The
Fort Hays State men’s basketball team has added another guard to their recruiting
class with the signing of Elijah Nnanabu.

Nannabu is a Seattle native
who is listed as a combo guard and great defender. He played four years at West
Seattle High School before playing at Cooper International Academy in Ontario,
Calif. where he averaged 25 points, five rebounds and five assists per game and
was named the team’s Newcomer of the Year in 2018-19. 

Nnanabu is the fourth signee for the Tigers for the 2020-21 season joining high school
seniors Quinten Rock, a 6-0 guard from Smoky Hill HS in Aurora, Colo.; Haggan Hilgendorf, a 6-9 forward from Hastings HS in Hastings, Neb.; and Traejon Davis, a 6-5 guard from Hoops for Christ in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The
Fort Hays State men’s basketball team has added another guard to their recruiting
class with the signing of Elijah Nnanabu.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hey tiger fans!! We are excited to announce the signing of Elijah Nnanabu from Cooper Academy Prep (CA)!! <a href="https://t.co/tVqshTnwbc">pic.twitter.com/tVqshTnwbc</a>&mdash; Tiger Hoops (@fhsutigerhoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/fhsutigerhoops/status/1266144032834686979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Nannabu is a Seattle native
who is listed as a combo guard and great defender. He played four years at West
Seattle High School before playing at Cooper International Academy in Ontario,
Calif. where he averaged 25 points, five rebounds and five assists per game and
was named the team’s Newcomer of the Year in 2018-19. Nnanabu is the fourth signee for the Tigers for the 2020-21 season joining high school
seniors Quinten Rock, a 6-0 guard from Smoky Hill HS in Aurora, Colo.; Haggan Hilgendorf, a 6-9 forward from Hastings HS in Hastings, Neb.; and Traejon Davis, a 6-5 guard from Hoops for Christ in Oklahoma City, Okla.

FHSU men's basketball adds combo guard for 2020-21

UNDATED (AP) — NFL owners approved several rules on Thursday without accepting an alternative to the onside kick.

Owners have tabled a proposal that would have offered a fourth-and-15 play as an alternative to the onside kick. Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay said there were more clubs receptive to the onside kick alternative than in the past and it will be further explored and likely brought up again.

Owners approved testing expanded use of video replay in the preseason to aid in officiating, and they also increased the number of players who may be designated for return from the injured list during a season from two to three.

The owners voted to make permanent the expansion of automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any successful or unsuccessful extra points.

Also approved was the competition committee's recommendation to expand defenseless player protection to a kickoff or punt returner who is in possession of the ball but has not had time to avoid or ward off contact of an opponent.

Another approved recommendation stops teams from manipulating the game clock by committing multiple dead-ball fouls while the clock is running. That’s an issue that came up several times in 2019, including during the postseason.

Using video replay for pass interference calls was dropped after a one-year experiment that led to more uncertainty than clarity.

A proposal to have a booth judge serve as an eighth official on each crew was tabled.

UNDATED (AP) — NFL owners approved several rules on Thursday without accepting an alternative to the onside kick.Owners have tabled a proposal that would have offered a fourth-and-15 play as an alternative to the onside kick. Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay said there were more clubs receptive to the onside kick alternative than in the past and it will be further explored and likely brought up again.Owners approved testing expanded use of video replay in the preseason to aid in officiating, and they also increased the number of players who may be designated for return from the injured list during a season from two to three.The owners voted to make permanent the expansion of automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any successful or unsuccessful extra points.Also approved was the competition committee's recommendation to expand defenseless player protection to a kickoff or punt returner who is in possession of the ball but has not had time to avoid or ward off contact of an opponent.Another approved recommendation stops teams from manipulating the game clock by committing multiple dead-ball fouls while the clock is running. That’s an issue that came up several times in 2019, including during the postseason.Using video replay for pass interference calls was dropped after a one-year experiment that led to more uncertainty than clarity.A proposal to have a booth judge serve as an eighth official on each crew was tabled.

NFL owners table onside kick alternative proposal

Kicker Dante Brown shares his thoughts on being drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League and looks back at his All-America career at Fort Hays State.

Kicker Dante Brown shares his thoughts on being drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League and looks back at his All-America career at Fort Hays State.<div><iframe title="Dante Brown" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/b2dnr-ddf9cd?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=7&auto=0&download=1&pbad=1"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Dante Brown

UNDATED (AP) - Financially challenged schools considering cutting sports in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic are making difficult decisions of who gets to keep playing and who doesn’t.

The choices aren’t just about money when they involve women’s sports. And while Title IX doesn’t prevent women’s sports from being eliminated, the federal law is a huge part of the conversations.

“I wouldn’t say that women’s sports are more at risk,” said attorney Timothy J. O’Brien, who is based in Maine with a practice focused on employment and college sports law. “I would say that all sports in an economic downturn will be scrutinized. But it should be done in a fair and equitable manner so at the end of the day the institution is compliant with Title IX.”

The civil-rights law, which applies to each gender, is credited with expanding women’s opportunities and participation in sports.

With the shutdown of college and professional sports in March amid the pandemic, it’s unclear how many schools will be able to have sports on reopened campuses this fall. Some – including Appalachian State, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Furman and Old Dominion – have already cut non-revenue sports programs, but any move must ensure equitable treatment of remaining men’s and women’s athletics programs to comply with Title IX.

Established in 1972, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funds, such as student financial aid. It applies to sports by ensuring men and women have equitable participation opportunities, as well as access to scholarships.

While schools are facing financial hardships, Boston-based attorney Janet P. Judge said that fact doesn’t nullify Title IX responsibilities.

“Title IX still applies,” said Judge, who focuses on sports and civil rights law. “It’s a federal law that still applies. It’s not suspended because there are financial challenges for the institutions.”

Schools are reviewing guidelines with college athletics facing an uncertain financial future – including big-budget programs that rely on football as the revenue driver through lucrative TV deals and the ability to fund lower-profile sports. There was also the hit from the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, which meant far less money distributed to Division I schools.

O’Brien, who joined Judge in co-authoring the NCAA gender equity manual, said schools are “keenly aware” that decisions can’t be based solely on which programs cost the most money with the least return. That’s because any decision to cut sports can affect the “delicate balancing act” in complying with Title IX when it comes to the school’s gender breakdown of athletes and sports, he said.

Still, it doesn’t mandate schools offer men’s and women’s programs that are mirror images. As an example, NCAA guidelines require Football Bowl Subdivision schools to sponsor at least 16 varsity sports with a minimum of six for men or mixed-gender teams, and eight for women.

O’Brien said compliance can be measured in multiple ways, including whether the overall sports program’s gender breakdown is proportionate to that of the general student body.

“That’s really the focal point of the analysis: what’s left, not what was eliminated?” O’Brien said.

Like O’Brien, Judge does not believe women’s programs are at more risk because it “would be difficult” for schools to comply with Title IX while widely cutting women’s sports. So far, they’re right; more men’s programs (16) have been cut than women’s (four) in Division I as of Tuesday, according to a count by The Associated Press.

Old Dominion said in early April it would discontinue wrestling, saving about $1 million. The school said that decision followed a six-month outside study of its athletics program that included Title IX compliance considerations, with athletics director Camden Wood Selig saying the decision to cut a sport “became even more clear” with the pandemic.

Later that month, Cincinnati eliminated a men’s soccer program in existence since 1973.

In May, Florida International dissolved its men’s indoor track and field program. Akron eliminated three sports — men’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s tennis — to save $4.4 million. Bowling Green followed with the shutdown of baseball to reduce the athletics department’s operating budget by $2 million.

Last week, Furman cut baseball and men’s lacrosse, while East Carolina eliminated four sports — men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis — in a plan to save $4.9 million.

And Tuesday, Appalachian State cut men’s soccer, men’s tennis and men’s indoor track and field in a plan to reduce the budget by $5 million for the 2021 fiscal year.

There are other financial considerations, too.

Wake Forest athletics director John Currie noted that non-revenue sports frequently have athletes on partial scholarships, meaning a team roster could have the equivalent of numerous athletes paying full tuition. So cutting a sport might reduce expenses for an athletics department yet cause a net revenue loss for a school more broadly.

It’s just one example, he said, of detailed evaluations any school must make while also fulfilling its Title IX requirements.

Meeting that threshold is not optional, though Currie noted a harsh reality: “Not every school can be everything to everybody.”

“Allocation of resources is among the most difficult decisions that leaders have to make, and the prioritization of how they’re going to allocate those resources,” Currie said. “Because there’s lots of great things we could do. We can’t do everything, if we want to do things in an excellent fashion.

“Despite what people want to believe, college athletics as a whole is an enterprise with some business principles. It’s not a business, because there’s no business that operates a predominant number of its programs at a net loss.”

UNDATED (AP) - Financially challenged schools considering cutting sports in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic are making difficult decisions of who gets to keep playing and who doesn’t.The choices aren’t just about money when they involve women’s sports. And while Title IX doesn’t prevent women’s sports from being eliminated, the federal law is a huge part of the conversations.“I wouldn’t say that women’s sports are more at risk,” said attorney Timothy J. O’Brien, who is based in Maine with a practice focused on employment and college sports law. “I would say that all sports in an economic downturn will be scrutinized. But it should be done in a fair and equitable manner so at the end of the day the institution is compliant with Title IX.”The civil-rights law, which applies to each gender, is credited with expanding women’s opportunities and participation in sports.With the shutdown of college and professional sports in March amid the pandemic, it’s unclear how many schools will be able to have sports on reopened campuses this fall. Some – including Appalachian State, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Furman and Old Dominion – have already cut non-revenue sports programs, but any move must ensure equitable treatment of remaining men’s and women’s athletics programs to comply with Title IX.Established in 1972, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funds, such as student financial aid. It applies to sports by ensuring men and women have equitable participation opportunities, as well as access to scholarships.While schools are facing financial hardships, Boston-based attorney Janet P. Judge said that fact doesn’t nullify Title IX responsibilities.“Title IX still applies,” said Judge, who focuses on sports and civil rights law. “It’s a federal law that still applies. It’s not suspended because there are financial challenges for the institutions.”Schools are reviewing guidelines with college athletics facing an uncertain financial future – including big-budget programs that rely on football as the revenue driver through lucrative TV deals and the ability to fund lower-profile sports. There was also the hit from the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, which meant far less money distributed to Division I schools.O’Brien, who joined Judge in co-authoring the NCAA gender equity manual, said schools are “keenly aware” that decisions can’t be based solely on which programs cost the most money with the least return. That’s because any decision to cut sports can affect the “delicate balancing act” in complying with Title IX when it comes to the school’s gender breakdown of athletes and sports, he said.Still, it doesn’t mandate schools offer men’s and women’s programs that are mirror images. As an example, NCAA guidelines require Football Bowl Subdivision schools to sponsor at least 16 varsity sports with a minimum of six for men or mixed-gender teams, and eight for women.O’Brien said compliance can be measured in multiple ways, including whether the overall sports program’s gender breakdown is proportionate to that of the general student body.“That’s really the focal point of the analysis: what’s left, not what was eliminated?” O’Brien said.Like O’Brien, Judge does not believe women’s programs are at more risk because it “would be difficult” for schools to comply with Title IX while widely cutting women’s sports. So far, they’re right; more men’s programs (16) have been cut than women’s (four) in Division I as of Tuesday, according to a count by The Associated Press.Old Dominion said in early April it would discontinue wrestling, saving about $1 million. The school said that decision followed a six-month outside study of its athletics program that included Title IX compliance considerations, with athletics director Camden Wood Selig saying the decision to cut a sport “became even more clear” with the pandemic.Later that month, Cincinnati eliminated a men’s soccer program in existence since 1973.In May, Florida International dissolved its men’s indoor track and field program. Akron eliminated three sports — men’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s tennis — to save $4.4 million. Bowling Green followed with the shutdown of baseball to reduce the athletics department’s operating budget by $2 million.Last week, Furman cut baseball and men’s lacrosse, while East Carolina eliminated four sports — men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis — in a plan to save $4.9 million.And Tuesday, Appalachian State cut men’s soccer, men’s tennis and men’s indoor track and field in a plan to reduce the budget by $5 million for the 2021 fiscal year.There are other financial considerations, too.Wake Forest athletics director John Currie noted that non-revenue sports frequently have athletes on partial scholarships, meaning a team roster could have the equivalent of numerous athletes paying full tuition. So cutting a sport might reduce expenses for an athletics department yet cause a net revenue loss for a school more broadly.It’s just one example, he said, of detailed evaluations any school must make while also fulfilling its Title IX requirements.Meeting that threshold is not optional, though Currie noted a harsh reality: “Not every school can be everything to everybody.”“Allocation of resources is among the most difficult decisions that leaders have to make, and the prioritization of how they’re going to allocate those resources,” Currie said. “Because there’s lots of great things we could do. We can’t do everything, if we want to do things in an excellent fashion.“Despite what people want to believe, college athletics as a whole is an enterprise with some business principles. It’s not a business, because there’s no business that operates a predominant number of its programs at a net loss.”

Title IX major factor for colleges looking at sports cuts

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players appeared likely to propose more regular-season games this year while holding to their demand for full prorated salaries, people familiar with their deliberations told The Associated Press.

Washington pitcher Max Scherzer, among eight players on the union’s executive subcommittee,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Max_Scherzer/status/1265842546619691010/photo/1" target="_blank">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;late Wednesday night calling management’s proposal for more salary cuts a non-starter.

A day after Major League Baseball&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ea330800b6886f0396d3b000680584e">proposed a sliding scale of salary slashing</a>&nbsp;for a pandemic-delayed season with an 82-game schedule in ballparks without fans, the union held a conference call Wednesday that included its executive board, player representatives and alternate player representatives, the people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.

Scherzer, among the sport’s highest-paid players, confirmed the call without divulging who was on it.

“After discussing the latest developments with the rest of the players there’s no need to engage with MLB in any further compensation reductions,” he said in a statement posted to Twitter. “We have previously negotiated a pay cut in the version of prorated salaries, and there’s no justification to accept a 2nd pay cut based upon the current information the union has received.”

“I’m glad to hear other players voicing the same viewpoint,” he added, “and believe MLB’s economic strategy would completely change if all documentation were to become public information.”

It was unclear when the union will respond to MLB’s plan, the people said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/e4de6351d5546a7b0251f85c7015d700">Stars Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole would lose the most</a>&nbsp;under MLB’s plan, about 77% of the $36 million each they were set to be paid this season. In all, there are 133 players whose contracts call for salaries of $10 million or more, not including shares of signing bonuses.

A big leaguer earning $1 million or less would keep at least 43% of his salary under the six-tier scale. That includes a share of $200 million earmarked for players that is contingent on the postseason being completed. About 460 of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4ec65ed068d9b636ac9c302453eac26">approximately 900 players on rosters and injured lists</a>&nbsp;when spring training was stopped in mid-March due to the new coronavirus make $1 million or less.

Trout and Cole would be cut to about $8 million each. Colorado’s Nolan Arenado would drop from $35 million to $7.84 million.

“Interesting strategy of making the best most marketable players potentially look like the bad guys,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/_BAnderson30_/status/1265378764281786368" target="_blank">Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted.</a>

The players’ association called the proposal “extremely disappointing.” The union has argued players already accepted a cut to prorated shares of their salaries in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd87bcc774d608e53624594fe56fab0">March 26 agreement</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c11a2c671c69868fb11acc2b57b0fb70">should not have to bargain again.</a>

MLB would like to start the season around the Fourth of July in empty ballparks and proposed an 82-game regular season. It claims teams would lose billions of dollars by playing with no ticket money and gate-related revenue.

“This season is not looking promising,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/STR0/status/1265390446668324876" target="_blank">New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman tweeted</a>. “Keeping the mind and body ready regardless.”

Union head Tony Clark has not commented publicly on MLB’s proposal and has said very little publicly since late March. Agent Scott Boras has repeatedly criticized MLB for proposing more salary reductions and has questioned the accuracy of management’s financial claims.

“Hearing a LOT of rumors about a certain player agent meddling in MLBPA affairs,” Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer tweeted Wednesday. “If true — and at this point, these are only rumors — I have one thing to say... Scott Boras, rep your clients however you want to, but keep your damn personal agenda out of union business.”

Boras declined to comment on Bauer’s remarks.

“Working together to manage the public health issue has brought great solidarity among the players,” Boras said earlier in the day. “They are a strong united front and resolute in their support of the MLBPA.”

A season with more than 82 games would lead to players earning a higher percentage of their original salaries. MLB says that without fans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/75087708a030c20637c5ea25b5c99c40">each additional game would result in a $640,000 loss.</a>

Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio told the Greater Milwaukee Committee on Tuesday “the be-careful-what-you-wish-for part is hours every day.”

“It’s got to come together very quickly or we won’t be able to, we will just run out of time,” he said. “To pay players at a full contract rate, pretty much 90% of that would go to pay them and wouldn’t cover any other costs.”

Details of the plan have been disclosed to the AP by several people familiar with the proposal. They spoke on condition of anonymity because details had not been announced.

MLB’s proposal says that within 48 hours of the ratification of an agreement for player compensation terms and health and safety protocols, the commissioner’s office would announce a proposed timeline for the resumption of the season.

The resumption would include a training period of at least 21 days, and each team would be allowed a maximum of three exhibition games, all in the final seven days of the training period.

Opening day would be in early July, and the final scheduled regular-season game would be no later than Sept. 27 — the same as in the original 2020 schedule.

Issues such as roster size, trade deadlines, series length and treatment of the luxury tax would be delegated to a subcommittee.

AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this report.

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players appeared likely to propose more regular-season games this year while holding to their demand for full prorated salaries, people familiar with their deliberations told The Associated Press.Washington pitcher Max Scherzer, among eight players on the union’s executive subcommittee,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Max_Scherzer/status/1265842546619691010/photo/1" target="_blank">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;late Wednesday night calling management’s proposal for more salary cuts a non-starter.A day after Major League Baseball&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ea330800b6886f0396d3b000680584e">proposed a sliding scale of salary slashing</a>&nbsp;for a pandemic-delayed season with an 82-game schedule in ballparks without fans, the union held a conference call Wednesday that included its executive board, player representatives and alternate player representatives, the people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.Scherzer, among the sport’s highest-paid players, confirmed the call without divulging who was on it.“After discussing the latest developments with the rest of the players there’s no need to engage with MLB in any further compensation reductions,” he said in a statement posted to Twitter. “We have previously negotiated a pay cut in the version of prorated salaries, and there’s no justification to accept a 2nd pay cut based upon the current information the union has received.”“I’m glad to hear other players voicing the same viewpoint,” he added, “and believe MLB’s economic strategy would completely change if all documentation were to become public information.”It was unclear when the union will respond to MLB’s plan, the people said.<a href="https://apnews.com/e4de6351d5546a7b0251f85c7015d700">Stars Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole would lose the most</a>&nbsp;under MLB’s plan, about 77% of the $36 million each they were set to be paid this season. In all, there are 133 players whose contracts call for salaries of $10 million or more, not including shares of signing bonuses.A big leaguer earning $1 million or less would keep at least 43% of his salary under the six-tier scale. That includes a share of $200 million earmarked for players that is contingent on the postseason being completed. About 460 of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4ec65ed068d9b636ac9c302453eac26">approximately 900 players on rosters and injured lists</a>&nbsp;when spring training was stopped in mid-March due to the new coronavirus make $1 million or less.Trout and Cole would be cut to about $8 million each. Colorado’s Nolan Arenado would drop from $35 million to $7.84 million.“Interesting strategy of making the best most marketable players potentially look like the bad guys,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/_BAnderson30_/status/1265378764281786368" target="_blank">Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted.</a>The players’ association called the proposal “extremely disappointing.” The union has argued players already accepted a cut to prorated shares of their salaries in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd87bcc774d608e53624594fe56fab0">March 26 agreement</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c11a2c671c69868fb11acc2b57b0fb70">should not have to bargain again.</a>MLB would like to start the season around the Fourth of July in empty ballparks and proposed an 82-game regular season. It claims teams would lose billions of dollars by playing with no ticket money and gate-related revenue.“This season is not looking promising,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/STR0/status/1265390446668324876" target="_blank">New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman tweeted</a>. “Keeping the mind and body ready regardless.”Union head Tony Clark has not commented publicly on MLB’s proposal and has said very little publicly since late March. Agent Scott Boras has repeatedly criticized MLB for proposing more salary reductions and has questioned the accuracy of management’s financial claims.“Hearing a LOT of rumors about a certain player agent meddling in MLBPA affairs,” Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer tweeted Wednesday. “If true — and at this point, these are only rumors — I have one thing to say... Scott Boras, rep your clients however you want to, but keep your damn personal agenda out of union business.”Boras declined to comment on Bauer’s remarks.“Working together to manage the public health issue has brought great solidarity among the players,” Boras said earlier in the day. “They are a strong united front and resolute in their support of the MLBPA.”A season with more than 82 games would lead to players earning a higher percentage of their original salaries. MLB says that without fans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/75087708a030c20637c5ea25b5c99c40">each additional game would result in a $640,000 loss.</a>Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio told the Greater Milwaukee Committee on Tuesday “the be-careful-what-you-wish-for part is hours every day.”“It’s got to come together very quickly or we won’t be able to, we will just run out of time,” he said. “To pay players at a full contract rate, pretty much 90% of that would go to pay them and wouldn’t cover any other costs.”Details of the plan have been disclosed to the AP by several people familiar with the proposal. They spoke on condition of anonymity because details had not been announced.MLB’s proposal says that within 48 hours of the ratification of an agreement for player compensation terms and health and safety protocols, the commissioner’s office would announce a proposed timeline for the resumption of the season.The resumption would include a training period of at least 21 days, and each team would be allowed a maximum of three exhibition games, all in the final seven days of the training period.Opening day would be in early July, and the final scheduled regular-season game would be no later than Sept. 27 — the same as in the original 2020 schedule.Issues such as roster size, trade deadlines, series length and treatment of the luxury tax would be delegated to a subcommittee.___AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this report.

MLB players want more games, no more salary cuts

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sophomore forward Kaosi Ezeagu (Brampton, Ontario/GTA Prep/UTEP) has received a waiver from the NCAA that will allow him to play immediately in 2020-21, head coach Bruce Weber announced on Wednesday.

A 6-foot-10, 245-pound transfer from UTEP, Ezeagu enrolled at K-State on January 17 for the Spring 2020 semester and was able to practice with the team. He sat out the remainder of the 2019-20 season and was expected to do so for the Fall 2020 semester before earning the waiver. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

"We are excited for Kaosi that he was able to gain this waiver and become immediately eligible," said Weber. "When we signed him, I thought he filled a big need, giving us an older, experienced big guy that has played Division I basketball. He made big strides on the court and in the weight room this past semester and helped raise the physicality and competitive spirit in practice. He really helped push (departing senior) Mak (Mawien) down the stretch. We are appreciative to Coach (Rodney) Terry, his staff and UTEP for supporting this waiver."

Prior to enrolling at K-State, the native of Brampton, Ontario played one season at UTEP for head coach Rodney Terry in 2018-19. He played in all 29 games for the Miners as a true freshman, averaging 3.2 points on a team-best 56.9 field goal percentage (37-of-65) with 3.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 12.4 minutes per game. He led the team with 24 blocked shots and registered at least 2 blocks in eight contests with a season-high 3 against Rice on February 23, 2019. Twice he scored in double figures, including 10 in his first game against UTPB on November 16, 2018 and a season-best 12 against Middle Tennessee State on March 6, 2019.

Ezeagu started each of the Miners' last seven games, averaging 3.9 points on 47.8 percent shooting (11-of-23) with 4.3 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game. He nearly had a double-double in his final home game against Middle Tennessee State with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting with 9 rebounds in a season-best 29 minutes.

Ezeagu was born in the Bahamas but went to prep school in Brampton, Ontario (a suburb of Toronto, where he was rated one of the top prep players in Canada after averaging 11.4 points and 10.4 rebounds at GTA Prep at Mississauga Secondary School in 2017-18. The only player in the league to average a double-double, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year by the National Preparatory Association. He was also selected as the co-MVP of the Signature All-Canadian Showcase.

Ezeagu joins an acclaimed recruiting class that includes community college transfers Rueadale "Rudi" Williams (Hamilton, Ontario/Forest Trail [N.C]/NE Oklahoma A&amp;M College) and Carlton Linguard (San Antonio, Texas/Stevens/Temple College [Texas]) as well as high school seniors Davion Bradford (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville, Luke Kasubke (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade, Seryee Lewis (Chicago, Ill./Compass Prep [Ariz.], Selton Miguel (Orlando, Fla./West Oaks Academy) and Nijel Pack (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central).

The seven-man recruiting class ranks among the best in the country by several recruiting services, including No. 17 by Rivals.com and No. 30 by 247Sports.com. Historically speaking, it is the highest rated recruiting class under Weber and the highest collective class by K-State since recruiting rankings have been kept. Three players (Selton Miguel, Nijel Pack and Davion Bradford) are rated among the Top 150 players by both 247Sports and Rivals, while Williams and Linguard are both ranked among the best community college signees by 247Sports.

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball">Kansas State Athletics</a>

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sophomore forward Kaosi Ezeagu (Brampton, Ontario/GTA Prep/UTEP) has received a waiver from the NCAA that will allow him to play immediately in 2020-21, head coach Bruce Weber announced on Wednesday.A 6-foot-10, 245-pound transfer from UTEP, Ezeagu enrolled at K-State on January 17 for the Spring 2020 semester and was able to practice with the team. He sat out the remainder of the 2019-20 season and was expected to do so for the Fall 2020 semester before earning the waiver. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining."We are excited for Kaosi that he was able to gain this waiver and become immediately eligible," said Weber. "When we signed him, I thought he filled a big need, giving us an older, experienced big guy that has played Division I basketball. He made big strides on the court and in the weight room this past semester and helped raise the physicality and competitive spirit in practice. He really helped push (departing senior) Mak (Mawien) down the stretch. We are appreciative to Coach (Rodney) Terry, his staff and UTEP for supporting this waiver."Prior to enrolling at K-State, the native of Brampton, Ontario played one season at UTEP for head coach Rodney Terry in 2018-19. He played in all 29 games for the Miners as a true freshman, averaging 3.2 points on a team-best 56.9 field goal percentage (37-of-65) with 3.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 12.4 minutes per game. He led the team with 24 blocked shots and registered at least 2 blocks in eight contests with a season-high 3 against Rice on February 23, 2019. Twice he scored in double figures, including 10 in his first game against UTPB on November 16, 2018 and a season-best 12 against Middle Tennessee State on March 6, 2019.Ezeagu started each of the Miners' last seven games, averaging 3.9 points on 47.8 percent shooting (11-of-23) with 4.3 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game. He nearly had a double-double in his final home game against Middle Tennessee State with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting with 9 rebounds in a season-best 29 minutes.Ezeagu was born in the Bahamas but went to prep school in Brampton, Ontario (a suburb of Toronto, where he was rated one of the top prep players in Canada after averaging 11.4 points and 10.4 rebounds at GTA Prep at Mississauga Secondary School in 2017-18. The only player in the league to average a double-double, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year by the National Preparatory Association. He was also selected as the co-MVP of the Signature All-Canadian Showcase.Ezeagu joins an acclaimed recruiting class that includes community college transfers Rueadale "Rudi" Williams (Hamilton, Ontario/Forest Trail [N.C]/NE Oklahoma A&amp;M College) and Carlton Linguard (San Antonio, Texas/Stevens/Temple College [Texas]) as well as high school seniors Davion Bradford (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville, Luke Kasubke (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade, Seryee Lewis (Chicago, Ill./Compass Prep [Ariz.], Selton Miguel (Orlando, Fla./West Oaks Academy) and Nijel Pack (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central).The seven-man recruiting class ranks among the best in the country by several recruiting services, including No. 17 by Rivals.com and No. 30 by 247Sports.com. Historically speaking, it is the highest rated recruiting class under Weber and the highest collective class by K-State since recruiting rankings have been kept. Three players (Selton Miguel, Nijel Pack and Davion Bradford) are rated among the Top 150 players by both 247Sports and Rivals, while Williams and Linguard are both ranked among the best community college signees by 247Sports.<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball">Kansas State Athletics</a>

K-State's Ezeagu earns waiver to play immediately in 2020-21

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - The athletic department at the University of Kansas has told donors it will make across-the-board pay cuts and furloughs as it faces a budget shortfall of up to 20%, even if full football and basketball seasons are played.

Jayhawks athletic director Jeff Long said in an email that employees making less than $50,000 will face a three-week furlough this summer; those making up to $149,000 can choose between a 10-day furlough or a pay cut of either 3.5% or 5% depending on their salary; those making up to $299,000 can choose a 10-day furlough or cut of either 7.5% and 10%; and those making $300,000 or more will take a 10% pay cut.

Long joined football coach Les Miles and basketball coach Bill Self in taking pay cuts in April. When those are combined with the latest cuts, Long said the athletic department would save about $1.15 million.

"We prolonged enacting measures that impact our people as long as we could,'' Long said in the email, "but it has become clear that the across-the-board reductions were necessary for the short and long-term financial needs of this department.''

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - The athletic department at the University of Kansas has told donors it will make across-the-board pay cuts and furloughs as it faces a budget shortfall of up to 20%, even if full football and basketball seasons are played.Jayhawks athletic director Jeff Long said in an email that employees making less than $50,000 will face a three-week furlough this summer; those making up to $149,000 can choose between a 10-day furlough or a pay cut of either 3.5% or 5% depending on their salary; those making up to $299,000 can choose a 10-day furlough or cut of either 7.5% and 10%; and those making $300,000 or more will take a 10% pay cut.Long joined football coach Les Miles and basketball coach Bill Self in taking pay cuts in April. When those are combined with the latest cuts, Long said the athletic department would save about $1.15 million."We prolonged enacting measures that impact our people as long as we could,'' Long said in the email, "but it has become clear that the across-the-board reductions were necessary for the short and long-term financial needs of this department.''

Kansas athletic department to impose furloughs, pay cuts

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has tabled a proposal for a booth official who would aid calls by using a video feed, a person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press.

The league’s competition committee told teams last month it supports studying ways to determine how officiating personnel who have access to a video feed could help on-field officials. A booth umpire would serve as an eighth game official.

But when the owners vote on rules proposals in a conference call Thursday, they instead will be looking at alternatives to a booth official, the person said on condition of anonymity because the league has not announced the move.

Those alternatives will focus on preseason tests of expanding the authority of the current replay assistant as he communicates with on-field officials.

Several reasons for dismissing the booth official suggestion have been offered, from the extra cost of another permanent official to the fact college football has such a setup. Regardless, the league’s approach to improving officiating now will center on enhancing the current system.

Earlier Wednesday, the NFL clarified the rules proposal for an alternative to an onside kick.

The Philadelphia Eagles have proposed allowing one fourth-and-15 scrimmage play from 25-yard line of the team kicking off. It can only be done in regulation time, and be used twice. Should the team attempting the play succeed, it would keep the ball. If the defense is successful, its offense gets the ball at the spot where the play is blown dead.

A regular onside kick would remain an option.

Team owners will discuss and possibly vote on the Eagles’ suggestion on Thursday. The idea is to virtually eliminate the onside kick that is considered more dangerous than most other football plays, while offering a substitute that could be exciting — and game changing.

Recent rules changes regarding alignments on onside kicks and run-ups for kicking team players have turned the exercise into something of a relic attempted only in desperate situations. In the last two years, less than 10% of onside kicks succeeded.

After the kicking team notifies the referee it wants to attempt the fourth-and-15 play, it would need to reach its 40-yard line to convert. However, penalties incurred on the previous play, such as a field goal or extra point, would apply and would change the line of scrimmage for the play, which would remain a fourth-and-15 attempt.

Once a team has opted for the scrimmage play, that decision sticks — unless the team calls a timeout before running the fourth-and-15 play. It could then notify the referee it has decided to kick off instead, and do so. That would seem like a waste of a timeout.

If the offense has run the alternative play and been flagged for a penalty, the yardage is marked off and another scrimmage play is run. Switching to kicking off instead is barred in that scenario.

The game clock would not run for the play, though a 25-second play clock would be in force.

Some people within the NFL find the proposal gimmicky, and there’s some support for trying it in the preseason as an experiment, then evaluating its impact. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s uncertain if the NFL will have a preseason or what it would look like.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has tabled a proposal for a booth official who would aid calls by using a video feed, a person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press.The league’s competition committee told teams last month it supports studying ways to determine how officiating personnel who have access to a video feed could help on-field officials. A booth umpire would serve as an eighth game official.But when the owners vote on rules proposals in a conference call Thursday, they instead will be looking at alternatives to a booth official, the person said on condition of anonymity because the league has not announced the move.Those alternatives will focus on preseason tests of expanding the authority of the current replay assistant as he communicates with on-field officials.Several reasons for dismissing the booth official suggestion have been offered, from the extra cost of another permanent official to the fact college football has such a setup. Regardless, the league’s approach to improving officiating now will center on enhancing the current system.Earlier Wednesday, the NFL clarified the rules proposal for an alternative to an onside kick.The Philadelphia Eagles have proposed allowing one fourth-and-15 scrimmage play from 25-yard line of the team kicking off. It can only be done in regulation time, and be used twice. Should the team attempting the play succeed, it would keep the ball. If the defense is successful, its offense gets the ball at the spot where the play is blown dead.A regular onside kick would remain an option.Team owners will discuss and possibly vote on the Eagles’ suggestion on Thursday. The idea is to virtually eliminate the onside kick that is considered more dangerous than most other football plays, while offering a substitute that could be exciting — and game changing.Recent rules changes regarding alignments on onside kicks and run-ups for kicking team players have turned the exercise into something of a relic attempted only in desperate situations. In the last two years, less than 10% of onside kicks succeeded.After the kicking team notifies the referee it wants to attempt the fourth-and-15 play, it would need to reach its 40-yard line to convert. However, penalties incurred on the previous play, such as a field goal or extra point, would apply and would change the line of scrimmage for the play, which would remain a fourth-and-15 attempt.Once a team has opted for the scrimmage play, that decision sticks — unless the team calls a timeout before running the fourth-and-15 play. It could then notify the referee it has decided to kick off instead, and do so. That would seem like a waste of a timeout.If the offense has run the alternative play and been flagged for a penalty, the yardage is marked off and another scrimmage play is run. Switching to kicking off instead is barred in that scenario.The game clock would not run for the play, though a 25-second play clock would be in force.Some people within the NFL find the proposal gimmicky, and there’s some support for trying it in the preseason as an experiment, then evaluating its impact. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s uncertain if the NFL will have a preseason or what it would look like.

NFL drops booth official proposal to aid calls

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced All-America honors for the 2020 Indoor Track and Field season on Tuesday (May 26). Though they saw their chance at competing for national titles in their respective events ended with the cancellation of the NCAA Indoor Championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they receive the honor based on criteria adopted by the USTFCCCA Executive Committee.

Normal policies dictate that All-America honors are based on performance at the NCAA Championships. Due to the cancellation of the NCAA Division II Indoor Track &amp; Field Championships, the Executive Committee adopted the following criteria:

Based on the posted start list for the national championships announced by the NCAA, the following will be recognized as All-America for the 2020 indoor track &amp; field season:

Individual events: ALL student-athletes listed on the start list for the anticipated event.

Relay events: The four student-athletes per anticipated relay who produced the performance that was declared and accepted into their event.

There will not be a distinction of "first-team" or "second-team" to these recognitions.

Ryan Stanley, a sophomore from Bennington, Kansas, now has two All-America honors in his collection in the pole vault, one indoor and one outdoor. He had a big first year for the Tigers by earning All-America status in the 2019 outdoor season for his fourth-place performance at the NCAA Championships. His best effort of the 2020 indoor season occurred at the Pittsburg State Invitational on February 1 with an effort of 16 feet, 10.25 inches. He also won two meets during the indoor season.

Summer Kragel, a junior from Olathe, Kansas, receives the first All-America distinction of her collegiate career. Her personal-best effort of 5 feet, 7.25 inches at the Gorilla Classic, February 14-15, was enough to punch her ticket into the NCAA Championships field. She also posted two meet wins during the indoor season.

This is the second-straight year the Tigers have had two All-Americans for indoor track and field. Last year Brett Meyer (mile run) and Kolt Newell (high jump) earned All-America status for the indoor season.

Though the Tigers have had several women earn All-America honors for the outdoor season in recent years, Kragel is the first women's track and field athlete at FHSU to receive All-America honors from the USTFCCCA for the indoor season since 2012, when Anna Eigruber placed eighth in the long jump at the NCAA Championships.

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced All-America honors for the 2020 Indoor Track and Field season on Tuesday (May 26). Though they saw their chance at competing for national titles in their respective events ended with the cancellation of the NCAA Indoor Championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they receive the honor based on criteria adopted by the USTFCCCA Executive Committee.Normal policies dictate that All-America honors are based on performance at the NCAA Championships. Due to the cancellation of the NCAA Division II Indoor Track &amp; Field Championships, the Executive Committee adopted the following criteria:Based on the posted start list for the national championships announced by the NCAA, the following will be recognized as All-America for the 2020 indoor track &amp; field season:Individual events: ALL student-athletes listed on the start list for the anticipated event.Relay events: The four student-athletes per anticipated relay who produced the performance that was declared and accepted into their event.There will not be a distinction of "first-team" or "second-team" to these recognitions.Ryan Stanley, a sophomore from Bennington, Kansas, now has two All-America honors in his collection in the pole vault, one indoor and one outdoor. He had a big first year for the Tigers by earning All-America status in the 2019 outdoor season for his fourth-place performance at the NCAA Championships. His best effort of the 2020 indoor season occurred at the Pittsburg State Invitational on February 1 with an effort of 16 feet, 10.25 inches. He also won two meets during the indoor season.Summer Kragel, a junior from Olathe, Kansas, receives the first All-America distinction of her collegiate career. Her personal-best effort of 5 feet, 7.25 inches at the Gorilla Classic, February 14-15, was enough to punch her ticket into the NCAA Championships field. She also posted two meet wins during the indoor season.This is the second-straight year the Tigers have had two All-Americans for indoor track and field. Last year Brett Meyer (mile run) and Kolt Newell (high jump) earned All-America status for the indoor season.Though the Tigers have had several women earn All-America honors for the outdoor season in recent years, Kragel is the first women's track and field athlete at FHSU to receive All-America honors from the USTFCCCA for the indoor season since 2012, when Anna Eigruber placed eighth in the long jump at the NCAA Championships.

Stanley and Kragel Named Indoor All-Americans for 2020 by USTFCCCA

Bishop Miege head football coach Jon
Holmes and retired Smith Center head football coach Roger Barta have been
selected by the Coach Bill Snyder Family/Sunflower Chapter of the National Football
Foundation to receive special recognition awards for the 2019-20 academic year.

Holmes, who has been the head coach for
the Stags for eight years and with the program for 16 years was named the Don
Fambrough Coach of the Year. The legendary late Kansas head football coach,
Fambrough was also a member of the Jayhawks 1947 Orange Bowl team. Barta, who
built the Redmen football dynasty, was selected for the Lifetime Achievement
Award.

“Jon and Roger are indeed worthy of&nbsp; the recognition and our admiration for what
they have done in instilling character in their programs and building
champions,” Chapter President Gerry McGuire said. “Both have great respect
among their peers and we congratulate them.”

Holmes has an
overall record of 88-14 and has led Bishop Miege to six consecutive State
Championships (2014-2019). After the 2019 season he was named Kansas
Coach-of-the-Year by the Topeka Capital
Journal. A Miege graduate, he earned his degree from Missouri-Kansas City
in Social Studies Education in 2007 and a masters from Baker&nbsp; in Sports Management in 2019.

Since 2012, the Stags have
had 40 first-team all-state players as well as another 20 that have received
second team or honorable mention accolades. In that same period, eight players
have been named&nbsp; Topeka Capital Journal/Wichita Eagle All State Top 11 players.
Since 2012, 53 Miege grads have gone on to play in college, including 23 at the
FCS/FBS level. Currently, there are 23 active Stags playing collegiately.

Barta graduated from Plainville High School in 1963, received a bachelor
of science in mathematics from Fort Hays State in 1967, and earned a masters of
mathematics education degree from Georgia in 1971. He enjoyed a long teaching
and coaching career at western Kansas high schools including Atwood and Trego
Community High School in WaKeeney. The last 35 of those years were spent at
Smith Center, where he retired from teaching in 2007 and as head football coach
in 2012. He had amassed a career record of 323-68, which included eight Kansas
state championships.&nbsp; Barta was inducted
into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011
and the State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

He was featured in the September 2009 issue of Reader’s Digest in an article titled “Life Coach Roger Barta: How a
high school football coach built a championship dynasty by never playing to
win,” by Joe Drape, a sportswriter for the New
York Times. In November of 2007 Drape wrote another article about Barta, “A
Football Power in a Small Kansas Town” that appeared in the Nov. 9 issue of the New York Times. Drape also wrote a book
about Barta’s career at Smith Center High School titled “Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen”
in 2009.

The
2019-2020 Individual&nbsp; Scholar-Athlete
Awards will be announced in early June. These awards recognize excellence in
academics, football and community leadership.

About the Coach Bill Snyder
Family/Sunflower Chapter NFF

The Kansas Chapter received its
National Football Foundation Charter Nov. 25, 1991 at halftime ceremonies of
the Kansas-Missouri football game. It then evolved into the Jayhawk Chapter and later transitioned to
the Sunflower Chapter This year, it was renamed the Coach Bill Snyder Family
Sunflower Chapter. It’s mission is to recognize outstanding high school seniors
who excel on the gridiron, in the classroom and as leaders in their schools and
communities.&nbsp; More than 300 high school
football players from the state of Kansas have been honored by the chapter
since its inception in 1991. Dillon’s Food Stores, which maintains a large
presence in the state of Kansas, sponsors the chapter awards program and
banquet.

About the National Football Foundation

Founded
in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army
coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, the
National Football Foundation (NFF) is a non-profit educational organization
that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing
scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. 

The
NFF Chapter Network, spread across 120 outposts in 47 states, serves as the
pulse of a nationwide effort to encourage leadership, sportsmanship and
academic excellence among America’s young football players. The first meeting
to discuss the formation of chapters was held by the Cincinnati Club in 1954,
and today more than 12,000 passionate members carry on the legacy of the early
pioneers, which is simply to Build
Leaders Through Football. Collectively, they host more than 300 events each
year, reaching more than 500,000 football players at 5,000 high schools.

Bishop Miege head football coach Jon
Holmes and retired Smith Center head football coach Roger Barta have been
selected by the Coach Bill Snyder Family/Sunflower Chapter of the National Football
Foundation to receive special recognition awards for the 2019-20 academic year.Holmes, who has been the head coach for
the Stags for eight years and with the program for 16 years was named the Don
Fambrough Coach of the Year. The legendary late Kansas head football coach,
Fambrough was also a member of the Jayhawks 1947 Orange Bowl team. Barta, who
built the Redmen football dynasty, was selected for the Lifetime Achievement
Award.“Jon and Roger are indeed worthy of&nbsp; the recognition and our admiration for what
they have done in instilling character in their programs and building
champions,” Chapter President Gerry McGuire said. “Both have great respect
among their peers and we congratulate them.”Holmes has an
overall record of 88-14 and has led Bishop Miege to six consecutive State
Championships (2014-2019). After the 2019 season he was named Kansas
Coach-of-the-Year by the Topeka Capital
Journal. A Miege graduate, he earned his degree from Missouri-Kansas City
in Social Studies Education in 2007 and a masters from Baker&nbsp; in Sports Management in 2019. Since 2012, the Stags have
had 40 first-team all-state players as well as another 20 that have received
second team or honorable mention accolades. In that same period, eight players
have been named&nbsp; Topeka Capital Journal/Wichita Eagle All State Top 11 players.
Since 2012, 53 Miege grads have gone on to play in college, including 23 at the
FCS/FBS level. Currently, there are 23 active Stags playing collegiately. Barta graduated from Plainville High School in 1963, received a bachelor
of science in mathematics from Fort Hays State in 1967, and earned a masters of
mathematics education degree from Georgia in 1971. He enjoyed a long teaching
and coaching career at western Kansas high schools including Atwood and Trego
Community High School in WaKeeney. The last 35 of those years were spent at
Smith Center, where he retired from teaching in 2007 and as head football coach
in 2012. He had amassed a career record of 323-68, which included eight Kansas
state championships.&nbsp; Barta was inducted
into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011
and the State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.He was featured in the September 2009 issue of Reader’s Digest in an article titled “Life Coach Roger Barta: How a
high school football coach built a championship dynasty by never playing to
win,” by Joe Drape, a sportswriter for the New
York Times. In November of 2007 Drape wrote another article about Barta, “A
Football Power in a Small Kansas Town” that appeared in the Nov. 9 issue of the New York Times. Drape also wrote a book
about Barta’s career at Smith Center High School titled “Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen”
in 2009.The
2019-2020 Individual&nbsp; Scholar-Athlete
Awards will be announced in early June. These awards recognize excellence in
academics, football and community leadership.About the Coach Bill Snyder
Family/Sunflower Chapter NFFThe Kansas Chapter received its
National Football Foundation Charter Nov. 25, 1991 at halftime ceremonies of
the Kansas-Missouri football game. It then evolved into the Jayhawk Chapter and later transitioned to
the Sunflower Chapter This year, it was renamed the Coach Bill Snyder Family
Sunflower Chapter. It’s mission is to recognize outstanding high school seniors
who excel on the gridiron, in the classroom and as leaders in their schools and
communities.&nbsp; More than 300 high school
football players from the state of Kansas have been honored by the chapter
since its inception in 1991. Dillon’s Food Stores, which maintains a large
presence in the state of Kansas, sponsors the chapter awards program and
banquet.About the National Football FoundationFounded
in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army
coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, the
National Football Foundation (NFF) is a non-profit educational organization
that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing
scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. About the NFF Chapter NetworkThe
NFF Chapter Network, spread across 120 outposts in 47 states, serves as the
pulse of a nationwide effort to encourage leadership, sportsmanship and
academic excellence among America’s young football players. The first meeting
to discuss the formation of chapters was held by the Cincinnati Club in 1954,
and today more than 12,000 passionate members carry on the legacy of the early
pioneers, which is simply to Build
Leaders Through Football. Collectively, they host more than 300 events each
year, reaching more than 500,000 football players at 5,000 high schools.

Holmes, Barta honored for contributions to high school football



KANSAS CITY, Mo. -&nbsp;The MIAA announced its 2019-2020 Winter Student-Athletes of the Year Awards. The male winner was Levi Wyrick of Pittsburg State and the female winner was Morgan Fleming of Central Missouri.

Levi Wyrick -&nbsp;Pittsburg State, Indoor Track &amp; Field

Wyrick was an indoor track and field student-athlete this past winter season. He was the runner-up in the weight throw at the 2020 MIAA Indoor Track &amp; Field Championships and earned All-MIAA honors in the event for the third time in his career. Wyrick qualified for the 2020 NCAA Division II Championship in the event before the meet was canceled due to the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic.

Academically, the graduate student carried a 4.0 GPA in Educational Leadership. He was set to receive the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award as the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the NCAA Championship before the cancellation of the meet. The accolade would have been his third Elite 90 award in his career. Wyrick has also been a four-time NCAA Division II Academic All-America recipient in the sports of football and track and field. Last year, he was named with the MIAA’s Ken B. Jones Award as the Association’s top male student-athlete and earned MIAA Academic Excellence Awards each of his four years at PSU.

Wyrick spent time as a volunteer serving meals to those in need at the Lord’s Diner in Pittsburg, Kansas as well as volunteering at his hometown church. On-campus, he volunteered with the annual Youth Football Clinic for the Gorilla football team.&nbsp;

Morgan Fleming -&nbsp;Central Missouri, Basketball

Fleming was a women’s basketball student-athlete during the 2019-2020 season. She was named first-team All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and second-team All-Region by the D2 Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA). Fleming also earned first-team All-MIAA accolades this past winter as she helped Central Missouri claim the MIAA women’s basketball regular-season conference title. She also led the Jennies to the tournament title and picked-up the Association’s Co-Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament Award. UCM was the top seed in the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Central Region Championship before the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic.

In the classroom, the senior maintained a 3.8 GPA as a Biology major and Chemistry minor. Fleming received a CoSIDA Academic All-District accolade in 2019. She was also a four-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll recipient, three-time MIAA Scholar-Athlete recipient, and MIAA Academic Excellence recipient.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fleming was involved as a volunteer with the Warrensburg Elementary Schools Adventure Club UCM Literacy Team, Community Clothes with the Warrensburg School District, and the WBCA Day of Service at Maple Grove Elementary School. She also volunteered at Warrensburg Parks and Recreation youth practices, Western Missouri Medical Center and at the Missouri Veterans Home as a Certified Nursing Assistant.&nbsp;

The 2019-2020 Student-Athlete of the Year awards are given in lieu of the annual Ken B. Jones award due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The MIAA’s COVID-19 Task Force recommended an award that properly recognizes the top student-athletes from the fall and winter but not limit the spring sport student-athletes who were unable to finish their seasons and collect accolades for a fair and competitive resume.&nbsp;

A 15-member committee comprised of one administrator from each MIAA institution and the conference office ranked each candidate based on excellence in three categories: Athletic Achievement in that academic year, Career Academic Achievements, and Community/Campus Service during the Academic Year. A nominee must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average through the previous full semester term through February 1 of the academic year of nomination



KANSAS CITY, Mo. -&nbsp;The MIAA announced its 2019-2020 Winter Student-Athletes of the Year Awards. The male winner was Levi Wyrick of Pittsburg State and the female winner was Morgan Fleming of Central Missouri.Levi Wyrick -&nbsp;Pittsburg State, Indoor Track &amp; FieldWyrick was an indoor track and field student-athlete this past winter season. He was the runner-up in the weight throw at the 2020 MIAA Indoor Track &amp; Field Championships and earned All-MIAA honors in the event for the third time in his career. Wyrick qualified for the 2020 NCAA Division II Championship in the event before the meet was canceled due to the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic.Academically, the graduate student carried a 4.0 GPA in Educational Leadership. He was set to receive the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award as the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the NCAA Championship before the cancellation of the meet. The accolade would have been his third Elite 90 award in his career. Wyrick has also been a four-time NCAA Division II Academic All-America recipient in the sports of football and track and field. Last year, he was named with the MIAA’s Ken B. Jones Award as the Association’s top male student-athlete and earned MIAA Academic Excellence Awards each of his four years at PSU.Wyrick spent time as a volunteer serving meals to those in need at the Lord’s Diner in Pittsburg, Kansas as well as volunteering at his hometown church. On-campus, he volunteered with the annual Youth Football Clinic for the Gorilla football team.&nbsp;Morgan Fleming -&nbsp;Central Missouri, BasketballFleming was a women’s basketball student-athlete during the 2019-2020 season. She was named first-team All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and second-team All-Region by the D2 Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA). Fleming also earned first-team All-MIAA accolades this past winter as she helped Central Missouri claim the MIAA women’s basketball regular-season conference title. She also led the Jennies to the tournament title and picked-up the Association’s Co-Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament Award. UCM was the top seed in the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Central Region Championship before the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic.In the classroom, the senior maintained a 3.8 GPA as a Biology major and Chemistry minor. Fleming received a CoSIDA Academic All-District accolade in 2019. She was also a four-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll recipient, three-time MIAA Scholar-Athlete recipient, and MIAA Academic Excellence recipient.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fleming was involved as a volunteer with the Warrensburg Elementary Schools Adventure Club UCM Literacy Team, Community Clothes with the Warrensburg School District, and the WBCA Day of Service at Maple Grove Elementary School. She also volunteered at Warrensburg Parks and Recreation youth practices, Western Missouri Medical Center and at the Missouri Veterans Home as a Certified Nursing Assistant.&nbsp;The 2019-2020 Student-Athlete of the Year awards are given in lieu of the annual Ken B. Jones award due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The MIAA’s COVID-19 Task Force recommended an award that properly recognizes the top student-athletes from the fall and winter but not limit the spring sport student-athletes who were unable to finish their seasons and collect accolades for a fair and competitive resume.&nbsp;A 15-member committee comprised of one administrator from each MIAA institution and the conference office ranked each candidate based on excellence in three categories: Athletic Achievement in that academic year, Career Academic Achievements, and Community/Campus Service during the Academic Year. A nominee must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average through the previous full semester term through February 1 of the academic year of nomination

MIAA Release

PSU’s Wyrick, UCM’s Fleming named MIAA Winter Student-Athletes of the Year

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The MIAA announced its 2019 Fall Student-Athlete of the Year Awards. The male winner was Jace McDown of Emporia State and the female winner was Piper Misse of Pittsburg State.

McDown was a football student-athlete during the fall season for the Hornets. As a linebacker, he was selected as an honorable mention All-American and also received first-team All-MIAA accolades. McDown led the Association with 58 solo tackles and was second with 95 total tackles. His peers on the team voted him as the best teammate and most outstanding player.

Academically, the junior carried a 3.98 GPA in Health and Human Performance. McDown’s work in the classroom, combined with his play on the field allowed him to be named a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-America selection and a D2 Athletic Director's Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Award winner. He was also an MIAA Scholar-Athlete and Academic Honor Roll Recipient over his career.

The 2019-2020 Emporia State most outstanding male student-athlete logged volunteered time with the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, the National Strength &amp; Conditioning Association Conference, and at powerlifting meets at local high schools. He was also active in ESU’s HornetFest which was in conjunction with NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Love2Play Initiative and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) as the chapter’s vice president.

Piper Misse - Pittsburg State, Cross Country

Misse was a cross country student-athlete during the fall season for the Gorillas. She captured her second career individual MIAA cross country championship in 2019 and helped PSU to its third straight conference title. Misse, and the Gorillas, also qualified for the NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country Championships in the fall season.

In the classroom, the senior excelled with a 4.0 GPA in nursing. Misse was a 2018-19 Google Cloud Academic All-America selection and is under consideration for the accolade again this season. She was an MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient, MIAA Scholar-Athlete, and MIAA Academic Honor Roll recipient all four years of her career. Misse was also tabbed with Pittsburg State’s 2020 Outstanding Senior Award and will graduate Summa Cum Laude from the university.

Misse engaged in numerous projects as a volunteer including the Honors College Association, activities with community members with special needs, and visiting residents at a local nursing home. She is an active member of the Kansas Association of Nursing Students and serves as a faculty-peer liaison for the PSU School of Nursing. Misses also helped the campus community as she was an ambassador or reception host at events for alumni, donors, and legislators.

The 2019-2020 Student-Athlete of the Year awards are given in lieu of the annual Ken B. Jones award due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The MIAA’s COVID-19 Task Force recommended an award that properly recognizes the top student-athletes from the fall and winter but not limit the spring sport student-athletes who were unable to finish their seasons and collect accolades for a fair and competitive resume. Winners of the Winter Student-Athlete of the Year award will be announced on Friday, May 22.

A 15-member committee comprised of one administrator from each MIAA institution and the conference office ranked each candidate based on excellence in three categories: Athletic Achievement in that academic year, Career Academic Achievements, and Community/Campus Service during the Academic Year. A nominee must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average through the previous full semester term through February 1 of the academic year of nomination at the certifying member institution.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The MIAA announced its 2019 Fall Student-Athlete of the Year Awards. The male winner was Jace McDown of Emporia State and the female winner was Piper Misse of Pittsburg State.Jace McDown - Emporia State, FootballMcDown was a football student-athlete during the fall season for the Hornets. As a linebacker, he was selected as an honorable mention All-American and also received first-team All-MIAA accolades. McDown led the Association with 58 solo tackles and was second with 95 total tackles. His peers on the team voted him as the best teammate and most outstanding player.Academically, the junior carried a 3.98 GPA in Health and Human Performance. McDown’s work in the classroom, combined with his play on the field allowed him to be named a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-America selection and a D2 Athletic Director's Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Award winner. He was also an MIAA Scholar-Athlete and Academic Honor Roll Recipient over his career.The 2019-2020 Emporia State most outstanding male student-athlete logged volunteered time with the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, the National Strength &amp; Conditioning Association Conference, and at powerlifting meets at local high schools. He was also active in ESU’s HornetFest which was in conjunction with NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Love2Play Initiative and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) as the chapter’s vice president.Piper Misse - Pittsburg State, Cross CountryMisse was a cross country student-athlete during the fall season for the Gorillas. She captured her second career individual MIAA cross country championship in 2019 and helped PSU to its third straight conference title. Misse, and the Gorillas, also qualified for the NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country Championships in the fall season.In the classroom, the senior excelled with a 4.0 GPA in nursing. Misse was a 2018-19 Google Cloud Academic All-America selection and is under consideration for the accolade again this season. She was an MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient, MIAA Scholar-Athlete, and MIAA Academic Honor Roll recipient all four years of her career. Misse was also tabbed with Pittsburg State’s 2020 Outstanding Senior Award and will graduate Summa Cum Laude from the university.Misse engaged in numerous projects as a volunteer including the Honors College Association, activities with community members with special needs, and visiting residents at a local nursing home. She is an active member of the Kansas Association of Nursing Students and serves as a faculty-peer liaison for the PSU School of Nursing. Misses also helped the campus community as she was an ambassador or reception host at events for alumni, donors, and legislators.The 2019-2020 Student-Athlete of the Year awards are given in lieu of the annual Ken B. Jones award due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The MIAA’s COVID-19 Task Force recommended an award that properly recognizes the top student-athletes from the fall and winter but not limit the spring sport student-athletes who were unable to finish their seasons and collect accolades for a fair and competitive resume. Winners of the Winter Student-Athlete of the Year award will be announced on Friday, May 22.A 15-member committee comprised of one administrator from each MIAA institution and the conference office ranked each candidate based on excellence in three categories: Athletic Achievement in that academic year, Career Academic Achievements, and Community/Campus Service during the Academic Year. A nominee must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average through the previous full semester term through February 1 of the academic year of nomination at the certifying member institution.MIAA Release

MIAA announces Fall Student-Athlete of the Year awards

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL is considering adding a “booth umpire” and a senior technology adviser to the referee to assist the officiating crew.

The league also is looking at other rule changes, including an alternative to the onside kick.

NFL clubs received a list of potential rules changes on Thursday. Owners will vote on the proposals at the upcoming league meeting to be held by video conference on May 28. If owners don’t approve adding a booth umpire and/or a senior technology adviser, the league could test a version of both rules in the preseason for possible future implementation.

The proposal that would give teams another option instead of an onside kick permits a team to maintain possession of the ball after a score by substituting one offensive play. The kicking team would attempt a fourth-and-15 from its 25-yard line. This could be done a maximum of two times per game. Onside kicks have become infrequent and rarely successful since the NFL changed rules on alignments for kickoffs.

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL is considering adding a “booth umpire” and a senior technology adviser to the referee to assist the officiating crew.The league also is looking at other rule changes, including an alternative to the onside kick.NFL clubs received a list of potential rules changes on Thursday. Owners will vote on the proposals at the upcoming league meeting to be held by video conference on May 28. If owners don’t approve adding a booth umpire and/or a senior technology adviser, the league could test a version of both rules in the preseason for possible future implementation.The proposal that would give teams another option instead of an onside kick permits a team to maintain possession of the ball after a score by substituting one offensive play. The kicking team would attempt a fourth-and-15 from its 25-yard line. This could be done a maximum of two times per game. Onside kicks have become infrequent and rarely successful since the NFL changed rules on alignments for kickoffs.

NFL looks at adding "booth umpire" and tech adviser for refs

HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State head wrestling coach&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/29612e3d-5d19-452d-97bb-04670dfec530?elinkdata=150110" target="_blank">Chas Thompson</a>&nbsp;announced he is resigning from his head wrestling coach position at Fort Hays State University. Thompson led the program for 12 years from 2008-2020.

"I want to thank Fort Hays State University and the Athletic Department for all of the opportunities given to me in my tenure in Hays," said Thompson. "I have many fond memories here. I will truly miss my FHSU Wrestling family, and I look forward to seeing them reach their goals. While this has been a very hard decision for me, with all this uncertainty due to COVID-19, I am looking into opportunities to get back closer to family."

"We'd like to thank Chas for his efforts as our head wrestling coach over the years," said FHSU Athletic Director&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/36ebf514-3963-455d-a433-d178dddb367e?elinkdata=150110" target="_blank">Curtis Hammeke</a>. "We wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors."

Most recently in 2019-20, Thompson coached the Tigers to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Super Region 4 Championships. Five of his wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships, which unfortunately were canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It matched the most national qualifiers for FHSU since 2014, while two of the five received All-America honors based on voting by the NWCA.

In his 12 years leading the program, Thompson guided the Tigers to a dual mark of 91-77-1. He is the career dual wins leader among coaches in FHSU history, and the longest-tenured coach in the program's history.

Thompson coached 12 individuals to 17 All-America finishes. During the most recent season of 2019-20,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/63494561-e2b1-4296-96d3-b69b5300a73c?elinkdata=150110" target="_blank">Brandon Ball</a>&nbsp;became the most decorated individual under Thompson's guidance, earning the third All-America honor of his career. Three other individuals under Thompson's guidance earned All-America honors twice. Ball also finished as the all-time leader in win percentage for the program's history with a record of 130-22 (.855).&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/0366e094-81c1-40cc-b117-72e468e651e1?elinkdata=150110" target="_blank">Jon Inman</a>&nbsp;(2017 - 197 pounds, who previously owned the program's highest individual win percentage, and Tommy Edgmon (2009 - 125 pounds) claimed the highest national finishes among Thompson's wrestlers, both finishing second.

Fort Hays State was in the NWCA national team rankings multiple times during Thompson's tenure. A 12th-place finish at the NCAA Championships was the highest for the program under Thompson, accomplished twice (2010 and 2017).

Thompson's 2009-10 team posted a 12-5 record, the most dual wins in a season for the program in 45 years. The 12 wins were the second most for a season in school history. Then as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in wrestling, FHSU finished 8-1 in conference duals, placing second. It was the highest conference finish the program had under Thompson. The Tigers also set a school record for most consecutive dual wins that season with 10.

Prior to his 12-year head coaching stint at FHSU, Thompson was head coach for two years at Pratt (Kan.) Community College. Outside of his time at Pratt, Thompson has been part of the Tiger wrestling program for nearly two decades, wrestling from 1999-2002 before serving as an assistant coach from 2002-2005. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Fort Hays State. He came to FHSU after wrestling at Labette Community College for his father Jody Thompson, a member of multiple wrestling halls of fame.

A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.



HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State head wrestling coach&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/29612e3d-5d19-452d-97bb-04670dfec530?elinkdata=150110" target="_blank">Chas Thompson</a>&nbsp;announced he is resigning from his head wrestling coach position at Fort Hays State University. Thompson led the program for 12 years from 2008-2020."I want to thank Fort Hays State University and the Athletic Department for all of the opportunities given to me in my tenure in Hays," said Thompson. "I have many fond memories here. I will truly miss my FHSU Wrestling family, and I look forward to seeing them reach their goals. While this has been a very hard decision for me, with all this uncertainty due to COVID-19, I am looking into opportunities to get back closer to family.""We'd like to thank Chas for his efforts as our head wrestling coach over the years," said FHSU Athletic Director&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/36ebf514-3963-455d-a433-d178dddb367e?elinkdata=150110" target="_blank">Curtis Hammeke</a>. "We wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors."Most recently in 2019-20, Thompson coached the Tigers to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Super Region 4 Championships. Five of his wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships, which unfortunately were canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It matched the most national qualifiers for FHSU since 2014, while two of the five received All-America honors based on voting by the NWCA.In his 12 years leading the program, Thompson guided the Tigers to a dual mark of 91-77-1. He is the career dual wins leader among coaches in FHSU history, and the longest-tenured coach in the program's history.Thompson coached 12 individuals to 17 All-America finishes. During the most recent season of 2019-20,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/63494561-e2b1-4296-96d3-b69b5300a73c?elinkdata=150110" target="_blank">Brandon Ball</a>&nbsp;became the most decorated individual under Thompson's guidance, earning the third All-America honor of his career. Three other individuals under Thompson's guidance earned All-America honors twice. Ball also finished as the all-time leader in win percentage for the program's history with a record of 130-22 (.855).&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/0366e094-81c1-40cc-b117-72e468e651e1?elinkdata=150110" target="_blank">Jon Inman</a>&nbsp;(2017 - 197 pounds, who previously owned the program's highest individual win percentage, and Tommy Edgmon (2009 - 125 pounds) claimed the highest national finishes among Thompson's wrestlers, both finishing second.Fort Hays State was in the NWCA national team rankings multiple times during Thompson's tenure. A 12th-place finish at the NCAA Championships was the highest for the program under Thompson, accomplished twice (2010 and 2017).Thompson's 2009-10 team posted a 12-5 record, the most dual wins in a season for the program in 45 years. The 12 wins were the second most for a season in school history. Then as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in wrestling, FHSU finished 8-1 in conference duals, placing second. It was the highest conference finish the program had under Thompson. The Tigers also set a school record for most consecutive dual wins that season with 10.Prior to his 12-year head coaching stint at FHSU, Thompson was head coach for two years at Pratt (Kan.) Community College. Outside of his time at Pratt, Thompson has been part of the Tiger wrestling program for nearly two decades, wrestling from 1999-2002 before serving as an assistant coach from 2002-2005. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Fort Hays State. He came to FHSU after wrestling at Labette Community College for his father Jody Thompson, a member of multiple wrestling halls of fame.A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

Thompson resigns from FHSU head wrestling coach position

Mike Racy joins the Defend the Fort Podcast to talk about how the MIAA will handle fewer games in the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

Mike Racy joins the Defend the Fort Podcast to talk about how the MIAA will handle fewer games in the upcoming 2020-21 school year.<div><iframe title="MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/sqatb-dd3fa8?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&skin=2&auto=0&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>

🎧 MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy talks scheduling

A day after announcing a new head girls' basketball coach, Hays High has announced the hiring of Shannon Funk as its new volleyball coach. She is a longtime staple in the western Kansas volleyball community. As an employee of Hays Recreation Commission, she revitalized the volleyball summer league for middle and high school teams. The league played in Hays saw more than 50 teams playing at its peak.&nbsp;

In 2007 Funk established Western Kansas Elite. She ran the club volleyball team through 2017 increasing the teams from one her first year to thirteen her final season at the helm. Those thirteen squads totaled more than 100 girls.&nbsp;

Funk has also coached in the schools of Hays. Following graduation in 1999 she became the girls "B" team basketball coach at Felten Middle School from 1999 through 2004 and was the assistant volleyball coach from 2000 through 2005. In her first return to Hays High she was an assistant on the volleyball team for 2006 and 2007 and an assistant on the girls basketball team from 2005 through 2007.&nbsp;

Funk also spent one season at Fort Hays State University as a volunteer assistant coach in 2008.&nbsp;

Funk was the first volleyball coach at TMP-Marian Middle School and held the position for two years before joining her sister on the TMP-Marian High School staff. She assisted Natasha Dreher from 2014 through 2017. Her final season as an assistant was the same year that TMP won the 3A state title.&nbsp;

Funk will also teach Social Studies and Physical Education at Hays High School. She was approved as the head volleyball coach in January and as a result has had the opportunity to meet with her team on a few occasions before the COVID-19 pandemic halted on-campus classes.&nbsp;

She replaces Christin Nunnery who stepped down at the end of the 2019 season.

A day after announcing a new head girls' basketball coach, Hays High has announced the hiring of Shannon Funk as its new volleyball coach. She is a longtime staple in the western Kansas volleyball community. As an employee of Hays Recreation Commission, she revitalized the volleyball summer league for middle and high school teams. The league played in Hays saw more than 50 teams playing at its peak.&nbsp;In 2007 Funk established Western Kansas Elite. She ran the club volleyball team through 2017 increasing the teams from one her first year to thirteen her final season at the helm. Those thirteen squads totaled more than 100 girls.&nbsp;Funk has also coached in the schools of Hays. Following graduation in 1999 she became the girls "B" team basketball coach at Felten Middle School from 1999 through 2004 and was the assistant volleyball coach from 2000 through 2005. In her first return to Hays High she was an assistant on the volleyball team for 2006 and 2007 and an assistant on the girls basketball team from 2005 through 2007.&nbsp;Funk also spent one season at Fort Hays State University as a volunteer assistant coach in 2008.&nbsp;<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/825192418&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/shannon-funk-hhs-volleyball" title="Shannon Funk - HHS Volleyball" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Shannon Funk - HHS Volleyball</a></div></div>Funk was the first volleyball coach at TMP-Marian Middle School and held the position for two years before joining her sister on the TMP-Marian High School staff. She assisted Natasha Dreher from 2014 through 2017. Her final season as an assistant was the same year that TMP won the 3A state title.&nbsp;Funk will also teach Social Studies and Physical Education at Hays High School. She was approved as the head volleyball coach in January and as a result has had the opportunity to meet with her team on a few occasions before the COVID-19 pandemic halted on-campus classes.&nbsp;She replaces Christin Nunnery who stepped down at the end of the 2019 season.

UPDATE: Hays High announces Funk as volleyball coach

LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — It’s a good thing an NFL kicking operation requires no more than three players.

There’s the long snapper, tasked with delivering the ball. The kicker, who is expected to send it through the uprights. And the punter, who for many teams doubles as the holder on field goal and extra-point attempts.

The reason this is important, at least for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, is that for the first time in 15 years they are trying to decide on a new punter. Dustin Colquitt held down the job with Pro Bowl efficiency for as long as some of the current Chiefs have been playing football. But his increasing age and the franchise’s dwindling coffers forced the club to make the difficult business decision to let him go this offseason.

With teams barred from holding in-person workouts because of COVID-19, the Chiefs have been unable to bring in an endless number of potential replacements. Instead, they signed Tyler Newsome and undrafted rookie Tommy Townsend, and those two have been working out privately with kicker Harrison Butker and long snapper James Winchester.

Well below the gathering limits of 10 people that have been in place in Kansas and Missouri.

“We’re kind of fortunate,” Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said, “because those guys can get together and kick and work on the operation. They can do that on our own. We can work on our skill set, whereas to play football you need 22 guys out there. You can’t sit down face to face, but they video everything they do and send it to me and we talk.”

Nobody knows when teams will be allowed back at their facilities for good. Just this week, players rehabbing from injuries and certain staff were finally allowed back, but no coaches or healthy players. So that means what would typically be low-stress, good-natured workouts on a high school practice field for Newsome and Townsend have taken on extra importance.

What they show off on video could determine who has the leg up — pun intended — when training camp finally begins.

“There is nobody out in front right now. I like them both,” Toub said. “They’ve both got really strong legs, really powerful legs. They consistently hit over 5.0 (seconds) hang times, which is impressive. Tommy is a little more clean in his technique as far as consistency, whereas Tyler is a little more erratic. But the results are the same. They both bomb the ball.”

That’s a good thing for the Chiefs as they attempt to replace a franchise icon.

Colquitt appeared in a record 238 games for Kansas City, easily besting the previous mark by Nick Lowery. He also set franchise records for punts, punt yardage and career-long kick with an 81-yard boot. When he was released, he was among the top 10 active players in appearances and had the eighth-most punt yardage in NFL history.

LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — It’s a good thing an NFL kicking operation requires no more than three players.There’s the long snapper, tasked with delivering the ball. The kicker, who is expected to send it through the uprights. And the punter, who for many teams doubles as the holder on field goal and extra-point attempts.The reason this is important, at least for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, is that for the first time in 15 years they are trying to decide on a new punter. Dustin Colquitt held down the job with Pro Bowl efficiency for as long as some of the current Chiefs have been playing football. But his increasing age and the franchise’s dwindling coffers forced the club to make the difficult business decision to let him go this offseason.With teams barred from holding in-person workouts because of COVID-19, the Chiefs have been unable to bring in an endless number of potential replacements. Instead, they signed Tyler Newsome and undrafted rookie Tommy Townsend, and those two have been working out privately with kicker Harrison Butker and long snapper James Winchester.Well below the gathering limits of 10 people that have been in place in Kansas and Missouri.“We’re kind of fortunate,” Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said, “because those guys can get together and kick and work on the operation. They can do that on our own. We can work on our skill set, whereas to play football you need 22 guys out there. You can’t sit down face to face, but they video everything they do and send it to me and we talk.”Nobody knows when teams will be allowed back at their facilities for good. Just this week, players rehabbing from injuries and certain staff were finally allowed back, but no coaches or healthy players. So that means what would typically be low-stress, good-natured workouts on a high school practice field for Newsome and Townsend have taken on extra importance.What they show off on video could determine who has the leg up — pun intended — when training camp finally begins.“There is nobody out in front right now. I like them both,” Toub said. “They’ve both got really strong legs, really powerful legs. They consistently hit over 5.0 (seconds) hang times, which is impressive. Tommy is a little more clean in his technique as far as consistency, whereas Tyler is a little more erratic. But the results are the same. They both bomb the ball.”That’s a good thing for the Chiefs as they attempt to replace a franchise icon.Colquitt appeared in a record 238 games for Kansas City, easily besting the previous mark by Nick Lowery. He also set franchise records for punts, punt yardage and career-long kick with an 81-yard boot. When he was released, he was among the top 10 active players in appearances and had the eighth-most punt yardage in NFL history.Even more impressive, he was the only man among the top 20 in total punts to have played with just one team.“They’ve been with Dustin for a really long time. He’s a guy that has done everything the right way,” Townsend said. “The biggest thing for me is just trying to make a name for myself and become my own person.”Townsend’s familiarity with Colquitt goes back to college; he began his career at Tennessee, where Colquitt holds a number of records, before transferring to Florida. As a Gator, he followed in the footsteps of his brother, Johnny, who was drafted by the Raiders a couple of years ago and has spent time in camp with the Giants.Toub said the younger Townsend was the Chiefs’ highest-rated punter in this year’s draft class, even though two others — Texas A&amp;M’s Braden Mann and Syracuse’s Sterling Hofrichter — where chosen in the later rounds.Newsome punted at Notre Dame before spending last offseason with the Chargers.“We just finished the virtual rookie minicamp and we went over schemes and stuff like that, so I got a little taste for what we’re doing in Kansas City,” Townsend said, “and I’ve gotten a chance to watch all the film from the past few seasons. That’s the stuff I’ve been working for, get the feeling for the schemes we are using here in Kansas City.”That way, he’ll be ready when the competition for the starting job finally returns to the Chiefs’ own practice facility.“Harrison and James have taken the leadership role. They know how important that part of it is,” Toub said. “They’ve been up here on their own, doing their own thing, and videoing it. And we feel good about both guys we have, Tommy and Tyler.”