MANHATTAN, Kan. – Six home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with LSU, highlight the non-conference schedule for third-year head coach Jerome Tang and his Kansas State men’s basketball program, as announced on Friday morning (July 26).

In addition to its six home games, K-State will host reigning Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion Drake in the Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Tuesday, December 21.

Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase tickets now to see the Wildcats all year, including matchups against KU, Iowa State, Houston, and conference newcomer Arizona by visiting [www.kstatesports.com/tickets](http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets) or calling (800) 221.CATS.

K-State will open its 121st season of men’s basketball with the second of five straight home games, as the Wildcats face New Orleans on Tuesday, November 5. The contest with the Privateers is followed by matchups against Cleveland State on Saturday, November 9, LSU on Thursday, November 14, and Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, November 19.

The season-opening homestand will begin on Tuesday, October 29, with an exhibition against Fort Hays State.

In all, the Wildcats will play 16 home games in 2024-25, including 10 against Big 12 Conference foes. These matchups will feature visits from NCAA Tournament participants Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, and Texas Tech. Further details will be released at a later date.

As previously announced, K-State will play in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, which runs from Friday to Monday, November 22-25, at the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. The Wildcats will play George Washington in the first round, followed by either Louisiana or Liberty in round two. The field also includes NCAA Tournament participants UAB, Longwood, McNeese, and Illinois State.

Fan travel packages are currently available via the Paradise Jam website or by clicking [here](link). All packages include tickets, transportation to/from games, a tournament gift, and dedicated tournament staff at The Westin Beach Resort &amp; Spa at Frenchman’s Reef (can view [here](link)).

Aside from the Paradise Jam, the Wildcats will play a pair of previously announced road non-conference games with a trip to St. John’s on Saturday, December 7, in the final installment of the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle and a visit to Koch Arena in Wichita on Saturday, December 21, to take on in-state rival Wichita State.

K-State finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats’ 19 victories were four over Top 25 teams, including three in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in Tang’s first two seasons, including consecutive postseason appearances.

The Wildcats return three lettermen (senior David N’Guessan and sophomores Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich) in 2024-25, along with 10 newcomers, which includes eight Division I transfers, a junior college All-American (Mobi Ikegwuruka), and a top-50 high school prospect (David Castillo).

The transfer class is considered one of the best in the country and includes notable additions Achor Achor (Samford), Coleman Hawkins (Illinois), Dug McDaniel (Michigan), and Ugonna Onyenso (Kentucky) as well as Baye Fall (Arkansas), Brendan Hausen (Villanova), C.J. Jones (UIC), and Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton).

Tuesday | Oct. 29 | FORT HAYS STATE (Exh.)

Tuesday | Nov. 19 | MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

Friday | Nov. 22 | vs. George Washington (Paradise Jam)

Sat./Sun. | Nov. 23/24 | vs. Liberty or Louisiana (Paradise Jam)

Monday | Nov. 25 | vs. TBD (Paradise Jam)

Saturday | Dec. 7 | at St. John's (BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle)

Saturday | Dec. 17 | DRAKE (Wildcat Classic)

- K-State will open the 2024-25 season with five consecutive home games for the first time since 2020-21.

- The Nov. 5 opener with New Orleans ties for the earliest home opener in school history and the earliest since a Nov. 5 matchup with North Dakota State in 2019. It will be the first meeting with the Privateers since the first and only matchup in 1999.

- K-State is a combined 5-0 all-time against its first three regular-season opponents (New Orleans, Cleveland State, and LSU).

- The Wildcats will face at least one first-time opponent in Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 19), while they could face UAB and/or Liberty for the first time in the Paradise Jam.

- LSU will visit Bramlage Coliseum for the first time on Nov. 14, as K-State attempts to sweep the two-game series after a 75-60 win by the Wildcats in 2023-24.

- In addition to UNO, K-State will face Cleveland State for the fourth time overall and the first time since 2010, while UAPB (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) visits for the sixth time and the first since 2019. The Wildcats are 8-0 all-time against the two schools.

- K-State will play in the Paradise Jam for the third time (2020, 2018, 2024), winning the in-season tournament in 2018 with victories over Eastern Kentucky, Penn, and Missouri.

- K-State will play St. John’s in the final BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle on Dec. 7. It will be the first meeting between the schools since 1965 with the series tied at 1-1. The Wildcats are 1-3 all-time in the inter-conference series, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 72-71 overtime win over Villanova in 2023-24.

- K-State will face Drake in the 13th Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The school is 10-2 all-time in the event, which started in 2007. This will be the 28th meeting with Drake with K-State leading the series, 20-7, and the first not at a campus site.

- K-State will conclude a four-game series with in-state rival Wichita State on Dec. 21. It is the first matchup at Koch Arena since a 79-66 Wildcat win on Dec. 7, 2002.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Six home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with LSU, highlight the non-conference schedule for third-year head coach Jerome Tang and his Kansas State men’s basketball program, as announced on Friday morning (July 26).In addition to its six home games, K-State will host reigning Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion Drake in the Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Tuesday, December 21.Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available, with prices starting at less than $18 per game. Fans can purchase tickets now to see the Wildcats all year, including matchups against KU, Iowa State, Houston, and conference newcomer Arizona by visiting [www.kstatesports.com/tickets](http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets) or calling (800) 221.CATS.K-State will open its 121st season of men’s basketball with the second of five straight home games, as the Wildcats face New Orleans on Tuesday, November 5. The contest with the Privateers is followed by matchups against Cleveland State on Saturday, November 9, LSU on Thursday, November 14, and Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, November 19.The season-opening homestand will begin on Tuesday, October 29, with an exhibition against Fort Hays State.In all, the Wildcats will play 16 home games in 2024-25, including 10 against Big 12 Conference foes. These matchups will feature visits from NCAA Tournament participants Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, and Texas Tech. Further details will be released at a later date.As previously announced, K-State will play in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, which runs from Friday to Monday, November 22-25, at the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. The Wildcats will play George Washington in the first round, followed by either Louisiana or Liberty in round two. The field also includes NCAA Tournament participants UAB, Longwood, McNeese, and Illinois State.Fan travel packages are currently available via the Paradise Jam website or by clicking [here](link). All packages include tickets, transportation to/from games, a tournament gift, and dedicated tournament staff at The Westin Beach Resort &amp; Spa at Frenchman’s Reef (can view [here](link)).Aside from the Paradise Jam, the Wildcats will play a pair of previously announced road non-conference games with a trip to St. John’s on Saturday, December 7, in the final installment of the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle and a visit to Koch Arena in Wichita on Saturday, December 21, to take on in-state rival Wichita State.K-State finished the 2023-24 season with a 19-15 record, including an 8-10 mark in Big 12 play, and advanced to the NIT. Among the Wildcats’ 19 victories were four over Top 25 teams, including three in the Top 10. The team has won 45 games in Tang’s first two seasons, including consecutive postseason appearances.The Wildcats return three lettermen (senior David N’Guessan and sophomores Taj Manning and Macaleab Rich) in 2024-25, along with 10 newcomers, which includes eight Division I transfers, a junior college All-American (Mobi Ikegwuruka), and a top-50 high school prospect (David Castillo).The transfer class is considered one of the best in the country and includes notable additions Achor Achor (Samford), Coleman Hawkins (Illinois), Dug McDaniel (Michigan), and Ugonna Onyenso (Kentucky) as well as Baye Fall (Arkansas), Brendan Hausen (Villanova), C.J. Jones (UIC), and Max Jones (Cal State Fullerton).2024-25 Non-Conference ScheduleDay | Date | OpponentTuesday | Oct. 29 | FORT HAYS STATE (Exh.)Tuesday | Nov. 5 | NEW ORLEANSSaturday | Nov. 9 | CLEVELAND STATEThursday | Nov. 14 | LSUTuesday | Nov. 19 | MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATEFriday | Nov. 22 | vs. George Washington (Paradise Jam)Sat./Sun. | Nov. 23/24 | vs. Liberty or Louisiana (Paradise Jam)Monday | Nov. 25 | vs. TBD (Paradise Jam)Sunday | Dec. 1 | UAPBSaturday | Dec. 7 | at St. John's (BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle)Saturday | Dec. 17 | DRAKE (Wildcat Classic)Saturday | Dec. 21 | at Wichita State<h2>Schedule Notes</h2>- K-State will open the 2024-25 season with five consecutive home games for the first time since 2020-21.- The Nov. 5 opener with New Orleans ties for the earliest home opener in school history and the earliest since a Nov. 5 matchup with North Dakota State in 2019. It will be the first meeting with the Privateers since the first and only matchup in 1999.- K-State is a combined 5-0 all-time against its first three regular-season opponents (New Orleans, Cleveland State, and LSU).- The Wildcats will face at least one first-time opponent in Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 19), while they could face UAB and/or Liberty for the first time in the Paradise Jam.- LSU will visit Bramlage Coliseum for the first time on Nov. 14, as K-State attempts to sweep the two-game series after a 75-60 win by the Wildcats in 2023-24.- In addition to UNO, K-State will face Cleveland State for the fourth time overall and the first time since 2010, while UAPB (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) visits for the sixth time and the first since 2019. The Wildcats are 8-0 all-time against the two schools.- K-State will play in the Paradise Jam for the third time (2020, 2018, 2024), winning the in-season tournament in 2018 with victories over Eastern Kentucky, Penn, and Missouri.- K-State will play St. John’s in the final BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle on Dec. 7. It will be the first meeting between the schools since 1965 with the series tied at 1-1. The Wildcats are 1-3 all-time in the inter-conference series, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 72-71 overtime win over Villanova in 2023-24.- K-State will face Drake in the 13th Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The school is 10-2 all-time in the event, which started in 2007. This will be the 28th meeting with Drake with K-State leading the series, 20-7, and the first not at a campus site.- K-State will conclude a four-game series with in-state rival Wichita State on Dec. 21. It is the first matchup at Koch Arena since a 79-66 Wildcat win on Dec. 7, 2002.

K-State MBB: six home games highlight non-conference schedule in 202

PARIS - Nine with Kansas Jayhawks ties will be competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, which get underway this Friday with the opening ceremony.

The Jayhawks will be represented across multiple sports with Michael Joseph, Yoveinny Mota, Sharon Lokedi, Bryce Hoppel, Hussain Al Hizam and Alexandra Emilianov all joining Head Coach Stanley Redwine and Event Manager Tim Weaver on the track and field side, while Joel Embiid will be competing on Team USA for men's basketball. 

Joseph, the lone current student athlete in this year's Olympics, was chosen to be the flag bearer for his home country of Saint Lucia in Friday's opening ceremony. The standout sprinter for the Jayhawks qualified for his first-career Olympic games at the 2023 Outdoor Big 12 Championships in Norman, Oklahoma. Joseph ran a new career-best of 44.77 in the men's 400m, which was good for a new school and national record as well. 

Redwine, his event coach, won't be on the same side as Joseph in the Olympics and will be serving his country as the Head Coach of Team USA for men's track and field. He will be joined by former Jayhawk Weaver, who was named Team USA's Event Manager.

"I'm excited to serve our nation by working with our athletes and gaining knowledge that will make me a better coach at KU," said Redwine. "I pray that USA will get more medals than we ever have before."

Hoppel will also be repping the red, white and blue in the men's 800m, having most recently come off a gold medal at the 2024 US Olympic Trials in Eugene to qualify. The Midland, Texas native, ran a 1:42.77 in the men's 800m final, which set a new US Olympic Trials event record. 

Current Jayhawk Distance Coach Michael Whittlesey coached Hoppel while he was running at Kansas and continues to coach the now-professional adidas runner. He too will be joining Hoppel and Redwine in Paris for the event. 

Al Hizam rounds out on the men's side, qualifying to represent Saudi Arabia in the men's pole vault based on his current world ranking in the event. During his time at Kansas, Al Hizam was the 2018 Indoor Pole Vault NCAA National Champion, as well as also claiming third place medals at NCAA's on two separate occasions. 

On the women's side, Mota is set to compete in the 100m hurdles for Venezuela. 

The graduate senior transferred from Arkansas in November 2023, joining the Jayhawks for her final year of eligibility. Mota is the current 100m hurdles school record holder with a time of 12.66, which she ran at NCAA West Prelims, the meet at which she qualified for the Paris games. 

Lokedi will be running the women's marathon in her first Olympic games, representing her home country of Kenya. 

Lokedi has already written quite an illustrious professional career to build off her impressive college resume, highlighted so far by winning the 2022 Boston Marathon. At the 2023 Kansas Relays, it was announced that Lokedi, the 2018 Outdoor Women's 10K National Champion, would be the first woman to receive a silhouette out at Rim Rock Farm. 

The final Jayhawk competing on the women's side is Emilianov, the First Team All-American discus thrower out of Moldova. Emilianov was also a Tokyo Olympian, joining Hoppel in her second-consecutive Olympic games. 

On the hardcourt, Embiid is making his USA Basketball debut at the 2024 Olympics. A native of Yaounde, Cameroon, Embiid became a U.S. citizen in September 2022. The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player who was No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid played at Kansas in the 2013-14 season.

Embiid is the first Kansas men's basketball player since Sasha Kaun to participate in the Olympic Games. Kaun won a bronze medal while representing Russia in the 2012 Olympics in London. The last KU player to play for the USA National Team was Danny Manning in 1988.

The opening ceremony will kick off Friday, followed by a full slate of events covered by NBC and Peacock. Fans can click on this link to check out the full timeline and how to watch. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592750854035.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PARIS - Nine with Kansas Jayhawks ties will be competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, which get underway this Friday with the opening ceremony.The Jayhawks will be represented across multiple sports with Michael Joseph, Yoveinny Mota, Sharon Lokedi, Bryce Hoppel, Hussain Al Hizam and Alexandra Emilianov all joining Head Coach Stanley Redwine and Event Manager Tim Weaver on the track and field side, while Joel Embiid will be competing on Team USA for men's basketball. Joseph, the lone current student athlete in this year's Olympics, was chosen to be the flag bearer for his home country of Saint Lucia in Friday's opening ceremony. The standout sprinter for the Jayhawks qualified for his first-career Olympic games at the 2023 Outdoor Big 12 Championships in Norman, Oklahoma. Joseph ran a new career-best of 44.77 in the men's 400m, which was good for a new school and national record as well. Redwine, his event coach, won't be on the same side as Joseph in the Olympics and will be serving his country as the Head Coach of Team USA for men's track and field. He will be joined by former Jayhawk Weaver, who was named Team USA's Event Manager."I'm excited to serve our nation by working with our athletes and gaining knowledge that will make me a better coach at KU," said Redwine. "I pray that USA will get more medals than we ever have before."Hoppel will also be repping the red, white and blue in the men's 800m, having most recently come off a gold medal at the 2024 US Olympic Trials in Eugene to qualify. The Midland, Texas native, ran a 1:42.77 in the men's 800m final, which set a new US Olympic Trials event record. Current Jayhawk Distance Coach Michael Whittlesey coached Hoppel while he was running at Kansas and continues to coach the now-professional adidas runner. He too will be joining Hoppel and Redwine in Paris for the event. Al Hizam rounds out on the men's side, qualifying to represent Saudi Arabia in the men's pole vault based on his current world ranking in the event. During his time at Kansas, Al Hizam was the 2018 Indoor Pole Vault NCAA National Champion, as well as also claiming third place medals at NCAA's on two separate occasions. On the women's side, Mota is set to compete in the 100m hurdles for Venezuela. The graduate senior transferred from Arkansas in November 2023, joining the Jayhawks for her final year of eligibility. Mota is the current 100m hurdles school record holder with a time of 12.66, which she ran at NCAA West Prelims, the meet at which she qualified for the Paris games. Lokedi will be running the women's marathon in her first Olympic games, representing her home country of Kenya. Lokedi has already written quite an illustrious professional career to build off her impressive college resume, highlighted so far by winning the 2022 Boston Marathon. At the 2023 Kansas Relays, it was announced that Lokedi, the 2018 Outdoor Women's 10K National Champion, would be the first woman to receive a silhouette out at Rim Rock Farm. The final Jayhawk competing on the women's side is Emilianov, the First Team All-American discus thrower out of Moldova. Emilianov was also a Tokyo Olympian, joining Hoppel in her second-consecutive Olympic games. On the hardcourt, Embiid is making his USA Basketball debut at the 2024 Olympics. A native of Yaounde, Cameroon, Embiid became a U.S. citizen in September 2022. The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player who was No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid played at Kansas in the 2013-14 season.Embiid is the first Kansas men's basketball player since Sasha Kaun to participate in the Olympic Games. Kaun won a bronze medal while representing Russia in the 2012 Olympics in London. The last KU player to play for the USA National Team was Danny Manning in 1988.The opening ceremony will kick off Friday, followed by a full slate of events covered by NBC and Peacock. Fans can click on this link to check out the full timeline and how to watch.

Nine Jayhawks Begin Olympic Journey in Paris 

The Big 12 Conference announced the 2023-24 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team on Wednesday, with 758 student-athletes earning the honor. Kansas had 70 student-athletes recognized to the team.

Of the Jayhawks' 70 honorees, 14 earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) for the 2023-24 academic year. Student-athletes to earn a 4.0 GPA include Lauren Pham (Women's Golf), Raegan Burns (Volleyball), Andrew Kirby (Men's Track and Field), Reese Hulcher (Women's Track and Field), Taylor Mayo (Women's Track and Field), Mason Meinershagen (Women's Track and Field), Caroline Castans (Soccer), Siera Herbert (Soccer) Gracyn O'Mara (Swim and Dive), Kathryn Borthwick (Rowing), Logan Foster (Rowing), Alex Harswick (Rowing), Leah Petrie (Rowing) and Kyoka Kubo (Women's Tennis).&nbsp;

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, student-athletes on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team must be new, first-time/incoming freshmen that have completed 24 semester hours of non-remedial coursework and achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.&nbsp;

Additionally, the student-athlete must have participated in at least one of their team's scheduled contests and must have been a member of their respective team for their sport's entire NCAA Championship segment.&nbsp;

The Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team was introduced in the 2012-13 academic year.&nbsp;

The Kansas Women's Track and Field Team led the way for the Jayhawks with 14 honorees, followed by rowing with 12 and men's track and field and women's swimming and diving with eight apiece. KU Football had six players on the list, soccer had four, volleyball, softball and women's basketball each had three, women's golf, men's golf, men's basketball and baseball had two apiece and women's tennis earned one.&nbsp;

Below is a full list of Kansas student-athletes listed on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.

Jacob Cookinham			Men's Track &amp; Field

Avery Armstrong			Women's Track &amp; Field

Pearl Awanya				Women's Track &amp; Field

Madeline Carter			Women's Track &amp; Field

Bethany Druse			Women's Track &amp; Field

Laya Erickson				Women's Track &amp; Field

Claire Farrell				Women's Track &amp; Field

Reese Hulcher*			Women's Track &amp; Field

Taylor Mayo*				Women's Track &amp; Field

Mason Meinershagen*		Women's Track &amp; Field

Sidney Smith				Women's Track &amp; Field

Katherine Toney			Women's Track &amp; Field

Abree Winfrey			Women's Track &amp; Field

Lauren Collins			Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Ryan Johnston			Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Halle McCullough			Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Logan Morris				Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Abigail&nbsp;Naden				Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Gracyn O'Mara*			Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Mia Waldron				Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

Bradie Ward				Women's Swimming &amp; Diving

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592750854035.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KUThe Big 12 Conference announced the 2023-24 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team on Wednesday, with 758 student-athletes earning the honor. Kansas had 70 student-athletes recognized to the team.Of the Jayhawks' 70 honorees, 14 earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA) for the 2023-24 academic year. Student-athletes to earn a 4.0 GPA include Lauren Pham (Women's Golf), Raegan Burns (Volleyball), Andrew Kirby (Men's Track and Field), Reese Hulcher (Women's Track and Field), Taylor Mayo (Women's Track and Field), Mason Meinershagen (Women's Track and Field), Caroline Castans (Soccer), Siera Herbert (Soccer) Gracyn O'Mara (Swim and Dive), Kathryn Borthwick (Rowing), Logan Foster (Rowing), Alex Harswick (Rowing), Leah Petrie (Rowing) and Kyoka Kubo (Women's Tennis).&nbsp;Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, student-athletes on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team must be new, first-time/incoming freshmen that have completed 24 semester hours of non-remedial coursework and achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.&nbsp;Additionally, the student-athlete must have participated in at least one of their team's scheduled contests and must have been a member of their respective team for their sport's entire NCAA Championship segment.&nbsp;The Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team was introduced in the 2012-13 academic year.&nbsp;The Kansas Women's Track and Field Team led the way for the Jayhawks with 14 honorees, followed by rowing with 12 and men's track and field and women's swimming and diving with eight apiece. KU Football had six players on the list, soccer had four, volleyball, softball and women's basketball each had three, women's golf, men's golf, men's basketball and baseball had two apiece and women's tennis earned one.&nbsp;Below is a full list of Kansas student-athletes listed on the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team. Name						SportLyla Louderbaugh			Women's GolfLauren Pham*			Women's GolfNoah Holtzman			Men's GolfMax Jelinek				Men's GolfAisha Aiono				VolleyballRaegan Burns*			VolleyballEllie Schneider			VolleyballJohnny Furphy			Men's BasketballJamari McDowell			Men's BasketballCole Ballard				FootballLogan Brantley			FootballCalvin Clements			FootballJacoby Davis				FootballDamon Greaves			FootballKeaton Kubecka			FootballHobbs Campbell			Men's Track &amp; FieldJacob Cookinham			Men's Track &amp; FieldConor Dunback			Men's Track &amp; FieldRyo Higuchi				Men's Track &amp; FieldAndrew Kirby*			Men's Track &amp; FieldJosiah Parris				Men's Track &amp; FieldTy Smedes				Men's Track &amp; FieldJack Weber				Men's Track &amp; FieldAvery Armstrong			Women's Track &amp; FieldPearl Awanya				Women's Track &amp; FieldMadeline Carter			Women's Track &amp; FieldBethany Druse			Women's Track &amp; FieldLaya Erickson				Women's Track &amp; FieldClaire Farrell				Women's Track &amp; FieldReese Hulcher*			Women's Track &amp; FieldTaylor Mayo*				Women's Track &amp; FieldMason Meinershagen*		Women's Track &amp; FieldAudrey Meyer			Women's Track &amp; FieldSidney Smith				Women's Track &amp; FieldAbi Street				Women's Track &amp; FieldKatherine Toney			Women's Track &amp; FieldAbree Winfrey			Women's Track &amp; FieldSeptember Flanagan		SoftballAnna Soles				SoftballKadence Stafford			SoftballParis Gaines				Women's BasketballS'Mya Nichols			Women's BasketballMcKenzie Smith			Women's BasketballDominic Voegele			BaseballTy Wisdom				BaseballCaroline Castans*			SoccerSiera Herbert*			SoccerJocelyn Herrema			SoccerOlivia Page				SoccerLauren Collins			Women's Swimming &amp; DivingRyan Johnston			Women's Swimming &amp; DivingHalle McCullough			Women's Swimming &amp; DivingLogan Morris				Women's Swimming &amp; DivingAbigail&nbsp;Naden				Women's Swimming &amp; DivingGracyn O'Mara*			Women's Swimming &amp; DivingMia Waldron				Women's Swimming &amp; DivingBradie Ward				Women's Swimming &amp; DivingKathryn Borthwick*		RowingKayley Chism				RowingCece Cohen				RowingSofia D'Ascenzo			RowingLogan Foster*			RowingElla Haasch				RowingAlex Harswick*			RowingGrace Morenz			RowingSophie Pense				RowingLeah Petrie*				RowingKaitlyn Reeves			RowingGracie Shepherd			RowingKyoka Kubo*				Women's Tennis*4.0 GPA

70 Kansas Student-Athletes Placed on Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.

“We never shut down. It was a character win. I think the guys dug as deep as they could,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a tough environment against a good team. We just got one guy on and kept the line moving.”

Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/pederson-and-walker-hit-back-to-back-home-runs-in-4th">Joc Pederson and Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth</a>&nbsp;to make it 3-1. Pederson has 200 career homers.

With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/gabriel-moreno-doubles-16-on-a-line-drive-to-center-fielder-kyle-isbel-lo">Moreno slashed the double</a>&nbsp;that rolled to the wall in the right-center gap

“I was really looking for a pitch that I wouldn’t hit into a double play. I was able to stay within myself and go to my side, which is right center,” Moreno said through a translator.

After Corbin Carroll followed Moreno with a single,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/ketel-marte-homers-22-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-gabriel-moreno-scores">Marte blasted the three-run homer</a>&nbsp;to center.

“That was a super frustrating inning,” MacArthur said. “I felt like I was pretty close at times of getting out of it and just didn’t make the pitch I needed to.”

Marte homered in all three games in the series.

“He’s a beast, I don’t know what else to say,” Lovullo said about Marte, Arizona's line All-Star this season. “He doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. He wants to be in the middle of everything, that’s his personality, and it was a big knock for him.”

Joe Mantiply (4-2) pitched the eighth for the victory and Paul Sewald closed it out after allowing Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single in the ninth.

The Royals took the lead with a three-run fourth. Michael Massey doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s fielder’s choice. Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to tie it and scored on Ryne Nelson’s wild pitch.

“We left some guys on early, so to fight back and get the lead was big for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "But you’ve got to give those guys credit for executing and getting balls in play.”

Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 4 for Kansas City to raise his average to .344.

Diamondbacks: Arizona returns home to face Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Diamondbacks hadn’t announced a starter.

Royals: RHP Brady Singer (6-6, 3.00 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721900198494.jpeg" alt="Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates hitting a three-run home during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates hitting a three-run home during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.“We never shut down. It was a character win. I think the guys dug as deep as they could,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a tough environment against a good team. We just got one guy on and kept the line moving.”Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/pederson-and-walker-hit-back-to-back-home-runs-in-4th">Joc Pederson and Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth</a>&nbsp;to make it 3-1. Pederson has 200 career homers.With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/gabriel-moreno-doubles-16-on-a-line-drive-to-center-fielder-kyle-isbel-lo">Moreno slashed the double</a>&nbsp;that rolled to the wall in the right-center gap“I was really looking for a pitch that I wouldn’t hit into a double play. I was able to stay within myself and go to my side, which is right center,” Moreno said through a translator.After Corbin Carroll followed Moreno with a single,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/ketel-marte-homers-22-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-gabriel-moreno-scores">Marte blasted the three-run homer</a>&nbsp;to center.“That was a super frustrating inning,” MacArthur said. “I felt like I was pretty close at times of getting out of it and just didn’t make the pitch I needed to.”Marte homered in all three games in the series.“He’s a beast, I don’t know what else to say,” Lovullo said about Marte, Arizona's line All-Star this season. “He doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. He wants to be in the middle of everything, that’s his personality, and it was a big knock for him.”Joe Mantiply (4-2) pitched the eighth for the victory and Paul Sewald closed it out after allowing Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single in the ninth.The Royals took the lead with a three-run fourth. Michael Massey doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s fielder’s choice. Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to tie it and scored on Ryne Nelson’s wild pitch.“We left some guys on early, so to fight back and get the lead was big for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "But you’ve got to give those guys credit for executing and getting balls in play.”Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 4 for Kansas City to raise his average to .344.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: Arizona returns home to face Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Diamondbacks hadn’t announced a starter.Royals: RHP Brady Singer (6-6, 3.00 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

⚾ 5-run 9th inning lifts Diamondbacks over the Royals 

Q:&nbsp;What is it about Patrick Mahomes&nbsp;that you see that somehow makes him get hungrier&nbsp;the more he achieves?

NAGY:&nbsp;“Yeah, you always see it with&nbsp;Pat (Mahomes). He’s just in a –&nbsp;that’s just who he is, number one, so it starts out that&nbsp;way, but&nbsp;I think he looks at it like every year is a challenge. There’s always some type of&nbsp;edge that we&nbsp;(create)&nbsp;and he&nbsp;creates, and I think internally for him,&nbsp;the biggest thing now is being able to be more efficient,&nbsp;probably,&nbsp;as a unit on offense. Last year, we talked about what we went through. As a team, we&nbsp;win the Super Bowl, and I think being able to get through some of the challenges we went through and still win it&nbsp;creates (a) fire and burn for this year to be better on offense and help the team out in general.”

Q:&nbsp;How&nbsp;is&nbsp;Xavier Worthy going to be able to&nbsp;open up&nbsp;the offense this year?&nbsp;

NAGY:&nbsp;“You’re right with Xavier (Worthy). Being able to get him out here when we can will be beautiful&nbsp;–rep-wise (and) timing-wise, and the one day that he was out here, I think it was exciting to see&nbsp;and feel the speed but also the tracking of the football on some of those downfield throws. The timing element of staying on time with&nbsp;press (coverage) that we’re getting –&nbsp;our&nbsp;guys on&nbsp;defense press a lot.&nbsp;Just those guys understand the angles at (the) top of routes, and I would say the biggest thing is tracking (the football in the air). For the one time that we&nbsp;were together for that day, it was really great to&nbsp;see,&nbsp;and I think that was why we all got so excited, especially with Xavier.”

Q:&nbsp;Are there any plans to use Kadarius Toney&nbsp;more at&nbsp;running back&nbsp;than you did in the past?&nbsp;

NAGY:&nbsp;“The biggest thing right now with KT (Kadarius Toney)&nbsp;is just us being able to use his strengths. He’s super talented. He can do a lot of things. Right&nbsp;now&nbsp;is probably the time to experiment&nbsp;and use these reps that we get, so yeah, we’ll do some more with him at running back. We did some last year with him, and I think he’s a weapon when you use him that way and being able to bounce him around in different spots&nbsp;and so far, so good.”

Q: Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy really complimented you on your mental acuity - playbook wise, how has that process been for you and how have you been able to pick it up&nbsp;really quick?

BROWN:&nbsp;“I mean - it’s my job. Really just come in and show the guys that if I can come in and I can be on top of things, and I just got here - it pushes everyone else to be better and it raises the competition in the room.”

Q: How do you feel about the wide receiver core that you guys have and the potential that you see right now?

BROWN:&nbsp;“I’m excited. You know,&nbsp;God willing we all stay healthy, and we just keep building, keep pushing each other. I think the sky’s the limit to what we could do.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you feel like there’s more of an emphasis on getting the ball down the field here more than it was with the Arizona Cardinals the last couple of years or with the Baltimore Ravens before that for you? &nbsp;

BROWN:&nbsp;“Oh yeah definitely. We got the guys to do it,&nbsp;Coach is putting us in (a) great position to do it, and you know Pat (Mahomes) puts&nbsp;it on the money every time, so we’ve been lighting it up and it’s been fun.”

Q:&nbsp;How has it been going up against&nbsp;the&nbsp;new receivers&nbsp;HollywoodBrown and Xavier&nbsp;Worthy?&nbsp;

WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“Even last year I thought we had some good guys in there, bringing us good competition, good work,&nbsp;making us better, but especially this year with the addition of Hollywood&nbsp;(Brown), we got&nbsp;X (Xavier Worthy)&nbsp;out there. Even&nbsp;a lot of the other&nbsp;guys,&nbsp;Skyy&nbsp;(Moore)&nbsp;out there working,&nbsp;(Justyn)&nbsp;J&nbsp;Ross,&nbsp;all of&nbsp;these guys,&nbsp;Rashee&nbsp;(Rice),&nbsp;they're&nbsp;always giving us work,&nbsp;helping the defense get better and making us all better as a whole,&nbsp;as a&nbsp;unit.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you&nbsp;see yourself stepping into a leadership role now that&nbsp;Titans CB&nbsp;L’Jarius&nbsp;Sneed&nbsp;is gone?&nbsp;

WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“I would love to be that. LJ&nbsp;(Titans CB&nbsp;L’Jarius&nbsp;Sneed)&nbsp;was a great player. He was&nbsp;an&nbsp;all-pro&nbsp;level&nbsp;player,&nbsp;and I&nbsp;definitely tooknotes from him. Leadership styles,&nbsp;play styles&nbsp;–&nbsp;all of&nbsp;those types of things.&nbsp;That’s&nbsp;something I&nbsp;tried to take notes&nbsp;on&nbsp;and&nbsp;little&nbsp;tidbits&nbsp;(to)add to my game.&nbsp;Every day I’m working to become the best me I can be,&nbsp;but I’m&nbsp;definitely taking&nbsp;tips from how Sneed approached it.”

Q:&nbsp;What makes&nbsp;Defensive Backs Coach&nbsp;Dave Merritt&nbsp;so special and&nbsp;such a successful&nbsp;coach?

WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“Right.&nbsp;Just&nbsp;the type of&nbsp;people he has been around. He is very,&nbsp;very demanding of&nbsp;people,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;also&nbsp;gives&nbsp;you that level of,‘okay I&nbsp;understand&nbsp;you messed up&nbsp;let's work on it,&nbsp;and&nbsp;let’s&nbsp;help you get better on this area.’&nbsp;Holding&nbsp;every player to a&nbsp;high standard&nbsp;and&nbsp;being able to&nbsp;coach every single different type of player&nbsp;I think is what makes him able to coach at the level he does.&nbsp;You see&nbsp;that with&nbsp;the people he has put out and&nbsp;will continue to put out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719308655175.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>July&nbsp;24,&nbsp;2024Q:&nbsp;What is it about Patrick Mahomes&nbsp;that you see that somehow makes him get hungrier&nbsp;the more he achieves?NAGY:&nbsp;“Yeah, you always see it with&nbsp;Pat (Mahomes). He’s just in a –&nbsp;that’s just who he is, number one, so it starts out that&nbsp;way, but&nbsp;I think he looks at it like every year is a challenge. There’s always some type of&nbsp;edge that we&nbsp;(create)&nbsp;and he&nbsp;creates, and I think internally for him,&nbsp;the biggest thing now is being able to be more efficient,&nbsp;probably,&nbsp;as a unit on offense. Last year, we talked about what we went through. As a team, we&nbsp;win the Super Bowl, and I think being able to get through some of the challenges we went through and still win it&nbsp;creates (a) fire and burn for this year to be better on offense and help the team out in general.”Q:&nbsp;How&nbsp;is&nbsp;Xavier Worthy going to be able to&nbsp;open up&nbsp;the offense this year?&nbsp;NAGY:&nbsp;“You’re right with Xavier (Worthy). Being able to get him out here when we can will be beautiful&nbsp;–rep-wise (and) timing-wise, and the one day that he was out here, I think it was exciting to see&nbsp;and feel the speed but also the tracking of the football on some of those downfield throws. The timing element of staying on time with&nbsp;press (coverage) that we’re getting –&nbsp;our&nbsp;guys on&nbsp;defense press a lot.&nbsp;Just those guys understand the angles at (the) top of routes, and I would say the biggest thing is tracking (the football in the air). For the one time that we&nbsp;were together for that day, it was really great to&nbsp;see,&nbsp;and I think that was why we all got so excited, especially with Xavier.”Q:&nbsp;Are there any plans to use Kadarius Toney&nbsp;more at&nbsp;running back&nbsp;than you did in the past?&nbsp;NAGY:&nbsp;“The biggest thing right now with KT (Kadarius Toney)&nbsp;is just us being able to use his strengths. He’s super talented. He can do a lot of things. Right&nbsp;now&nbsp;is probably the time to experiment&nbsp;and use these reps that we get, so yeah, we’ll do some more with him at running back. We did some last year with him, and I think he’s a weapon when you use him that way and being able to bounce him around in different spots&nbsp;and so far, so good.”Chiefs&nbsp;Player&nbsp;QuotesJuly&nbsp;24,&nbsp;2024WR&nbsp;<a></a>HOLLYWOOD BROWN&nbsp;Q: Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy really complimented you on your mental acuity - playbook wise, how has that process been for you and how have you been able to pick it up&nbsp;really quick?BROWN:&nbsp;“I mean - it’s my job. Really just come in and show the guys that if I can come in and I can be on top of things, and I just got here - it pushes everyone else to be better and it raises the competition in the room.”Q: How do you feel about the wide receiver core that you guys have and the potential that you see right now?BROWN:&nbsp;“I’m excited. You know,&nbsp;God willing we all stay healthy, and we just keep building, keep pushing each other. I think the sky’s the limit to what we could do.”Q:&nbsp;Do you feel like there’s more of an emphasis on getting the ball down the field here more than it was with the Arizona Cardinals the last couple of years or with the Baltimore Ravens before that for you? &nbsp;BROWN:&nbsp;“Oh yeah definitely. We got the guys to do it,&nbsp;Coach is putting us in (a) great position to do it, and you know Pat (Mahomes) puts&nbsp;it on the money every time, so we’ve been lighting it up and it’s been fun.”CB JOSHUA WILLIAMSQ:&nbsp;How has it been going up against&nbsp;the&nbsp;new receivers&nbsp;HollywoodBrown and Xavier&nbsp;Worthy?&nbsp;WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“Even last year I thought we had some good guys in there, bringing us good competition, good work,&nbsp;making us better, but especially this year with the addition of Hollywood&nbsp;(Brown), we got&nbsp;X (Xavier Worthy)&nbsp;out there. Even&nbsp;a lot of the other&nbsp;guys,&nbsp;Skyy&nbsp;(Moore)&nbsp;out there working,&nbsp;(Justyn)&nbsp;J&nbsp;Ross,&nbsp;all of&nbsp;these guys,&nbsp;Rashee&nbsp;(Rice),&nbsp;they're&nbsp;always giving us work,&nbsp;helping the defense get better and making us all better as a whole,&nbsp;as a&nbsp;unit.”Q:&nbsp;Do you&nbsp;see yourself stepping into a leadership role now that&nbsp;Titans CB&nbsp;L’Jarius&nbsp;Sneed&nbsp;is gone?&nbsp;WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“I would love to be that. LJ&nbsp;(Titans CB&nbsp;L’Jarius&nbsp;Sneed)&nbsp;was a great player. He was&nbsp;an&nbsp;all-pro&nbsp;level&nbsp;player,&nbsp;and I&nbsp;definitely tooknotes from him. Leadership styles,&nbsp;play styles&nbsp;–&nbsp;all of&nbsp;those types of things.&nbsp;That’s&nbsp;something I&nbsp;tried to take notes&nbsp;on&nbsp;and&nbsp;little&nbsp;tidbits&nbsp;(to)add to my game.&nbsp;Every day I’m working to become the best me I can be,&nbsp;but I’m&nbsp;definitely taking&nbsp;tips from how Sneed approached it.”Q:&nbsp;What makes&nbsp;Defensive Backs Coach&nbsp;Dave Merritt&nbsp;so special and&nbsp;such a successful&nbsp;coach?WILLIAMS:&nbsp;“Right.&nbsp;Just&nbsp;the type of&nbsp;people he has been around. He is very,&nbsp;very demanding of&nbsp;people,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;also&nbsp;gives&nbsp;you that level of,‘okay I&nbsp;understand&nbsp;you messed up&nbsp;let's work on it,&nbsp;and&nbsp;let’s&nbsp;help you get better on this area.’&nbsp;Holding&nbsp;every player to a&nbsp;high standard&nbsp;and&nbsp;being able to&nbsp;coach every single different type of player&nbsp;I think is what makes him able to coach at the level he does.&nbsp;You see&nbsp;that with&nbsp;the people he has put out and&nbsp;will continue to put out.”

Chiefs Quotes July 24

MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;K-State women’s basketball was successful in the classroom as well as the court during the 2023-24 season, as the Wildcats received Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Honor Roll Special Mention for its team grade point average last season. K-State was one of nine Big 12 programs to be included on the WBCA Academic Honor Roll.

Under the direction of head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State women’s basketball completed the 2023-24 academic year with a team grade point average of 3.281. This was the third straight season K-State received Special Mention honors for the WBCA Academic Honor Roll.&nbsp;

During the 2023-24 season, K-State received a Big 12-high eight Academic All-Big 12 honors, two College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District citations and one CSC Academic All-American First Team member (Ayoka Lee).

In Mittie’s 10 seasons at K-State, the Wildcats have collected 59 Academic All-Big 12 citations, five Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients, 12 Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team honorees, 12 CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees, five CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and one Senior CLASS Award finalist.

The Wildcats enter the 2024-25 season with the return of 10 letter winners, including four starters from last season’s 2024 NCAA Tournament squad. The Wildcats will be led by 2024 All-American center Ayoka Lee, who returns for her final season, senior guard and 2023 All-Big 12 First Team selection Sundell, and the senior duo of Brylee Glenn and Jaelyn Glenn.

The 10 returning letter winners were responsible for 85 percent of K-State’s scoring, 87 percent of the team’s rebounds and 81 percent of the team’s rebounding in the 2023-24 season. The Wildcats will also welcome transfers Temira Poindexter and Kennedy Taylor and redshirts Mikayla Parks and Alexis Hess and freshman Finley Ohnstad.

K-State women’s basketball season tickets are available now. Prices start at just $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack to see every game in Bramlage, including matchups against conference opponents KU, Iowa State, Baylor, and TCU. Order now by visiting&nbsp;kstatesports.com/tickets&nbsp;or calling&nbsp;1-800-221-CATS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721835710861.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;K-State women’s basketball was successful in the classroom as well as the court during the 2023-24 season, as the Wildcats received Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Honor Roll Special Mention for its team grade point average last season. K-State was one of nine Big 12 programs to be included on the WBCA Academic Honor Roll.Under the direction of head coach Jeff Mittie, K-State women’s basketball completed the 2023-24 academic year with a team grade point average of 3.281. This was the third straight season K-State received Special Mention honors for the WBCA Academic Honor Roll.&nbsp;During the 2023-24 season, K-State received a Big 12-high eight Academic All-Big 12 honors, two College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District citations and one CSC Academic All-American First Team member (Ayoka Lee).In Mittie’s 10 seasons at K-State, the Wildcats have collected 59 Academic All-Big 12 citations, five Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipients, 12 Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team honorees, 12 CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees, five CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and one Senior CLASS Award finalist.The Wildcats enter the 2024-25 season with the return of 10 letter winners, including four starters from last season’s 2024 NCAA Tournament squad. The Wildcats will be led by 2024 All-American center Ayoka Lee, who returns for her final season, senior guard and 2023 All-Big 12 First Team selection Sundell, and the senior duo of Brylee Glenn and Jaelyn Glenn.The 10 returning letter winners were responsible for 85 percent of K-State’s scoring, 87 percent of the team’s rebounds and 81 percent of the team’s rebounding in the 2023-24 season. The Wildcats will also welcome transfers Temira Poindexter and Kennedy Taylor and redshirts Mikayla Parks and Alexis Hess and freshman Finley Ohnstad.K-State women’s basketball season tickets are available now. Prices start at just $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack to see every game in Bramlage, including matchups against conference opponents KU, Iowa State, Baylor, and TCU. Order now by visiting&nbsp;kstatesports.com/tickets&nbsp;or calling&nbsp;1-800-221-CATS.

K-State WBB Receives Special Mention on WBCA Academic Honor Roll

PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup.

The International Olympic Committee is angry about an ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-doping-swimming-paris-olympics-world-aquatics-d55b6c2853e2d7a79cefa68afe51f9bf">U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping</a>&nbsp;by Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games despite positive drug tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted Chinese explanations for the tests, and U.S. officials are now investigating that decision under an anti-conspiracy law passed after the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games.

President Thomas Bach wants to make sure WADA is the sole authority on Olympic doping cases, especially with the Sumer Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028. The IOC added a clause to Salt Lake's host contract, demanding that local organizers - including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - push to shut down the federal investigation or risk losing the Olympics.

Cox and others promised to lobby the U.S. president and Congress.

“We agree that if the United States does not support or violates the World Anti-Doping Federation’s rules, that they can withdraw the Games from from us and from the United States, “ Cox said after the announcement. "That was the only way that that we could we could guarantee that we would get the Games.”

Even in the world Olympic diplomacy, it was a stunning power move to force government officials to publicly agree to do the IOC's lobbying.

After getting the Utah contingent's agreement on the clause, the IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake in an 83-6 vote.

The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the IOC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-winter-salt-lake-2030-2034-ioc-e7da1e36b747395f2417b5e8c1d33088">gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year</a>&nbsp;in a fast-tracked process.

The campaign team presenting the bid on stage to IOC members included Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/park-city-utah-olympic-games-paris-winter-olympic-games-48e38677d8f54c8282b947209507e40e">Back home</a>, a 3 a.m. public watch party gathered to see the broadcast from Paris.

The clause inserted into the contract requires Utah officials to to work with current and future U.S. presidents and members of Congress “to alleviate your concerns” about the federal investigation into doping.

The IOC clause allows the Olympic body to terminate Salt Lake City’s deal if the authority of WADA was undermined on U.S. territory.

WADA's role is under scrutiny for accepting a Chinese investigation that declared all 23 swimmers were contaminated by traces of a banned heart medication in a hotel kitchen. Three Chinese gold medals in the Tokyo Olympic pool were won by swimmers implicated in the case. Some are also competing in Paris next week.

The case an be investigated in the U.S. under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/house-passes-bill-to-make-doping-conspiracies-a-crime-f0036fb6df2a436591a95f644d75a7f2">federal legislation</a>&nbsp;named for a whistleblower of Russian state doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

The IOC and WADA lobbied against passing the law, known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doping-rodchenkov-okagbare-guilty-plea-0fb36146dd202aa869325466a59db676">the Rodchenkov Act</a>, which gives U.S. federal agencies wide jurisdiction of doping enforcement worldwide ahead of Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games.

“We will work with our members of Congress," Gov. Cox told Bach and IOC voters ahead of the 2034 vote, "we will use all the levers of power open to us to resolve these concerns.”

Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games in 2002. That bid was hit with a bribery scandal, which led to anti-corruption reforms at the IOC.

Future U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was brought in to clean up the Games, which went off well despite tightened security. The Games were the biggest international sports event hosted by the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlier.

“I am sorry for you, and for us, that this issue arose now,” Bach said, addressing the Salt Lake City delegation ahead of the vote.

It is an Olympic tradition for lawmakers and even heads of state to come to an IOC meeting and plead their case to be anointed as an host city.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did it in 2007, speaking in English to secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a key intervention in 2005 to help win the 2012 Olympics for London. U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Copenhagen in 2009 did not help in Chicago's losing cause for the 2016 Summer Games that went to Rio de Janeiro.

For its second turn, Salt Lake City will get almost 10 full years to prepare — the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games — amid longer-term concerns about climate change affecting snow sports and reducing the pool of potential hosts.

Salt Lake City opted to target 2034 and so avoided potential commercial and logistical clashes with the 2028 Summer Games being hosted by Los Angeles.

It will be the fifth Winter Games in the U.S. Before Salt Lake City in 2002, there was Lake Placid in 1980 and 1932, and Squaw Valley — now known as Olympic Valley — in 1960.

In a separate decision earlier in Paris, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-2030-france-alps-nice-ioc-e14c106194e303b5a2ffa968740650b0">2030 Winter Games was awarded</a>&nbsp;— with conditions — to France for a regional project split between ski resorts in the Alps and the French Riviera city Nice.

That project needs official signoff from the national government being formed, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-prime-minister-resign-government-macron-c3a908360a18641ff5879ced259f7726">the Prime Minister yet to be confirmed</a>, after recent elections called by President Emmanuel Macron. He helped present the 2030 bid Wednesday to IOC members.

PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup.The International Olympic Committee is angry about an ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-doping-swimming-paris-olympics-world-aquatics-d55b6c2853e2d7a79cefa68afe51f9bf">U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping</a>&nbsp;by Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games despite positive drug tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted Chinese explanations for the tests, and U.S. officials are now investigating that decision under an anti-conspiracy law passed after the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games.President Thomas Bach wants to make sure WADA is the sole authority on Olympic doping cases, especially with the Sumer Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028. The IOC added a clause to Salt Lake's host contract, demanding that local organizers - including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - push to shut down the federal investigation or risk losing the Olympics.Cox and others promised to lobby the U.S. president and Congress.“We agree that if the United States does not support or violates the World Anti-Doping Federation’s rules, that they can withdraw the Games from from us and from the United States, “ Cox said after the announcement. "That was the only way that that we could we could guarantee that we would get the Games.”Even in the world Olympic diplomacy, it was a stunning power move to force government officials to publicly agree to do the IOC's lobbying.After getting the Utah contingent's agreement on the clause, the IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake in an 83-6 vote.The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the IOC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-winter-salt-lake-2030-2034-ioc-e7da1e36b747395f2417b5e8c1d33088">gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year</a>&nbsp;in a fast-tracked process.The campaign team presenting the bid on stage to IOC members included Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/park-city-utah-olympic-games-paris-winter-olympic-games-48e38677d8f54c8282b947209507e40e">Back home</a>, a 3 a.m. public watch party gathered to see the broadcast from Paris.The clause inserted into the contract requires Utah officials to to work with current and future U.S. presidents and members of Congress “to alleviate your concerns” about the federal investigation into doping.The IOC clause allows the Olympic body to terminate Salt Lake City’s deal if the authority of WADA was undermined on U.S. territory.WADA's role is under scrutiny for accepting a Chinese investigation that declared all 23 swimmers were contaminated by traces of a banned heart medication in a hotel kitchen. Three Chinese gold medals in the Tokyo Olympic pool were won by swimmers implicated in the case. Some are also competing in Paris next week.The case an be investigated in the U.S. under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/house-passes-bill-to-make-doping-conspiracies-a-crime-f0036fb6df2a436591a95f644d75a7f2">federal legislation</a>&nbsp;named for a whistleblower of Russian state doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.The IOC and WADA lobbied against passing the law, known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doping-rodchenkov-okagbare-guilty-plea-0fb36146dd202aa869325466a59db676">the Rodchenkov Act</a>, which gives U.S. federal agencies wide jurisdiction of doping enforcement worldwide ahead of Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games.“We will work with our members of Congress," Gov. Cox told Bach and IOC voters ahead of the 2034 vote, "we will use all the levers of power open to us to resolve these concerns.”Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games in 2002. That bid was hit with a bribery scandal, which led to anti-corruption reforms at the IOC.Future U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was brought in to clean up the Games, which went off well despite tightened security. The Games were the biggest international sports event hosted by the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlier.“I am sorry for you, and for us, that this issue arose now,” Bach said, addressing the Salt Lake City delegation ahead of the vote.It is an Olympic tradition for lawmakers and even heads of state to come to an IOC meeting and plead their case to be anointed as an host city.Russian President Vladimir Putin did it in 2007, speaking in English to secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a key intervention in 2005 to help win the 2012 Olympics for London. U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Copenhagen in 2009 did not help in Chicago's losing cause for the 2016 Summer Games that went to Rio de Janeiro.For its second turn, Salt Lake City will get almost 10 full years to prepare — the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games — amid longer-term concerns about climate change affecting snow sports and reducing the pool of potential hosts.Salt Lake City opted to target 2034 and so avoided potential commercial and logistical clashes with the 2028 Summer Games being hosted by Los Angeles.It will be the fifth Winter Games in the U.S. Before Salt Lake City in 2002, there was Lake Placid in 1980 and 1932, and Squaw Valley — now known as Olympic Valley — in 1960.In a separate decision earlier in Paris, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-2030-france-alps-nice-ioc-e14c106194e303b5a2ffa968740650b0">2030 Winter Games was awarded</a>&nbsp;— with conditions — to France for a regional project split between ski resorts in the Alps and the French Riviera city Nice.That project needs official signoff from the national government being formed, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-prime-minister-resign-government-macron-c3a908360a18641ff5879ced259f7726">the Prime Minister yet to be confirmed</a>, after recent elections called by President Emmanuel Macron. He helped present the 2030 bid Wednesday to IOC members.

IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Utah 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night.

Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs.

Montgomery (7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two, throwing 39 of 67 pitches for strikes. The 31-year-old left-hander, signed by the NL champions to a $25 million, one-year contract in March, had been sidelined since June 27 by right knee inflammation. He won for the first time since June 21 at Philadelphia.

“I felt comfortable out there and pain free, and that was nice to be pain free,” Montgomery said. “I think it just messed with my delivery a little bit, where I was yanking everything and I didn’t want to put any pressure on my legs, but I grinded it out and I’m glad to be here now.”

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Montgomery was nearing his pitch count when he finished a 1-2-3 fifth inning.

“His changeup was in play, and that’s a very key pitch for him,” Lovullo said. “The first go-round before he got banged up, it was a pitch he was leaving out over the plate. The pitch was very, very effective and he had a lot of confidence in it.”

Montgomery got four swings and misses on 19 changeups and six foul balls.

“It got me through the game,” Montgomery said. “I was a little wild with everything else. My four-seam and my changeup really got me through, got me some swing and miss when I needed it.”

Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped the Royals’ four-game winning streak. Kansas City had won eight of 10 coming in.

Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the first, ending his streak of four straight three-hit games.

Marte hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the fifth against Alec Marsh (7-7), who gave up five runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Marte followed Geraldo Perdomo’s leadoff double with his 21st home run.

“I was trying to down and away with a changeup and he just jumped it,” Marsh said.

Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly and Gabriel Moreno’s two-out, two-run single built a 3-0 lead in the first.

Witt’s double was his 13th hit in 16 at-bats since the All-Star Game, his sixth for extra bases. Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the ninth.

Arizona optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno and activated Montgomery.

Kansas City agreed to a minor league contract with the sixth overall draft pick Jac Caglianone, a two-way player from the University of Florida.

Arizona RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.78) starts Wednesday night’s series finale against Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.55).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721813983299.jpeg" alt="Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws from the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws from the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night.Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs.Montgomery (7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two, throwing 39 of 67 pitches for strikes. The 31-year-old left-hander, signed by the NL champions to a $25 million, one-year contract in March, had been sidelined since June 27 by right knee inflammation. He won for the first time since June 21 at Philadelphia.“I felt comfortable out there and pain free, and that was nice to be pain free,” Montgomery said. “I think it just messed with my delivery a little bit, where I was yanking everything and I didn’t want to put any pressure on my legs, but I grinded it out and I’m glad to be here now.”Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Montgomery was nearing his pitch count when he finished a 1-2-3 fifth inning.“His changeup was in play, and that’s a very key pitch for him,” Lovullo said. “The first go-round before he got banged up, it was a pitch he was leaving out over the plate. The pitch was very, very effective and he had a lot of confidence in it.”Montgomery got four swings and misses on 19 changeups and six foul balls.“It got me through the game,” Montgomery said. “I was a little wild with everything else. My four-seam and my changeup really got me through, got me some swing and miss when I needed it.”Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped the Royals’ four-game winning streak. Kansas City had won eight of 10 coming in.Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the first, ending his streak of four straight three-hit games.Marte hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the fifth against Alec Marsh (7-7), who gave up five runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Marte followed Geraldo Perdomo’s leadoff double with his 21st home run.“I was trying to down and away with a changeup and he just jumped it,” Marsh said.Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly and Gabriel Moreno’s two-out, two-run single built a 3-0 lead in the first.Witt’s double was his 13th hit in 16 at-bats since the All-Star Game, his sixth for extra bases. Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the ninth.Arizona optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno and activated Montgomery.Kansas City agreed to a minor league contract with the sixth overall draft pick Jac Caglianone, a two-way player from the University of Florida.UP NEXTArizona RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.78) starts Wednesday night’s series finale against Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.55).___

⚾ Montgomery returns from injured list and pitches Diamondbacks over Royals

&nbsp;K-State Athletics is pleased to welcome Chris Nasuti as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance after an announcement by Director of Athletics Gene Taylor on Tuesday morning (July 23).

A native of Woonsocket, R.I., Nasuti arrives at K-State from fellow Big 12 institution Houston, where he served the past two years (2022-24) as Associate AD of Compliance. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day compliance management for all 17 Cougar sports programs, he also spent time as a sport administrator for the women’s tennis and softball teams.

“We are thrilled to have Chris join our senior staff and lead our compliance efforts,” Taylor said. “As college athletics continues to rapidly evolve, this leadership position remains critical to our success, and we know that Chris’ expertise and experience will be a tremendous asset to our student-athletes and department. We look forward to Chris and his wife, Jennifer, joining the Wildcat family and Manhattan community.”

Nasuti began his career in college athletics at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (formerly UMKC) as a graduate assistant in the compliance office in 2013. Upon earning his MBA from Kansas City, he spent one year (2016-17) as assistant director of compliance at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo., monitoring compliance with NCAA, conference and institutional rules and regulation for all 19 athletic programs.

Nasuti left to become the Compliance Coordinator at Mississippi State University in May 2017. He spent five years (2017-22) at Mississippi State, rising through the ranks from coordinator (2017-19) to Director of Compliance (2019-21) to Assistant AD of Compliance (2021-22). He served as the compliance contact for several Bulldog programs over his time there, including baseball, softball, volleyball, men's and women's tennis and women's basketball, working on eligibility compliance, scholarship management, NLI agreements and recruiting services.

In addition to his compliance experience, Nasuti served as a color commentator for all Mississippi State’s women’s soccer and softball events on the SEC Digital Network from 2021-22. He also served as an Adjunct Professor for Sports Governance at Mississippi University for Women.

Nasuti earned a bachelor's degree in sport administration from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., in 2013 before earning a master’s in business administration from Kansas City in 2015.

Nasuti is married to the former Jennifer King.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721768103475.png" alt="NASUTI WELCOME.png" />
 <figcaption>NASUTI WELCOME.png</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;K-State Athletics is pleased to welcome Chris Nasuti as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance after an announcement by Director of Athletics Gene Taylor on Tuesday morning (July 23).A native of Woonsocket, R.I., Nasuti arrives at K-State from fellow Big 12 institution Houston, where he served the past two years (2022-24) as Associate AD of Compliance. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day compliance management for all 17 Cougar sports programs, he also spent time as a sport administrator for the women’s tennis and softball teams.“We are thrilled to have Chris join our senior staff and lead our compliance efforts,” Taylor said. “As college athletics continues to rapidly evolve, this leadership position remains critical to our success, and we know that Chris’ expertise and experience will be a tremendous asset to our student-athletes and department. We look forward to Chris and his wife, Jennifer, joining the Wildcat family and Manhattan community.”Nasuti began his career in college athletics at the University of Missouri - Kansas City (formerly UMKC) as a graduate assistant in the compliance office in 2013. Upon earning his MBA from Kansas City, he spent one year (2016-17) as assistant director of compliance at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo., monitoring compliance with NCAA, conference and institutional rules and regulation for all 19 athletic programs.Nasuti left to become the Compliance Coordinator at Mississippi State University in May 2017. He spent five years (2017-22) at Mississippi State, rising through the ranks from coordinator (2017-19) to Director of Compliance (2019-21) to Assistant AD of Compliance (2021-22). He served as the compliance contact for several Bulldog programs over his time there, including baseball, softball, volleyball, men's and women's tennis and women's basketball, working on eligibility compliance, scholarship management, NLI agreements and recruiting services.In addition to his compliance experience, Nasuti served as a color commentator for all Mississippi State’s women’s soccer and softball events on the SEC Digital Network from 2021-22. He also served as an Adjunct Professor for Sports Governance at Mississippi University for Women.Nasuti earned a bachelor's degree in sport administration from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., in 2013 before earning a master’s in business administration from Kansas City in 2015.Nasuti is married to the former Jennifer King.

Nasuti named Senior Associate AD for Compliance

Major League Baseball announced today that&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;has been named American League Player of the Week presented by Chevrolet for the period of July 15-21.

Witt Jr. began the week by finishing as the runner-up in the 2024 Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas. He hit a derby-high 50 home runs, including 20 homers in the 1st round, then bested&nbsp;José Ramírez, 17-12 to advance to the finals. Witt Jr. hit 13 homers in the final round, and his last batted ball landed at the base of the wall, leaving him 1 shy of matching&nbsp;Teoscar Hernández, who hit 14 homers in the final round to be crowned Home Run Derby champion.

The following night, Witt Jr. made his first All-Star Game appearance, playing the last 4.0 innings at shortstop in the American League’s 5-3 win. He was the fourth Royals shortstop to be selected to the All-Star Game, following&nbsp;Fred Patek&nbsp;(1972, 1976, 1978),&nbsp;Kurt Stillwell&nbsp;(1988) and&nbsp;Alcides Escobar&nbsp;(2015).

When play resumed last weekend, Witt Jr. reached safely in 10 of 12 plate appearances in a 3-game sweep of the White Sox, going 9-for-11 (.818) with 4 runs, 1 walk, 1 double, 1 home run and 3 RBI. He recorded 3 hits in all 3 games, matching the 3rd-longest such streak in Royals history, trailing only&nbsp;George Brett, who had at least 3 hits in 6 consecutive games from May 8-13, 1976, and&nbsp;Johnny Damon, who had at least 3 hits in 4 straight games from July 18-21, 2000.

This marks Witt Jr.’s second career American League Player of the Week Award, following May 20-26 of this year. He is the first Royal to win the award twice in the same season since&nbsp;Kendrys Morales&nbsp;in 2016, and he’s the fourth player this season to win Player of the Week honors multiple times in either league, following&nbsp;Shohei Ohtani,&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;and&nbsp;Juan Soto.

Witt Jr.’s father,&nbsp;Bobby Witt Sr., won a Player of the Week Award on July 3, 1994. According to Major League Baseball, the Witts are one of 14 father/son duos to each win at least one Player of the Week Award.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721121273932.jpeg" alt="American League's Bobby Witt Jr., of the Kansas City Royals, connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)" />
 <figcaption>American League's Bobby Witt Jr., of the Kansas City Royals, connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedMajor League Baseball announced today that&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.&nbsp;has been named American League Player of the Week presented by Chevrolet for the period of July 15-21.Witt Jr. began the week by finishing as the runner-up in the 2024 Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas. He hit a derby-high 50 home runs, including 20 homers in the 1st round, then bested&nbsp;José Ramírez, 17-12 to advance to the finals. Witt Jr. hit 13 homers in the final round, and his last batted ball landed at the base of the wall, leaving him 1 shy of matching&nbsp;Teoscar Hernández, who hit 14 homers in the final round to be crowned Home Run Derby champion.The following night, Witt Jr. made his first All-Star Game appearance, playing the last 4.0 innings at shortstop in the American League’s 5-3 win. He was the fourth Royals shortstop to be selected to the All-Star Game, following&nbsp;Fred Patek&nbsp;(1972, 1976, 1978),&nbsp;Kurt Stillwell&nbsp;(1988) and&nbsp;Alcides Escobar&nbsp;(2015).When play resumed last weekend, Witt Jr. reached safely in 10 of 12 plate appearances in a 3-game sweep of the White Sox, going 9-for-11 (.818) with 4 runs, 1 walk, 1 double, 1 home run and 3 RBI. He recorded 3 hits in all 3 games, matching the 3rd-longest such streak in Royals history, trailing only&nbsp;George Brett, who had at least 3 hits in 6 consecutive games from May 8-13, 1976, and&nbsp;Johnny Damon, who had at least 3 hits in 4 straight games from July 18-21, 2000.This marks Witt Jr.’s second career American League Player of the Week Award, following May 20-26 of this year. He is the first Royal to win the award twice in the same season since&nbsp;Kendrys Morales&nbsp;in 2016, and he’s the fourth player this season to win Player of the Week honors multiple times in either league, following&nbsp;Shohei Ohtani,&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;and&nbsp;Juan Soto.Witt Jr.’s father,&nbsp;Bobby Witt Sr., won a Player of the Week Award on July 3, 1994. According to Major League Baseball, the Witts are one of 14 father/son duos to each win at least one Player of the Week Award.

Bobby Witt Jr. named American League Player of the Week 

Chiefs Chairman &amp; CEO Clark Hunt Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, good morning, everybody. It’s great to be here at Missouri Western State University, getting the 2024 campaign under way. I know we’re already a couple practices in and the guys are working hard. We appreciate our Season Ticket Holders who are here today. I had a chance to be at our pancake breakfast with them this morning, and they’re definitely enthusiastic and looking forward to a great year. I just want to say how thankful we are to everybody in St. Joe – and particularly here at the University, for the job they do in taking care of us. We’ve been up here 14 to 15 years now, and it’s a tremendous experience and I know (Head Coach) Andy (Reid) appreciates the preparation that we get here. With that, I’ll open it up.”

Q: What was your message to the team the other day?

HUNT:&nbsp;“Well, there’s certain elements that I repeat every year. I want them to understand the culture of the club, the mission statement, obviously, our goal. Our goal is to end up in New Orleans, getting ready to play for another Lombardi Trophy, but the challenge this year is going to be the distractions. There’s going to be a lot of talk about us going back-to-back-to-back and the challenge for the team really is to focus on the task at hand. Here at training camp, that’s the next practice. As Coach Spags (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) mentioned, here in a few weeks, that’s going to be the Baltimore Ravens and we really have to be in the present if we want to have a chance to achieve our long-term goals.”

Q: With the recent passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes, he’s one of the players that has his jersey number retired by the club. I was wondering what the team’s philosophy was on retiring jersey numbers?

HUNT:&nbsp;“First of all, let me just say how sad that we were as an organization about the passing of (Chiefs Hall of Famer) Abner (Haynes). He was a foundational piece of the franchise, going all the way back to 1960. He played a key part in those early (Dallas) Texans teams, including the one that won the AFL Championship. I always enjoyed getting to see Abner. He frequently came to our alumni weekends and was somebody who was very passionate about the organization, so he’s definitely going to be missed. You’re right, we do have 10 jerseys that have been retired and with the exception of (Pro Football Hall o Famer and Chiefs Hall of Famer) Derrick Thomas, all of those players were players from the 1960s who really helped lay the foundation for the success of the franchise. As we’ve gone along over the years, we’ve needed to be more judicious in retiring jerseys. Just from a practical standpoint of having enough numbers available, particularly for training camp, where you’ve got 90-91 players. (It) certainly doesn’t mean that we won’t ever retire another jersey, but it’s something we’re going to really think about and approach from a bigger perspective.”

Q: From your standpoint, how much have you considered the idea, logically and logistically, of having the franchise play in a different stadium, or that stadium being in Kansas?

HUNT:&nbsp;“At this point, that’s premature. We do have six-and-a-half years left on our lease at GEHA Field at Arrowhead. GEHA Field at Arrowhead is a special place. It’s special for our fans and it’s special for the players and coaches, but we do have to look to the future. We do need a solution starting in 2031, which I know that (President) Mark (Donovan) mentioned (that) we’re glad to have some options. We really appreciate what the Kansas legislature did in passing the upgrade to the STAR Bond deal that potentially would give us an opportunity to look at a stadium over there. We’re going to work very hard over the coming months and years to come up with a solution that makes sense for the organization, for the team, but also one that makes sense for the community. So, we’re approaching it very much with an open mind and look forward to talking to leaders on both sides of the state line.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you feel like you or the organization need to do anything different to keep the stadium where it is?

HUNT:&nbsp;“Well, part of our evaluation over the next several months and coming years will be looking at whether we’re better off in a renovated building or in a new stadium. That new stadium could be on the Missouri side as well. It doesn’t have to be on the Kansas side. I had a bunch of Season Ticket Holders come up to me today to share how special GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is with them and we know that, but we do have to look to the future. Potentially, having a new building, whether it’s on the Missouri or Kansas side, may make the most sense.”

Q:&nbsp;For a long time, you were consistent in saying that your preferred outcome was a renovated GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Do you still feel that way? Is that your desired outcome?

HUNT:&nbsp;“You know, we’re really approaching it with an open mind. We don’t have a desired outcome. We just have to find a solution that works for the community and something that works for the club.”

Chiefs Chairman &amp; CEO Clark Hunt QuotesJuly 22, 2024OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, good morning, everybody. It’s great to be here at Missouri Western State University, getting the 2024 campaign under way. I know we’re already a couple practices in and the guys are working hard. We appreciate our Season Ticket Holders who are here today. I had a chance to be at our pancake breakfast with them this morning, and they’re definitely enthusiastic and looking forward to a great year. I just want to say how thankful we are to everybody in St. Joe – and particularly here at the University, for the job they do in taking care of us. We’ve been up here 14 to 15 years now, and it’s a tremendous experience and I know (Head Coach) Andy (Reid) appreciates the preparation that we get here. With that, I’ll open it up.”Q: What was your message to the team the other day?HUNT:&nbsp;“Well, there’s certain elements that I repeat every year. I want them to understand the culture of the club, the mission statement, obviously, our goal. Our goal is to end up in New Orleans, getting ready to play for another Lombardi Trophy, but the challenge this year is going to be the distractions. There’s going to be a lot of talk about us going back-to-back-to-back and the challenge for the team really is to focus on the task at hand. Here at training camp, that’s the next practice. As Coach Spags (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) mentioned, here in a few weeks, that’s going to be the Baltimore Ravens and we really have to be in the present if we want to have a chance to achieve our long-term goals.”Q: With the recent passing of Chiefs Hall of Famer Abner Haynes, he’s one of the players that has his jersey number retired by the club. I was wondering what the team’s philosophy was on retiring jersey numbers?HUNT:&nbsp;“First of all, let me just say how sad that we were as an organization about the passing of (Chiefs Hall of Famer) Abner (Haynes). He was a foundational piece of the franchise, going all the way back to 1960. He played a key part in those early (Dallas) Texans teams, including the one that won the AFL Championship. I always enjoyed getting to see Abner. He frequently came to our alumni weekends and was somebody who was very passionate about the organization, so he’s definitely going to be missed. You’re right, we do have 10 jerseys that have been retired and with the exception of (Pro Football Hall o Famer and Chiefs Hall of Famer) Derrick Thomas, all of those players were players from the 1960s who really helped lay the foundation for the success of the franchise. As we’ve gone along over the years, we’ve needed to be more judicious in retiring jerseys. Just from a practical standpoint of having enough numbers available, particularly for training camp, where you’ve got 90-91 players. (It) certainly doesn’t mean that we won’t ever retire another jersey, but it’s something we’re going to really think about and approach from a bigger perspective.”Q: From your standpoint, how much have you considered the idea, logically and logistically, of having the franchise play in a different stadium, or that stadium being in Kansas?HUNT:&nbsp;“At this point, that’s premature. We do have six-and-a-half years left on our lease at GEHA Field at Arrowhead. GEHA Field at Arrowhead is a special place. It’s special for our fans and it’s special for the players and coaches, but we do have to look to the future. We do need a solution starting in 2031, which I know that (President) Mark (Donovan) mentioned (that) we’re glad to have some options. We really appreciate what the Kansas legislature did in passing the upgrade to the STAR Bond deal that potentially would give us an opportunity to look at a stadium over there. We’re going to work very hard over the coming months and years to come up with a solution that makes sense for the organization, for the team, but also one that makes sense for the community. So, we’re approaching it very much with an open mind and look forward to talking to leaders on both sides of the state line.”Q:&nbsp;Do you feel like you or the organization need to do anything different to keep the stadium where it is?HUNT:&nbsp;“Well, part of our evaluation over the next several months and coming years will be looking at whether we’re better off in a renovated building or in a new stadium. That new stadium could be on the Missouri side as well. It doesn’t have to be on the Kansas side. I had a bunch of Season Ticket Holders come up to me today to share how special GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is with them and we know that, but we do have to look to the future. Potentially, having a new building, whether it’s on the Missouri or Kansas side, may make the most sense.”Q:&nbsp;For a long time, you were consistent in saying that your preferred outcome was a renovated GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Do you still feel that way? Is that your desired outcome?HUNT:&nbsp;“You know, we’re really approaching it with an open mind. We don’t have a desired outcome. We just have to find a solution that works for the community and something that works for the club.”Q:&nbsp;Can you see any scenario where you would consider an option outside of the Kansas City metropolitan area?HUNT:&nbsp;“Well, we have a special connection with the community and with Chiefs Kingdom. Our focus is very much on finding a solution here in the metropolitan area.”Q:&nbsp;Chiefs President Mark Donovan referenced a six-month timeline the other day. Are you putting any deadline on the decision for a new or renovated stadium at six months?HUNT:&nbsp;“I think what (President) Mark (Donovan) was trying to communicate is the urgency, and we definitely feel like this is an urgent issue that we’ve got to find a solution for in the near term. I would agree with Mark that we would like to make some significant progress over the next six months. I know from having been through the few stadium efforts that they’re slow moving and unpredictable, so to say we’ll be able to get to the finish line in six months is probably optimistic, but we would like to make some progress.”Q:&nbsp;What’s most important with finding a new training facility or staying in the same place?HUNT:&nbsp;“We love our training facility, but we’ve outgrown it. It’s hard to believe, you know, 15 (or) 16 years after it was built that we’ve outgrown it, but every NFL team has grown in terms of the number of people, number of players, number of coaches. Long term, that’s going to be part of what we have to look at – it would either be a major renovation of our existing training facility or the construction of a new training facility that would help us accommodate not only the size of the organization now, but also, we’re likely to grow over the next couple of decades.”Q:&nbsp;Is the possibility of covering the stadium something you might revisit so that you could make GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadum into a more multipurpose facility?HUNT:&nbsp;“I would say all options are on the table. As you know, that was something that we considered 20 years ago when we were working on the renovations that took place starting in 2006. I do think we’ll look at it again. I mentioned the possibility of a new stadium also on the Missouri side. I think if we went that route, certainly, we would have to look at a dome. A dome gives you an ability to host a lot of other events which could be important for the community.”Q: You said that part of your message to the team was about avoiding distractions. Does that message have anything to do with what all has gone on this offseason?HUNT:&nbsp;“It’s nothing specific to this offseason. I just think that we as an organization can feel it that the players, the coaches, everybody in the organization have a lot of people reaching out to them, a lot of people asking them about the potential of a three-peat. Really to be successful in the National Football League you’ve got to focus on the task at hand, which is the next team you’re playing. I also mentioned last night that like last year, every team we play is going to give us their best shot. When you’re the defending champion, that game is really important for the teams that you play. They circle it on their calendar as a chance to take out the defending champion. It was really more just geared towards managing the distractions during the season, focusing on tasks at hand, making sure you’re present each day and give your very best.”Q: Are you able to appreciate that you’re starting another camp after what the organization has recently accomplished? Are you able to sit back and really appreciate what this franchise has done overall?HUNT:&nbsp;“We definitely are as an organization and as a family. I think the 50 years between Super Bowls probably laid the foundation for us to have that appreciation. We were thrilled five years ago to make it to Super Bowl LIV and win it. We certainly hoped that there would be more in the future, but I might be lying if I told you I thought there’d be two more in the next three or four years. It’s been a very special period, it’s not lost on me. But again, if we get too much into thinking about the past and how successful and how good we’ve been, we’re going to have a really hard time being successful going forward.”Q: Since the first stadium vote, you now have more options on where to go. Has that first voting period taught you what you want to see regarding a renovated stadium?HUNT:&nbsp;“As I mentioned, our goal was to find a solution that’s great for the community. I do think a renovated GEHA Field at Arrowhead would be a very good solution. I also think a new stadium and what that could bring to the community in terms of really big events, I think that could be really valuable. As we go into this process, we’re doing it very much with an open mind and to look at all the possibilities. Obviously, we have the pleasure every year of playing in a lot of great stadiums, some of which have been recently renovated, some that are brand new – a lot of dome buildings – and we always use those opportunities to tour those buildings and think about, ‘Ok, what can we incorporate whichever direction we end up going?’”Q: On a possible upcoming suspension for Rashee Rice.HUNT:&nbsp;“There’s nothing going on with the league at this point. Their standard protocol is to let the legal process play out, and then they’ll begin their investigation at that point. I can’t really project when we’ll have those conversations.”Q: Have the physical preparations started at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to prepare for the World Cup? What’s the timeline there?HUNT:&nbsp;“We started that process right after this past football season. We did some things that I would describe more as infrastructure that will need to support the field. We’re in the design phase on what we’ll have to ultimately do to the bowl to accommodate the larger soccer field. That construction process will start immediately after the football season next year. It’ll go throughout the offseason and then we’ll pick it up in the winter/spring of 2026 to complete what needs to be done.”Q: So basically, what the fans will notice about the stadium this upcoming season is that nothing has visibly changed compared to last year?HUNT:&nbsp;“Yeah. There will be no difference to the stadium from a fan’s perspective this year. Our goal as we go through this process is for our fans for Chiefs games to not notice what we’ve done to the stadium. That’s a big part of our effort to make sure that the experience isn’t lost for our Season Ticket Holders.”Chiefs Coordinator Quotes&nbsp;July 22, 2024&nbsp;DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE&nbsp;<a>SPAGNUOLO</a>Q: What do you like about Jaden Hicks so far just being able to move him around?SPAGNUOLO: “You know one of the things that sticks out about Jaden (Hicks) is that he’s tall and long. Yeah, he’s playing a bunch of different positions, it’s kind of – he’s going through what Chamarri Conner went through last year where you’re trying to learn everything and the volume of the defense and yet he’s not just learning one spot.&nbsp; I mean J-Reid (Justin Reid) you know we’re not going to have for a little bit here, and so it’s a blessing and curse, right? J-Reid doesn’t get the reps, but somebody else gets those reps and right now it's Jaden that’s benefitting from it.”Q: With the absence of Titans CB L'Jarius Sneed, is Trent McDuffie stepping into that leadership role?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Yeah, we’ll see how that goes, I mean obviously you guys know that almost every game we had (Titans CB) LJ (L’Jarius Sneed) travel with the quote-on-quote top receiver - whether we do that or not with Trent we’ll see. It will just be a game-by-game plan – we’ll see who the other corner is, who the nickel is, there’s still a lot of unknowns right now. We got some work to do back there. We certainly miss LJ. I miss him every day.”Q: Pro Football Writers of America’s recognized you for lifetime achievement award this year, what does that mean to you?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Thanks Matt (McMullen). I’m glad you brought that up because first of all I was humbled, shocked, humbled and concerned. When you get an award that says lifetime achievement on it – it means you’re getting old, right? I do want to say this because – we’ve got (Senior Director of Communications and Administration) Cyd (Cydney Glaze), and (VP of Football Communications) Brad (Gee) and (Chicago Bears Special Advisor to the President/CEO and Chief Administrative Officer) Ted (Crews) – filled me in on the whole thing. I know that there’s some people in here that are involved in that, so I want to say thank you to those (people) because I know that doesn’t happen unless there’s some kind of support. Here’s the other thing I know about that kind of reward – it’s a team sport and when you get an individual award that means you were around really good people – on good teams, good coaches, (and) good players, so that’s not lost on me. So thanks Matt because I did want to thank the people who helped out on that.”Chiefs Player QuotesJuly 22, 2024LB NICK BOLTONQ: After losing Saints LB Willie Gay, Titans CB L‘Jarius Sneed and Bills S Mike Edwards besides what they gave on the field, how much do you lose in leadership and how much do guys like you have to step in and fill that void?BOLTON:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think that those guys obviously meant a lot to our team – a huge chunk of our personality, that personality changes year to year. We got a lot of guys that have been waiting to thrive in these moments – Bryan Cook, Chamarri (Conner) is evolving in his role, J-Reid (Justin Reid) coming back, we got Drue (Tranquill) that came back from last year, Leo (Chenal) is kind of emerging as one of those guys who have been a little more vocal as he gets more comfortable. I think it takes a little bit of everybody to kind of build a personality of a team and I kind of think that’s what training camp is for – like you find out what your personality is, find out what your DNA is and find out what you're made of.”Q: Defensive Coordinator Coach Steve Spagnuolo emphasized trying to deflect balls in your meetings and it showed up today. How much of an emphasis is that just going towards everybody?BOLTON:&nbsp;“Yeah, we just got to compete. I think the first day in offense got after us&nbsp;a little bit. They’re completing a lot of deep passes. Just to watch the tape (and) going to be real with ourselves based on where we were last year - that’s not what we were yesterday, so getting back to what we would like to do – like get hands on footballs, pressure, winning one-on-ones and just finding ways to make plays on the ball, force turnovers, we were I think 27th&nbsp;last year so we harped on that day one, just try to force more turnovers and get the ball back to Pat (Mahomes) and them and kind of see what they can do with it from there.”Q: As a defense, how much pride do you guys take in setting the tone out on the field?