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Created: 04 September 2022

By CAMDEN MARTIN

TopSports.news

Topeka is a town rich in fun and exciting things to do.

One such thing is participating in a sports team. There’s no shortage of sports teams for youths of various ages and although becoming a member of these teams might seem vexing to those who are new, it is easy.

One such way to become involved in these teams is to take part in the Police Athletic League of Topeka, or PAL program.

The Police Athletic League of Topeka is the heart of sports for the youth living in Topeka,  offering programs to children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

PAL offers fun opportunities through the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka. Playing games of traditional sports such as basketball, baseball and flag football, there’s never a dull day with PAL. Even for those uninterested in sports, there are programs that allow for other kinds of involvement. Members are also granted the chance to participate in in activities such as boxing and chess.

In addition to physical and social opportunities, the mission of PAL is to teach the youths of Topeka important lessons in teamwork, good sportsmanship and self-discipline.

But one of the most enlightening experiences members can have is the chance to interact with the officers of the Topeka Police Department. Taking time out of their duties protecting the town they call home, these distinguished officers have chosen to dedicate their efforts to enriching the bodies and minds of local youths.

 One such officer is Sergeant William Lister, who serves as the president of PAL. Sergeant Lister freely offers his free time to enriching the lives of Topeka’s children with fun and engaging sports. Another officer serving is Lieutenant John Sturgeon, the treasurer of PAL.

With the help of these noble police officers, the Police Athletic League of Topeka has become an organization that Topeka can be proud of.

Much more than a simple sports program for children, it’s way of bringing people together, especially handy during the idle, warm months of summer. 

The Police Athletic League of Topeka has something for everyone to enjoy; whether it’s exciting sports or a different interest. One can be aware of this organization by following it on their website, Twitter and Facebook. 

If you wish to get involved in this year-long program, visit their website at paltopeka.org.

Children from K-6^th grade are accepted, with registration $25 for individuals and $125 for teams.

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Created: 01 August 2022

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Former Topeka High standout Tyrell Everett feels like every step he's made in his coaching career has been a step forward.

Tyrell Everett

But after basically one-year stints at schools in Kansas, Florida, Ohio, Iowa and Oklahoma, Everett would like to put down some roots in his new position as defensive line coach at NCAA Division II Pittsburg State.

"I'm looking forward to having the same address for awhile,'' Everett said during a visit to Topeka. "I'm excited to be back home in Kansas because not many people get to come back home and especially to be a part of a great program like Pitt State.''

Everett, who played collegiately at Butler Community College and Baker, coached at Butler CC, West Florida as a graduate assistant, Akron (GA), Tulsa (GA), and two separate stints at Clarke University before the Pittsburg State position opened up earlier this spring.

"Of course you're always interested when it comes to Pitt State, a big-time school, a big-time tradition and being from Kansas it's like a cathedral of football, especially for D-II,'' Everett said. "When I saw that opportunity come iup and I got my shot it was a blessing to even be pulled in for an interview for it.

"This job, it was something that just kind of fell in my lap. It's one of those things where just being able to build relationships helped me get this job and just being at the right spot at the right time and the right situation.''

Everett was offered the Pittsburg State position in late May and started on June 1.

"Everything is just community there and when I first got there it was an open-arm, warm welcome so it felt good to get that Midwest, Kansas hospitality,'' Everett said.

Everett joins the staff of Brian Wright, who is starting his third season as the Gorillas' head coach, including an 8-3 record in 2021.

"The staff is unbelievable and there's a reason why they've had tremendous success there in the first two years and they're going to continue to have tremendous success just with the leadership we have from coach Wright at the top on down,'' Everett said.

In addition to being a position coach Everett will have recruiting duties for the Gorillas.

"I'll be back in the Topeka area, a little bit in the Lawrence area and probably a little bit in the KC area to a little bit in the Wichita area and just be wherever they need me to go,'' Everett said. "Kansas kids work hard and they deserve to be recruited hard and that's what we're going to do.

"That's what coach Wright has put an emphasis on is winning locally and that's what we're going to work hard to do.''

Pittsburg State opens fall camp next Monday and will open its 2022 season on Sept. 1 at home against Central Missouri.

"We've got a great group of great young men that I'm excited to coach,'' Everett said.

 

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Created: 01 August 2022

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Basketball has taken Lon Kruger all over the world, but Silver Lake and the Topeka area will always be home.

Hall of Fame basketball coach Lon Kruger returned to his local roots Monday, giving the keynote address to open the KSHSAA Coaching School. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

On Monday the member of the 2022 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame class returned to his roots, serving as keynote speaker to open the 88th annual Kansas State High School Activities Association Coaching School at the Hotel Topeka at City Center.

"I appreciate the opportunity to come back home,'' said Kruger, who retired in 2021 at Oklahoma after 45 seasons in coaching. "Obviously I grew up in Silver Lake and the Topeka area and spent the first 18 years of my life here, so when Fran (Martin of the KSHSAA) called last fall to invite me to come back, I quickly said yes because any excuse I have to get back in this area I always look forward to it.

"Driving in last night I saw Stormont Vail on the building next door and I was born just down the road here in Stormont Vail Hospital in 1952.''

The former star point guard at Silver Lake and Kansas State had college coaching stints at Texas Pan-American, K-State, Florida, Illinois, UNLV and Oklahoma and Kruger was the first coach to lead five schools to NCAA Tournament wins, finishing with an overall record of 674-432.

And Kruger, who also had a stint in the NBA as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, is quick to credit his upbringing for starting him on the path to success.

 "It was the best of all circumstances,'' Kruger said. "It was the best environment. I didn't fully realize it at the time, but when I look back I could not imagine a better, more idyllic situation growing up. I had a family that was all about family, parents that were all about their kids, a community that was huge in athletics at Silver Lake. Mom and dad were all about other people and doing things for others and relationships so I think that gave me the foundation, the core that I've really tried to take advantage of throughout life.''

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Created: 01 August 2022

 By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Emporia State standout linebacker Dawson Hammes probably won't follow his father, five-time Rossville state champion Derick, into the coaching profession after he wraps up his college career this fall.

Former Rossville standout Dawson Hammes, making a tackle against Washburn, will return for his final season with Emporia State this fall, serving as a Hornet captain for the second straight season. [Emporia State Athletics]

But both Hammes and Emporia State head coach Garin Higgins agree that being a coach's son definitely helped get Dawson to where he is today.

"I've thought about (coaching), but I've seen the work my dad puts in and I know it's tough, so I think I may go down a different path,'' Hammes said during last week's MIAA Media Day. "But I respect the heck out of coaches and I'll definitely be around to make sure he's doing good and he's still loving what he does. I'm proud of him.''

Dawson Hammes helped Derick, who also played at Emporia State, win his first three state titles with the Bulldawgs and the 6-foot, 212-pounder has gone on to earn All-MIAA honorable mention the past two seasons, posting a team-high 97 total tackles last fall for the 6-6 Hornets.

Higgins said he has coached a lot of coach's sons in his long career and welcomes them into his program.

"I don't know the exact number I've had, but it's a bunch,'' Higgins said. "I was a coach's son growing up and I'm not going to say I was the perfect coach's son by any means, but the've grown up around football. You've got to find guys that love the game of football and you know a coach's son is going to cross that off your list. You know he's going to love the game of football.

"I think the thing I think about a lot is how they were raised as a coach's son and the difficulty there is in being a coach's son. And if you happen to go through some tough losses, well, you're the coach's son and you may hear things that might upset you. So I think they've been tested a lot in a lot of different areas, not only on the field.''

Hammes is starting his second season as a Hornet team captain and said he embraces the role and trying to be a leader for the younger Hornets.

"I had to come a long way as a young player so anyone can do it, I know that for a fact, but I just want to lead by example, pick up those younger guys and make sure everyone's ready to go, hold everyone accountable and just make sure we're ready to fly around and have some fun,'' Hammes said.

"Dawson's one of those guys that there's never any doubt how hard he's going to work in anything you ask him to do,'' Higgins said. "In the weight room, on the field, he's going to win by how he works.''

Hammes can't wait to get the season started and thinks the Hornets could be poised for a big year.

"It's year six, so I can't be more happy to get another opportunity, more time with my guys,'' Hammes said. "I want to take full advantage, make sure we're ready to go and lead the best we can. I'm ready to get after it.

"Five of those six losses (last season) were by a combined 19 points, so we were right there. We've just got to figure out how to set a new standard and just finish those games. We know we're close so we know we've got to do but we've got to do to make sure we do the right things to finish those.''

Emporia State will open the 2022 season at home Sept. 1 against Northeastern State.