By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has issued a 60-game schedule that will start &nbsp;July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks as the sport tries to push ahead amid the coronavirus following months of acrimony. 

This will be MLB's shortest season since 1878. Each team will play 10 games against each of its four division rivals and four games against each of the five clubs in the corresponding division in the other league, according to details obtained by The Associated Press. 

The sides expanded the designated hitter to games involving National League teams and will start extra innings with a runner on second base.

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball WriterNEW YORK — Major League Baseball has issued a 60-game schedule that will start &nbsp;July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks as the sport tries to push ahead amid the coronavirus following months of acrimony. This will be MLB's shortest season since 1878. Each team will play 10 games against each of its four division rivals and four games against each of the five clubs in the corresponding division in the other league, according to details obtained by The Associated Press. The sides expanded the designated hitter to games involving National League teams and will start extra innings with a runner on second base.

Baseball's back: MLB sets 60-game sked, opens July 23 or 24

KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have agreed to terms with 13 players, including all six who were selected in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft on June 10-11:&nbsp;Asa Lacy, a left-handed pitcher from Texas A&amp;M University in the first round (No. 4 overall);&nbsp;Nick Loftin&nbsp;a shortstop from Baylor University in Competitive Balance Round A (No. 32 overall),&nbsp;Ben Hernandez, a right-handed pitcher from De La Salle Institute (Ill.) in the second round (No. 41 overall);&nbsp;Tyler Gentry, an outfielder from the University of Alabama in the third round (No. 76 overall);&nbsp;Christian Chamberlain, a left-handed pitcher from Oregon State University in the fourth round (No. 105 overall); and&nbsp;Will Klein, a right-handed pitcher from Eastern Illinois University in the fifth round (No. 135 overall).

The Royals also agreed to terms with seven undrafted free agents, including: left-handed pitcher&nbsp;AJ Block&nbsp;from Washington State University; outfielder&nbsp;Tucker Bradley&nbsp;from the University of Georgia; catcher&nbsp;Kale Emshoff, from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock; catcher&nbsp;Saul Garza, from Louisiana State University; right-handed pitcher&nbsp;John McMillon&nbsp;from Texas Tech University; infielder&nbsp;Matt Schmidt&nbsp;from the University of Michigan; and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Chase Wallace&nbsp;from the University of Tennessee.

Block, 22, went 2-0 with a 3.25 ERA (10 ER in 27.2 IP) and 34 strikeouts (11.1 K/9) to just five walks (1.6 BB/9) in four starts this season at Washington State, prior to the season being suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. He led all Pac-12 pitchers in innings and tied for second in strikeouts, and had double-digit strikeout performances in each of his last three starts, becoming the first Cougar to accomplish that feat in at least 33 seasons. He was selected by Detroit in the 17th&nbsp;round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, but chose to return to Washington State for his senior season. He was also selected in 2016 by the Chicago Cubs in the 39th&nbsp;round out of Newport High School in Washington, but did not sign.

Bradley, 22, was batting .397 (25-for-63) with six home runs, 23 RBI and eight stolen bases in 18 games when Georgia’s 2020 season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. He also recorded 4.1 scoreless innings on the mound over three relief appearances. Bradley’s performance led the Bulldogs to a 14-4 record and a national ranking of No. 2 in the&nbsp;USA Today Sports&nbsp;Top 25 poll.

Emshoff, 22, hit .417 (25-for-60) with seven home runs in just 17 games at Arkansas-Little Rock prior to the season being canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. He led the Sun Belt Conference in home runs and slugging percentage (.800) and ranked second in batting average, while starting 13 games at catcher and four as the designated hitter. Emshoff missed the entire 2019 season due to injury. He was the No. 146-ranked prospect in the 2020 Draft per MLB Pipeline.

Garza, 22, led LSU with three home runs in 14 games prior to the 2020 season being suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Royals selected him in the 32nd&nbsp;round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, but he choose to return to LSU and was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team in 2019, after batting .303 (44-for-145) in 50 games (42 starts). Prior to attending LSU, Garza hit. 378 with 23 home runs at Howard Junior College, where he was selected to the NJCAA Division I All-Region Team. He was selected by St. Louis in the 31st&nbsp;round in 2017 out of Edinburg North High School in Texas, but did not sign.

McMillon, 22, pitched in relief during his junior and senior seasons at Texas Tech, including 9.1 innings over seven outings this spring, in which he struck out 20 batters (19.3 K/9). He was a two-way player in his first two collegiate seasons, going a combined 7-3 with a 3.36 ERA (33 ER in 88.1 IP) in 41 appearances (12 starts) on the mound, while hitting nine home runs in 74 games at the plate. McMillon was selected by Detroit in the 11th&nbsp;round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, but chose to return to Texas Tech for his senior season. He was selected by Tampa Bay in the 21st&nbsp;round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Jasper High School in Texas, but did not sign.

Schmidt, 23, played in just 46 games during his collegiate career at Michigan. The fifth-year senior hit his first career home run this spring, a go-ahead shot in the eighth inning vs. 2019 National Champion Vanderbilt. Prior to his time with the Wolverines, Schmidt played the 2016-17 seasons at Cypress College (Calif.). He was selected by the New York Yankees in the 37th&nbsp;round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Regis Jesuit High School (Texas), but chose to attend the University of Texas, where he was enrolled prior to his transfer to Cypress. Matt is the son of Colorado Rockies scouting director, Bill Schmidt.

Wallace, 21, went 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA (7 ER in 18.0 IP) in four starts at the University of Tennessee this spring as a junior. He missed most of the 2019 season due to injury, but did record a 2.74 ERA (7 ER in 23.0 IP) in 14 relief appearances in the Cape Cod League.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have agreed to terms with 13 players, including all six who were selected in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft on June 10-11:&nbsp;Asa Lacy, a left-handed pitcher from Texas A&amp;M University in the first round (No. 4 overall);&nbsp;Nick Loftin&nbsp;a shortstop from Baylor University in Competitive Balance Round A (No. 32 overall),&nbsp;Ben Hernandez, a right-handed pitcher from De La Salle Institute (Ill.) in the second round (No. 41 overall);&nbsp;Tyler Gentry, an outfielder from the University of Alabama in the third round (No. 76 overall);&nbsp;Christian Chamberlain, a left-handed pitcher from Oregon State University in the fourth round (No. 105 overall); and&nbsp;Will Klein, a right-handed pitcher from Eastern Illinois University in the fifth round (No. 135 overall).The Royals also agreed to terms with seven undrafted free agents, including: left-handed pitcher&nbsp;AJ Block&nbsp;from Washington State University; outfielder&nbsp;Tucker Bradley&nbsp;from the University of Georgia; catcher&nbsp;Kale Emshoff, from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock; catcher&nbsp;Saul Garza, from Louisiana State University; right-handed pitcher&nbsp;John McMillon&nbsp;from Texas Tech University; infielder&nbsp;Matt Schmidt&nbsp;from the University of Michigan; and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Chase Wallace&nbsp;from the University of Tennessee.Block, 22, went 2-0 with a 3.25 ERA (10 ER in 27.2 IP) and 34 strikeouts (11.1 K/9) to just five walks (1.6 BB/9) in four starts this season at Washington State, prior to the season being suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. He led all Pac-12 pitchers in innings and tied for second in strikeouts, and had double-digit strikeout performances in each of his last three starts, becoming the first Cougar to accomplish that feat in at least 33 seasons. He was selected by Detroit in the 17th&nbsp;round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, but chose to return to Washington State for his senior season. He was also selected in 2016 by the Chicago Cubs in the 39th&nbsp;round out of Newport High School in Washington, but did not sign.Bradley, 22, was batting .397 (25-for-63) with six home runs, 23 RBI and eight stolen bases in 18 games when Georgia’s 2020 season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. He also recorded 4.1 scoreless innings on the mound over three relief appearances. Bradley’s performance led the Bulldogs to a 14-4 record and a national ranking of No. 2 in the&nbsp;USA Today Sports&nbsp;Top 25 poll.Emshoff, 22, hit .417 (25-for-60) with seven home runs in just 17 games at Arkansas-Little Rock prior to the season being canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. He led the Sun Belt Conference in home runs and slugging percentage (.800) and ranked second in batting average, while starting 13 games at catcher and four as the designated hitter. Emshoff missed the entire 2019 season due to injury. He was the No. 146-ranked prospect in the 2020 Draft per MLB Pipeline.Garza, 22, led LSU with three home runs in 14 games prior to the 2020 season being suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Royals selected him in the 32nd&nbsp;round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, but he choose to return to LSU and was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team in 2019, after batting .303 (44-for-145) in 50 games (42 starts). Prior to attending LSU, Garza hit. 378 with 23 home runs at Howard Junior College, where he was selected to the NJCAA Division I All-Region Team. He was selected by St. Louis in the 31st&nbsp;round in 2017 out of Edinburg North High School in Texas, but did not sign.McMillon, 22, pitched in relief during his junior and senior seasons at Texas Tech, including 9.1 innings over seven outings this spring, in which he struck out 20 batters (19.3 K/9). He was a two-way player in his first two collegiate seasons, going a combined 7-3 with a 3.36 ERA (33 ER in 88.1 IP) in 41 appearances (12 starts) on the mound, while hitting nine home runs in 74 games at the plate. McMillon was selected by Detroit in the 11th&nbsp;round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, but chose to return to Texas Tech for his senior season. He was selected by Tampa Bay in the 21st&nbsp;round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Jasper High School in Texas, but did not sign.Schmidt, 23, played in just 46 games during his collegiate career at Michigan. The fifth-year senior hit his first career home run this spring, a go-ahead shot in the eighth inning vs. 2019 National Champion Vanderbilt. Prior to his time with the Wolverines, Schmidt played the 2016-17 seasons at Cypress College (Calif.). He was selected by the New York Yankees in the 37th&nbsp;round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Regis Jesuit High School (Texas), but chose to attend the University of Texas, where he was enrolled prior to his transfer to Cypress. Matt is the son of Colorado Rockies scouting director, Bill Schmidt.Wallace, 21, went 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA (7 ER in 18.0 IP) in four starts at the University of Tennessee this spring as a junior. He missed most of the 2019 season due to injury, but did record a 2.74 ERA (7 ER in 23.0 IP) in 14 relief appearances in the Cape Cod League.

Royals agree to terms with all 6 draft picks, 7 undrafted free agents

NEW YORK — A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that the executive board of the Major League Baseball Players Association rejected a proposed 60-game schedule by a 33-5 vote. 

The union dared Commissioner Rob Manfred to give a unilateral order for the regular season's start and provoke what figures to be lengthy and costly litigation over the impact of the coronavirus on the sport. 

Manfred was expected to take the next step as baseball descends into the type of labor strife that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95.

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball WriterNEW YORK — A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that the executive board of the Major League Baseball Players Association rejected a proposed 60-game schedule by a 33-5 vote. The union dared Commissioner Rob Manfred to give a unilateral order for the regular season's start and provoke what figures to be lengthy and costly litigation over the impact of the coronavirus on the sport. Manfred was expected to take the next step as baseball descends into the type of labor strife that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95.

AP source: Players' board rejects 60-game season by 33-5

HAYS -- Entries are now being taken for the Hays Eagles' Wild West Fest 17-19U Wood Bat Tournament. Following is the entry form.

HAYS -- Entries are now being taken for the Hays Eagles' Wild West Fest 17-19U Wood Bat Tournament. Following is the entry form.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592871876155.jpeg" alt="" />
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Entries now being taken for Wild West Fest 17-19U tourney

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State Athletics, in conjunction with university and county medical officials, has announced it has paused all voluntary workouts for football student-athletes for 14 days following the most recent COVID-19 test results. As of Friday, a total of 14 student-athletes have tested positive for active COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction)&nbsp;testing of more than 130 student-athletes. The 14 individuals who have tested positive are being medically managed according to current local, state, national, and CDC guidelines, which begins with self-isolation for 10 days and until the patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer.&nbsp; “The health and well-being of our student-athletes will always be our top priority,” Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. “Following the most recent test results, we felt like temporarily pausing all football workouts and access to our facilities was the best decision for everyone. We continue to take this situation very seriously and want to do everything we can to get back to workouts soon.” The department will continue to work closely and communicate with county and university health officials to evaluate the situation and continue best practices.

–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;–

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State Athletics, in conjunction with university and county medical officials, has announced it has paused all voluntary workouts for football student-athletes for 14 days following the most recent COVID-19 test results. As of Friday, a total of 14 student-athletes have tested positive for active COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction)&nbsp;testing of more than 130 student-athletes. The 14 individuals who have tested positive are being medically managed according to current local, state, national, and CDC guidelines, which begins with self-isolation for 10 days and until the patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer.&nbsp; “The health and well-being of our student-athletes will always be our top priority,” Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. “Following the most recent test results, we felt like temporarily pausing all football workouts and access to our facilities was the best decision for everyone. We continue to take this situation very seriously and want to do everything we can to get back to workouts soon.” The department will continue to work closely and communicate with county and university health officials to evaluate the situation and continue best practices. –&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;–

K-State athletics pauses all voluntary workouts for football

LAWRENCE –&nbsp;Prior to our student-athletes returning to participate in voluntary activities, Kansas Athletics has been guided by the medical professionals at Kansas Team Health who have created policies and procedures to be properly prepared for the return of the football student-athletes.

The plan created by Kansas Team Health requires COVID-19 testing of student-athletes and staff as well as detailed daily procedures to maintain proper compliance with health and safety guidelines. The detailed document can be found by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kansas-Team-Health-COVID-19-Reentry-Plan-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.

As of Saturday, 86 football student-athletes received the nasopharyngeal swab and antibody blood tests, and 110 staff members (includes coaches and support staff) received the nasopharyngeal swab test. Of the 86 student-athletes tested, one student athlete tested positive for COVID-19 and another student-athlete tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. The student-athlete with the positive COVID-19 test had shown no symptoms prior to returning the Lawrence community for voluntary football activities. This individual is self-isolating and is being monitored frequently by medical professionals.

The student-athlete whose test result was positive for antibodies was unaware of previously contracting COVID-19. As detailed in the policies linked above, any student-athlete with a positive antibody test will receive additional evaluation by medical professionals.

Similar testing procedures will apply to all returning student-athletes from other teams. All activities will be closely monitored by the physicians, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning staffs within Kansas Team Health and will follow a stringent set of health and safety guidelines.

Statement from Director of Athletics Jeff Long

“The health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes remains the highest priority in our athletics department. As our student-athletes choose to return at various dates in the coming weeks for voluntary activities, it is our priority to them, as well as their families, to ensure their health is appropriately cared for even more so now during this pandemic.

“Our staff and doctors have been prepared for the inevitable situation where a student-athlete received a positive COVID-19 test and immediately followed the plans and policies prepared by Kansas Team Health. Our student-athlete is being cared for and provided necessary items should he develop symptoms.

“The partnership with Kansas Team Health has been a tremendous asset since it was formed a year ago, but as we’ve all navigated this uncharted territory together, the medical advice and recommendations from their team of experts has been a tremendous benefit for our student-athletes, coaches and staff.&nbsp;

“While we can be almost certain there will be additional positive tests, we are committed to properly handling each individual with the highest medical care and doing our part to mitigate the spread.”

--<a href="https://kuathletics.com/" target="_blank">KUAthletics.com</a>--

LAWRENCE –&nbsp;Prior to our student-athletes returning to participate in voluntary activities, Kansas Athletics has been guided by the medical professionals at Kansas Team Health who have created policies and procedures to be properly prepared for the return of the football student-athletes. The plan created by Kansas Team Health requires COVID-19 testing of student-athletes and staff as well as detailed daily procedures to maintain proper compliance with health and safety guidelines. The detailed document can be found by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kansas-Team-Health-COVID-19-Reentry-Plan-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.As of Saturday, 86 football student-athletes received the nasopharyngeal swab and antibody blood tests, and 110 staff members (includes coaches and support staff) received the nasopharyngeal swab test. Of the 86 student-athletes tested, one student athlete tested positive for COVID-19 and another student-athlete tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. The student-athlete with the positive COVID-19 test had shown no symptoms prior to returning the Lawrence community for voluntary football activities. This individual is self-isolating and is being monitored frequently by medical professionals.The student-athlete whose test result was positive for antibodies was unaware of previously contracting COVID-19. As detailed in the policies linked above, any student-athlete with a positive antibody test will receive additional evaluation by medical professionals.Similar testing procedures will apply to all returning student-athletes from other teams. All activities will be closely monitored by the physicians, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning staffs within Kansas Team Health and will follow a stringent set of health and safety guidelines.Statement from Director of Athletics Jeff Long“The health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes remains the highest priority in our athletics department. As our student-athletes choose to return at various dates in the coming weeks for voluntary activities, it is our priority to them, as well as their families, to ensure their health is appropriately cared for even more so now during this pandemic.“Our staff and doctors have been prepared for the inevitable situation where a student-athlete received a positive COVID-19 test and immediately followed the plans and policies prepared by Kansas Team Health. Our student-athlete is being cared for and provided necessary items should he develop symptoms.“The partnership with Kansas Team Health has been a tremendous asset since it was formed a year ago, but as we’ve all navigated this uncharted territory together, the medical advice and recommendations from their team of experts has been a tremendous benefit for our student-athletes, coaches and staff.&nbsp;“While we can be almost certain there will be additional positive tests, we are committed to properly handling each individual with the highest medical care and doing our part to mitigate the spread.”--<a href="https://kuathletics.com/" target="_blank">KUAthletics.com</a>--

KU football COVID-19 testing and results update

Happy birthday, indeed! From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs/">Kansas City Chiefs </a>Facebook page:

Happy birthday, indeed! From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs/">Kansas City Chiefs </a>Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKansasCityChiefs%2Fposts%2F10158469846073373&width=500" width="500" height="594" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Chiefs: Happy birthday, Len Dawson!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs celebrate Juneteenth. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> Facebook page:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs celebrate Juneteenth. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKansasCityChiefs%2Fposts%2F10158466767298373&width=500" width="500" height="614" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Kansas City Chiefs celebrate Juneteenth

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals celebrate Juneteenth. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Royals/">Kansas City Royals </a>Facebook page:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals celebrate Juneteenth. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Royals/">Kansas City Royals </a>Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRoyals%2Fvideos%2F893908921020198%2F&show_text=1&width=476" width="476" height="587" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

📹Kansas City Royals celebrate Juneteenth

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;Royals Charities is announcing a unique approach to a popular event with the current times in mind.&nbsp; The foundation will hold its annual 5K &amp; 10K Run/Walk presented by Price Chopper virtually this year.&nbsp; The event was previously scheduled for Aug. 1.

We encourage all fans to join us throughout the summer or on virtual race weekend (Friday, July 31 – Sunday, Aug. 2) to run or walk while safely exploring our community because regardless of where you are, we are all KC Together.&nbsp; Participants will receive a special edition race packet including a super-soft “KC Together” t-shirt, Royals-branded cooling headband, Royals-branded no-touch multi-tool, running bib and more.&nbsp; For the first time, participants will also have access to virtual and printable resources, including nutritional and run training guides from the Royals Sports Medicine staff.&nbsp; The 5K costs $30 and the 10K costs $40.&nbsp; Registration and resources are available at <a href="http://royals.com/run">royals.com/run</a>.

Fans are also encouraged to use the RaceJoy app when they do their virtual run for an exclusive race day experience, including encouragements from familiar Royals voices.&nbsp; Spectators are also able to track and cheer on runners/walkers through the RaceJoy app.&nbsp; Participants can race and record their time any time between registration and race weekend.&nbsp; Race packets will be mailed directly to runners.&nbsp;

A special thank you to Royals Charities partners Price Chopper,&nbsp;FOX Sports Kansas City,&nbsp;Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, The University of Kansas Health System, FitVine Wine and Sun Life.&nbsp; Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

--<a href="http://www.royals.com">ROYALS</a>--

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;Royals Charities is announcing a unique approach to a popular event with the current times in mind.&nbsp; The foundation will hold its annual 5K &amp; 10K Run/Walk presented by Price Chopper virtually this year.&nbsp; The event was previously scheduled for Aug. 1.We encourage all fans to join us throughout the summer or on virtual race weekend (Friday, July 31 – Sunday, Aug. 2) to run or walk while safely exploring our community because regardless of where you are, we are all KC Together.&nbsp; Participants will receive a special edition race packet including a super-soft “KC Together” t-shirt, Royals-branded cooling headband, Royals-branded no-touch multi-tool, running bib and more.&nbsp; For the first time, participants will also have access to virtual and printable resources, including nutritional and run training guides from the Royals Sports Medicine staff.&nbsp; The 5K costs $30 and the 10K costs $40.&nbsp; Registration and resources are available at <a href="http://royals.com/run">royals.com/run</a>.Fans are also encouraged to use the RaceJoy app when they do their virtual run for an exclusive race day experience, including encouragements from familiar Royals voices.&nbsp; Spectators are also able to track and cheer on runners/walkers through the RaceJoy app.&nbsp; Participants can race and record their time any time between registration and race weekend.&nbsp; Race packets will be mailed directly to runners.&nbsp;A special thank you to Royals Charities partners Price Chopper,&nbsp;FOX Sports Kansas City,&nbsp;Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, The University of Kansas Health System, FitVine Wine and Sun Life.&nbsp; Sponsorship opportunities are still available.--<a href="http://www.royals.com">ROYALS</a>--

Royals Charities announces virtual 5K, 10K run/walk

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;K-State Athletics will honor a group of 11 outstanding individuals with induction into its Athletics Hall of Fame in September, school officials announced today.

The 2020 Hall of Fame class includes three football greats in&nbsp;David Allen,&nbsp;Jordy Nelson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Darren Sproles,&nbsp;Laurie Koehn&nbsp;(women’s basketball),&nbsp;Liz Wegner&nbsp;(volleyball),&nbsp;A.J. Morris&nbsp;(baseball),&nbsp;Mike Wreblewski&nbsp;(men’s basketball),&nbsp;Attila Zsiovczky&nbsp;(track and field) and&nbsp;Marty, John and Mary Vanier&nbsp;(contributors).

“This year’s group of 11 individuals is a star-studded class, and we are excited to welcome them into the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame,” said&nbsp;Kenny Lannou, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Communications and K-State Athletics Hall of Fame Chairperson. “Each of these inductees has made a lasting impact on K-State Athletics and Kansas State University, and we look forward to welcoming them back to Manhattan this fall for a special induction weekend.”

The class is the 13th in the history of the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame, including the charter class of 1990, and will be honored during the weekend of September 5. Official induction ceremonies will take place on Friday, September 4, before the inductees are recognized at halftime of the football game against Buffalo the following day.

More ceremony details will be announced later this summer.

K-State Athletics Hall of Fame – Class of 2020 Biographies

David Allen starred for K-State football from 1997 through 2000 as a running back and return specialist. Despite an injury-shortened senior season, Allen left K-State as the all-time leader in career punt return average, yards, attempts, and touchdowns, with his seven career punt return touchdowns tying a NCAA record. A three-time All-Big 12 honoree, Allen burst into the national spotlight as a sophomore in 1998, becoming the first and only player to return a punt for a touchdown in three consecutive weeks while setting an NCAA record with four punt returns for touchdowns in a season, earning Consensus First Team All-American honors. In 1999 as a junior, Allen earned First team All-American honors again and was named one of five finalists for the Mosi Tatupu National Special Teams Player of the Year Award. Allen earned the starting running back spot as a senior in 2000, but an injury in the first game of the season ended his career at K-State. Allen went on to play six years of professional football, including five years in the NFL. In 2008, Allen was placed in the Ring of Honor at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and in 2018 was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Laurie Koehn was one of the greatest sharpshooters in women’s NCAA history while at K-State from 2002-05. She is the all-time leader in 3-point field goals made in Big 12 history with 392 (also a NCAA record until 2020) and in attempts at 942 while also holding the Big 12 record for career free-throw percentage at 87.7. Named the ESPN.com Rookie of the Year as a freshman, Koehn helped the Wildcats explode onto the national spotlight with a 26-8 season and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2002. The Cats followed up that season with a school-record 29-5 campaign in 2003 before claiming the program’s first-ever Big 12 Championship in 2004. Koehn was named All-Big 12 three times during her career and was a two-time Academic All-American. Koehn ranks fifth in school history in career points with 1,733 and remains littered in the record book for 3-pointers. Koehn signed a free agent contract with the Washington Mystics for the 2005 season and went on to enjoy an eight-year professional basketball career both in the WNBA and overseas. Among Koehn’s career international playing highlights was a gold medal as a member of Team USA’s U18 team in July of 2000 at the FIBA Americas Championship and a silver medal as a member of Team USA again in 2003 at the Pan American Games. Koehn was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

A.J. Morris led the Wildcats as a junior to their first-ever NCAA Regional appearance. Morris ended the season with a school-record 14 wins a 2.09 ERA, earning Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-Midwest Region honors, District Player of the Year, and NCAA Houston All-Regional team honors. Morris was a finalist for two national awards, the College Baseball Foundation Pitcher of the Year Award, and the Golden Spikes Award, given to college baseball’s annual top player. He also became the second Wildcat and first pitcher to ever be named Consensus First Team All-American. Morris set four single-season records including wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts, and saved his best games for the best opponents, going 7-0 with a 1.93 ERA against ranked teams. Morris was a fourth round draft choice by the Washington Nationals in 2009 and played seven seasons in professional baseball, making his MLB debut in 2016 with the Cincinnati Reds and playing with Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic in 2017.

A walk-on safety from Riley, Kansas as a freshman in 2003, Jordy Nelson eventually switched to wide receiver and blossomed into one of the greatest at that position in program history. As a senior in 2007, Nelson totaled 122 catches for 1,606 yards, both school records that stand today. Named as one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top college wide receiver, Nelson also was named All-Big 12 as a receiver and as a returner, and became the 10th Wildcat to ever be named a Consensus First Team All-American. His 206 career receptions and 2,822 career yards receiving still rank third all-time, while he also finished his career with six punt returns for touchdowns. A second round draft choice by the Green Bay Packers in 2008, Nelson reached stardom with the Packers and in the NFL, winning Super Bowl XLV in 2011, setting the Packers’ single season receiving record in 2014 and earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Nelson also earned the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2016 after missing the 2015 season with an injury and leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns. Nelson retired from the NFL in 2019 after 11 seasons with over 600 receptions, nearly 8,600 yards, and eight Green Bay franchise records. Nelson was placed into K-State football’s Ring of Honor in 2015 and is set to be inducted into Wisconsin’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Arguably the greatest running back ever to play at K-State, Sproles became a three-time All-American while with the Wildcats. In 2003, Sproles was tabbed First Team All-American, finished fifth in the Heisman voting, and third in the voting for Associated Press Player of the Year, all while helping the Wildcats upset No. 1 Oklahoma en route to their first Big 12 title. Sproles still holds numerous school records, including rushing yardage in a single season with 1,986 yards and in a career with 4,979 yards. A gifted returner, Sproles also still holds all-purpose yardage school records for a single season and in a career. A fourth round pick by San Diego in 2005, Sproles became an instant fan favorite, eventually setting the Chargers franchise record for career kickoff return yards. A few years later in 2011 with the Saints, Sproles set the franchise and NFL single season record for all-purpose yardage at 2,696 yards. Sproles earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2015 after leading the NFL in yards per punt return while with the Eagles and went on to earn three Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors in his 15-year NFL career. Sproles retired in 2019 ranking fifth on the NFL’s career all-purpose yardage list with 19,696 yards. A Super Bowl winner with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 and a member of the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team, Sproles was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010 era and placed in K-State football’s Ring of Honor in 2015.

The children of K-State legacy family Jack and Donna Vanier, Marty, John, and Mary Vanier have continued the tradition of tremendous support of Kansas State University and K-State Athletics. In addition to their many University, civic, and local honors, awards, and gifts, Marty, John and Mary Vanier have contributed or been part of many critical K-State Athletics projects benefiting Wildcat student-athletes and fans from multiple sports, including but not limited to the K-State Golf Course Foundation at Colbert Hills, the Baseball-Soccer Campaign, the Ice Family Basketball Center, the Football Stadium Capital Improvements for the West Stadium Center, the Vanier Family Football Complex, and the current South End Zone/Building Champions Capital Initiative. Notably, all three were part of the 2005 Vanier family gift to K-State Athletics, then in 2014, the Vanier family gave a transformational gift of $60 million to Kansas State University benefiting many areas across campus, with a portion earmarked for K-State Athletics and specifically the Vanier Family Football Complex. Heavily involved in the support of multiple organizations across K-State’s main and satellite campuses, Marty, John, and Mary Vanier will join their parents, Jack and Donna Vanier, who were inducted in 1995 into the K-State Athletic Hall of Fame.

The first two-time All-American in K-State volleyball history, Liz Wegner-Busch helped the Wildcats to one of their most success four year stretches in school history from 1998-2001. Winning 80 matches over four years and making four NCAA Tournaments, Wegner also set the school record for career kills with 1,907, kills per set at 4.48, 20-kill matches with 27, total attacks at nearly 4,900, and total points at 2,161, over 280 more than the next student athlete. She is one of only three Wildcats to post 30 or more kills two or more times in match, including her career high of 35 against Baylor in 1999, which ranks third in school history. Wegner was also the first K-State attacker to post back-to-back seasons of 500 kills or more in school history. Not just an offensive force, Wegner posted over 1,000 digs in her career to be one of only five players ever with over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Her 44 career double-doubles rank fifth all-time, including three matches of over 20 kills and 20 digs, fourth most in K-State history. A three-time All-Big 12 selection, Wegner became the first Wildcat in school history to be named to an NCAA All-Tournament team when she earned the distinction in 2000 for the Mideast Region. Wegner was also a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and earned Second Team Academic All-District honors as a senior.

A First Team All-American and school record holder, Mike Wroblewski played for Tex Winter and K-State men’s basketball from 1959-1962. As a senior in 1962, Wroblewski led the Wildcats averaging 19 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for a team that went 22-3 and finished No. 6 in the Associated Press Top 25. His 46 points against rival KU on February 7, 1962 still ranks as the most points in a conference game for K-State, as does his field goals made and attempted from that game. For his efforts, Wroblewski was named a Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big 8 performer. Over his last three years, Wroblewski helped the Wildcats to a 60-18 record, won two Big 8 championships, and appeared in the 1961 Midwest Regional Final (Elite Eight). In 1962, Wroblewski was selected in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Royals in the NBA Draft and was also taken by the Kansas City Bulls in the ABA draft.

A native of Hungary, Attila (uh-TILL-uh) Zsiovczky (zhih-VOSS-key) was a star multi-event track and field student-athlete at K-State from 1997 through 1999. While at K-State, Zsiovczky set a then-indoor school record in the heptathlon with 5,786 points in 1998, a mark that still ranks third all-time and still holds the outdoor school record in the decathlon at 8,379 points, a mark set when he won the European U-23 meet in Sweden in 1999. A two-time Big 12 Indoor Champion in the heptathlon, Zsiovczky also twice placed second at US Outdoor National Championship in the decathlon in 1998 and 1999, to twice earn All-American honors. In addition to his athletic achievements, Zsiovczky was a three-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 selection. Internationally, Zsiovczky competed from 1994 to 2014 in 24 events across the world, placing in the top 10 on 20 occasions and in the top five 15 times. Along with his win at the European U-23 Championships in 1999, Zsiovczky won a World Junior Championship in the decathlon in 1996 in Australia and finished third in the decathlon at the 2005 World Championships in Finland. Zsiovczky also represented his home country of Hungary in the decathlon at three Summer Olympic games – 2000 in Sydney, finishing eighth, 2004 in Athens, finishing sixth, and 2008 in Beijing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592436079704.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;K-State Athletics will honor a group of 11 outstanding individuals with induction into its Athletics Hall of Fame in September, school officials announced today.The 2020 Hall of Fame class includes three football greats in&nbsp;David Allen,&nbsp;Jordy Nelson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Darren Sproles,&nbsp;Laurie Koehn&nbsp;(women’s basketball),&nbsp;Liz Wegner&nbsp;(volleyball),&nbsp;A.J. Morris&nbsp;(baseball),&nbsp;Mike Wreblewski&nbsp;(men’s basketball),&nbsp;Attila Zsiovczky&nbsp;(track and field) and&nbsp;Marty, John and Mary Vanier&nbsp;(contributors).“This year’s group of 11 individuals is a star-studded class, and we are excited to welcome them into the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame,” said&nbsp;Kenny Lannou, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Communications and K-State Athletics Hall of Fame Chairperson. “Each of these inductees has made a lasting impact on K-State Athletics and Kansas State University, and we look forward to welcoming them back to Manhattan this fall for a special induction weekend.”The class is the 13th in the history of the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame, including the charter class of 1990, and will be honored during the weekend of September 5. Official induction ceremonies will take place on Friday, September 4, before the inductees are recognized at halftime of the football game against Buffalo the following day.More ceremony details will be announced later this summer.<h2>K-State Athletics Hall of Fame – Class of 2020 Biographies</h2>David AllenDavid Allen starred for K-State football from 1997 through 2000 as a running back and return specialist. Despite an injury-shortened senior season, Allen left K-State as the all-time leader in career punt return average, yards, attempts, and touchdowns, with his seven career punt return touchdowns tying a NCAA record. A three-time All-Big 12 honoree, Allen burst into the national spotlight as a sophomore in 1998, becoming the first and only player to return a punt for a touchdown in three consecutive weeks while setting an NCAA record with four punt returns for touchdowns in a season, earning Consensus First Team All-American honors. In 1999 as a junior, Allen earned First team All-American honors again and was named one of five finalists for the Mosi Tatupu National Special Teams Player of the Year Award. Allen earned the starting running back spot as a senior in 2000, but an injury in the first game of the season ended his career at K-State. Allen went on to play six years of professional football, including five years in the NFL. In 2008, Allen was placed in the Ring of Honor at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and in 2018 was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.Laurie KoehnLaurie Koehn was one of the greatest sharpshooters in women’s NCAA history while at K-State from 2002-05. She is the all-time leader in 3-point field goals made in Big 12 history with 392 (also a NCAA record until 2020) and in attempts at 942 while also holding the Big 12 record for career free-throw percentage at 87.7. Named the ESPN.com Rookie of the Year as a freshman, Koehn helped the Wildcats explode onto the national spotlight with a 26-8 season and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2002. The Cats followed up that season with a school-record 29-5 campaign in 2003 before claiming the program’s first-ever Big 12 Championship in 2004. Koehn was named All-Big 12 three times during her career and was a two-time Academic All-American. Koehn ranks fifth in school history in career points with 1,733 and remains littered in the record book for 3-pointers. Koehn signed a free agent contract with the Washington Mystics for the 2005 season and went on to enjoy an eight-year professional basketball career both in the WNBA and overseas. Among Koehn’s career international playing highlights was a gold medal as a member of Team USA’s U18 team in July of 2000 at the FIBA Americas Championship and a silver medal as a member of Team USA again in 2003 at the Pan American Games. Koehn was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.A.J. MorrisA.J. Morris led the Wildcats as a junior to their first-ever NCAA Regional appearance. Morris ended the season with a school-record 14 wins a 2.09 ERA, earning Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-Midwest Region honors, District Player of the Year, and NCAA Houston All-Regional team honors. Morris was a finalist for two national awards, the College Baseball Foundation Pitcher of the Year Award, and the Golden Spikes Award, given to college baseball’s annual top player. He also became the second Wildcat and first pitcher to ever be named Consensus First Team All-American. Morris set four single-season records including wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts, and saved his best games for the best opponents, going 7-0 with a 1.93 ERA against ranked teams. Morris was a fourth round draft choice by the Washington Nationals in 2009 and played seven seasons in professional baseball, making his MLB debut in 2016 with the Cincinnati Reds and playing with Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic in 2017.Jordy NelsonA walk-on safety from Riley, Kansas as a freshman in 2003, Jordy Nelson eventually switched to wide receiver and blossomed into one of the greatest at that position in program history. As a senior in 2007, Nelson totaled 122 catches for 1,606 yards, both school records that stand today. Named as one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top college wide receiver, Nelson also was named All-Big 12 as a receiver and as a returner, and became the 10th Wildcat to ever be named a Consensus First Team All-American. His 206 career receptions and 2,822 career yards receiving still rank third all-time, while he also finished his career with six punt returns for touchdowns. A second round draft choice by the Green Bay Packers in 2008, Nelson reached stardom with the Packers and in the NFL, winning Super Bowl XLV in 2011, setting the Packers’ single season receiving record in 2014 and earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Nelson also earned the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2016 after missing the 2015 season with an injury and leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns. Nelson retired from the NFL in 2019 after 11 seasons with over 600 receptions, nearly 8,600 yards, and eight Green Bay franchise records. Nelson was placed into K-State football’s Ring of Honor in 2015 and is set to be inducted into Wisconsin’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.Darren SprolesArguably the greatest running back ever to play at K-State, Sproles became a three-time All-American while with the Wildcats. In 2003, Sproles was tabbed First Team All-American, finished fifth in the Heisman voting, and third in the voting for Associated Press Player of the Year, all while helping the Wildcats upset No. 1 Oklahoma en route to their first Big 12 title. Sproles still holds numerous school records, including rushing yardage in a single season with 1,986 yards and in a career with 4,979 yards. A gifted returner, Sproles also still holds all-purpose yardage school records for a single season and in a career. A fourth round pick by San Diego in 2005, Sproles became an instant fan favorite, eventually setting the Chargers franchise record for career kickoff return yards. A few years later in 2011 with the Saints, Sproles set the franchise and NFL single season record for all-purpose yardage at 2,696 yards. Sproles earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2015 after leading the NFL in yards per punt return while with the Eagles and went on to earn three Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors in his 15-year NFL career. Sproles retired in 2019 ranking fifth on the NFL’s career all-purpose yardage list with 19,696 yards. A Super Bowl winner with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 and a member of the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team, Sproles was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010 era and placed in K-State football’s Ring of Honor in 2015.Marty, John, and Mary VanierThe children of K-State legacy family Jack and Donna Vanier, Marty, John, and Mary Vanier have continued the tradition of tremendous support of Kansas State University and K-State Athletics. In addition to their many University, civic, and local honors, awards, and gifts, Marty, John and Mary Vanier have contributed or been part of many critical K-State Athletics projects benefiting Wildcat student-athletes and fans from multiple sports, including but not limited to the K-State Golf Course Foundation at Colbert Hills, the Baseball-Soccer Campaign, the Ice Family Basketball Center, the Football Stadium Capital Improvements for the West Stadium Center, the Vanier Family Football Complex, and the current South End Zone/Building Champions Capital Initiative. Notably, all three were part of the 2005 Vanier family gift to K-State Athletics, then in 2014, the Vanier family gave a transformational gift of $60 million to Kansas State University benefiting many areas across campus, with a portion earmarked for K-State Athletics and specifically the Vanier Family Football Complex. Heavily involved in the support of multiple organizations across K-State’s main and satellite campuses, Marty, John, and Mary Vanier will join their parents, Jack and Donna Vanier, who were inducted in 1995 into the K-State Athletic Hall of Fame.Liz WegnerThe first two-time All-American in K-State volleyball history, Liz Wegner-Busch helped the Wildcats to one of their most success four year stretches in school history from 1998-2001. Winning 80 matches over four years and making four NCAA Tournaments, Wegner also set the school record for career kills with 1,907, kills per set at 4.48, 20-kill matches with 27, total attacks at nearly 4,900, and total points at 2,161, over 280 more than the next student athlete. She is one of only three Wildcats to post 30 or more kills two or more times in match, including her career high of 35 against Baylor in 1999, which ranks third in school history. Wegner was also the first K-State attacker to post back-to-back seasons of 500 kills or more in school history. Not just an offensive force, Wegner posted over 1,000 digs in her career to be one of only five players ever with over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Her 44 career double-doubles rank fifth all-time, including three matches of over 20 kills and 20 digs, fourth most in K-State history. A three-time All-Big 12 selection, Wegner became the first Wildcat in school history to be named to an NCAA All-Tournament team when she earned the distinction in 2000 for the Mideast Region. Wegner was also a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and earned Second Team Academic All-District honors as a senior.Mike WroblewskiA First Team All-American and school record holder, Mike Wroblewski played for Tex Winter and K-State men’s basketball from 1959-1962. As a senior in 1962, Wroblewski led the Wildcats averaging 19 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for a team that went 22-3 and finished No. 6 in the Associated Press Top 25. His 46 points against rival KU on February 7, 1962 still ranks as the most points in a conference game for K-State, as does his field goals made and attempted from that game. For his efforts, Wroblewski was named a Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big 8 performer. Over his last three years, Wroblewski helped the Wildcats to a 60-18 record, won two Big 8 championships, and appeared in the 1961 Midwest Regional Final (Elite Eight). In 1962, Wroblewski was selected in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Royals in the NBA Draft and was also taken by the Kansas City Bulls in the ABA draft.Attila ZsiovczkyA native of Hungary, Attila (uh-TILL-uh) Zsiovczky (zhih-VOSS-key) was a star multi-event track and field student-athlete at K-State from 1997 through 1999. While at K-State, Zsiovczky set a then-indoor school record in the heptathlon with 5,786 points in 1998, a mark that still ranks third all-time and still holds the outdoor school record in the decathlon at 8,379 points, a mark set when he won the European U-23 meet in Sweden in 1999. A two-time Big 12 Indoor Champion in the heptathlon, Zsiovczky also twice placed second at US Outdoor National Championship in the decathlon in 1998 and 1999, to twice earn All-American honors. In addition to his athletic achievements, Zsiovczky was a three-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 selection. Internationally, Zsiovczky competed from 1994 to 2014 in 24 events across the world, placing in the top 10 on 20 occasions and in the top five 15 times. Along with his win at the European U-23 Championships in 1999, Zsiovczky won a World Junior Championship in the decathlon in 1996 in Australia and finished third in the decathlon at the 2005 World Championships in Finland. Zsiovczky also represented his home country of Hungary in the decathlon at three Summer Olympic games – 2000 in Sydney, finishing eighth, 2004 in Athens, finishing sixth, and 2008 in Beijing.–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;–

Kansas State announces 2020 Athletics Hall of Fame class

The National Championship Racing Association will bring its teams from the Late Model, Pro Modified and Modified division into Salina Speedway Saturday night for an evening of Championship Dirt Track Auto Racing.

Joining the NCRA teams will be the local Coors Light Street Stocks (Thumper division) and the Mod Lite.&nbsp; Gates will open at 5 p.m., Hot Laps will begin at 6 p.m., with racing at 7 p.m..

Saturday night will be the only time currently on the schedule for the Late Models to compete at Salina Speedway.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The NCRA Pro Modified and Modifieds will return in late July to the 3/8ths oval along with the "Thunder and Lightening" of the NCRA 360 Sprint Cars.

Admission Saturday night is $10 for ages 16 and up.&nbsp; Ages 15 and under are free.&nbsp; Seniors 55 and up are $5.&nbsp; Active and retired military are free.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592362757956.jpeg" alt="NCRA racing comes to Salina Speedway on Saturday night. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>NCRA racing comes to Salina Speedway on Saturday night. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The National Championship Racing Association will bring its teams from the Late Model, Pro Modified and Modified division into Salina Speedway Saturday night for an evening of Championship Dirt Track Auto Racing.Joining the NCRA teams will be the local Coors Light Street Stocks (Thumper division) and the Mod Lite.&nbsp; Gates will open at 5 p.m., Hot Laps will begin at 6 p.m., with racing at 7 p.m..Saturday night will be the only time currently on the schedule for the Late Models to compete at Salina Speedway.&nbsp;&nbsp;The NCRA Pro Modified and Modifieds will return in late July to the 3/8ths oval along with the "Thunder and Lightening" of the NCRA 360 Sprint Cars.Admission Saturday night is $10 for ages 16 and up.&nbsp; Ages 15 and under are free.&nbsp; Seniors 55 and up are $5.&nbsp; Active and retired military are free.

NCRA racing coming to Salina Speedway Saturday

HAYS -- Fort Hays State Football received its new 10-game 2020 schedule on Tuesday from the MIAA. 

Due to the decision of the Division II Presidents Council back on May 20 to reduce the maximum number of regular season football games to 10 in 2020, each team had just one of its usual 11 conference opponents removed from the schedule with a blind draw by the MIAA. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/52b56b0d-853b-41ac-afb6-3a424df7cfa2?elinkdata=150352" target="_blank">See the new FHSU 2020 football schedule</a> MIAA games that won't happen due to 1-game schedule reduction Fort Hays State vs. Missouri Southern Central Missouri vs. Northwest Missouri State Emporia State vs. Nebraska-Kearney Washburn vs. Northeastern State Pittsburg State vs. Central Oklahoma Missouri Western vs. Lincoln The new 2020 slate still has the Tigers opening at home, but with a different opponent. The new season-opening opponent will be Lincoln University on Sept. 12. All teams in the MIAA will begin the season on Sept. 12 since the MIAA ruled there will be no Thursday games this season. Following the season opener against Lincoln, the Tigers will travel to the northwest portion of Missouri two weeks in a row for a pair of stiff road tests. They go to Maryville in Week 2 to take on defending MIAA Co-Champion Northwest Missouri State, then St. Joseph in Week 3 to take on Missouri Western, the team the Tigers tied with for third place in the MIAA last year at 8-3. The Tigers will be back at home two weeks in a row on Oct. 3 and 10 when they host Central Missouri and Washburn. Homecoming will remain on Oct. 3 when the Tigers host defending MIAA Co-Champion Central Missouri. Following the two-game home stand, the Tigers will alternate road and home games week by week for the rest of the season. The last two home opponents for the Tigers this year will be Northeastern State on Oct. 24 and then Emporia State on Nov. 7. The last two home dates fit in between road trips to Pittsburg State (Oct. 17, Central Oklahoma (Oct. 31, and Nebraska-Kearney (Nov. 14). The Tigers will be looking to get back to the NCAA Playoffs for the third time in four years. FHSU was in the playoffs in 2017 and 2018 after winning a pair of MIAA championships, but came up just shy of the field selected to the Super Regional last year. FHSU Home Dates in 2020 Sept. 12 vs. Lincoln Oct. 3 vs. Central Missouri (Homecoming) Oct. 10 vs. Washburn Oct. 24 vs. Northeastern State Nov. 7 vs. Emporia State Home game times are still to be determined. Keep an eye on the&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/20af3761-1cc0-4f04-bd74-0b086cfe15e2?elinkdata=150352" target="_blank">Football Schedule</a>&nbsp;on <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a> as game times become available for both home and away contests.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592352070332.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy fhsuathletics.com" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy fhsuathletics.com</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS -- Fort Hays State Football received its new 10-game 2020 schedule on Tuesday from the MIAA. Due to the decision of the Division II Presidents Council back on May 20 to reduce the maximum number of regular season football games to 10 in 2020, each team had just one of its usual 11 conference opponents removed from the schedule with a blind draw by the MIAA. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/52b56b0d-853b-41ac-afb6-3a424df7cfa2?elinkdata=150352" target="_blank">See the new FHSU 2020 football schedule</a> MIAA games that won't happen due to 1-game schedule reduction Fort Hays State vs. Missouri Southern Central Missouri vs. Northwest Missouri State Emporia State vs. Nebraska-Kearney Washburn vs. Northeastern State Pittsburg State vs. Central Oklahoma Missouri Western vs. Lincoln The new 2020 slate still has the Tigers opening at home, but with a different opponent. The new season-opening opponent will be Lincoln University on Sept. 12. All teams in the MIAA will begin the season on Sept. 12 since the MIAA ruled there will be no Thursday games this season. Following the season opener against Lincoln, the Tigers will travel to the northwest portion of Missouri two weeks in a row for a pair of stiff road tests. They go to Maryville in Week 2 to take on defending MIAA Co-Champion Northwest Missouri State, then St. Joseph in Week 3 to take on Missouri Western, the team the Tigers tied with for third place in the MIAA last year at 8-3. The Tigers will be back at home two weeks in a row on Oct. 3 and 10 when they host Central Missouri and Washburn. Homecoming will remain on Oct. 3 when the Tigers host defending MIAA Co-Champion Central Missouri. Following the two-game home stand, the Tigers will alternate road and home games week by week for the rest of the season. The last two home opponents for the Tigers this year will be Northeastern State on Oct. 24 and then Emporia State on Nov. 7. The last two home dates fit in between road trips to Pittsburg State (Oct. 17, Central Oklahoma (Oct. 31, and Nebraska-Kearney (Nov. 14). The Tigers will be looking to get back to the NCAA Playoffs for the third time in four years. FHSU was in the playoffs in 2017 and 2018 after winning a pair of MIAA championships, but came up just shy of the field selected to the Super Regional last year. FHSU Home Dates in 2020 Sept. 12 vs. Lincoln Oct. 3 vs. Central Missouri (Homecoming) Oct. 10 vs. Washburn Oct. 24 vs. Northeastern State Nov. 7 vs. Emporia State Home game times are still to be determined. Keep an eye on the&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/20af3761-1cc0-4f04-bd74-0b086cfe15e2?elinkdata=150352" target="_blank">Football Schedule</a>&nbsp;on <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a> as game times become available for both home and away contests.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tiger football receives new 10-game schedule for 2020

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State Athletics has confirmed that two student-athletes have tested positive for active COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction)&nbsp;testing and the on-boarding process of approximately 120 student-athletes through June 16. All student-athletes are required to follow the department’s return-to-campus policy which includes a 7-day stay-at-home recommendation and quarantine upon arrival in Manhattan and prior to testing. Under this protocol, student-athletes are not allowed inside any department facilities nor can they participate in any voluntary or required team activities until they have received a negative test result. “We will always keep our focus on the health and well-being of our student-athletes and staff,” Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. “A small number of positive tests was something that we were anticipating based on what we are seeing from across college football, and our medical staff and coaching staffs are well-prepared for the next steps. While we know this is a very fluid situation, we have a great plan in place and all of our student-athletes have done their part in following the correct procedures to return to campus.” Each student-athlete that tests positive is medically managed according to current local, state, national, and CDC guidelines, which begins with self-isolation for 10 days and until the patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer. These guidelines would also include quarantine for any individuals known to have been in contact with someone who tested positive. The department will continue PCR and antibody testing of student-athletes as they return to campus, and those results will be released upon completion.

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State Athletics has confirmed that two student-athletes have tested positive for active COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction)&nbsp;testing and the on-boarding process of approximately 120 student-athletes through June 16. All student-athletes are required to follow the department’s return-to-campus policy which includes a 7-day stay-at-home recommendation and quarantine upon arrival in Manhattan and prior to testing. Under this protocol, student-athletes are not allowed inside any department facilities nor can they participate in any voluntary or required team activities until they have received a negative test result. “We will always keep our focus on the health and well-being of our student-athletes and staff,” Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. “A small number of positive tests was something that we were anticipating based on what we are seeing from across college football, and our medical staff and coaching staffs are well-prepared for the next steps. While we know this is a very fluid situation, we have a great plan in place and all of our student-athletes have done their part in following the correct procedures to return to campus.” Each student-athlete that tests positive is medically managed according to current local, state, national, and CDC guidelines, which begins with self-isolation for 10 days and until the patient is without fever for 72 hours without medication, whichever takes longer. These guidelines would also include quarantine for any individuals known to have been in contact with someone who tested positive. The department will continue PCR and antibody testing of student-athletes as they return to campus, and those results will be released upon completion.–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;–

K-State athletics: 2 student-athletes test positive for COVID-19

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Think about all he has seen! From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs/">The Kansas City Chiefs</a> Facebook page:

To read more about Meers on the Chiefs website, <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/news/thirty-years-of-shenanigans-fun-and-inspiration-an-inside-look-at-the-man-behind?fbclid=IwAR3i_JAMQzlraU2GpJnPPrVBa8xQ3kAjGZ4iPWkZzMkcwegG-5kLXuNXMy0">click here</a>.

For more Chiefs’ content, follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs" target="_blank">Kansas City Chiefs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KCChiefs_Matt" target="_blank">Matt McMullen</a>&nbsp;on Twitter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Think about all he has seen! From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs/">The Kansas City Chiefs</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKansasCityChiefs%2Fposts%2F10158455698708373&width=500" width="500" height="594" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>To read more about Meers on the Chiefs website, <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/news/thirty-years-of-shenanigans-fun-and-inspiration-an-inside-look-at-the-man-behind?fbclid=IwAR3i_JAMQzlraU2GpJnPPrVBa8xQ3kAjGZ4iPWkZzMkcwegG-5kLXuNXMy0">click here</a>.For more Chiefs’ content, follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs" target="_blank">Kansas City Chiefs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KCChiefs_Matt" target="_blank">Matt McMullen</a>&nbsp;on Twitter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meers has been KC Wolf for 30 years!

MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;A pair of K-State Football Ring of Honor members,&nbsp;Michael Bishop&nbsp;and&nbsp;Darren Sproles, were among 78 Football Bowl Subdivision players named to the 2021 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today.

Sproles is on the ballot for the first time, while Bishop is a repeat candidate.

“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot considering more than 5.4 million people have played college football and only 1,027 players have been inducted,” NFF President &amp; CEO Steve Hatchell said. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of about 1,500 individuals who are even eligible. Being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played the game, and we look forward to announcing the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT early next year.”

One of the most dynamic players in program history, Bishop played a major role in propelling the Wildcats to their first-ever No. 1 national ranking during the second of his two seasons at K-State (1997-1998). He still holds the K-State season passing efficiency record after a 159.6 rating in 1998 (164-of-295 for 2,844 yards and 23 TDs/4 INTs) in addition to ranking second in season total offense at 3,592 yards.

Bishop went 22-3 as a starter, including a 15-1 mark in Big 12 play, as his 88-percent winning clip is the best mark in school history. He was a two-time All-Big 12 performer, the 1997 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, winner of the 1998 Davey O’Brien Award and runner up for the Heisman Trophy that year.

Sproles, a 2003 First Team All-American and three-time All-Big 12 performer, held 28 school records at the time of graduation, 21 of which still stand 15 years after his playing days. The Olathe, Kansas, product rushed for 4,979 career yards, nearly 2,000 yards more than the player in second place. Sproles, finished fifth in the 2003 Heisman Trophy voting and third in the Associated Press Player of the Year voting that same season, was a three-time All-American, including earning first-team honors in 2003.

Sproles was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers and ended up playing 15 years in the league prior to his retirement at the conclusion of last season. He accumulated 19,696 career all-purpose yards to rank fifth in NFL history, while he ranks seventh in career punt-return yards and eighth in kickoff-return yards. He played in three Pro Bowls and was named to seven All-Pro teams, including six first-team honors.

The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Courts, which will deliberate and select the class. The FBS Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, and the Divisional Honors Court, chaired by former Marshall head coach, longtime athletics director and NFF Board Member Jack Lengyel, include an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and members of the media.

The announcement of the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT will be made in early 2021, with specific details to be announced in the future.

The 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT will be officially inducted during the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 7, 2021, at the New York Hilton Midtown. They will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2021 season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592325716226.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy kstatesports.com" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy kstatesports.com</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN&nbsp;–&nbsp;A pair of K-State Football Ring of Honor members,&nbsp;Michael Bishop&nbsp;and&nbsp;Darren Sproles, were among 78 Football Bowl Subdivision players named to the 2021 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today.Sproles is on the ballot for the first time, while Bishop is a repeat candidate.“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot considering more than 5.4 million people have played college football and only 1,027 players have been inducted,” NFF President &amp; CEO Steve Hatchell said. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of about 1,500 individuals who are even eligible. Being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played the game, and we look forward to announcing the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT early next year.”One of the most dynamic players in program history, Bishop played a major role in propelling the Wildcats to their first-ever No. 1 national ranking during the second of his two seasons at K-State (1997-1998). He still holds the K-State season passing efficiency record after a 159.6 rating in 1998 (164-of-295 for 2,844 yards and 23 TDs/4 INTs) in addition to ranking second in season total offense at 3,592 yards.Bishop went 22-3 as a starter, including a 15-1 mark in Big 12 play, as his 88-percent winning clip is the best mark in school history. He was a two-time All-Big 12 performer, the 1997 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, winner of the 1998 Davey O’Brien Award and runner up for the Heisman Trophy that year.Sproles, a 2003 First Team All-American and three-time All-Big 12 performer, held 28 school records at the time of graduation, 21 of which still stand 15 years after his playing days. The Olathe, Kansas, product rushed for 4,979 career yards, nearly 2,000 yards more than the player in second place. Sproles, finished fifth in the 2003 Heisman Trophy voting and third in the Associated Press Player of the Year voting that same season, was a three-time All-American, including earning first-team honors in 2003.Sproles was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers and ended up playing 15 years in the league prior to his retirement at the conclusion of last season. He accumulated 19,696 career all-purpose yards to rank fifth in NFL history, while he ranks seventh in career punt-return yards and eighth in kickoff-return yards. He played in three Pro Bowls and was named to seven All-Pro teams, including six first-team honors.The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Courts, which will deliberate and select the class. The FBS Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, and the Divisional Honors Court, chaired by former Marshall head coach, longtime athletics director and NFF Board Member Jack Lengyel, include an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and members of the media.The announcement of the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT will be made in early 2021, with specific details to be announced in the future.The 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class Presented by ETT will be officially inducted during the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 7, 2021, at the New York Hilton Midtown. They will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2021 season.–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;–

K-State’s Bishop, Sproles on College Football Hall of Fame ballot

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK — Several baseball players have tested positive for COVID-19 and Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league season after a breakdown in talks between teams and the union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Union head Tony Clark has declared additional negotiations futile and Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem sent a seven-page letter to players' association chief negotiator Bruce Meyer asking the union whether it will waive the threat of legal action and tell MLB to announce spring training report dates and a regular season schedule.&nbsp;

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball WriterNEW YORK — Several baseball players have tested positive for COVID-19 and Commissioner Rob Manfred says there might be no major league season after a breakdown in talks between teams and the union on how to split up money in a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Union head Tony Clark has declared additional negotiations futile and Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem sent a seven-page letter to players' association chief negotiator Bruce Meyer asking the union whether it will waive the threat of legal action and tell MLB to announce spring training report dates and a regular season schedule.&nbsp;

Manfred says there might not be an MLB season

WICHITA -- David Toelle from Kansas Wesleyan University has been named Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Sports Information Director of the Year, the conference office announced Monday. 

Toelle will be formally recognized at the Sport Management Conference,&nbsp;held on Aug. 4&nbsp;at Bethel College.&nbsp;

"I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the SID of the Year," Toelle said of receiving the honor.&nbsp;"There's so many quality athletics communication professionals in the conference, I am sure that the choice was difficult.&nbsp;The KCAC is a special conference, and I am glad to be a part of it. Some of the best times are when all the SIDs come together to ensure that championship events are run well and to help each other out in times of need."

"I can't accept this award with acknowledging that this is a team effort," Toelle continued.&nbsp;"From our president Dr. Matt Thompson and Athletic Director Steve Wilson, down to coaches that have stepped up to help when needed, it takes a village, and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of our culture of family here at KWU.&nbsp;I'd also be remiss to not thank my family, especially my wife Jennifer, who is more than understanding of the crazy long hours, late nights, early mornings, and sudden schedule changes that are a part of this job."

"I've had the privilege of working with David for many years, both when I was at another institution, and since joining the team at Kansas Wesleyan," Steve Wilson, Kansas Wesleyan director of athletics, stated.&nbsp;"I have never encountered a professional with more passion for his institution. David is a Kansas Wesleyan staple, and someone who can be counted on to be there for our student-athletes. He plays a major role in a superior student-athlete experience for Coyote student-athletes, and he's someone I can rely on as a voice of experience at our leadership table. I am extremely proud of David, and thrilled that he is being honored by his peers in the KCAC. Kansas Wesleyan is better because David Toelle is a Coyote."

"David goes above and beyond his job duties, both for Kansas Wesleyan and the KCAC as a whole," Mark Hoffhines, KCAC conference sports information director, said.&nbsp;"His efforts this year on social media and on the new Kansas Wesleyan athletic website helped to expand Kansas Wesleyan's already substantial following, and his interactions with local and regional media draw a great deal of attention to Coyote athletics."

"His work on the conference level helps all of us 'raise our game' to provide the best content possible," Hoffhines continued.&nbsp;"He helps us to provide quality video streams and coverage at conference tournaments and events. His leadership for our group of sports information directors is vital, helping to drive us forward creatively and encouraging us to ponder&nbsp;how to best serve each institution and the KCAC at large."&nbsp;

Toelle, in his nineteenth year as the sports information director at Kansas Wesleyan, serves in a variety of roles at the institution and for the conference. This year, he led the complete redesign of Kansas Wesleyan's athletic website, saving the institution significant money in their budget.&nbsp;Toelle served on the committee that was responsible for selecting Wilson as the new athletic director at Kansas Wesleyan. In the nomination process, several of his peers pointed to Toelle's acumen in developing and improving Kansas Wesleyan's presence on social media, working with the local media, and providing up-to-date, accurate, and engaging content about the Coyotes. He serves on multiple committees on campus, both in a volunteer and appointed basis, in addition to his sports information duties.

On the conference level, Toelle has been instrumental in providing high quality video streams of conference championships, volunteering time and resources to put out the best product possible. He serves as the vice chair of the KCAC SID Committee, providing leadership, experience, and advice for other sports information directors in the KCAC.&nbsp;

Toelle also aims to serve the community of Salina in his free time.&nbsp;Since 2002, he has been a part of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce's Basketball Task Force as the head statistician and statistical staff coordinator for the KSHSAA state basketball tournaments held in March at the Tony's Pizza Events Center. He also has volunteered time as statistician for the KSHSAA Football and Baseball Championships held in Salina. He also gives time in the summer, serving as site supervisor, and scorekeeper for summer baseball games at Dean Evans Stadium.

This is the second time Toelle has received the KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year Award. He was also honored following the 2011-12 athletic year.

Toelle earned his first degree from Kansas Wesleyan, a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems in December&nbsp;2001. However, after realizing that a career in athletics was where he felt most comfortable, he turned his attention to earning a second degree from KWU, this time a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management, completed in the spring of 2008.&nbsp;Toelle resides in Salina with his wife Jennifer and children Trae and Tenille.

Previous KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year winners

2018-19:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/6173">Josh Booth</a>, Bethel College

2017-18:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/5599">Nick Morris</a>, Oklahoma Wesleyan University

2016-17:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/5045.php">Katie Tooley</a>, Ottawa University

2015-16:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/4488.php">Scott Nuss</a>, Southwestern&nbsp;College

2014-15:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/2485.php">Scott Nuss</a>, Southwestern&nbsp;College

2013-14:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/3064.php">Katie Tooley</a>, Ottawa&nbsp;University

2012-13:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/2485.php">Scott Nuss</a>, Southwestern&nbsp;College

2011-12:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/2008.php">David Toelle</a>, Kansas Wesleyan&nbsp;University

2010-11:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/1543.php">Alan Grosbach</a>, McPherson&nbsp;College

2009-10:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/1257.php">Katie Tooley</a>, Ottawa&nbsp;University

2008-09:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/894.php">Carol Swenson</a>, McPherson&nbsp;College

--<a href="http://KCACsports.com">KCACsports.com</a>--

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592241582372.png" alt="David Toelle. Photo courtesy KCAC" />
 <figcaption>David Toelle. Photo courtesy KCAC</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA -- David Toelle from Kansas Wesleyan University has been named Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Sports Information Director of the Year, the conference office announced Monday. Toelle will be formally recognized at the Sport Management Conference,&nbsp;held on Aug. 4&nbsp;at Bethel College.&nbsp;"I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the SID of the Year," Toelle said of receiving the honor.&nbsp;"There's so many quality athletics communication professionals in the conference, I am sure that the choice was difficult.&nbsp;The KCAC is a special conference, and I am glad to be a part of it. Some of the best times are when all the SIDs come together to ensure that championship events are run well and to help each other out in times of need.""I can't accept this award with acknowledging that this is a team effort," Toelle continued.&nbsp;"From our president Dr. Matt Thompson and Athletic Director Steve Wilson, down to coaches that have stepped up to help when needed, it takes a village, and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of our culture of family here at KWU.&nbsp;I'd also be remiss to not thank my family, especially my wife Jennifer, who is more than understanding of the crazy long hours, late nights, early mornings, and sudden schedule changes that are a part of this job.""I've had the privilege of working with David for many years, both when I was at another institution, and since joining the team at Kansas Wesleyan," Steve Wilson, Kansas Wesleyan director of athletics, stated.&nbsp;"I have never encountered a professional with more passion for his institution. David is a Kansas Wesleyan staple, and someone who can be counted on to be there for our student-athletes. He plays a major role in a superior student-athlete experience for Coyote student-athletes, and he's someone I can rely on as a voice of experience at our leadership table. I am extremely proud of David, and thrilled that he is being honored by his peers in the KCAC. Kansas Wesleyan is better because David Toelle is a Coyote.""David goes above and beyond his job duties, both for Kansas Wesleyan and the KCAC as a whole," Mark Hoffhines, KCAC conference sports information director, said.&nbsp;"His efforts this year on social media and on the new Kansas Wesleyan athletic website helped to expand Kansas Wesleyan's already substantial following, and his interactions with local and regional media draw a great deal of attention to Coyote athletics.""His work on the conference level helps all of us 'raise our game' to provide the best content possible," Hoffhines continued.&nbsp;"He helps us to provide quality video streams and coverage at conference tournaments and events. His leadership for our group of sports information directors is vital, helping to drive us forward creatively and encouraging us to ponder&nbsp;how to best serve each institution and the KCAC at large."&nbsp;Toelle, in his nineteenth year as the sports information director at Kansas Wesleyan, serves in a variety of roles at the institution and for the conference. This year, he led the complete redesign of Kansas Wesleyan's athletic website, saving the institution significant money in their budget.&nbsp;Toelle served on the committee that was responsible for selecting Wilson as the new athletic director at Kansas Wesleyan. In the nomination process, several of his peers pointed to Toelle's acumen in developing and improving Kansas Wesleyan's presence on social media, working with the local media, and providing up-to-date, accurate, and engaging content about the Coyotes. He serves on multiple committees on campus, both in a volunteer and appointed basis, in addition to his sports information duties.On the conference level, Toelle has been instrumental in providing high quality video streams of conference championships, volunteering time and resources to put out the best product possible. He serves as the vice chair of the KCAC SID Committee, providing leadership, experience, and advice for other sports information directors in the KCAC.&nbsp;Toelle also aims to serve the community of Salina in his free time.&nbsp;Since 2002, he has been a part of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce's Basketball Task Force as the head statistician and statistical staff coordinator for the KSHSAA state basketball tournaments held in March at the Tony's Pizza Events Center. He also has volunteered time as statistician for the KSHSAA Football and Baseball Championships held in Salina. He also gives time in the summer, serving as site supervisor, and scorekeeper for summer baseball games at Dean Evans Stadium.This is the second time Toelle has received the KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year Award. He was also honored following the 2011-12 athletic year.Toelle earned his first degree from Kansas Wesleyan, a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems in December&nbsp;2001. However, after realizing that a career in athletics was where he felt most comfortable, he turned his attention to earning a second degree from KWU, this time a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management, completed in the spring of 2008.&nbsp;Toelle resides in Salina with his wife Jennifer and children Trae and Tenille.Previous KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year winners2018-19:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/6173">Josh Booth</a>, Bethel College2017-18:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/5599">Nick Morris</a>, Oklahoma Wesleyan University2016-17:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/5045.php">Katie Tooley</a>, Ottawa University2015-16:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/4488.php">Scott Nuss</a>, Southwestern&nbsp;College2014-15:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/2485.php">Scott Nuss</a>, Southwestern&nbsp;College2013-14:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/3064.php">Katie Tooley</a>, Ottawa&nbsp;University2012-13:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/2485.php">Scott Nuss</a>, Southwestern&nbsp;College2011-12:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/2008.php">David Toelle</a>, Kansas Wesleyan&nbsp;University2010-11:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/1543.php">Alan Grosbach</a>, McPherson&nbsp;College2009-10:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/1257.php">Katie Tooley</a>, Ottawa&nbsp;University2008-09:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kcacsports.com/article/894.php">Carol Swenson</a>, McPherson&nbsp;College--<a href="http://KCACsports.com">KCACsports.com</a>--

KWU's Toelle named KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year

CONCORDIA – Cloud County Community College head baseball coach Eric Gilliland has announced that 14 T-Birds from the 2020 roster have signed letters of intent and are moving on to NCAA Division I and II schools next fall.

In addition to Connor Laux (New Mexico State, Josh Laukkanen (New Mexico State, Clayton Loranger (Stephen F. Austin, and Bradan Pierce (Oral Roberts) who signed during the early signing period in the fall, 10 more join the list with signed letters of intent including Tyler Jans (Louisiana-Monroe, Joe Karrall (Southeast Missouri State, Ed Scott (Fort Hays State, Alex Rice (Missouri Western, Trey Asher (Missouri Western, Ty Nelson (Pittsburg State, Kyler Charchun (Southwest Baptist University) Cole Jackson (Southwest Baptist University, Griffin Larsen (Southwestern Oklahoma State, and Davis Pratt (University of Central Oklahoma).

“This was one of the best classes of student-athletes I have had the pleasure of coaching” said Gilliland. “Each of them finished their Cloud careers with a 3.0 GPA or higher and they contributed to a 48-28 record in the last two years at Cloud.” “We are extremely proud of them and their accomplishments and excited to follow their careers and lives moving forward.”

Jans and Karrall give Cloud County a total of six NCAA Division I signees from the roster as the duo will take their talents to the Sun Belt and Ohio Valley Conferences. Jans had a strong start to the 2020 campaign before seeing the season abruptly end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making four appearances and three starts with a 3-1 overall record in 17.1 innings pitched. The sophomore would strikeout 18 and allow just 20 total hits while tying for the team lead in wins with Evan Wilde. Jans finished his career as a T-Bird with 13 total appearances and 11 starts, throwing a total of 53.1 innings and 51 strikeouts.

Karrall will give Southeast Missouri State a versatile right-handed arm to work with as the St. Albert, Alberta, native made five appearances for Cloud County in 2020 which included three starts and two wins in 19.1 innings pitched. Karrall would strike out 20 while allowing just seven walks and was averaging 9.31 strikeouts per nine innings. During his two years with Cloud County, Karrall made 19 appearances and had eight starts while throwing 57.2 innings and striking out 55.

A product of Manhattan, Scott will stay in-state to play at Fort Hays State where he will look to build off a productive 2020 season which saw the redshirt sophomore appear in 18 games and record 19 hits in 53 at-bats for a .358 average. Scott would record seven extra-base hits including three home runs and finish with a .604 slugging percentage and .446 on-base percentage. Driving in 20 total runs, Scott would finish second on the team in RBI and home runs.

The first of two signees for Missouri Western, Rice will provide some infield depth for the Griffons after finishing the year with CCCC by making 17 starts and collecting 19 hits in 47 at-bats for a .404 batting average. The Shawnee native also drew 13 walks and would steal four bases while batting primarily at the top of the lineup. Rice was on pace to surpass the 2019 numbers that saw him hit .314 in 48 games while collecting 11 extra-base hits and 27 RBI.

Left-handed bullpen help for the Griffons will come courtesy of Asher as the Hastings, Neb., native was the most-used pitcher by CCCC this past season with eight appearances. Asher would pick up two wins and throw a total of 11.1 innings, striking out 14 and allowing just three earned runs to finish the year with a 2.38 ERA. For his career as a T-Bird, Asher would throw a total of 37.2 innings and strike out 27 while earning six victories and finishing with a 2.87 ERA.

The last of the 14 signees to keep his talents in-state for next fall will be Pittsburg State signee Nelson. Starting in 14 games for CCCC, Nelson had 15 hits in 46 at-bats with 11 of the 15 hits going for extra-bases. Recording a .326 batting average and .652 slugging percentage, Nelson would also be sure-handed defensively by recording just one error in 74 chances for a .959 fielding percentage while helping the T-Birds turn seven double plays.

Charchun and Jackson will both move on to Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., where they will look to make an immediate impact for the Bearcats who compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Charchun would be a two-year player for the T-Birds, making a total of 37 appearances including eight in 2020 and had a career .255 batting average and .494 on-base percentage for CCCC. Jackson made five appearances for Cloud County this past year and a total of 22 over the last two years while recording three hits and drawing four walks in his time while proving to be a wall behind the plate defensively by recording a .989 fielding percentage in 87 total chances and throwing out four runners trying to steal.

Larsen will head to Southwestern Oklahoma State University after a two-year career at CCCC that saw Overland Park, Kansas native appear in 64 games and record 48 hits which included 20 extra-base hits. During the 2020 campaign, Larsen was batting .362 with 15 RBI and eight extra-base hits while also being named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference offensive player of the week on Feb. 18.

Pratt rounds out the signing class following a 2020 season that saw him make 15 starts and record 13 hits in 44 at-bats while also drawing six walks. In his two years for CCCC, Pratt, appeared in 69 games and recorded 17 extra-base hits while driving in 36 runs and finishing with a .301 batting average and .440 on-base percentage.

Those looking for information on the four who signed during the fall early signing period (Laux, Laukkanen, Loranger, Pierce) can read more about them at the following link:&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudcountycc.prestosports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/releases/BASE121019" target="_blank">Four T-Bird Baseball Players Sign With NCAA Division I Programs</a>

CONCORDIA – Cloud County Community College head baseball coach Eric Gilliland has announced that 14 T-Birds from the 2020 roster have signed letters of intent and are moving on to NCAA Division I and II schools next fall.In addition to Connor Laux (New Mexico State, Josh Laukkanen (New Mexico State, Clayton Loranger (Stephen F. Austin, and Bradan Pierce (Oral Roberts) who signed during the early signing period in the fall, 10 more join the list with signed letters of intent including Tyler Jans (Louisiana-Monroe, Joe Karrall (Southeast Missouri State, Ed Scott (Fort Hays State, Alex Rice (Missouri Western, Trey Asher (Missouri Western, Ty Nelson (Pittsburg State, Kyler Charchun (Southwest Baptist University) Cole Jackson (Southwest Baptist University, Griffin Larsen (Southwestern Oklahoma State, and Davis Pratt (University of Central Oklahoma).“This was one of the best classes of student-athletes I have had the pleasure of coaching” said Gilliland. “Each of them finished their Cloud careers with a 3.0 GPA or higher and they contributed to a 48-28 record in the last two years at Cloud.” “We are extremely proud of them and their accomplishments and excited to follow their careers and lives moving forward.”Jans and Karrall give Cloud County a total of six NCAA Division I signees from the roster as the duo will take their talents to the Sun Belt and Ohio Valley Conferences. Jans had a strong start to the 2020 campaign before seeing the season abruptly end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making four appearances and three starts with a 3-1 overall record in 17.1 innings pitched. The sophomore would strikeout 18 and allow just 20 total hits while tying for the team lead in wins with Evan Wilde. Jans finished his career as a T-Bird with 13 total appearances and 11 starts, throwing a total of 53.1 innings and 51 strikeouts.Karrall will give Southeast Missouri State a versatile right-handed arm to work with as the St. Albert, Alberta, native made five appearances for Cloud County in 2020 which included three starts and two wins in 19.1 innings pitched. Karrall would strike out 20 while allowing just seven walks and was averaging 9.31 strikeouts per nine innings. During his two years with Cloud County, Karrall made 19 appearances and had eight starts while throwing 57.2 innings and striking out 55.A product of Manhattan, Scott will stay in-state to play at Fort Hays State where he will look to build off a productive 2020 season which saw the redshirt sophomore appear in 18 games and record 19 hits in 53 at-bats for a .358 average. Scott would record seven extra-base hits including three home runs and finish with a .604 slugging percentage and .446 on-base percentage. Driving in 20 total runs, Scott would finish second on the team in RBI and home runs.The first of two signees for Missouri Western, Rice will provide some infield depth for the Griffons after finishing the year with CCCC by making 17 starts and collecting 19 hits in 47 at-bats for a .404 batting average. The Shawnee native also drew 13 walks and would steal four bases while batting primarily at the top of the lineup. Rice was on pace to surpass the 2019 numbers that saw him hit .314 in 48 games while collecting 11 extra-base hits and 27 RBI.Left-handed bullpen help for the Griffons will come courtesy of Asher as the Hastings, Neb., native was the most-used pitcher by CCCC this past season with eight appearances. Asher would pick up two wins and throw a total of 11.1 innings, striking out 14 and allowing just three earned runs to finish the year with a 2.38 ERA. For his career as a T-Bird, Asher would throw a total of 37.2 innings and strike out 27 while earning six victories and finishing with a 2.87 ERA.The last of the 14 signees to keep his talents in-state for next fall will be Pittsburg State signee Nelson. Starting in 14 games for CCCC, Nelson had 15 hits in 46 at-bats with 11 of the 15 hits going for extra-bases. Recording a .326 batting average and .652 slugging percentage, Nelson would also be sure-handed defensively by recording just one error in 74 chances for a .959 fielding percentage while helping the T-Birds turn seven double plays.Charchun and Jackson will both move on to Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., where they will look to make an immediate impact for the Bearcats who compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Charchun would be a two-year player for the T-Birds, making a total of 37 appearances including eight in 2020 and had a career .255 batting average and .494 on-base percentage for CCCC. Jackson made five appearances for Cloud County this past year and a total of 22 over the last two years while recording three hits and drawing four walks in his time while proving to be a wall behind the plate defensively by recording a .989 fielding percentage in 87 total chances and throwing out four runners trying to steal.Larsen will head to Southwestern Oklahoma State University after a two-year career at CCCC that saw Overland Park, Kansas native appear in 64 games and record 48 hits which included 20 extra-base hits. During the 2020 campaign, Larsen was batting .362 with 15 RBI and eight extra-base hits while also being named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference offensive player of the week on Feb. 18.Pratt rounds out the signing class following a 2020 season that saw him make 15 starts and record 13 hits in 44 at-bats while also drawing six walks. In his two years for CCCC, Pratt, appeared in 69 games and recorded 17 extra-base hits while driving in 36 runs and finishing with a .301 batting average and .440 on-base percentage.Those looking for information on the four who signed during the fall early signing period (Laux, Laukkanen, Loranger, Pierce) can read more about them at the following link:&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudcountycc.prestosports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/releases/BASE121019" target="_blank">Four T-Bird Baseball Players Sign With NCAA Division I Programs</a>

Moving on: 14 T-Birds sign with NCAA schools

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

The NFL plans to recognize Juneteenth as a league holiday. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement to league employees on Friday in an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. 

Juneteenth is considered the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. It was originally celebrated on June 19, the day that Union soldiers in 1865 told enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War had ended and they were free. &nbsp;

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football WriterThe NFL plans to recognize Juneteenth as a league holiday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement to league employees on Friday in an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. Juneteenth is considered the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. It was originally celebrated on June 19, the day that Union soldiers in 1865 told enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War had ended and they were free. &nbsp;

NFL plans to observe Juneteenth as league holiday

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball and its players are moving closer to a deal or to Commissioner Rob Manfred ordering a shortened season without an agreement. 

According to details of the proposal obtained by The Associated Press, MLB offered players 80% of their prorated salaries and a 72-game schedule beginning July 14 in an effort to start the pandemic-delayed season. Players would get 70% of their prorated salaries during the regular season and the rest for completion of the postseason under MLB's plan. 

The offer is good through Sunday. The union is not likely to accept.

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball and its players are moving closer to a deal or to Commissioner Rob Manfred ordering a shortened season without an agreement. According to details of the proposal obtained by The Associated Press, MLB offered players 80% of their prorated salaries and a 72-game schedule beginning July 14 in an effort to start the pandemic-delayed season. Players would get 70% of their prorated salaries during the regular season and the rest for completion of the postseason under MLB's plan. The offer is good through Sunday. The union is not likely to accept.

MLB offers players 80% of prorated salaries, 72-game season

By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK — Before the first pick was made at the amateur draft, Major League Baseball delivered a message: The sport stands fully behind the Black Lives Matter movement. 

At the outset of the broadcast Wednesday night, Commissioner Rob Manfred said "this moment is a call to action" and baseball "can do more as an institution" to combat systemic racism and inequality. 

Executives from all 30 teams working remotely held up signs that read: "Black Lives Matter. United For Change." 

The baseball operations officials were joined by MLB and club owners in announcing donations to several organizations that support and fight for racial justice.

By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball WriterNEW YORK — Before the first pick was made at the amateur draft, Major League Baseball delivered a message: The sport stands fully behind the Black Lives Matter movement. At the outset of the broadcast Wednesday night, Commissioner Rob Manfred said "this moment is a call to action" and baseball "can do more as an institution" to combat systemic racism and inequality. Executives from all 30 teams working remotely held up signs that read: "Black Lives Matter. United For Change." The baseball operations officials were joined by MLB and club owners in announcing donations to several organizations that support and fight for racial justice.

MLB opens draft with Black Lives Matter message, donations

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer

The NFL has extended virtual offseason programs for teams through June 26. 

Although team facilities have opened for key personnel, coaches and players rehabilitating injuries, healthy players have been barred from those complexes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The remote programs have taken the place of on-site work, and some teams already have announced they are shutting those down. But on Thursday the league said it will allow the virtual work for an additional 15 days.

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football WriterThe NFL has extended virtual offseason programs for teams through June 26. Although team facilities have opened for key personnel, coaches and players rehabilitating injuries, healthy players have been barred from those complexes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The remote programs have taken the place of on-site work, and some teams already have announced they are shutting those down. But on Thursday the league said it will allow the virtual work for an additional 15 days.

NFL extends virtual offseason until June 26

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals made two selections on the first day of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, including the fourth overall pick, Asa Lacy, a left-handed pitcher from Texas A&amp;M University. 

Lacy is the fourth player chosen fourth overall in Royals history, joining Christian Colón (2010, Mike Stodolka (2000) and Jeff Austin (1998). In the Competitive Balance Round A (32nd overall, the Royals selected Nick Loftin, a shortstop from Baylor University. Lacy, 21, is the highest-selected baseball player in Aggies history, surpassing Jeff Granger, who the Royals selected fifth overall in 1993. Lacy went 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA (2 ER in 24.0 IP, 46 strikeouts (17.3 K/9, just eight walks (3.0 BB/9) and a .111 opponents’ average in four starts as a junior, prior to the season being suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. In his second start of the season on Feb. 21 vs. Army, Lacy recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts in just 5.0 innings. Loftin, 21, was named preseason Big 12 Player of the Year by Baseball America and hit .298 in 14 games, before the 2020 season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. As a sophomore in 2019, Loftin made hit .323 with a .502 slugging percentage in 53 starts – all at shortstop – for the Bears. He was named First-Team All-Big 12, and started games at five positions (shortstop, second base, third base, left field and right field) for the U.S. collegiate national team last summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591880098780.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals made two selections on the first day of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, including the fourth overall pick, Asa Lacy, a left-handed pitcher from Texas A&amp;M University. Lacy is the fourth player chosen fourth overall in Royals history, joining Christian Colón (2010, Mike Stodolka (2000) and Jeff Austin (1998). In the Competitive Balance Round A (32nd overall, the Royals selected Nick Loftin, a shortstop from Baylor University. Lacy, 21, is the highest-selected baseball player in Aggies history, surpassing Jeff Granger, who the Royals selected fifth overall in 1993. Lacy went 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA (2 ER in 24.0 IP, 46 strikeouts (17.3 K/9, just eight walks (3.0 BB/9) and a .111 opponents’ average in four starts as a junior, prior to the season being suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. In his second start of the season on Feb. 21 vs. Army, Lacy recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts in just 5.0 innings. Loftin, 21, was named preseason Big 12 Player of the Year by Baseball America and hit .298 in 14 games, before the 2020 season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. As a sophomore in 2019, Loftin made hit .323 with a .502 slugging percentage in 53 starts – all at shortstop – for the Bears. He was named First-Team All-Big 12, and started games at five positions (shortstop, second base, third base, left field and right field) for the U.S. collegiate national team last summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Royals pick pitcher, shortstop on first day of MLB draft

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Safety Tyrann Mathieu discussed the Black Lives Matter movement today. Following are their comments.

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“It’s my pleasure to get with you guys as we wind down here and get ourselves ready for the summer break, however long that might be. We know we won’t have players in the building here, so we’ll finish up just like we normally would. Again, appreciate you guys’ patience this whole offseason. It’s been a unique experience in a lot of ways with the coronavirus. Our hearts go out to those people that have had to endure. The frontline people have just been absolutely awesome. Of anybody, the people that have lost their lives, that&nbsp; has been tragic for those families. And then, with the racial issues going on now, it breaks my heart. I’m an old head. I’ve been around long enough. I’ve seen a few generations, met a couple different generations that have come through, including my own, and I’m so happy, I’m so fired up about our younger generation. They are taking it and they’re attacking this thing the right way. I just think we have this great country and these kids know how great this country is. They absolutely know how great it is, and all they want to do is make it better. I think that’s a beautiful thing, especially, like I said, I’m not getting any younger, so I’ve got grandkids, and I’m so blessed that these guys and ladies are doing this and standing up for what they believe. I was lucky enough to grow up around diverse cultures and religions, everything, in Los Angeles. I was in sports at the same time, so my respect for people is that, for people. We’re sitting here with this push on Black Lives Matter, and absolutely they matter. I think it’s a beautiful thing. I’m in complete support with them. I believe in communication. I believe in what my parents taught me about at times like this, you have large ears. You sit, you listen, and you learn, and you become better. That’s where I’m at. I appreciate Patrick (Mahomes) and Tyrann (Mathieu) for what they did and standing up, making a statement that allows all of us to be in a better place where love is first and we can surround all of ourselves with great people. And most of all, respect the people we come in contact with. This world is a great thing. I go way back to, I’m glad the heavenly father has given me a chance to be here, first of all. And there’s a reason why our players in the National Football League get so excited to come to work every day. The head coach, the coaches get so excited, myself – I’ll speak for myself. I don’t want to speak for others here. I get fired up every day because I get to work with my guys. I get to see how smart and how much they thrive on life and competition and just the greatness that they bring to my spirit every day.&nbsp; I mean it. I always wish that everybody could feel that. That’s what really our guys want. They want to take this and allow others to feel it. We’ve got to be open minded and open hearted to do this. I respect how Clark Hunt has taken this and jumped in with the players and just said, ‘Hey, listen, I’m in support. I’m all ears. I want to learn. I want to listen, and I want to help.’ And Mark Donovan has just been tremendous with the guys, as Brett Veach has been. Tyrann and Patrick have kind of headed up with the players in putting together some thoughts on what they can do to make things better in Kansas City here, and they’re working through that now, which I again, I appreciate it and completely support it. Again, my heart goes out to three people that have passed away, but this isn’t something new. I saw it as a young person, and it’s going on today. Technology has exploited it here, so we can all see it. You better believe it. It’s real, and it needs to end. Our hands, us old folks, this younger generation, they’re studs. They believe in themselves. They believe in each other, and they believe in equality. Let’s jump in. Let’s jump in full-fledged. Let’s jump in, learn and listen. And let’s make this place even greater than it is right now. We have a chance to do that. With that, I’d like to tell you that the offseason has been interesting for those reasons there, but it’s also been a great learning experience for our coaches and players. Not only have we learned all this technology, but we’ve also learned how to incorporate it into teaching. So, even though we don’t have the players on the field, we’re able to spend a couple hours with them and teach. We haven’t slowed down a lick. We’ve introduced new things to the guys, and we’ve gone back through and reviewed our scheme evals that the coaches spent a lot of time this offseason going through and being critical and trying to better ourselves. We’ve got plenty of room to improve, and we’re all willing to do that. That’s where we’re at. We have another week left here. Next week we’ll finish. This week here we’re actually going back through like you guys know we do, going back through our opponents, AFC West opponents and our first game, which we know now. We’re going to get ourselves ready for camp. We don’t know exactly what that’s going to represent, going to camp. We don’t know where we’re going to be or how we’re going to do it and all that. But, we’ll keep our ears open and we’ll be ready to roll. Whatever situation that’s presented to us, we’re going to dominate that and work our tails off to be great. That’s where we’re at. With that, time’s yours.”

Q:&nbsp;You are finishing up this week?

REID:&nbsp;“Next week will be our last week. This week is opponents, and next week is where we would have normally had our mandatory minicamp. We’ll finish up next week.”

Q:&nbsp;You said that you and Mark Donovan and Clark Hunt are all in support of the players. Can you talk about how you are supporting the players in that respect?

REID:&nbsp;“They’re heading towards a program of voter registration and working through teaching and educating with voter registration, and that’s, again, we’re working through that as we speak here. We’ll have a statement for you once we get it all taken care of.”

Q:&nbsp;A lot of players are saying that they will kneel for the National Anthem. Have you had conversations with Patrick or Tyrann regarding what the players’ plan is, what your plan is? Has the league spoken to you or has Clark spoken to you regarding that?

REID:&nbsp;“No, I haven’t even gone there. This isn’t about kneeling. It’s about progress. We all get hung up on this other deal. That’s not what this is about. If we could just focus in on appreciating life, appreciating people. Not judging by the outer skin. You asked this question, I appreciate you asking. I used to do this thing with Blow Pops when I talked to kids and tried to educate. This is from when I was young and up through today. I take four Blow Pops, pick three kids and say we’re going to have a bubble gum blowing contest. Within one of those Blow Pops, I take the wrapper off and put a $100 bill under the wrapper. Not one time in the 50 to 100 times I’ve given this talk has anyone picked the wrapper that was messed up, that looks like it’s been messed with because people judge by what’s on the outside, what they see instead of getting in and enjoying what’s inside. In this example, would be that bubble gum. So, let’s get away from judging. This goes for everybody. We’re talking about racial issues. Let’s get in and see what’s inside people, and when you do, you’re going to see beauty. There are some beautiful, beautiful people out there that we’re putting walls up against and we don’t have an opportunity to be here on Earth very long. I’m taking advantage of every person I’m going to meet. I’m going to take advantage of that person and try to look at them for the good. If they prove opposite, then I’ll go that way with it. But, I’m going to give people an opportunity. I’ve tried to do that throughout my life, and again, that’s from my parents and my upbringing of where I grew up. This whole thing, it needs to end. I’m sorry for going off there, but I was just trying to fill you in on a little something there.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you anticipate having conversations with the players regarding kneeling?

REID:&nbsp;“That’s not where I’ve been or where I’m going. No. That’s not where I’m at right now, and I don’t want people to focus on that. This is bigger than that. This is more important than that, and right now, I know people are going to start counting heads and focusing on this and that, and that’s terrible. That’s not what this is about. Don’t worry about that. Worry about getting better. Go out and do that. Introduce yourself to somebody and make a friend. See how good people are. Let’s get back to some of the basics.”

Q:&nbsp;How proud are you of Patrick and Tyrann for being leaders?

REID:&nbsp;“I love it. I see it every day. That’s why I get fired up to coach. It’s been that way since I’ve been a coach. I’m telling you, this generation. I’ve been coaching for a couple generations now. That’s why I get fired up. Every week you ask me, I see you sitting with Patrick and talking, and I tell you every week that I listen to Patrick and what Patrick says. I listen to Eric Bieniemy, Mike Kafka. I listen. How important is that? I think it’s a beautiful thing. Dig in and try it. Let’s try it in everybody. I grew up in the city, so I know there are gangs for every race. Let’s pump the brakes and try to see the good in each other. It will work out better. It will work out better for everybody. We’re all humans. That’s the beauty of this thing. We’re blessed to be here.”

Q:&nbsp;Can you talk about what the conversation was when Clark saw the video?

REID:&nbsp;“Clark was unbelievable. He was so proud of those guys. He called them and talked to them. That’s how Clark does it. However people see it, he’s unbelievable with the guys that way. He’s all in, and our guys know it. That’s why you don’t hear a lot of chatter and that. These guys, they know they have an open ear to talk to. Whether it’s Clark, Mark, Brett, myself, it’s an open ear. We’re there to listen, and we’re all in it together. That’s what we’re doing. We’re a team. That’s what team is. That’s the beauty of this thing.”

Q:&nbsp;Do you and the organization plan to get behind Patrick and Tyrann and the voter registration piece?

REID:&nbsp;“Absolutely. We’re all in. Those guys are heading it up. I’m proud of them for that. Clark Hunt is right there with them. I’m proud of that too. He’s all in and we’re all in. That’s what we need to do. I’m doing way too much talking here, but talking needs to stop and we need to dig in and let’s go. Let’s go, do something.”

Q:&nbsp;What happened this time around that is different than four years ago when Colin Kaepernick took a knee? What do you think when you see the peaceful protest videos around the city?

REID:&nbsp;“You’re talking about this video right there, what’s the beauty in that? The beauty is that it’s all a bunch of people coming together. I’m right down by the Plaza. I see it. The beautiful thing is it’s not one race, it’s all races supporting Black Lives Matter. That gives me chills just talking about it. That’s our younger generation. That’s what’s going to set up this country for my grandkids. I’m fired up for that. The Colin Kaepernick (part, I’m not going to get into all that. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t have all the answers for this. I just know that picture that you just showed me and asked me about, that fires me up. That fires me up.”

Q:&nbsp;What experiences or mentors are you leaning on with how to communicate with the guys and maintain that togetherness that you mentioned?

REID:&nbsp;“I grew up in Los Angeles, in the 60s and 70s. My high school was a melting pot. I had a Japanese head football coach. I had a Hispanic defensive coordinator. It goes on. This is what I had. I had black teammates, Asian teammates, Hispanic teammates, Middle Eastern teammates. And you mess with one of them, I’m going to get after you. You know what I’m saying? We came together. That’s the team. That’s how I feel. I’m all in. I was raised that way. I don’t see those other things. I see humans. I’m not looking at the wrapper. I’m going to look at what’s inside, and I’m going to get in there and I’m going to find out. Are you a good person, are you willing to work, do you care about other people? What’s inside. What makes you tick. And if I can help it tick a little better, I’ll try to do it. And if you can help, take your strengths and help me tick a little better, let’s roll. I mean, let’s go. I’ll go all day and I’ll be your biggest supporter. Somebody messes with you, I’m coming after you. That’s how I go, and that’s because of the upbringing I had and how I was raised and where I was raised.”