By DIANE
GASPER-O’BRIEN
Special to Hays Post
They knew that any game could be their favorite player’s last one at Fort Hays State University.
So Juju Ramirez’s throng of supporters decided to support him in droves down the stretch of his college career.
Two of Ramirez’s aunts estimated that more than 50 family and friends showed up to watch FHSU play in the MIAA Basketball Championships Friday night at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
Dispersed throughout the crowd of the always-large Tiger crowds, the Ramirez crew did manage to nab two rows of seats together. And there was no doubt who they were cheering for.
Both rows of fans with Ramirez and the No. 25 across the back of their T-shirts often jumped up to cheer for a positive Tiger play, especially when No. 25 was involved.
Juju grew up in Lawrence, so several of his fan base had a short drive. But others came from as far as Colorado.
The Rameriz family was glad it had such a strong showing because it did turn out to be Juju’s last game when the Tigers’ loss to Rogers State (Okla.) ended their season.
Juju is a senior in his first year with the Tigers, and his family was pleasantly surprised with the large Tiger crowd at the tournament.
In her first year as athletic director at FHSU, Lisa Goddard McGuirk was equally impressed with the support.
She had become accustomed to large crowds back home in Gross Memorial Coliseum. But this was different.
While several members of the Black and Gold crowd are from the Kansas City area, numerous others annually make the four-hour trip from Hays for the weekend.
“The unwavering support from our amazing Tiger fans was evident at the tournament,” McGuirk said. “No matter the distance, it has been incredible to witness how our dedicated fans and supporters continue to show up and cheer on the Tigers across all sports.”
As has become tradition, Tiger fans filled Johnny Tavern’s in downtown KC – and just a few blocks away from the auditorium – to eat and socialize and join the Tiger band and cheerleaders for a pep rally before games.
McGuirk has attended several alumni events all year, so she wasn’t surprised by the big turnout at Johnny’s before the women’s game Thursday afternoon.
“The Alumni Office consistently creates meaningful opportunities for our alumni to stay connected and engaged,” she admitted. “During my first year, I have truly appreciated the opportunity to connect with so many alumni and participate in a variety of events. The pep rallies were especially impressive and a great reflection of Tiger pride.”
Tiger fans storm KC
Long lines of fans is a common sight in the hallways of Municipal Auditorium as they await entrance into their games at the MIAA tourney.
It offers a chance to reconnect with friends that folks haven’t seen for awhile, maybe since last year’s tournament. It’s also a way to make new connections as well.
Such was the case for Mark and Judy Pilley, who made the trip from their home in Warsaw, Mo., to watch their granddaughter play for the Tiger women on Thursday.
Freshman Mikayla Pilley’s grandparents watched all the FHSU games on TV or were even able to attend some of her close road games in person.
Mark and Judy Pilley said that some Division I teams showed interest in Mikayla during her high school career, but she was impressed with the Tigers’ winning culture “and she wanted to play.” Mikayla has definitely gotten playing time; as one of the top players off the bench, she has logged the most minutes of any Tiger substitute this season.
Most fans come to watch good basketball and reconnect with old friends. But some also come to support the cheerleaders.
FHSU freshman Trinity Wilson lives in Shawnee and made visits to all seven state universities in Kansas while researching where to continue her education after high school. She chose FHSU because of positive connections with the Tiger cheer squad and her academic program (elementary art education).
Trinity’s mother, Leslie, attended most home games when her daughter’s team cheered. And Trinity’s immediate family was out in full force for the weekend as Dad Wes and younger brothers Briggs and Calvin also attended Friday’s game.
“After visiting all those campuses, she chose Fort Hays,” Leslie said. “She loves it there.”
The 2026 tournament also was a first for Tiger grad Kyle Hull, who recently took over as coordinator of fan experience at his alma mater and was working at his first MIAA Tournament.
In fact, it was his first time for Hull to attend the MIAA basketball tourney, period. And he was pleased with the family atmosphere.
“Downtown Kansas City is a phenomenal place to hold this tournament,” Hull said while sitting in a booth at Johnny’s with his wife, Aubry, and their 1-year-old son, Harvey. “Just seeing all the black and gold all around downtown is incredible.”
In an uncommon occurrence, both the Tiger men’s and women’s teams exited the MIAA tourney early. FHSU’s women’s overtime loss to Missouri Western in Thursday’s quarterfinals snapped an eight-year streak where the Tigers advanced to the semifinals of the annual conference tournament. It's the first time since 2010 that neither the men's or women's teams did not make it to the semifinals.
Nonetheless, some folks could be heard already talking about next year’s tournament minutes after the men’s game ended Friday night.
Hays resident Matt Cook is looking forward to future MIAA tourneys, which he hopes to attend with his family.
Cook, former chair of the MIAA tournament committee, recently left his position as FHSU assistant athletic director to take over as executive director of the Hays Recreation Commission. He returned to the tourney this year as a volunteer – and his swan song with running promotions at the tourney.
“I’m looking forward to coming back as a fan in future years,” he said, “and enjoy it with my wife Kathleen and daughter Thea.”
Loyal family support
Linda Luka from Andover missed last year’s MIAA Tournament after injuring her knee at the Tigers’ last regular-season game.
So she was determined to be back this year, because – well, that’s what grandmothers do. And her granddaughter, Ellie Stearns, is a senior starter for the FHSU women.
While Friday’s game was the last in an FHSU uniform for Ramirez and fellow senior Muhamed Kante, Stearns and senior teammate Brooke Loewe still have at least one more game to represent the Tigers.
Fort Hays State’s women now await Sunday night’s selection show to learn their seed in the NCAA Division II Central Regional.
It is likely that the regional location will be Mankato, Minn., the home of Minnesota State University, which held the No. 1 seed in the first two regional rankings.
Wherever the Tigers play next, however, McGuirk hopes to be there in person.
“As an athletic director, I believe it is important that we make every effort to support all of our student-athletes and teams during postseason competition,” she said. “At times, that can present logistical challenges, but I do my best to be present because I am incredibly proud of all of our student-athletes.”
“Representing Fort Hays State University in the postseason and on the national stage,” McGuirk added, “is what our teams work toward every single day.”