By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Local sports icons Kyle Weems and Michael Wilhoite will be back in Topeka Friday to host the second annual Big Kev Give Back Camp, a one-of-a-kind dual basketball/football camp, on fhe campus of Washburn University
Both Weems and Wilhoite graduated from Highland Park and Wilhoite was a standout at Washburn and Weems at Missouri State before both players went on to long-time professional careers.
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 2 p.m.
Friday's camp, open to athletes 9 through 17, is named in honor of Kyle's late father, Kevin, a former Washburn University basketball player, who had a big impact on the athletic careers of both Weems and Wilhoite.
Athletes will 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.
The football portion of the camp will be held at Yager Stadium while the basketball camp will be held in Lee Arena.
Weems and Wilhoite played together at Highland Park before Weems went on to earn Missouri Valley Player of the Year basketball honors at Missouri State and Wilhoite became a football standout for Washburn University.
Wilhoite put together a seven-year NFL career as a linebacker with San Francisco and Seattle and is currently a linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos.
Weems continues to play professional basketball overseas and is currently playing in Bologna, Italy.
Among the other current and former stars expected to serve as guest coaches are former Washburn star and Super Bowl champ Cary Williams, former Ichabod and NFL player and current NFL coach Joe Hastings, Ottawa native and former NBA player Semi Ojeleye and numerous other current and former pro athletes with local ties.
The camp, which made its debut last summer at Shawnee Heights, 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.
For more information about the camp call Josh Osborn at (785) 554-3651 or email Osborn at
