with 214; season receiving yards with 1,606 and season yards per game with 133.8. Biletnikoff Award Finalist in 2007. Drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Played eleven seasons in the NFL with the Packers and Oakland Raiders. Won Super Bowl XLV with the Packers in 2010. 2014 Pro Bowl selection. Professional career totals: 613 receptions, 8,587 yards, 72 touchdown receptions. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2015. Selected to be inducted in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.TERENCE NEWMAN - Salina Central H.S., 1998 / Kansas State University, 2003Four-sport athlete in football, basketball, track, and baseball, at Salina Central. All-state football player in 1997. Three-time state champion in track in 1998 in 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter. Played football collegiately at K-State and lettered all four years. Played for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. Two-time All-Conference selection in 2001 and 2002. Consensus All-American selection in 2002. 2002 Thorpe Award winner as nation’s top collegiate defensive back. 2002 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Drafted fifth overall in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Played fifteen seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings. Two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2007 and 2009. Professional career totals: 42 interceptions, 183 passes defended, 11 fumble recoveries, and 879 combined tackles. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2008. Inducted to the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Salina Central Hall of Fame in 2019.DARREN SPROLES - Olathe North H.S., 2000 / Kansas State University, 2004Two-sport athlete at Olathe North in football and track. Two-time all-state selection in football in 1999 and 2000. Played football collegiately at KState for KSHOF inductee Bill Snyder. All-American selection at running back in 2003. Three-time All-Conference selection in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Set school record for single game rushing attempts with 43, single game rushing yardage with 292, single season rushing yardage with 1,986, career rushing attempts with 815, and career rushing yardage with 4,979. Led NCAA in all-purpose yards per game in 2004 with 187.91. Finished fifth in Heisman Trophy in 2003. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Played fourteen NFL seasons with the Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Philadelphia Eagles. Three-time Pro Bowl selection in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Career professional totals: 3,552 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, 4,840 receiving yards, 32 receiving touchdowns, 7 punt return touchdowns, and two kickoff return touchdowns. Ranked fifth in career all-purpose yards at time of retirement with 19,696 yards. Named to the K-State football Ring of Honor in 2015.The induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at the Kansas Star Casino, located at 777 Casino Drive, Mulvane, KS, 67110. The ten member class raises the total number of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inductees to 307. The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is in its 59th year of operation and is located at the Wichita Boathouse.

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame announces 2020 inductees

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is no closer to starting the 2020 that it was when the union made its latest proposal on Sunday.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that MLB has rejected the players’ offer for a 114-game regular season with no additional salary cuts. The person added that management did not plan to make a counterproposal.

MLB proposed an 82-game schedule last week and further reductions in player salaries as the sport tries to salvage a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Management has told the union it has no interest in extending the season into November, when it fears a second wave of the coronavirus could disrupt the postseason and jeopardize $787 million in broadcast revenue.

Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem wrote a letter Wednesday to chief union negotiator Bruce Meyer that was obtained by The Associated Press. Halem mentioned that players are unified in their view that they will not accept less than 100% of their prorated salaries, and management has no choice but to accept that representation. Halem said that based on the players’ salary position and the significant health risk of extending the regular season past September, management does not have any reason to believe a negotiated solution for an 82-game season is possible.

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is no closer to starting the 2020 that it was when the union made its latest proposal on Sunday.A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that MLB has rejected the players’ offer for a 114-game regular season with no additional salary cuts. The person added that management did not plan to make a counterproposal.MLB proposed an 82-game schedule last week and further reductions in player salaries as the sport tries to salvage a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Management has told the union it has no interest in extending the season into November, when it fears a second wave of the coronavirus could disrupt the postseason and jeopardize $787 million in broadcast revenue.Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem wrote a letter Wednesday to chief union negotiator Bruce Meyer that was obtained by The Associated Press. Halem mentioned that players are unified in their view that they will not accept less than 100% of their prorated salaries, and management has no choice but to accept that representation. Halem said that based on the players’ salary position and the significant health risk of extending the regular season past September, management does not have any reason to believe a negotiated solution for an 82-game season is possible.

MLB rejects 114-game plan, tells union no counter

UNDATED (AP) — NBA fans could receive very good news within the next 24 hours or so.

A person with knowledge of the situation says the league has told the players association that it will present a 22-team plan for restarting the season to the league’s board of governors on Thursday.

The person says the 22 teams would play eight games near Orlando to determine playoff seeding before the postseason begins there. The Western Conference would have 13 teams heading to Florida, while the East would be represented by nine teams. The 22 teams are those within six games of a playoff spot at this point. Playoffs would start in August, and the NBA Finals will likely stretch into October, according to the person.

UNDATED (AP) — NBA fans could receive very good news within the next 24 hours or so.A person with knowledge of the situation says the league has told the players association that it will present a 22-team plan for restarting the season to the league’s board of governors on Thursday.The person says the 22 teams would play eight games near Orlando to determine playoff seeding before the postseason begins there. The Western Conference would have 13 teams heading to Florida, while the East would be represented by nine teams. The 22 teams are those within six games of a playoff spot at this point. Playoffs would start in August, and the NBA Finals will likely stretch into October, according to the person.

NBA presents players with plan for season restart

Decisions On Return To Competition To Be Decided By Campuses, Local Government

&nbsp; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -&nbsp;The MIAA athletic administrators approved a series of Principles to help guide campus decisions about “Return to Competition” as a result of the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic. The principles were recommended by the Association’s COVID-19 Task Force. <a href="https://www.themiaa.com/documents/2020/6/3//MIAA_COVID_19_Task_Force_Guiding_Principles.pdf?id=1283">The MIAA’s Guiding Principles</a>&nbsp;focus on the safety of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in the Association and acknowledges decisions will be made by each campus according to local government restrictions. It also allows the conference office to serve as a resource for member institutions.&nbsp;&nbsp; "The MIAA's&nbsp;Guiding Principles for Return to Campus, Return to Competition is an important tool for our member institutions as they continue to develop action plans and protocols to welcome students, staff, and visitors back to campus", explained MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. "These important decisions about how each campus will prepare for fall sports will be made at the local level, and the MIAA office will continue to provide important resources to aid these decisions." The Guiding Principles document notes two important resources for MIAA member athletic departments, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/resocialization-collegiate-sport-action-plan-considerations">NCAA’s Core Principles and Campus Action Plan</a>&nbsp;considerations “for the Resocialization of Sports” and the U.S. Council on Athletes Health’s intercollegiate athletics focused&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscah.com/blog/">document titled “Return to Sports Health and Safety Framework”</a>.&nbsp; “The MIAA COVID-19 Task Force has been working diligently these last several months to help guide our member institutions through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. The task force has now shifted its focus to help guide our member institutions transitioning to the 2020-2021 year,” stated Lori Hopkins, chairperson of the Association’s COVID-19 Task Force and IRC. We are discussing and recommending guidelines to help schools put the health and safety of our student-athletes first as we begin to prepare for returning to campus and future competitions.” "Campus leadership, community health partnerships, and industry-specific athletic health resources, like the information being shared with the MIAA from the US Council for Athletes' Health, will be the keys to our success in playing sports this fall," added Racy.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<h2>Decisions On Return To Competition To Be Decided By Campuses, Local Government</h2>&nbsp; KANSAS CITY, Mo. -&nbsp;The MIAA athletic administrators approved a series of Principles to help guide campus decisions about “Return to Competition” as a result of the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic. The principles were recommended by the Association’s COVID-19 Task Force. <a href="https://www.themiaa.com/documents/2020/6/3//MIAA_COVID_19_Task_Force_Guiding_Principles.pdf?id=1283">The MIAA’s Guiding Principles</a>&nbsp;focus on the safety of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in the Association and acknowledges decisions will be made by each campus according to local government restrictions. It also allows the conference office to serve as a resource for member institutions.&nbsp;&nbsp; "The MIAA's&nbsp;Guiding Principles for Return to Campus, Return to Competition is an important tool for our member institutions as they continue to develop action plans and protocols to welcome students, staff, and visitors back to campus", explained MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. "These important decisions about how each campus will prepare for fall sports will be made at the local level, and the MIAA office will continue to provide important resources to aid these decisions." The Guiding Principles document notes two important resources for MIAA member athletic departments, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/resocialization-collegiate-sport-action-plan-considerations">NCAA’s Core Principles and Campus Action Plan</a>&nbsp;considerations “for the Resocialization of Sports” and the U.S. Council on Athletes Health’s intercollegiate athletics focused&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscah.com/blog/">document titled “Return to Sports Health and Safety Framework”</a>.&nbsp; “The MIAA COVID-19 Task Force has been working diligently these last several months to help guide our member institutions through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. The task force has now shifted its focus to help guide our member institutions transitioning to the 2020-2021 year,” stated Lori Hopkins, chairperson of the Association’s COVID-19 Task Force and IRC. We are discussing and recommending guidelines to help schools put the health and safety of our student-athletes first as we begin to prepare for returning to campus and future competitions.” "Campus leadership, community health partnerships, and industry-specific athletic health resources, like the information being shared with the MIAA from the US Council for Athletes' Health, will be the keys to our success in playing sports this fall," added Racy.&nbsp; &nbsp;

MIAA rolls out return to competition guiding principles

Relive the Fort Hays State basketball team's run to the 1984 NAIA national championship with a thrilling overtime win over Chicago State in the national semifinals.

Relive the Fort Hays State basketball team's run to the 1984 NAIA national championship with a thrilling overtime win over Chicago State in the national semifinals.<div><iframe title="1984 NAIA national semifinals vs. Chicago State (March 19, 1984)" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/ase83-dea66c?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=7&auto=0&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>

🎧Defend the Fort Podcast: 1984 NAIA semifinals vs. Chicago State

UNDATED (AP) — Instead of X's and O's, the Denver Broncos spent Tuesday talking about racial injustice, police brutality and healing a nation rocked by demonstrations over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on top of the coronavirus outbreak and its economic devastation.

Team president Joe Ellis addressed the offense and defense in separate Zoom calls that replaced the team’s regular video conference sessions, which are a substitute for in-person training during the pandemic.

Coach Vic Fangio and general manager John Elway also participated in the calls in which Ellis emphasized society’s need to eradicate racism and told the players that the organization shares in the outrage over Floyd’s death at the hands of police.

After the Zoom calls, the Broncos tweeted, “We will stand by our players. We will lift up their voices. We can do more. We will do more.”

UNDATED (AP) — Instead of X's and O's, the Denver Broncos spent Tuesday talking about racial injustice, police brutality and healing a nation rocked by demonstrations over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on top of the coronavirus outbreak and its economic devastation.Team president Joe Ellis addressed the offense and defense in separate Zoom calls that replaced the team’s regular video conference sessions, which are a substitute for in-person training during the pandemic.Coach Vic Fangio and general manager John Elway also participated in the calls in which Ellis emphasized society’s need to eradicate racism and told the players that the organization shares in the outrage over Floyd’s death at the hands of police.After the Zoom calls, the Broncos tweeted, “We will stand by our players. We will lift up their voices. We can do more. We will do more.”

Broncos stop football to talk about race relations, Floyd

The Fort Hays State women's soccer team has announced the signing of Hays High senior Isabel Robben.

The program made the announcement Tuesday through its Twitter account.

Robben is a goalkeeper and becomes the second local product at that position, joining former TMP-Marian standout Deonna Wellbrock.

The Fort Hays State women's soccer team has announced the signing of Hays High senior Isabel Robben.The program made the announcement Tuesday through its Twitter account.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Please help us officially welcome local product <a href="https://twitter.com/isabel_robben?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@isabel_robben</a> to the family! We are super excited to be keeping her home and can’t wait to have her join us this fall. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RollTiges?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RollTiges</a>🐯 <a href="https://t.co/fjBG2cLQ4z">pic.twitter.com/fjBG2cLQ4z</a>&mdash; FHSU Women&#39;s Soccer (@FHSU_WSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/FHSU_WSoccer/status/1267863592382103552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Robben is a goalkeeper and becomes the second local product at that position, joining former TMP-Marian standout Deonna Wellbrock.

FHSU women's soccer signs Robben

KANSAS CITY -- Words alone fail us. There is no place in our world for the senseless acts of racial injustice that have tragically taken lives. No place in Kansas City, nor in any city. Not today, not ever.

We humbly stand in solidarity and peaceful protest with the Black community, both here and across America. We pledge to actively and intentionally use our voice for good. And to live by a standard that says we treat all of us the way each of us wants to be treated.

The Kansas City Royals are committed to doing all we can, wherever we can, to help turn this moment into the sustained change we seek.

KANSAS CITY -- Words alone fail us. There is no place in our world for the senseless acts of racial injustice that have tragically taken lives. No place in Kansas City, nor in any city. Not today, not ever.We humbly stand in solidarity and peaceful protest with the Black community, both here and across America. We pledge to actively and intentionally use our voice for good. And to live by a standard that says we treat all of us the way each of us wants to be treated.The Kansas City Royals are committed to doing all we can, wherever we can, to help turn this moment into the sustained change we seek.Royals Release

Royals: 'We humbly stand in solidarity and peaceful protest with the Black community'

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. -&nbsp;The MIAA conference office shared a statement on the current state of affairs in the United States.&nbsp; As a conference, the MIAA promotes equality and justice for all. We are firm believers in sports bringing all people together in moments of celebration and triumph, and sports serving as a catalyst for social change. We are a conference committed, as individuals and together, to taking the steps to make our society just and equal for all people. We stand for treating each student, coach, administrator, staff member, and fan with respect, equality, and love. The MIAA is dedicated to a culture of caring.&nbsp; You can #CountUsIn.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. -&nbsp;The MIAA conference office shared a statement on the current state of affairs in the United States.&nbsp; As a conference, the MIAA promotes equality and justice for all. We are firm believers in sports bringing all people together in moments of celebration and triumph, and sports serving as a catalyst for social change. We are a conference committed, as individuals and together, to taking the steps to make our society just and equal for all people. We stand for treating each student, coach, administrator, staff member, and fan with respect, equality, and love. The MIAA is dedicated to a culture of caring.&nbsp; You can #CountUsIn.&nbsp;&nbsp;MIAA Release

MIAA conference office shares message on inequality and injustice

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball owners and players have reverted to form -- the type displayed over the past half-century during eight work stoppages filled with salary squabbles.

Players proposed to resume the sport in the coronavirus pandemic with a 114-game regular season and full prorated salaries, leaving each player with approximately 70% of what he had been slated to earn.

That proposal was made Sunday, five days after Major League Baseball’s plan for an 82-game season with additional pay cuts that would leave each player taking in 23-47% of his original pay, with the highest earners accepting the biggest cuts.

MLB claims an additional $640,000 would be lost with each extra regular-season game played. The union has said it doesn’t believe those calculations and asked MLB for more economic documents and data.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred discussed the next move with owners on Monday.

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball owners and players have reverted to form -- the type displayed over the past half-century during eight work stoppages filled with salary squabbles.Players proposed to resume the sport in the coronavirus pandemic with a 114-game regular season and full prorated salaries, leaving each player with approximately 70% of what he had been slated to earn.That proposal was made Sunday, five days after Major League Baseball’s plan for an 82-game season with additional pay cuts that would leave each player taking in 23-47% of his original pay, with the highest earners accepting the biggest cuts.MLB claims an additional $640,000 would be lost with each extra regular-season game played. The union has said it doesn’t believe those calculations and asked MLB for more economic documents and data.Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred discussed the next move with owners on Monday.

MLB owners, players revert to salary squabbles of old

Due to the on-going developments related to COVID-19 the Big 12 Conference previously announced that all team activities whether required or voluntary, including team and individual practices, meetings, and other organized gatherings, were suspended until May 31 and would be re-evaluated at that time. In addition, all conference and non- conference competitions were cancelled through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year. After re-evaluation, the following Big 12 Student-Athlete policies become effective June 1.

Each institution should use its discretion to make the best decision for its student-athletes when determining when student-athletes return to campus prior to the first permissible date to begin voluntary activity.

1.&nbsp; No in-person, required team activities of any type, in any location.

a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Football: Voluntary on-campus activity is permissible beginning&nbsp;June 15.

b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Fall Sports: Voluntary on-campus activity is permissible beginning&nbsp;July 1.

c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Basketball: Voluntary on-campus activity is permissible beginning&nbsp;July 6.

d.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All Other Sports: Voluntary on-campus activity is permissible beginning&nbsp;July 15.

--sports medicine treatments, physical therapy and rehabilitation

9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Big 12 Conference Board and Directors of Athletics will convene regularly to assess changing circumstances and to make shared decisions regarding amendments to the above-listed policies. The policies noted will commence at 7am CDT, Monday, June 1, 2020 and remain in effect until further notice or until additional guidance is provided.

10.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Decisions on the structure, schedule and components of training during the post Pandemic period will be made as circumstances dictate.

Big 12 Camps, Clinics and Other Instruction Policy

Virtual and in-person institutional camps and clinics with individuals are prohibited through August 31, 2020. In addition, athletics department staff members are prohibited from the following: (1) working, volunteering or otherwise participating in any outside camps and clinics with individuals, including virtual and fantasy camps; (2) working, volunteering or otherwise participating with a local sports club; and (3) providing private lessons to any individual. Coaching clinics involving coach-to-coach interaction are permissible.

Due to the on-going developments related to COVID-19 the Big 12 Conference previously announced that all team activities whether required or voluntary, including team and individual practices, meetings, and other organized gatherings, were suspended until May 31 and would be re-evaluated at that time. In addition, all conference and non- conference competitions were cancelled through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year. After re-evaluation, the following Big 12 Student-Athlete policies become effective June 1.Each institution should use its discretion to make the best decision for its student-athletes when determining when student-athletes return to campus prior to the first permissible date to begin voluntary activity.1.&nbsp; No in-person, required team activities of any type, in any location.<ol>
 <li>No in-person, voluntary activities (e.g., workouts, film study sessions, meetings, technique drills or captains’ practices/OTA sessions) of any type, in any location.</li>
 </ol>a.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Football: Voluntary on-campus activity is permissible beginning&nbsp;June 15.b.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Fall Sports: Voluntary on-campus activity is permissible beginning&nbsp;July 1.c.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Basketball: Voluntary on-campus activity is permissible beginning&nbsp;July 6.d.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All Other Sports: Voluntary on-campus activity is permissible beginning&nbsp;July 15.<ol>
 <li>Virtual or on-line supervised physical workouts and skill instruction, regardless of location, are not permitted.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>All required “virtual” activities, including film study, are limited to eight hours per week in all sports. Only countable coaches may conduct virtual film study, technical discussions, tactical sessions and other non-physical activities. These policies will be revisited and adjusted at regular intervals and as circumstances dictate.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Coaches can recommend written, self-directed workout plans provided&nbsp; they&nbsp; are approved in accordance with proper procedures&nbsp; as&nbsp; outlined by each institution’s appropriate sport performance, medical and/or athletic training personnel (and in accordance with the NCAA Recommendations on Preventing Catastrophic Injury and Death). Taped demonstration videos on respective workout plans are allowed in order to demonstrate proper form and technique. Institutional personnel may not supervise, conduct or monitor workouts on or off campus.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>In-person, on-campus meals and nutritional supplements may be provided pursuant to NCAA guidance. Off-campus nutritional supplements are limited to the permissible items as outlined in NCAA Bylaw 16.5.2.8.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>It is fully permissible to provide non-athletically-related support to student-athletes including:</li>
 </ol>--sports medicine treatments, physical therapy and rehabilitation--academic support--mental health and wellness support<ol>
 <li>It is permissible for institutions to provide student-athletes with apparel and personal equipment that is regularly available to student-athletes when they are on campus for conditioning workouts. The provision of other equipment is not to extend to rental, purchase or arrangement of conditioning or strength training equipment or machines (e.g. stationary bicycles, treadmills, free weights, benches or weight machines) but is intended to allow for reasonable supplies such as stretching band/straps, foam rollers, etc. It is not permissible to provide incoming signed prospects with apparel or equipment until they trigger student-athlete status.</li>
 </ol>9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Big 12 Conference Board and Directors of Athletics will convene regularly to assess changing circumstances and to make shared decisions regarding amendments to the above-listed policies. The policies noted will commence at 7am CDT, Monday, June 1, 2020 and remain in effect until further notice or until additional guidance is provided.10.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Decisions on the structure, schedule and components of training during the post Pandemic period will be made as circumstances dictate.Big 12 Camps, Clinics and Other Instruction PolicyVirtual and in-person institutional camps and clinics with individuals are prohibited through August 31, 2020. In addition, athletics department staff members are prohibited from the following: (1) working, volunteering or otherwise participating in any outside camps and clinics with individuals, including virtual and fantasy camps; (2) working, volunteering or otherwise participating with a local sports club; and (3) providing private lessons to any individual. Coaching clinics involving coach-to-coach interaction are permissible.Big 12 Press Release

Big 12 releases a revised Student-Athlete athletic activities policy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The smell of barbecue wafts through the parking lots hours before kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium, and when the first salvo of fireworks explode overhead, thousands of Chiefs fans begin to march en masse toward the entrance gates.

That’s how things normally are on an NFL game day in Kansas City.

But these days, very little is normal, and like so many things in life the football season ahead is rife with uncertainty. The coronavirus pandemic that brought sports to a standstill for months has everyone wondering what games will be like when spectators are finally allowed back in — and whether they will even want to show up.

The changes will be big and small, temporary and long-lasting.

Fans could have their every move scrutinized by cameras and lasers. There might be nobody in the next seat to high-five after a touchdown. The idea of passing cash to a beer vendor between innings will be a memory. Temperature screenings and medical checks could be mandatory to get in. By having virtual tickets scanned on their smart phones, fans could be acknowledging the health risk of attending a game while surrendering some of their personal privacy.

It all begs the question: Will fans be able to have any fun?

“There’s a wealth of unanticipated casualties, I guess, that are going to be part of this, things we all took for granted as part of the live game-day experience,” explained Nate Appleman, director of the sports, recreation and entertainment practice for Kansas City-based architectural firm HOK. “Some things we have yet to fathom but will become painfully clear once we are allowed back into venues and get back to truly human nature, which is to gather and celebrate community.”

Some leagues are returning with few or no fans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/185e24c3aa636de347cd22bc2bc29d0f">soccer in Germany</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b0b5f4d0a268041fce95a1e92637089c">stock car racing in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4ab840a43120cbe7c50e03175e0a4eb3">baseball in Japan</a>. But as sports ramp up, The Associated Press found during interviews with more than two dozen experts in stadium design and infrastructure that the only thing that might look the same is what happens on the field of play.

The biggest short-term change will be social distancing, something that already has become a fact of everyday life. Ticket sales will be capped. Entire rows and sections will be blocked off. Seats on the aisle will be left open to maintain a buffer from those walking up the stairs. Fans will be given an entrance time to prevent crowding at the gates. Lines at restrooms and concessions will be limited. Congregating in the corridors will no longer be allowed.

The college football season is still some three months away, yet Iowa State anticipates capacity at Jack Trice Stadium will be cut in half based on “current guidelines established by state and local officials” — roughly the number of fans that have purchased season tickets. At Kansas, athletic director Jeff Long said the Jayhawks have planned for some 16,000 fans in Memorial Stadium this fall — about a third of official capacity.

Several NFL teams, including Miami and New Orleans, are modeling for reduced capacities this season. It will no doubt look different for fans in the stadium, not to mention the millions that will tune in on TV.

“There’s the old saying, ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ I would say we’re in a heightened situation of necessity right now,” Appleman said. “There are a lot of really smart people coming up with really cool initiatives that could just be a new way of doing things, and new isn’t always bad. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we have to adapt.”

Indeed, such plans bring both hope and fear: hope that some fans will be able to see their favorite teams live and fear that colleges and leagues such as Major League Soccer that rely heavily on ticket sales will be able to make ends meet.

To help fill some of those gaps — both optically and financially — many facility operators have been exploring options with firms such as Arizona-based Bluemedia, which designs and produces screens that can cover large swaths of seats. Such screens already are used when arenas want to cap capacity or create more intimate settings, but Bluemedia vice president R.J. Orr said those same products can present sponsorship and marketing opportunities.

“Of course they can sell advertising,” Orr said, “but there are many ways to get creative. What if a ticket-sales guy went out to season-ticket holders and you can upload a photo and we can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/185e24c3aa636de347cd22bc2bc29d0f">put your image in the stands</a>? We’re trying to come up with a bunch of cool ideas that may work.”

Other companies also are tailoring products to help with social distancing and crowd control.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the new home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, already has cashless systems in place for merchandise and concessions. Several professional teams are in talks with motion analytics company iinside, whose SafeDistance system uses lasers to map spaces and measure crowd density. At KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, a company called WaitTime utilizes an app to tell Sabres fans how long lines are at restrooms and concessions.

“We have a great opportunity to rewrite the new normal for the return of sports,” WaitTime founder Zack Klima said.

It all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/88f837f24461c6e40480c96b55a4b6db">sounds a bit Orwellian</a>&nbsp;— like Big Brother is very much watching. And such systems do dance a fine line between informative and intrusive. But they also could help mitigate the spread of a virus, and that could make the difference between having Michigan Stadium empty on a fall Saturday or having 100,000 fans rooting on the Wolverines again.

Not everything will be as overt as barren concourses and empty seats, either. Most of the changes that colleges and teams are implementing will go unnoticed by those who settle in for the kickoff or first pitch.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The smell of barbecue wafts through the parking lots hours before kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium, and when the first salvo of fireworks explode overhead, thousands of Chiefs fans begin to march en masse toward the entrance gates.That’s how things normally are on an NFL game day in Kansas City.But these days, very little is normal, and like so many things in life the football season ahead is rife with uncertainty. The coronavirus pandemic that brought sports to a standstill for months has everyone wondering what games will be like when spectators are finally allowed back in — and whether they will even want to show up.The changes will be big and small, temporary and long-lasting.Fans could have their every move scrutinized by cameras and lasers. There might be nobody in the next seat to high-five after a touchdown. The idea of passing cash to a beer vendor between innings will be a memory. Temperature screenings and medical checks could be mandatory to get in. By having virtual tickets scanned on their smart phones, fans could be acknowledging the health risk of attending a game while surrendering some of their personal privacy.It all begs the question: Will fans be able to have any fun?“There’s a wealth of unanticipated casualties, I guess, that are going to be part of this, things we all took for granted as part of the live game-day experience,” explained Nate Appleman, director of the sports, recreation and entertainment practice for Kansas City-based architectural firm HOK. “Some things we have yet to fathom but will become painfully clear once we are allowed back into venues and get back to truly human nature, which is to gather and celebrate community.”Some leagues are returning with few or no fans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/185e24c3aa636de347cd22bc2bc29d0f">soccer in Germany</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b0b5f4d0a268041fce95a1e92637089c">stock car racing in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4ab840a43120cbe7c50e03175e0a4eb3">baseball in Japan</a>. But as sports ramp up, The Associated Press found during interviews with more than two dozen experts in stadium design and infrastructure that the only thing that might look the same is what happens on the field of play.The biggest short-term change will be social distancing, something that already has become a fact of everyday life. Ticket sales will be capped. Entire rows and sections will be blocked off. Seats on the aisle will be left open to maintain a buffer from those walking up the stairs. Fans will be given an entrance time to prevent crowding at the gates. Lines at restrooms and concessions will be limited. Congregating in the corridors will no longer be allowed.The college football season is still some three months away, yet Iowa State anticipates capacity at Jack Trice Stadium will be cut in half based on “current guidelines established by state and local officials” — roughly the number of fans that have purchased season tickets. At Kansas, athletic director Jeff Long said the Jayhawks have planned for some 16,000 fans in Memorial Stadium this fall — about a third of official capacity.Several NFL teams, including Miami and New Orleans, are modeling for reduced capacities this season. It will no doubt look different for fans in the stadium, not to mention the millions that will tune in on TV.“There’s the old saying, ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ I would say we’re in a heightened situation of necessity right now,” Appleman said. “There are a lot of really smart people coming up with really cool initiatives that could just be a new way of doing things, and new isn’t always bad. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we have to adapt.”Indeed, such plans bring both hope and fear: hope that some fans will be able to see their favorite teams live and fear that colleges and leagues such as Major League Soccer that rely heavily on ticket sales will be able to make ends meet.To help fill some of those gaps — both optically and financially — many facility operators have been exploring options with firms such as Arizona-based Bluemedia, which designs and produces screens that can cover large swaths of seats. Such screens already are used when arenas want to cap capacity or create more intimate settings, but Bluemedia vice president R.J. Orr said those same products can present sponsorship and marketing opportunities.“Of course they can sell advertising,” Orr said, “but there are many ways to get creative. What if a ticket-sales guy went out to season-ticket holders and you can upload a photo and we can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/185e24c3aa636de347cd22bc2bc29d0f">put your image in the stands</a>? We’re trying to come up with a bunch of cool ideas that may work.”Other companies also are tailoring products to help with social distancing and crowd control.Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the new home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, already has cashless systems in place for merchandise and concessions. Several professional teams are in talks with motion analytics company iinside, whose SafeDistance system uses lasers to map spaces and measure crowd density. At KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, a company called WaitTime utilizes an app to tell Sabres fans how long lines are at restrooms and concessions.“We have a great opportunity to rewrite the new normal for the return of sports,” WaitTime founder Zack Klima said.It all&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/88f837f24461c6e40480c96b55a4b6db">sounds a bit Orwellian</a>&nbsp;— like Big Brother is very much watching. And such systems do dance a fine line between informative and intrusive. But they also could help mitigate the spread of a virus, and that could make the difference between having Michigan Stadium empty on a fall Saturday or having 100,000 fans rooting on the Wolverines again.Not everything will be as overt as barren concourses and empty seats, either. Most of the changes that colleges and teams are implementing will go unnoticed by those who settle in for the kickoff or first pitch.Premier League club Tottenham recently opened its new London stadium after spending millions to create more than 1,600 WiFi access points and 700 Bluetooth beacons, ensuring fans are able to utilize crowd-density apps and other technology. Many facilities are upgrading heating, cooling and ventilation systems to scrub air as it circulates through their buildings, while others are toying with the use of QR codes to monitor the health of their patrons.“We’re extrapolating off these trends that have already existed, and I think we’re going to kick-start into 2025 even though it’s only 2020,” said Jason Jennings, director of strategy and digital integration for the sports and entertainment group at Mortenson, which is wrapping construction on the Raiders’ new $2.4 billion stadium in Las Vegas. “The technology is going to be deployed much faster because of the value it has for the fan experience and public health.”Even the way facilities are cleaned will change. No longer will hosing down seats and sweeping up trash left by fans be enough. Venue giant ASM Global recently announced a new hygiene protocol for its 325 facilities worldwide, noting the importance of hewing to international health recommendations from the likes of the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.Few professional teams have been willing to divulge their reopening strategies, whether that be potential seating layouts or infrastructure upgrades. The rapidly changing social and political environment coupled with the unpredictable nature of the virus have made planning difficult. But the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium recently committed to being the first public facility to receive a STAR rating from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, which involves completing a rigorous program to help provide what Dolphins chief executive Tom Garfinkel “the safest environment possible.”Of course, even that might not be enough. While much remains unknown about the novel coronavirus, one fact that is painfully clear is how easily it spreads. No league or team wants their games to become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ae59cfc0641fc63afd09182bb832ebe2">a “super spreader” event,</a>&nbsp;and everyone acknowledges all the preparations in the world cannot guarantee safety.“In large masses, there is no system that can effectively prevent another person from giving germs to a second individual,” said Philip Tierno, clinical professor of pathology at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. “If they sneeze or cough or talk directly, or even breathe directly on a person, there is no system that can prevent that.”That hasn’t stopped sports facilities from spending millions of dollars during the months-long shutdown to minimize the risk. Giving fans some measure of confidence is an investment in the bottom line.“We will get back to stadiums and watching football, basketball, baseball, etcetera, there is no question,” said Ryan Demmer, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. “But it’s going to take a little bit of time to do it safely. And that’s going to take a little bit of innovation to do it safely in the short-term.”