By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Denver Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was in Orlando, Fla. Tuesday spending some vacation time with his family before the start of the grueling NFL season, but he was also busy trying to finalize details for Friday's third annual Big Kev Give Back Camp, a dual basketball/football camp on the campus of Washburn University.
Michael Wilhoite (left) and Kyle Weems talk to campers during last year's Big Kev Give Back Camp. The third annual camp is on tap Friday at Washburn University. [File photo/TSN]
And Wilhoite said that no matter how busy he and his close friend Kyle are, putting on the Give Back Camp will continue to be a major priority.
"It's a must,'' Wilhoite said. "There's no ifs, ands or buts about it and a lot of people around Topeka help make it happen, but no matter what's going on there's no way it's not going to happen.''
Weems and Wilhoite, who were inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame in 2021, will be joined by many other special guests to host the camp, in conjunction with Washburn, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wilhoite said that he and Weems always have plenty of current and former athletes, many who grew up in Topeka, willing to help out with the camp.
"I think they respect what we're doing and they want to be involved because they love Topeka as much as we do,'' Wilhoite said. "They grew up here and they want to give back in any way they can.
"Kyle and I have our names on it, but it's everybody in Topeka that helps make it possible.''
The camp is open to athletes 9 through 17, who have the option between all-day basketball or football camps or can split their time between half-day basketball and football camps. Athletes wishing to split their time between football and basketball are encouraged to attend the football camp in the morning session.
The cost of the camp is $20 and athletes are encouraged to register online at www.wusports.com.
Go to the list of Washburn Football Camps and scroll down to the Big Kev Give Back Camp. Those interested in attending the camp can also go to www.bkgiveback.com and click the signup link.
Wilhoite put together a seven-year NFL career as a linebacker with San Francisco and Seattle, including a Super Bowl appearance, and is his second season as an assistant coach with the Broncos.
Weems continues to play professional basketball overseas in Italy.
The camp was inspired by the wishes of Kevin Weems, who envisioned the two local stars, Weems and Wilhoite, returning to the community that helped raise them to help inspire the youth of Topeka about the potential path sports can provide for them.
And Wilhoite said he knows in is heart that Big Kev would be very proud of what he and Kyle are doing in their home town.
"I think about that all the time,'' Wilhoite said. "He would be looking down and smiling so big at that. It's hard not to get emotional every time I think about it, every time I talk about it. I think he would be proud of everything we've done and everything we've become.
"That's why everybody loved Big Kev because he loved everybody unconditionally and it didn't matter who you were of what you were or where you were from. He loved people so of course he's proud of us and that's why it's so important to keep doing what every we can to keep smiles on his face.''
For more information about the camp call Josh Osborn at (785) 554-3651 or email Osborn at
