ST. JOSEPH, MO. —After a temporary relocation to Kansas City last year due to COVID-19, the Kansas City Chiefs have announced that their Training Camp will return to Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph this July.

The camp will be open to fans again, as this marks the Chiefs' 11th year of training camp at Missouri Western.

"The energy and excitement of Training Camp will be another welcome sign that we are returning to normal. It will set the stage for an exciting and engaging fall semester," said Missouri Western president Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy in a release.

The Chiefs also announced dates and times for all practices, which start on Wednesday, July 28 and conclude on Wednesday, August 18.

Nearly all training camp practices will be free to the public. Missouri Western will charge a $5 admission fee on three practice days – July 30, July 31 and August 8. There will be a $5 parking fee each of those days, and cash will be accepted for that.

All training camp tickets must be reserved in advance through the Chiefs Kingdom Rewards program at www.chiefskingdomrewards.com. Due to heightened demand, attendance at daily practice will be limited to provide the best fan experience.

Fans without Chiefs Kingdom Rewards accounts who wish to reserve Training Camp tickets can sign up for free at www.chiefskingdomrewards.com.

Ticket reservation will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 7. Fans can reserve a maximum of four tickets per practice and can reserve tickets for a maximum of three separate practices.

All tickets are mobile entry only. Due to NFL protocols, no autographs are allowed this year.

The Chiefs will host two free, exclusive Season Ticket Member Days that won't be open to the public. Those will be July 28 and August 10. Parking will be free on both of those days.

Additional camp details will be communicated to ticket holders via email in the weeks leading up to training camp. All ticket reservations and purchases are subject to the Chiefs ticket terms found at www.chiefs.com/tickets/terms/.

Per Missouri Western policy, all parking and paid admission date ticket sales are final.

All practice times and dates are subject to change and all practices will be on the Mosaic Training Fields.

All practices, except for the final day of camp, will begin at 9:15 a.m. Weather and field conditions are evaluated daily. If practice is moved indoors due to poor conditions, it will be closed to the general public and fans will notified beforehand.

Chiefs Training Camp Dates and Times

Wednesday, July 28 Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; -Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day presented by GEHA (Not Open to Public)

Thursday, July 29 Practice – 9:15 a.m. -First Practice Open to the Public

Friday, July 30 Practice – 9:15 a.m. -$5 Admission Fee

Saturday, July 31 Practice – 9:15 a.m. -$5 Admission Fee

Friday, Aug. 6 Practice – 9:15 a.m. - Chiefs Alumni Day, Gatorade Junior Training Camp

Tuesday, Aug. 10 Practice – 9:15 a.m. -Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day presented by GEHA (Not Open to Public)

Saturday, Aug. 14 Preseason Game No. 1 – Chiefs at 49ers – 7:30 p.m. CT

Wednesday, Aug. 18 Practice – 8:15 a.m. - Military Appreciation Day presented by GEHA – Final Camp Practice

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624467204680.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, MO. —After a temporary relocation to Kansas City last year due to COVID-19, the Kansas City Chiefs have announced that their Training Camp will return to Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph this July.The camp will be open to fans again, as this marks the Chiefs' 11th year of training camp at Missouri Western."The energy and excitement of Training Camp will be another welcome sign that we are returning to normal. It will set the stage for an exciting and engaging fall semester," said Missouri Western president Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy in a release.The Chiefs also announced dates and times for all practices, which start on Wednesday, July 28 and conclude on Wednesday, August 18.Nearly all training camp practices will be free to the public. Missouri Western will charge a $5 admission fee on three practice days – July 30, July 31 and August 8. There will be a $5 parking fee each of those days, and cash will be accepted for that.All training camp tickets must be reserved in advance through the Chiefs Kingdom Rewards program at www.chiefskingdomrewards.com. Due to heightened demand, attendance at daily practice will be limited to provide the best fan experience.Fans without Chiefs Kingdom Rewards accounts who wish to reserve Training Camp tickets can sign up for free at www.chiefskingdomrewards.com.Ticket reservation will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 7. Fans can reserve a maximum of four tickets per practice and can reserve tickets for a maximum of three separate practices.All tickets are mobile entry only. Due to NFL protocols, no autographs are allowed this year.The Chiefs will host two free, exclusive Season Ticket Member Days that won't be open to the public. Those will be July 28 and August 10. Parking will be free on both of those days.Additional camp details will be communicated to ticket holders via email in the weeks leading up to training camp. All ticket reservations and purchases are subject to the Chiefs ticket terms found at www.chiefs.com/tickets/terms/.Per Missouri Western policy, all parking and paid admission date ticket sales are final.All practice times and dates are subject to change and all practices will be on the Mosaic Training Fields.All practices, except for the final day of camp, will begin at 9:15 a.m. Weather and field conditions are evaluated daily. If practice is moved indoors due to poor conditions, it will be closed to the general public and fans will notified beforehand.Chiefs Training Camp Dates and TimesWednesday, July 28 Practice – 9:15 a.m.&nbsp; -Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day presented by GEHA (Not Open to Public)Thursday, July 29 Practice – 9:15 a.m. -First Practice Open to the PublicFriday, July 30 Practice – 9:15 a.m. -$5 Admission FeeSaturday, July 31 Practice – 9:15 a.m. -$5 Admission FeeSunday, Aug. 1 No PracticeMonday, Aug. 2 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Tuesday, Aug. 3 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Wednesday, Aug. 4 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Thursday, Aug. 5 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Friday, Aug. 6 Practice – 9:15 a.m. - Chiefs Alumni Day, Gatorade Junior Training CampSaturday, Aug. 7 No PracticeSunday, Aug. 8 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Family Fun Day -- $5 Admission FeeMonday, Aug. 9 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Tuesday, Aug. 10 Practice – 9:15 a.m. -Exclusive Season Ticket Member Day presented by GEHA (Not Open to Public)Wednesday, Aug. 11 No PracticeThursday, Aug. 12 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Friday, Aug. 13 No PracticeSaturday, Aug. 14 Preseason Game No. 1 – Chiefs at 49ers – 7:30 p.m. CTSunday, Aug. 15 No PracticeMonday, Aug. 16 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Tuesday, Aug. 17 Practice – 9:15 a.m.Wednesday, Aug. 18 Practice – 8:15 a.m. - Military Appreciation Day presented by GEHA – Final Camp Practice

Chiefs training camp officially returning to St. Joseph

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State will travel to Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss in the ninth annual Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday, January 29, 2022, as ESPN and the two conferences announced the matchups for the annual series on Wednesday morning (June 23).

It will mark the sixth meeting with the Rebels on the hardwood, including the third in the Big 12/SEC Challenge (2013, 2016) and the first at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, which was built in 2016.

SEC reclaimed the Challenge series, 5-4, in 2021, as one game (Texas at Kentucky) was cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols. The Big 12 still owns a 44-35 (.557) advantage in the all-time series with four wins (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019). The two leagues tied for the second time in 2020 with five wins each.

ESPN will provide coverage of all games on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU with start times and complete television information to be released later.

“The Challenge series has been a great success for both leagues with competitive games year-in, year-out,” said head coach&nbsp;Bruce Weber. “The winning conference always comes down to one of the last few games played and 2022 should be no exception.

“Ole Miss is a quality non-conference opponent for us, led by a veteran head coach in&nbsp;Kermit Davis, and will be yet another road challenge that already includes Nebraska and Wichita State and the Hall of Fame Classic (Arkansas, Cincinnati and Illinois) on a neutral court in Kansas City. This is a great opportunity for our team.”

K-State is 3-5 all-time in the Challenge series and will attempt to win a road game for the first time after all three wins have come at home (Ole Miss in 2013 and 2016 and Georgia in 2018). The Wildcats will also be looking to snap a 3-game skid against SEC foes after dropping games to Texas A&amp;M (2019 and 2021) and Alabama (2020).

Two of K-State’s three all-time wins in the Challenge series have come against Ole Miss, but this will be the first meeting in Oxford since a 60-46 loss in the inaugural matchup on December 5, 2000. The Wildcats posted their first win (61-58) against the Rebels as well as the first in the Challenge series on December 5, 2013 at home before earning another home victory (69-64) on January 30, 2016.

Overall, Ole Miss leads the all-time series, 3-2, including 1-0 at home. The Rebels won the first three meetings in the series, including a sweep of a home-and-home series during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 season and an 86-74 victory in the quarterfinals of the Puerto Rico Tipoff on November 20, 2009.

Led by veteran head coach&nbsp;Kermit Davis, who sports more than 500 wins in stops at Texas A&amp;M, Idaho, Middle Tennessee State and Ole Miss, the Rebels return seven lettermen, including a pair of starters in rising senior&nbsp;Jarkel Joiner&nbsp;(12.0 ppg.) and junior&nbsp;Luis Rodriguez&nbsp;(7.6 ppg., 6.3 rpg.), from a team that posted a 16-12 overall record, including a 10-8 mark in the SEC, and advanced to the NIT in 2020-21.

Davis and his coaching staff added seven newcomers for 2021-22, including transfers&nbsp;Jaemyn Brakefield&nbsp;(Duke),&nbsp;Nysier Brooks&nbsp;(Miami, Fla.) and&nbsp;Tye Fagan&nbsp;(Georgia) to go with four incoming freshmen.

<a>K-State is set to return four of its top-5 scorers, including super senior&nbsp;Mike McGuirl&nbsp;and rising sophomores&nbsp;Davion Bradford,&nbsp;Selton Miguel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nijel Pack, for the 2021-22 season. The only Wildcat senior in 2020-21, McGuirl led the team in assists (3.6 apg.) and steals (1.0 spg.) and was second in scoring (11.8 ppg.) while starting all 29 games. The freshman trio of Bradford, Miguel and Pack combined to average 25.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 2020-21, as Pack (12.7 ppg.) became the first true freshman to lead the team in scoring since 2013-14. Three newcomers – senior&nbsp;Mark Smith&nbsp;(Missouri), junior&nbsp;Markquis Lowell&nbsp;(Little Rock) and sophomore&nbsp;Ismael Massoud&nbsp;(Wake Forest) – have been added to the roster to go along with a pair of incoming freshmen in&nbsp;Maximus Edwards&nbsp;and&nbsp;Logan Landers.</a>

Several aspects of the 2021-22 schedule have been announced, including the Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, non-conference road games at Nebraska and Wichita State and a home game with Marquette in the Big East/Big 12 Battle. The remainder of the non-conference schedule will be released when it becomes official.

Baylor at Alabama Missouri at Iowa State Kentucky at Kansas K-State at Ole Miss Oklahoma at Auburn Oklahoma State at Florida LSU at TCU Tennessee at Texas Mississippi State at Texas Tech&nbsp; West Virginia at Arkansas

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State will travel to Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss in the ninth annual Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday, January 29, 2022, as ESPN and the two conferences announced the matchups for the annual series on Wednesday morning (June 23).It will mark the sixth meeting with the Rebels on the hardwood, including the third in the Big 12/SEC Challenge (2013, 2016) and the first at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, which was built in 2016.SEC reclaimed the Challenge series, 5-4, in 2021, as one game (Texas at Kentucky) was cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols. The Big 12 still owns a 44-35 (.557) advantage in the all-time series with four wins (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019). The two leagues tied for the second time in 2020 with five wins each.ESPN will provide coverage of all games on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU with start times and complete television information to be released later.“The Challenge series has been a great success for both leagues with competitive games year-in, year-out,” said head coach&nbsp;Bruce Weber. “The winning conference always comes down to one of the last few games played and 2022 should be no exception.“Ole Miss is a quality non-conference opponent for us, led by a veteran head coach in&nbsp;Kermit Davis, and will be yet another road challenge that already includes Nebraska and Wichita State and the Hall of Fame Classic (Arkansas, Cincinnati and Illinois) on a neutral court in Kansas City. This is a great opportunity for our team.”K-State is 3-5 all-time in the Challenge series and will attempt to win a road game for the first time after all three wins have come at home (Ole Miss in 2013 and 2016 and Georgia in 2018). The Wildcats will also be looking to snap a 3-game skid against SEC foes after dropping games to Texas A&amp;M (2019 and 2021) and Alabama (2020).Two of K-State’s three all-time wins in the Challenge series have come against Ole Miss, but this will be the first meeting in Oxford since a 60-46 loss in the inaugural matchup on December 5, 2000. The Wildcats posted their first win (61-58) against the Rebels as well as the first in the Challenge series on December 5, 2013 at home before earning another home victory (69-64) on January 30, 2016.Overall, Ole Miss leads the all-time series, 3-2, including 1-0 at home. The Rebels won the first three meetings in the series, including a sweep of a home-and-home series during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 season and an 86-74 victory in the quarterfinals of the Puerto Rico Tipoff on November 20, 2009.Led by veteran head coach&nbsp;Kermit Davis, who sports more than 500 wins in stops at Texas A&amp;M, Idaho, Middle Tennessee State and Ole Miss, the Rebels return seven lettermen, including a pair of starters in rising senior&nbsp;Jarkel Joiner&nbsp;(12.0 ppg.) and junior&nbsp;Luis Rodriguez&nbsp;(7.6 ppg., 6.3 rpg.), from a team that posted a 16-12 overall record, including a 10-8 mark in the SEC, and advanced to the NIT in 2020-21.Davis and his coaching staff added seven newcomers for 2021-22, including transfers&nbsp;Jaemyn Brakefield&nbsp;(Duke),&nbsp;Nysier Brooks&nbsp;(Miami, Fla.) and&nbsp;Tye Fagan&nbsp;(Georgia) to go with four incoming freshmen.<a>K-State is set to return four of its top-5 scorers, including super senior&nbsp;Mike McGuirl&nbsp;and rising sophomores&nbsp;Davion Bradford,&nbsp;Selton Miguel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nijel Pack, for the 2021-22 season. The only Wildcat senior in 2020-21, McGuirl led the team in assists (3.6 apg.) and steals (1.0 spg.) and was second in scoring (11.8 ppg.) while starting all 29 games. The freshman trio of Bradford, Miguel and Pack combined to average 25.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 2020-21, as Pack (12.7 ppg.) became the first true freshman to lead the team in scoring since 2013-14. Three newcomers – senior&nbsp;Mark Smith&nbsp;(Missouri), junior&nbsp;Markquis Lowell&nbsp;(Little Rock) and sophomore&nbsp;Ismael Massoud&nbsp;(Wake Forest) – have been added to the roster to go along with a pair of incoming freshmen in&nbsp;Maximus Edwards&nbsp;and&nbsp;Logan Landers.</a>Several aspects of the 2021-22 schedule have been announced, including the Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, non-conference road games at Nebraska and Wichita State and a home game with Marquette in the Big East/Big 12 Battle. The remainder of the non-conference schedule will be released when it becomes official.Big 12 / SEC ChallengeBaylor at Alabama Missouri at Iowa State Kentucky at Kansas K-State at Ole Miss Oklahoma at Auburn Oklahoma State at Florida LSU at TCU Tennessee at Texas Mississippi State at Texas Tech&nbsp; West Virginia at Arkansas

K-State Travels to Ole Miss in Big 12/SEC Challenge

IRVING, Tex. - The Big 12 Conference and the Southeatern Conference announced its pairings for the 2022 edition of the Big 12/SEC Men's basketball Challenge Wednesday.&nbsp;

The following is the official release from the Big 12 Conference that can be viewed at <a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2021/6/22/2022-big-12-sec-mens-basketball-challenge-pairings-unveiled.aspx">Big12Sports.com</a>:

Pairings have been announced for the 2022 Big 12/SEC Men’s Basketball Challenge to be played on Saturday, January 29.&nbsp; The ninth annual event will consist of 10 games as every Big 12 member faces 10 programs from the Southeastern Conference. This will mark the seventh consecutive year for all games to be played in one day. ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise the contests. Big 12 teams are 44-35 (.557) in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Big 12 has a yearly Challenge record of 4-2-2 with wins in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019. One game was canceled in 2021 due to COVID. Ties occurred in 2017 and 2020. In case of a tie, the trophy stays with the conference that won it the previous season. Television designations and game times will be announced when available. 2022 Big 12/SEC Challenge – Saturday, January 29 Baylor&nbsp;at Alabama Missouri&nbsp;at Iowa State Kentucky&nbsp;at Kansas Kansas State&nbsp;at Ole Miss Oklahoma&nbsp;at Auburn Oklahoma State&nbsp;at Florida LSU&nbsp;at TCU Tennessee&nbsp;at Texas Mississippi State&nbsp;at Texas Tech&nbsp; West Virginia&nbsp;at Arkansas&nbsp;&nbsp;

IRVING, Tex. - The Big 12 Conference and the Southeatern Conference announced its pairings for the 2022 edition of the Big 12/SEC Men's basketball Challenge Wednesday.&nbsp;The following is the official release from the Big 12 Conference that can be viewed at <a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2021/6/22/2022-big-12-sec-mens-basketball-challenge-pairings-unveiled.aspx">Big12Sports.com</a>:Pairings have been announced for the 2022 Big 12/SEC Men’s Basketball Challenge to be played on Saturday, January 29.&nbsp; The ninth annual event will consist of 10 games as every Big 12 member faces 10 programs from the Southeastern Conference. This will mark the seventh consecutive year for all games to be played in one day. ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise the contests. Big 12 teams are 44-35 (.557) in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Big 12 has a yearly Challenge record of 4-2-2 with wins in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019. One game was canceled in 2021 due to COVID. Ties occurred in 2017 and 2020. In case of a tie, the trophy stays with the conference that won it the previous season. Television designations and game times will be announced when available. 2022 Big 12/SEC Challenge – Saturday, January 29 Baylor&nbsp;at Alabama Missouri&nbsp;at Iowa State Kentucky&nbsp;at Kansas Kansas State&nbsp;at Ole Miss Oklahoma&nbsp;at Auburn Oklahoma State&nbsp;at Florida LSU&nbsp;at TCU Tennessee&nbsp;at Texas Mississippi State&nbsp;at Texas Tech&nbsp; West Virginia&nbsp;at Arkansas&nbsp;&nbsp;

Big 12/SEC Challenge pairings announced

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State junior&nbsp;Phillip Brooks&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;have been named Preseason All-Americans by Phil Steele, the publication announced. Brooks was named a second team punt returner, while Vaughn was a third team all-purpose player.

Additionally, the publication named Brooks a First Team Preseason All-Big 12 performer and Vaughn a second-team running back. Offensive lineman&nbsp;Josh Rivas&nbsp;was also named to the all-conference second team, while&nbsp;Cooper Beebe&nbsp;(offensive line),&nbsp;Randen Plattner&nbsp;(long snapper) were named to the third team. Fourth-team honorees included&nbsp;Malik Knowles&nbsp;(wide receiver),&nbsp;Noah Johnson&nbsp;(offensive line), incoming transfer&nbsp;Timmy Horne&nbsp;(defensive tackle),&nbsp;Khalid Duke&nbsp;(defensive end),&nbsp;Cody Fletcher&nbsp;(linebacker),&nbsp;Justin Gardner&nbsp;(cornerback),&nbsp;Jahron McPherson&nbsp;(safety) and&nbsp;Ty Zentner&nbsp;(punter).

A Third Team All-American by Phil Steele following the 2020 season, Brooks was a First Team All-Big 12 performer as a punt returner after averaging 23.7 yards per attempt, a mark that would have led the nation and be the best in school history if he had one more return to meet the NCAA required minimum. A native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Brooks set a school record with 189 punt-return yards and two touchdowns against Kansas en route to Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors. His two punt-return touchdowns were the most in Big 12 history for a conference game, while his 47.25-yard average against the Jayhawks was the highest by any player in the nation with at least four attempts since at least 1996.

Vaughn, who was an Honorable Mention All-American last year from Phil Steele and the True Freshman of the Year by 247Sports, led the Wildcats in rushing yards (642), receiving yards (434) and all-purpose yards (1,221) a year ago as he was also named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. The Round Rock, Texas, product was one of only three players in the nation to tally at least 600 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards on the year, joining fellow running backs Travis Etienne (Clemson) and Najee Harris (Alabama). He set the K-State freshman records for rushing yards, yards from scrimmage (1,076) and all-purpose yards, while he finished second in rushing touchdowns and third in receiving yards.

Season tickets are on sale for the 2021 campaign and start at just over $20 per game. Single-game tickets go on sale on Monday, July 12 for Ahearn Fund members and July 14 to the general public. Fans can order tickets online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.k-statesports.com/tickets</a>, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State junior&nbsp;Phillip Brooks&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;Deuce Vaughn&nbsp;have been named Preseason All-Americans by Phil Steele, the publication announced. Brooks was named a second team punt returner, while Vaughn was a third team all-purpose player.Additionally, the publication named Brooks a First Team Preseason All-Big 12 performer and Vaughn a second-team running back. Offensive lineman&nbsp;Josh Rivas&nbsp;was also named to the all-conference second team, while&nbsp;Cooper Beebe&nbsp;(offensive line),&nbsp;Randen Plattner&nbsp;(long snapper) were named to the third team. Fourth-team honorees included&nbsp;Malik Knowles&nbsp;(wide receiver),&nbsp;Noah Johnson&nbsp;(offensive line), incoming transfer&nbsp;Timmy Horne&nbsp;(defensive tackle),&nbsp;Khalid Duke&nbsp;(defensive end),&nbsp;Cody Fletcher&nbsp;(linebacker),&nbsp;Justin Gardner&nbsp;(cornerback),&nbsp;Jahron McPherson&nbsp;(safety) and&nbsp;Ty Zentner&nbsp;(punter).A Third Team All-American by Phil Steele following the 2020 season, Brooks was a First Team All-Big 12 performer as a punt returner after averaging 23.7 yards per attempt, a mark that would have led the nation and be the best in school history if he had one more return to meet the NCAA required minimum. A native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Brooks set a school record with 189 punt-return yards and two touchdowns against Kansas en route to Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors. His two punt-return touchdowns were the most in Big 12 history for a conference game, while his 47.25-yard average against the Jayhawks was the highest by any player in the nation with at least four attempts since at least 1996.Vaughn, who was an Honorable Mention All-American last year from Phil Steele and the True Freshman of the Year by 247Sports, led the Wildcats in rushing yards (642), receiving yards (434) and all-purpose yards (1,221) a year ago as he was also named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. The Round Rock, Texas, product was one of only three players in the nation to tally at least 600 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards on the year, joining fellow running backs Travis Etienne (Clemson) and Najee Harris (Alabama). He set the K-State freshman records for rushing yards, yards from scrimmage (1,076) and all-purpose yards, while he finished second in rushing touchdowns and third in receiving yards.Season tickets are on sale for the 2021 campaign and start at just over $20 per game. Single-game tickets go on sale on Monday, July 12 for Ahearn Fund members and July 14 to the general public. Fans can order tickets online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-statesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.k-statesports.com/tickets</a>, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.

K-State’s Brooks, Vaughn Named Preseason All-Americans by Phil Steele

The Junction City Brigade and Sabetha Bravos battled for nearly four hours Tuesday night at Rathert Field before the Bravos pulled out a 9-8 win. The game included controversy.

Junction City rallied from an 8-4 deficit in the 7th inning to tie the contest. Later in the 8th a member of the Bravos Wilfredo Aguilar was called out in a play at home plate before the scoring the winning run in the top of the ninth inning.

Players and coaches became involved in heated discussions on the field during the latter part of the game and at one point Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska called in police to help restore order. Two uniformed officers arrived and talked to the involved parties over the right field fence before the game resumed.

At one point during the heated on-field discussions in the eighth inning an umpire informed a Bravos assistant coach that he was suspended for four games.

Aska plans to file a report with the Mid Plains League office.

The tension followed a game between the Bravos and Brigade Monday night in Sabetha that went 15 innings with Junction City coming out on top 4-3. In that contest the head coach for the Brigade and a player were both tossed out of the game.

The Junction City Brigade and Sabetha Bravos battled for nearly four hours Tuesday night at Rathert Field before the Bravos pulled out a 9-8 win. The game included controversy.Junction City rallied from an 8-4 deficit in the 7th inning to tie the contest. Later in the 8th a member of the Bravos Wilfredo Aguilar was called out in a play at home plate before the scoring the winning run in the top of the ninth inning.Players and coaches became involved in heated discussions on the field during the latter part of the game and at one point Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska called in police to help restore order. Two uniformed officers arrived and talked to the involved parties over the right field fence before the game resumed.At one point during the heated on-field discussions in the eighth inning an umpire informed a Bravos assistant coach that he was suspended for four games.Aska plans to file a report with the Mid Plains League office.The tension followed a game between the Bravos and Brigade Monday night in Sabetha that went 15 innings with Junction City coming out on top 4-3. In that contest the head coach for the Brigade and a player were both tossed out of the game.

Tempers flare at the Brigade game

NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole’s strikeouts and spin rate dropped as he pitched for the first time since Major League Baseball’s crackdown on sticky substances, and the Kansas City Royals rallied off Jonathan Loiasiga for four runs in the eighth inning to beat the New York Yankees 6-5. 

Cole, among the pitchers under highest scrutiny as umpires regularly search pitchers this week for unauthorized grip enhancers, allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings, showing his usual velocity but without his explosive strikeout pitches. Luke Voit homered and tripled in his return from the injured list as the Yankees built a lead.

NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole’s strikeouts and spin rate dropped as he pitched for the first time since Major League Baseball’s crackdown on sticky substances, and the Kansas City Royals rallied off Jonathan Loiasiga for four runs in the eighth inning to beat the New York Yankees 6-5. Cole, among the pitchers under highest scrutiny as umpires regularly search pitchers this week for unauthorized grip enhancers, allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings, showing his usual velocity but without his explosive strikeout pitches. Luke Voit homered and tripled in his return from the injured list as the Yankees built a lead.

Royals defeat the Yankees in New York 

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– After a freshman season that included being named 2020 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, K-State outside hitter&nbsp;Aliyah Carter&nbsp;was a unanimous selection onto the 2021 All-Big 12 Preseason Team, the league office revealed Tuesday.

Carter, who became just the second Big 12 Freshman of the Year in K-State history, was also tabbed 2020 AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year in addition to her All-Big 12 First Team selection.

Carter led the Wildcats’ offense with 325 kills and 353.5 points. She eclipsed the 20-kill mark six times in her freshman season, setting the program’s single-match freshman record with 27 kills in a five-set match against Texas State on March 4.

A native of Dubuque, Iowa, Carter’s 4.11 kills per set and 4.47 points her set last season were the highest rates by a freshman in program history. Her kills-per-set average was the fourth-best mark by a Wildcat in the rally-scoring era (since 2001) and broke Cari Jensen’s freshman record of 4.00 that stood since 2000.

Carter was tabbed Big 12 Rookie of the Week on five occasions while being named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week once, as her six weekly accolades are a new single-season record for a Wildcat during the Big 12 era.

She was one of eight unanimous picks by the conference coaches to the 15-member preseason squad.

K-State opens the 2021 season on Friday, August 27 at the Nebraska Invitational in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cats’ home opener is set for Thursday, September 9 against Ohio at Bramlage Coliseum and season tickets are now&nbsp;<a href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=VB&amp;linkID=kansuse&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=" target="_blank">on sale</a>.

K-State (13-8, 10-6 Big 12) finished third in the Big 12 during the 2020 season, its highest conference finish since 2008.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– After a freshman season that included being named 2020 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, K-State outside hitter&nbsp;Aliyah Carter&nbsp;was a unanimous selection onto the 2021 All-Big 12 Preseason Team, the league office revealed Tuesday.Carter, who became just the second Big 12 Freshman of the Year in K-State history, was also tabbed 2020 AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year in addition to her All-Big 12 First Team selection.Carter led the Wildcats’ offense with 325 kills and 353.5 points. She eclipsed the 20-kill mark six times in her freshman season, setting the program’s single-match freshman record with 27 kills in a five-set match against Texas State on March 4.A native of Dubuque, Iowa, Carter’s 4.11 kills per set and 4.47 points her set last season were the highest rates by a freshman in program history. Her kills-per-set average was the fourth-best mark by a Wildcat in the rally-scoring era (since 2001) and broke Cari Jensen’s freshman record of 4.00 that stood since 2000.Carter was tabbed Big 12 Rookie of the Week on five occasions while being named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week once, as her six weekly accolades are a new single-season record for a Wildcat during the Big 12 era.She was one of eight unanimous picks by the conference coaches to the 15-member preseason squad.K-State opens the 2021 season on Friday, August 27 at the Nebraska Invitational in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cats’ home opener is set for Thursday, September 9 against Ohio at Bramlage Coliseum and season tickets are now&nbsp;<a href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=VB&amp;linkID=kansuse&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=" target="_blank">on sale</a>.K-State (13-8, 10-6 Big 12) finished third in the Big 12 during the 2020 season, its highest conference finish since 2008.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624392566583.png" alt="All Big 12 Preseason Team" />
 <figcaption>All Big 12 Preseason Team</figcaption>
 </figure>

Carter Unanimous Selection to All-Big 12 Preseason Team

EUGENE, Ore. (WIBW) - Former University of Kansas track star Bryce Hoppel has punched his ticket to Tokyo.

Hoppel finished third in the 800m finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials Monday to qualify for the 2021 Olympics.

“I just had to give it everything I had,” Hoppel said after the race. “That wasn’t me out there, that was all my support. My family, my friends, my coaches, just everybody. I left it all out there. Glad to represent the incredible United States and just my family and everybody.”

Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy took first with a time of 1:43.17, followed by NCAA champion Isaiah Jewett at 1:43.85.

Hoppel clocked in at 1:44.14 for the third and final Team USA spot.

“It’s just an incredible feeling,” Hoppel said. “These guys pushed the pace, and it couldn’t have been a better race.”

Donavan Brazier, reigning world champion and&nbsp;<a href="https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/02/08/donavan-brazier-allyson-felix-millrose-games/#:~:text=Donavan%20Brazier%20breaks%20U.S.%20800m%20record%20at%20Millrose%20Games" target="_blank">American record-holder</a>&nbsp;in the 800m, faltered in the final 200m to slip to eighth and miss the Olympic team.

By WIBW's Marleah CampbellEUGENE, Ore. (WIBW) - Former University of Kansas track star Bryce Hoppel has punched his ticket to Tokyo.Hoppel finished third in the 800m finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials Monday to qualify for the 2021 Olympics.“I just had to give it everything I had,” Hoppel said after the race. “That wasn’t me out there, that was all my support. My family, my friends, my coaches, just everybody. I left it all out there. Glad to represent the incredible United States and just my family and everybody.”Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy took first with a time of 1:43.17, followed by NCAA champion Isaiah Jewett at 1:43.85.Hoppel clocked in at 1:44.14 for the third and final Team USA spot.“It’s just an incredible feeling,” Hoppel said. “These guys pushed the pace, and it couldn’t have been a better race.”Donavan Brazier, reigning world champion and&nbsp;<a href="https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/02/08/donavan-brazier-allyson-felix-millrose-games/#:~:text=Donavan%20Brazier%20breaks%20U.S.%20800m%20record%20at%20Millrose%20Games" target="_blank">American record-holder</a>&nbsp;in the 800m, faltered in the final 200m to slip to eighth and miss the Olympic team.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KUTrack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KUTrack</a>’s Bryce Hoppel is off to Tokyo with a 1:44.14 in the 800m! “That wasn’t me out there - that was all my support.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KUtrack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KUtrack</a> <a href="https://t.co/NU24yUaNCY">pic.twitter.com/NU24yUaNCY</a>&mdash; Marleah Campbell (@wibwMarleah) <a href="https://twitter.com/wibwMarleah/status/1407135413421096961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">YES!!! former KU runner <a href="https://twitter.com/BryceHoppel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BryceHoppel</a> will rep Team USA in the 800m at the Olympics! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamUSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamUSA</a>&mdash; Melissa Brunner (@Melissa_Brunner) <a href="https://twitter.com/Melissa_Brunner/status/1407134610807529478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

KU’s Bryce Hoppel qualifies for 2021 Olympics in 800-meter

CHICAGO, Ill. (WIBW) - Former Royals star Ben Zobrist is suing his pastor for having an affair with his wife, Julianna Zobrist, and defrauding his charity, Patriot Forward Charity.

According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-chicago-cubs-ben-zobrist-20210621-g5swvnnksjdibodm7dzhibocay-story.html" target="_blank">report from the Chicago Tribune</a>, Ben Zobrist, a former Royal and Chicago Cubs utility player, filed a lawsuit that accuses his former pastor of having sex with his wife Julianna and defrauding his charity foundation.

The Chicago Tribune said the lawsuit against Byron Yawn, CEO of Nashville area counseling firm Forrest Crain and Co., is looking for $6 million in punitive and compensatory damages through a jury trial.

According to the Tribune, the complaint filed on May 6 in Nashville Circuit Court accuses Yawn, who was acting as the Zobrists’ marriage counselor and executive director of Ben’s charity, “usurped the ministerial-counselor role, violated and betrayed the confidence entrusted to him by the plaintiff, breached his fiduciary duty owed to the plaintiff and deceitfully used his access as counselor to engage in an inappropriate sexual relationship with the plaintiff’s wife.”

The Tribune said Yawn’s attorney, Christopher Bellamy of Neal and Harwell, told the Tribune, “At the end of the day, a woman has the right to choose who she wants to be with. We’re in the middle of litigation, so I can’t really comment further at this point, but that’s what it boils down to.”

Bellamy also told the Tribune, “My client deserves his day in court and for the truth to be heard, and so we’re going to do that through the court process.”

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Zobrists started to attend Community Bible Church in Nashville in 2005, where Yawn had been a senior pastor for about two decades. It said Yawn began to serve as the couples’ pre-marital counselor in December of 2005.

“In addition, they later accepted the defendant’s invitation to officiate the public dedication of their three infant children,” according to the lawsuit.

According to reports, Ben Zobrist started counseling sessions with Yawn in 2007 and again in 2016 and 2017 when he experienced anxiety and depression.

The suit also says that Yawn began to have daily conversations with Julianna in August of 2018, then began to secretly pursue an intimate relationship with the married woman the following month.

The Chicago Tribune said Yawn worked for Ben’s charity at the time and proposed a budget that included a $36,000 annual salary for Yawn. Over the next few months, the Tribune said Yawn and Julianna began to work closely to develop the charity’s social media presence.

“(His) romantic involvement with Ms. Zobrist escalated in the spring of 2019, when he began meeting her for sex,” the suit states.

According to Zobrist, Julianna and Yawn, still serving as a counselor, continued their relationship in the spring of 2020 and kept the secret by using burner phones.

The Chicago Tribune said in February of 2019,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-five-takeaways-20190218-story.html" target="_blank">Zobrist had an excused absence</a>&nbsp;to miss part of Cubs spring training. It said Zobrist explained during a Feb. 20 text exchange with Yawn that he could not go to Mesa, Ariz., for spring training.

“Was hoping to be at spring training but can’t leave yet. You should know that Jules told me she has spoken with a divorce lawyer twice,” Zobrist wrote. “I care too much about my marriage and family to be away during such a critical time.”

According to the Tribune, Yawn responded, “That’s heavy friend. Yawns love you and your family. Whatever you need. Whatever you need to do. Grace.”

In May of 2019, the Tribune said Yawn’s wife discovered his burner phone and contacted Ben the next day to inform him of what she believed to be an emotional affair. It said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-spt-ben-julianna-zobrist-divorce-20190515-story.html" target="_blank">Ben and Julianna both filed for divorce&nbsp;</a>in May of 2019 in Illinois and Tennessee. Ben took time off during that month to be with his family and did not return to the Cubs until September.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Zobrist forfeited the 2019 season and lost about $8 million while he tried to fix his marriage.

In June of 2020, the lawsuit said during divorce proceedings, Julianna acknowledged that she and Yawn had been in a sexual relationship for months and that she had lied about it to Ben.

The Tribune said Ben Zobrist also alleges that Yawn defrauded his charity for athletes. It said Yawn held various positions for the Patriot Forward Charity, which Zobrist founded to promote mental health among athletes and help them transition when their careers are finished.

In December of 2018, the Tribune said Yawn drafted his own job description as executive director. In the lawsuit, Zobrist alleges that he was tithing $10,000 per month to Yawn’s church and paid $10,000 - $15,000 to fund a pastoral trip for Yawn and his family.

In March of 2019, the Tribune said Patriot Forward Charity fired Yawn from his $3,500-per-month job as executive director, but he still somehow continued to fraudulently receive checks until May of 2019 and cashed them while knowing he had been fired.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Ben Zobrist suit wants damages for breach of fiduciary duty and intentional infliction of emotional distress, adding that Yawn’s actions should be considered outrageous conduct.

By Sarah Motter, WIBW TVCHICAGO, Ill. (WIBW) - Former Royals star Ben Zobrist is suing his pastor for having an affair with his wife, Julianna Zobrist, and defrauding his charity, Patriot Forward Charity.According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-chicago-cubs-ben-zobrist-20210621-g5swvnnksjdibodm7dzhibocay-story.html" target="_blank">report from the Chicago Tribune</a>, Ben Zobrist, a former Royal and Chicago Cubs utility player, filed a lawsuit that accuses his former pastor of having sex with his wife Julianna and defrauding his charity foundation.The Chicago Tribune said the lawsuit against Byron Yawn, CEO of Nashville area counseling firm Forrest Crain and Co., is looking for $6 million in punitive and compensatory damages through a jury trial.According to the Tribune, the complaint filed on May 6 in Nashville Circuit Court accuses Yawn, who was acting as the Zobrists’ marriage counselor and executive director of Ben’s charity, “usurped the ministerial-counselor role, violated and betrayed the confidence entrusted to him by the plaintiff, breached his fiduciary duty owed to the plaintiff and deceitfully used his access as counselor to engage in an inappropriate sexual relationship with the plaintiff’s wife.”The Tribune said Yawn’s attorney, Christopher Bellamy of Neal and Harwell, told the Tribune, “At the end of the day, a woman has the right to choose who she wants to be with. We’re in the middle of litigation, so I can’t really comment further at this point, but that’s what it boils down to.”Bellamy also told the Tribune, “My client deserves his day in court and for the truth to be heard, and so we’re going to do that through the court process.”According to the Chicago Tribune, the Zobrists started to attend Community Bible Church in Nashville in 2005, where Yawn had been a senior pastor for about two decades. It said Yawn began to serve as the couples’ pre-marital counselor in December of 2005.“In addition, they later accepted the defendant’s invitation to officiate the public dedication of their three infant children,” according to the lawsuit.According to reports, Ben Zobrist started counseling sessions with Yawn in 2007 and again in 2016 and 2017 when he experienced anxiety and depression.The suit also says that Yawn began to have daily conversations with Julianna in August of 2018, then began to secretly pursue an intimate relationship with the married woman the following month.The Chicago Tribune said Yawn worked for Ben’s charity at the time and proposed a budget that included a $36,000 annual salary for Yawn. Over the next few months, the Tribune said Yawn and Julianna began to work closely to develop the charity’s social media presence.“(His) romantic involvement with Ms. Zobrist escalated in the spring of 2019, when he began meeting her for sex,” the suit states.According to Zobrist, Julianna and Yawn, still serving as a counselor, continued their relationship in the spring of 2020 and kept the secret by using burner phones.The Chicago Tribune said in February of 2019,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-five-takeaways-20190218-story.html" target="_blank">Zobrist had an excused absence</a>&nbsp;to miss part of Cubs spring training. It said Zobrist explained during a Feb. 20 text exchange with Yawn that he could not go to Mesa, Ariz., for spring training.“Was hoping to be at spring training but can’t leave yet. You should know that Jules told me she has spoken with a divorce lawyer twice,” Zobrist wrote. “I care too much about my marriage and family to be away during such a critical time.”According to the Tribune, Yawn responded, “That’s heavy friend. Yawns love you and your family. Whatever you need. Whatever you need to do. Grace.”In May of 2019, the Tribune said Yawn’s wife discovered his burner phone and contacted Ben the next day to inform him of what she believed to be an emotional affair. It said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-spt-ben-julianna-zobrist-divorce-20190515-story.html" target="_blank">Ben and Julianna both filed for divorce&nbsp;</a>in May of 2019 in Illinois and Tennessee. Ben took time off during that month to be with his family and did not return to the Cubs until September.According to the Chicago Tribune, Zobrist forfeited the 2019 season and lost about $8 million while he tried to fix his marriage.In June of 2020, the lawsuit said during divorce proceedings, Julianna acknowledged that she and Yawn had been in a sexual relationship for months and that she had lied about it to Ben.The Tribune said Ben Zobrist also alleges that Yawn defrauded his charity for athletes. It said Yawn held various positions for the Patriot Forward Charity, which Zobrist founded to promote mental health among athletes and help them transition when their careers are finished.In December of 2018, the Tribune said Yawn drafted his own job description as executive director. In the lawsuit, Zobrist alleges that he was tithing $10,000 per month to Yawn’s church and paid $10,000 - $15,000 to fund a pastoral trip for Yawn and his family.In March of 2019, the Tribune said Patriot Forward Charity fired Yawn from his $3,500-per-month job as executive director, but he still somehow continued to fraudulently receive checks until May of 2019 and cashed them while knowing he had been fired.According to the Chicago Tribune, the Ben Zobrist suit wants damages for breach of fiduciary duty and intentional infliction of emotional distress, adding that Yawn’s actions should be considered outrageous conduct.

Former Royals star Zobrist sues pastor for affair with wife, defrauding charity

Junction City defeated the Sabetha Bravos 4-3 Monday evening in Sabetha. The Brigade host the Bravos Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Rathert Field.

Junction City defeated the Sabetha Bravos 4-3 Monday evening in Sabetha. The Brigade host the Bravos Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Rathert Field.

Brigade defeat the Bravos in summer collegiate baseball

LOS ANGELES —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a member of the Kansas City Chiefs on felony charges after an arrest Sunday&nbsp; in Los Angeles.

Just before 9:30p.m. Sunday, police stopped a vehicle driven by <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/frank-clark/">28-year-old Frank Clark</a> for an alleged code violation, according to online LAPD records.

Officers observed an Uzi in a bag in the vehicle and arrested Clark&nbsp;on a requested charge of a concealed firearm in a vehicle violation. He spent the night in jail and bonded out Monday afternoon.&nbsp;His lawyer says the gun belonged to a bodyguard, according to the Associated Press.

The case will be presented to the LA County Prosecutor's Office.

Clark is in his seventh season as defensive end from the University of Michigan and 2021 is his third season in Kansas City, according to his bio on the team website.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624317438496.png" alt="Image LA County Sheriff's Department" />
 <figcaption>Image LA County Sheriff's Department</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a member of the Kansas City Chiefs on felony charges after an arrest Sunday&nbsp; in Los Angeles.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624317639857.png" alt="Frank Clark photo courtesy KC Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Frank Clark photo courtesy KC Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 9:30p.m. Sunday, police stopped a vehicle driven by <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/frank-clark/">28-year-old Frank Clark</a> for an alleged code violation, according to online LAPD records.Officers observed an Uzi in a bag in the vehicle and arrested Clark&nbsp;on a requested charge of a concealed firearm in a vehicle violation. He spent the night in jail and bonded out Monday afternoon.&nbsp;His lawyer says the gun belonged to a bodyguard, according to the Associated Press.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624317829693.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The case will be presented to the LA County Prosecutor's Office.Clark is in his seventh season as defensive end from the University of Michigan and 2021 is his third season in Kansas City, according to his bio on the team website.

Update: KC Chiefs DE jailed for alleged weapons violation

BOSTON,&nbsp; June 21, 2021 –&nbsp;The Basketball Tournament (TBT) – the $1 million, winner-take-all summer basketball event broadcast live on ESPN networks – today revealed that Purple &amp; Black, the Kansas State alumni team, has been admitted into TBT’s 64-team field. Purple &amp; Black will be competing in the Wichita Regional&nbsp;at&nbsp;Koch Arena&nbsp;from July 16-20.&nbsp;

This will be Purple &amp; Black’s first TBT appearance since 2019, when they lost in the first round to Team Colorado (Colorado alumni) in the first round of the Wichita Regional.

Purple &amp; Black is organized by former Kansas State forward Jordan Henriquez (2009-13). Their current roster includes:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Curtis Kelly (2009-11)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Martavious Irving (2009-13)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thomas Gipson (2011-15)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D.J. Johnson (2012-17)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Justin Edwards (2014-16)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cartier Diarra (2017-20)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kamau Stokes (2015-19)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ron Freeman (2015-16)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Trevor Gaskins (Ole Miss/Louisiana Tech)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marquis Addison (Missouri Southern State)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moses Morgan (DePaul/Cal State Fullerton)

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marvin Clark (Michigan State/St John’s.

The #7 seed Purple &amp; Black (Kansas State alumni) will take on #10 seed Omaha Blue Crew in the team’s first-round game on Friday, July 16 at 3 pm CT. If Purple &amp; Black advances to the second round, they will face the winner of Aftershocks (Wichita State alumni) and Ex-Pats (Patriot League) on Sunday, July 18 at 3 pm CT. The third and final game of the Wichita regional&nbsp;will take place on Tuesday, July 20. TV broadcast information will be announced soon.

Two teams will advance from each of TBT’s four regionals to compete in Championship Weekend in Dayton, Ohio at UD Arena. Quarterfinals games will be played on July 31, and semifinals on August 1. The TBT Championship game will be August 3, where one player will hit a shot during the Elam Ending to win his team $1 million.

For more information on Purple &amp; Black and tickets for this year’s TBT, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thetournament.com/" target="_blank">TheTournament.com</a>.&nbsp;

BOSTON,&nbsp; June 21, 2021 –&nbsp;The Basketball Tournament (TBT) – the $1 million, winner-take-all summer basketball event broadcast live on ESPN networks – today revealed that Purple &amp; Black, the Kansas State alumni team, has been admitted into TBT’s 64-team field. Purple &amp; Black will be competing in the Wichita Regional&nbsp;at&nbsp;Koch Arena&nbsp;from July 16-20.&nbsp;This will be Purple &amp; Black’s first TBT appearance since 2019, when they lost in the first round to Team Colorado (Colorado alumni) in the first round of the Wichita Regional.Purple &amp; Black is organized by former Kansas State forward Jordan Henriquez (2009-13). Their current roster includes:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Curtis Kelly (2009-11)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Martavious Irving (2009-13)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thomas Gipson (2011-15)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D.J. Johnson (2012-17)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Justin Edwards (2014-16)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cartier Diarra (2017-20)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kamau Stokes (2015-19)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ron Freeman (2015-16)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Trevor Gaskins (Ole Miss/Louisiana Tech)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marquis Addison (Missouri Southern State)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moses Morgan (DePaul/Cal State Fullerton)·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marvin Clark (Michigan State/St John’s.The #7 seed Purple &amp; Black (Kansas State alumni) will take on #10 seed Omaha Blue Crew in the team’s first-round game on Friday, July 16 at 3 pm CT. If Purple &amp; Black advances to the second round, they will face the winner of Aftershocks (Wichita State alumni) and Ex-Pats (Patriot League) on Sunday, July 18 at 3 pm CT. The third and final game of the Wichita regional&nbsp;will take place on Tuesday, July 20. TV broadcast information will be announced soon.Two teams will advance from each of TBT’s four regionals to compete in Championship Weekend in Dayton, Ohio at UD Arena. Quarterfinals games will be played on July 31, and semifinals on August 1. The TBT Championship game will be August 3, where one player will hit a shot during the Elam Ending to win his team $1 million.For more information on Purple &amp; Black and tickets for this year’s TBT, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thetournament.com/" target="_blank">TheTournament.com</a>.&nbsp;

Kansas State Alumni Team Accepted into TBT’s 64-Team Field

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;– Rising senior track and field athlete&nbsp;Chantoba Bright&nbsp;swept the women’s long jump and triple jump competitions at the Athletics Association of Guyana Senior Championships, which are currently being held at the National Track and Field Facility in Leonora, Guyana.

Bright, a native of Wismar, Linden in the country of Guyana, just completed her first season at K-State after transferring from UTEP. She enjoyed an impressive start to her Wildcat career in 2020-21, earning Second Team All-America honors in the long and triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships before narrowly missing out on qualifying in the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Bright opened the Championships on June 18 by crushing the competition by nearly 3 feet in the triple jump, shattering her previous personal-best in the event with a leap of 13.53m/44-04.75 (+1.1). She finished ahead of&nbsp;Natrina Hooper&nbsp;(12.61m/41-04.50) and&nbsp;Princess Brown&nbsp;(12.19m/40-00.00), who placed second and third, respectively.

Bright’s mark moves her to fourth all-time in the outdoor triple jump in school history, surpassing her previous best of 13.29m/43-07.25 (+1.8) to finish fourth at the Big 12 Championship on May 16. It is the best mark by a Wildcat in the event since&nbsp;Shardia Lawrence&nbsp;set the school record of 13.99m/45-10.75 (+0.2) to win the NCAA Championship in 2019.

Bright followed up that performance with a victory in the long jump on June 20, again winning decisively by nearly a foot with a leap of 6.28m/20-07.25 (+0.9). It was her third-best mark in the event this outdoor season. She defeated&nbsp;Ruth Sanmoogan&nbsp;(6.02m/19-09) and&nbsp;Toyan Raymond&nbsp;(5.82m/19-01.25).

Bright earned Second Team All-America honors with top-15 performances in both the long and triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships, finishing 10th&nbsp;in the triple jump with a leap of 13.26m/43-06 and 15th&nbsp;in the long jump with a mark of 6.19m/20-03.75. She narrowly missed qualifying in the triple jump at the NCAA West Regional, finishing one spot out of the top-12 qualifying places in 13th&nbsp;with a mark of 13.19m/43-03.25. She earned fourth-place finishes in both events at the Big 12 Outdoor Championship.

Guyana is a country of less than 800,000 people in the north mainland of South America.

For the latest on K-State Track and Field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track &amp; Field/Cross Country on Facebook.

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;– Rising senior track and field athlete&nbsp;Chantoba Bright&nbsp;swept the women’s long jump and triple jump competitions at the Athletics Association of Guyana Senior Championships, which are currently being held at the National Track and Field Facility in Leonora, Guyana.Bright, a native of Wismar, Linden in the country of Guyana, just completed her first season at K-State after transferring from UTEP. She enjoyed an impressive start to her Wildcat career in 2020-21, earning Second Team All-America honors in the long and triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships before narrowly missing out on qualifying in the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.Bright opened the Championships on June 18 by crushing the competition by nearly 3 feet in the triple jump, shattering her previous personal-best in the event with a leap of 13.53m/44-04.75 (+1.1). She finished ahead of&nbsp;Natrina Hooper&nbsp;(12.61m/41-04.50) and&nbsp;Princess Brown&nbsp;(12.19m/40-00.00), who placed second and third, respectively.Bright’s mark moves her to fourth all-time in the outdoor triple jump in school history, surpassing her previous best of 13.29m/43-07.25 (+1.8) to finish fourth at the Big 12 Championship on May 16. It is the best mark by a Wildcat in the event since&nbsp;Shardia Lawrence&nbsp;set the school record of 13.99m/45-10.75 (+0.2) to win the NCAA Championship in 2019.Bright followed up that performance with a victory in the long jump on June 20, again winning decisively by nearly a foot with a leap of 6.28m/20-07.25 (+0.9). It was her third-best mark in the event this outdoor season. She defeated&nbsp;Ruth Sanmoogan&nbsp;(6.02m/19-09) and&nbsp;Toyan Raymond&nbsp;(5.82m/19-01.25).Bright earned Second Team All-America honors with top-15 performances in both the long and triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships, finishing 10th&nbsp;in the triple jump with a leap of 13.26m/43-06 and 15th&nbsp;in the long jump with a mark of 6.19m/20-03.75. She narrowly missed qualifying in the triple jump at the NCAA West Regional, finishing one spot out of the top-12 qualifying places in 13th&nbsp;with a mark of 13.19m/43-03.25. She earned fourth-place finishes in both events at the Big 12 Outdoor Championship.Guyana is a country of less than 800,000 people in the north mainland of South America.For the latest on K-State Track and Field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track &amp; Field/Cross Country on Facebook.

Bright Sweeps Long Jump, Triple Jump at Guyana Senior Championships

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State University President Richard Myers provided an update on K-State's new Shamrock Zone to the Kansas Board of Regents.

During the update, Myers detailed the new facility, which rests atop a newly restructured south end zone at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, featuring new restrooms and concessions at the concourse level to increase the fan experience, as well as a number of new premium seating options.&nbsp;

&nbsp;According to Myers, a large number of those premium seating options have already been sold. He mentioned that former K-State football player and Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson recently picked his seat in that location.&nbsp;

"He (Nelson) says that every time you review film, you review it with this angle, looking down on the field, so that's where he wanted to be," said Myers. "If I had the money, I'd be in the box right below him, but I'm still trying to cobble together a coalition of the willing to help me fund that."

The Shamrock Zone also includes a large 13,500-square foot lounge club for those with premium seats. The lounge features numerous large television screens for viewing games, as well as a 50-foot full service bar for refreshments.&nbsp;

"This will serve both football premium seating, and then it turns the other way into Bramlage, and serves Bramlage with dining opportunities and bars for Ahearn Club members," said Myers.

According to the University President, Bramlage benefits from this construction because the project forced the expansion of two entryways into the arena, which will allow for more room for fans as they enter for events.&nbsp;

The Shamrock Zone is part of the largest capital initiative in the history of K-State Athletics, according to <a href="https://static.kstatesports.com/custompages/buildingchampions/index.html">KStateSports.com</a>. The project, which includes a new volleyball arena, olympic training center, and indoor football facility, will total over $105 million to construct.&nbsp;

"So this is, of course, all done with donor philanthropy," said President Myers. "And it's on-time, on-schedule to be ready for this fall football season."

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State University President Richard Myers provided an update on K-State's new Shamrock Zone to the Kansas Board of Regents.During the update, Myers detailed the new facility, which rests atop a newly restructured south end zone at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, featuring new restrooms and concessions at the concourse level to increase the fan experience, as well as a number of new premium seating options.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to Myers, a large number of those premium seating options have already been sold. He mentioned that former K-State football player and Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson recently picked his seat in that location.&nbsp;"He (Nelson) says that every time you review film, you review it with this angle, looking down on the field, so that's where he wanted to be," said Myers. "If I had the money, I'd be in the box right below him, but I'm still trying to cobble together a coalition of the willing to help me fund that."The Shamrock Zone also includes a large 13,500-square foot lounge club for those with premium seats. The lounge features numerous large television screens for viewing games, as well as a 50-foot full service bar for refreshments.&nbsp;"This will serve both football premium seating, and then it turns the other way into Bramlage, and serves Bramlage with dining opportunities and bars for Ahearn Club members," said Myers.According to the University President, Bramlage benefits from this construction because the project forced the expansion of two entryways into the arena, which will allow for more room for fans as they enter for events.&nbsp;The Shamrock Zone is part of the largest capital initiative in the history of K-State Athletics, according to <a href="https://static.kstatesports.com/custompages/buildingchampions/index.html">KStateSports.com</a>. The project, which includes a new volleyball arena, olympic training center, and indoor football facility, will total over $105 million to construct.&nbsp;"So this is, of course, all done with donor philanthropy," said President Myers. "And it's on-time, on-schedule to be ready for this fall football season."

President Myers provides update on K-State's new Shamrock Zone

K-State Soccer Finalizes 2021 Schedule

When 57-year old Rodney Tafoya took the mound this past Saturday night at Rathert Field he was seeking his 456th career pitching victory. That didn't happen as the team he was pitching for, the Kansas City Knights, lost to the Brigade 13-6.

Tafoya started the game and went 4 2/3 innings, giving up 9 earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rodney's goal is to reach 500 wins for his career which has spanned approximately five decades so far. "I'm about 92% through with my lifetime goal of winning 500 games."

Tafoya has pitched 13 seasons in Puerto Rico and also in Canada and Mexico along with many cities in the United States. "I just love to pitch and I've been blessed to pitch for five decades and hopefully in the next three or four years I can get 45 more."

Tafoya credits his conditioning as a factor in sustaining his success. "I've thrown about 80,000 thousand pitches, just a modest 120 per start. But I do 10 miles every morning at 7,000 feet where I live back in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the high country."

Tafoya pitched for his 180th team Saturday night and in his 680th game. It was his first visit to Rathert Field where he provided his impression of the facility. "I'd say superb, second to none. I'm impressed with the fast infield. I love the mound, synthetic mounds are great because everything is in symmetry. There's no holes you have to dodge or deal with." Tafoya called Rathert Field "very historic."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624287366935.jpeg" alt="Rodney Tafoya at Rathert Field" />
 <figcaption>Rodney Tafoya at Rathert Field</figcaption>
 </figure>When 57-year old Rodney Tafoya took the mound this past Saturday night at Rathert Field he was seeking his 456th career pitching victory. That didn't happen as the team he was pitching for, the Kansas City Knights, lost to the Brigade 13-6.Tafoya started the game and went 4 2/3 innings, giving up 9 earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rodney's goal is to reach 500 wins for his career which has spanned approximately five decades so far. "I'm about 92% through with my lifetime goal of winning 500 games."Tafoya has pitched 13 seasons in Puerto Rico and also in Canada and Mexico along with many cities in the United States. "I just love to pitch and I've been blessed to pitch for five decades and hopefully in the next three or four years I can get 45 more."Tafoya credits his conditioning as a factor in sustaining his success. "I've thrown about 80,000 thousand pitches, just a modest 120 per start. But I do 10 miles every morning at 7,000 feet where I live back in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the high country."Tafoya pitched for his 180th team Saturday night and in his 680th game. It was his first visit to Rathert Field where he provided his impression of the facility. "I'd say superb, second to none. I'm impressed with the fast infield. I love the mound, synthetic mounds are great because everything is in symmetry. There's no holes you have to dodge or deal with." Tafoya called Rathert Field "very historic."

Ageless Arm pitches at Rathert Field

Third, fourth and fifth innings were huge for the Junction City Brigade during their 13-6 win Saturday night over the Kansas City Knights at Rathert Field. Twelve runs were scored during those innings combined.

 Garrett Redden hit a home run and Joseph Kinneberg collected two doubles, a single and drew a walk for the brigade.&nbsp;

Rodney Tofoya, 57, "The Ageless Arm" pitched four and two-thirds innings for the Knights but gave up 12 hits, nine earned runs, walked two and struck out three batters during his time on the mound. He was seeking his 456th career pitching victory against only 97 losses.

Junction City will host Sabetha Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

Third, fourth and fifth innings were huge for the Junction City Brigade during their 13-6 win Saturday night over the Kansas City Knights at Rathert Field. Twelve runs were scored during those innings combined. Garrett Redden hit a home run and Joseph Kinneberg collected two doubles, a single and drew a walk for the brigade.&nbsp;Rodney Tofoya, 57, "The Ageless Arm" pitched four and two-thirds innings for the Knights but gave up 12 hits, nine earned runs, walked two and struck out three batters during his time on the mound. He was seeking his 456th career pitching victory against only 97 losses.Junction City will host Sabetha Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

Brigade put 13 runs up in win over the Kansas City Knights

Junction City rallied from a 5-1 deficit Friday night at Rathert Field and had the game with the Midwest A's tied 6-6 going into the ninth inning. Then pitching struggles proved costly for the Brigade as Drake Sizemore, on in relief, hit two batters and walked five others. A Brigade error also aided The A's as they scored five runs in the inning and went on to defeat Junction City 11-6.

Junction City had scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth on a throwing error by Midwest and that allowed the Brigade to tie the game. Then came the struggles in the ninth.

Junction City will be back in action Saturday night at Rathert Field when they host the Kansas City Knights at 7 p.m. Rodney Tofoya, 56, will be pitching for Kansas City. He will be seeking his 500th pitching victory.

There will also be a fireworks display after the game.

Junction City rallied from a 5-1 deficit Friday night at Rathert Field and had the game with the Midwest A's tied 6-6 going into the ninth inning. Then pitching struggles proved costly for the Brigade as Drake Sizemore, on in relief, hit two batters and walked five others. A Brigade error also aided The A's as they scored five runs in the inning and went on to defeat Junction City 11-6.Junction City had scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth on a throwing error by Midwest and that allowed the Brigade to tie the game. Then came the struggles in the ninth.Junction City will be back in action Saturday night at Rathert Field when they host the Kansas City Knights at 7 p.m. Rodney Tofoya, 56, will be pitching for Kansas City. He will be seeking his 500th pitching victory.There will also be a fireworks display after the game.

A's score five in the ninth to defeat the Brigade

By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The city of St. 
Joseph and Missouri Western State University will soon know for sure 
what the Kansas City Chiefs’ plan is for training camp.

The NFL 
has given the green light for all 32 teams to travel to their training 
camp sites this summer. Fans will also be allowed to watch as long as 
state and local protocols are followed.

Training camp has been at 
Missouri Western’s campus since 2010. It was held in Kansas City's 
practice facility last summer due to COVID-19. 

Missouri Western 
athletic director Josh Looney says the school's relationship with the 
Chiefs has always been positive, and he looks forward to hearing their 
plans about training camp soon.

"Obviously at Missouri Western, we
 feel very confident in our ability to host a camp this year and meet 
protocol," Looney told the Post in an interview. "We continue to work 
with the Chiefs and we're not in a position to share any dates or 
confirm things, and so it's still a bit of a waiting game."

The Chiefs are contracted to hold training camp in St. Joseph through
 2024. A full training camp schedule is expected to be announced in the 
next week or two.

"We'll follow the NFL's lead and adapt and we 
feel like we're in a good position to follow whatever protocols are 
necessary regarding training camp in 2021," Looney said.

Training 
camp has always brought hundreds of fans from Kansas City and beyond to 
St. Joseph, giving local restaurants, hotels and businesses a nice 
boost.

Looney says Kansas City's recent run of five straight 
division titles, back-to-back conference titles and a 2020 Super Bowl 
win has fueled the excitement, especially during the 2019 camp.

"We
 had a record camp and it was an unbelievable atmosphere," Looney 
recalled. "A sea of red throughout the community. We had a rally 
downtown to welcome the team to camp. Then, they go and win the Super 
Bowl. Then, in 2020 it was canceled and we were expecting another record
 camp, so I think there's pent up demand."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The city of St. 
Joseph and Missouri Western State University will soon know for sure 
what the Kansas City Chiefs’ plan is for training camp.The NFL 
has given the green light for all 32 teams to travel to their training 
camp sites this summer. Fans will also be allowed to watch as long as 
state and local protocols are followed.Training camp has been at 
Missouri Western’s campus since 2010. It was held in Kansas City's 
practice facility last summer due to COVID-19. Missouri Western 
athletic director Josh Looney says the school's relationship with the 
Chiefs has always been positive, and he looks forward to hearing their 
plans about training camp soon."Obviously at Missouri Western, we
 feel very confident in our ability to host a camp this year and meet 
protocol," Looney told the Post in an interview. "We continue to work 
with the Chiefs and we're not in a position to share any dates or 
confirm things, and so it's still a bit of a waiting game."The Chiefs are contracted to hold training camp in St. Joseph through
 2024. A full training camp schedule is expected to be announced in the 
next week or two."We'll follow the NFL's lead and adapt and we 
feel like we're in a good position to follow whatever protocols are 
necessary regarding training camp in 2021," Looney said.Training 
camp has always brought hundreds of fans from Kansas City and beyond to 
St. Joseph, giving local restaurants, hotels and businesses a nice 
boost.Looney says Kansas City's recent run of five straight 
division titles, back-to-back conference titles and a 2020 Super Bowl 
win has fueled the excitement, especially during the 2019 camp."We
 had a record camp and it was an unbelievable atmosphere," Looney 
recalled. "A sea of red throughout the community. We had a rally 
downtown to welcome the team to camp. Then, they go and win the Super 
Bowl. Then, in 2020 it was canceled and we were expecting another record
 camp, so I think there's pent up demand."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Western officials optimistic about return of Chiefs training camp

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;A.J. Kloss, who has spent the last seven seasons working with the Wildcat women’s basketball and women’s tennis teams, was recently named the strength and conditioning coach for the Kansas State men’s basketball team.

Kloss has been training with the men’s basketball team since they returned from summer workouts in early June. He replaces&nbsp;Ben O’Donnell, who resigned in late May to pursue a job in the private sector.

“First of all, I want to thank Ben for his dedication to our program these last five seasons,” said head coach&nbsp;Bruce Weber. “We are disappointed to lose him. He was well-liked by both our current and former players. He was an important part of our success and brought energy every day to our program.

“The first thing Ben told me after he was leaving was that A.J. was the right person for the job. A.J. is someone who has been around our program before as a graduate assistant, so he knows how we operate. Both Ben and A.J. have very similar philosophies of how they develop players in the weight room, and with summer workouts fast approaching, I knew A.J. would be an easy and quick transition.

Summer is such an important time in the development of our players, so it was critical to get someone in not only quickly, but also get someone who knows our players and has their respect. Having trained the women’s team, A.J. is someone that our returning players have been around and have learned to respect how he runs a weight room. It was important to consult (Coach) Jeff (Mittie), who hated to lose him, but was very, very positive of the move. He was glad that his players will still get to be around A.J.”

Kloss moves over to work with the men’s basketball team after spending the past seven seasons (2014-21) working with the women’s basketball and women’s tennis teams, including the last five in a full-time capacity. During that span, he helped the Wildcat women’s basketball team earn 125 victories, including 57 in Big 12 play, while advancing to the postseason on five occasions, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament. The women’s tennis team was also successful during his tenure training the team, registering three consecutive winning seasons (2017-20) and advancing to the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;A.J. Kloss, who has spent the last seven seasons working with the Wildcat women’s basketball and women’s tennis teams, was recently named the strength and conditioning coach for the Kansas State men’s basketball team.Kloss has been training with the men’s basketball team since they returned from summer workouts in early June. He replaces&nbsp;Ben O’Donnell, who resigned in late May to pursue a job in the private sector.“First of all, I want to thank Ben for his dedication to our program these last five seasons,” said head coach&nbsp;Bruce Weber. “We are disappointed to lose him. He was well-liked by both our current and former players. He was an important part of our success and brought energy every day to our program.“The first thing Ben told me after he was leaving was that A.J. was the right person for the job. A.J. is someone who has been around our program before as a graduate assistant, so he knows how we operate. Both Ben and A.J. have very similar philosophies of how they develop players in the weight room, and with summer workouts fast approaching, I knew A.J. would be an easy and quick transition.Summer is such an important time in the development of our players, so it was critical to get someone in not only quickly, but also get someone who knows our players and has their respect. Having trained the women’s team, A.J. is someone that our returning players have been around and have learned to respect how he runs a weight room. It was important to consult (Coach) Jeff (Mittie), who hated to lose him, but was very, very positive of the move. He was glad that his players will still get to be around A.J.”Kloss moves over to work with the men’s basketball team after spending the past seven seasons (2014-21) working with the women’s basketball and women’s tennis teams, including the last five in a full-time capacity. During that span, he helped the Wildcat women’s basketball team earn 125 victories, including 57 in Big 12 play, while advancing to the postseason on five occasions, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament. The women’s tennis team was also successful during his tenure training the team, registering three consecutive winning seasons (2017-20) and advancing to the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.In all, Kloss trained 30 All-Big 12 selections, including eight on the First Team, between the two sports as well as two Big 12 Freshman of the Year in tennis’&nbsp;Maria Linares&nbsp;(2018) and basketball’s&nbsp;Ayoka Lee&nbsp;(2019). This past season, he played a role in training Lee, who was a WBCA All-America honorable mention and a repeat First Team All-Big 12 selection. Lee led the Big 12 and ranked third nationally in field goal percentage.Kloss was also part of the support team that helped aid former Wildcat&nbsp;Peyton Williams&nbsp;in balancing her two-sport schedule with the women’s basketball and volleyball teams. Williams was a two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection (2019 and 2020) in basketball and a 2019 Second Team selection in volleyball.The Chicago native does have experience working with the men’s basketball team as a graduate assistant from 2014-16, along with his duties with the women’s basketball and tennis teams. He earned a Master’s degree from K-State in counseling and student affairs with an emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletics in 2016.“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity Coach (Bruce) Weber and his staff have given me to join the program,” said Kloss. “The last few weeks have undoubtably been bittersweet because I’m losing a colleague and a collection of student-athletes that I admire. However, I’m excited for the opportunity, optimistic for the future and hope to make this team proud.“I’ve been appreciative of the support I have received from Coach (Jeff) Mittie and Coach (Jordan) Smith throughout my tenure and during this transition. I am honored to take the torch from a first-class strength coach and valued friend,&nbsp;Ben O’Donnell. My predecessor only claimed 5-foot-7, but he left big shoes to fill - that’s not something I’m taking lightly.”While working with the women’s basketball team, Kloss was not only responsible for designing and implementing strength and conditioning programs, but also created and helped facilitate individualized rehabilitation programs for student-athlete recovery from surgical procedures or injuries.Kloss is a 2013 graduate of Iowa, where he was a strength conditioning intern assisting with the design and implementation of the strength and conditioning programs for the Hawkeye volleyball, rowing, tennis, golf, track and field, field hockey, baseball and men’s basketball teams. He earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa in health and human physiology.Kloss is a certified member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA). In 2014, he was named the Lance Vermeil Scholarship award winner from the CSCCA.