KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;– The Kansas City Chiefs and Arrowhead Events are hosting the inaugural Red Friday Run presented by GEHA. This year’s race is virtual and will coincide with the Red Friday celebration for the NFL Kickoff Game vs. the Houston Texans on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Registration is now open at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/redfridayrun" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/redfridayrun</a>&nbsp;with two registration options available. Early-bird registration, which is open now through Monday, Aug. 31, is $30 for the general public and $25 for Chiefs Season Ticket Members. Pre-event registration, which will last from Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Sept. 13, is $40 for the general public and $35 for Season Ticket Members.

As part of their race registration, participants will receive this year’s special edition Red Friday flag, a Red Friday 5K t-shirt and their race bib, mailed directly to the address provided during registration.

With no official racecourse for this year’s event, Chiefs fans throughout the country and all over the world can participate virtually with the option to complete the 5K however they choose, including running or walking in their neighborhood, in a local park, on a nature trail or from their treadmill.

Once participants complete the 5K, they’re asked to take a photo in their Chiefs/Red Friday 5K gear with their Red Friday flag and post on social media using #RedFriday between Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 13.

“We are very excited to roll out this year’s 5K as part of our annual Red Friday celebration,” Chiefs Director of Events Jeremy Slavens said. “Shifting to a virtual race provides Chiefs fans from near and far the opportunity to connect with the team in a new and unique way as we kick off the 2020 NFL season here in Kansas City.”

The inaugural Red Friday Run presented by GEHA marks the ninth team-sponsored 5K run/walk for the Chiefs and Arrowhead Events and is designed to give all Chiefs fans the opportunity to connect with the team, even virtually. Whether you run or walk, finish with the fastest time or just run for fun, the Red Friday 5K is designed for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about the Red Friday Run, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/redfridayrun" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/redfridayrun</a>.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.&nbsp;– The Kansas City Chiefs and Arrowhead Events are hosting the inaugural Red Friday Run presented by GEHA. This year’s race is virtual and will coincide with the Red Friday celebration for the NFL Kickoff Game vs. the Houston Texans on Thursday, Sept. 10.Registration is now open at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/redfridayrun" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/redfridayrun</a>&nbsp;with two registration options available. Early-bird registration, which is open now through Monday, Aug. 31, is $30 for the general public and $25 for Chiefs Season Ticket Members. Pre-event registration, which will last from Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Sept. 13, is $40 for the general public and $35 for Season Ticket Members.As part of their race registration, participants will receive this year’s special edition Red Friday flag, a Red Friday 5K t-shirt and their race bib, mailed directly to the address provided during registration.With no official racecourse for this year’s event, Chiefs fans throughout the country and all over the world can participate virtually with the option to complete the 5K however they choose, including running or walking in their neighborhood, in a local park, on a nature trail or from their treadmill.Once participants complete the 5K, they’re asked to take a photo in their Chiefs/Red Friday 5K gear with their Red Friday flag and post on social media using #RedFriday between Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 13.“We are very excited to roll out this year’s 5K as part of our annual Red Friday celebration,” Chiefs Director of Events Jeremy Slavens said. “Shifting to a virtual race provides Chiefs fans from near and far the opportunity to connect with the team in a new and unique way as we kick off the 2020 NFL season here in Kansas City.”The inaugural Red Friday Run presented by GEHA marks the ninth team-sponsored 5K run/walk for the Chiefs and Arrowhead Events and is designed to give all Chiefs fans the opportunity to connect with the team, even virtually. Whether you run or walk, finish with the fastest time or just run for fun, the Red Friday 5K is designed for everyone to enjoy.For more information about the Red Friday Run, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chiefs.com/redfridayrun" target="_blank">www.chiefs.com/redfridayrun</a>.--- Chiefs Press Release ---

Chiefs set to host inaugural Red Friday Run

&nbsp;INDIANAPOLIS (August 10, 2020) -&nbsp;For the 12th consecutive year, the MIAA led NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball in total attendance with 251,994 fans attending games during the 2019-2020 season. It is also the eighth straight season the Association surpassed 250,000 fans for a season. The MIAA also landed seven members in the top 20 of total attendance led by Fort Hays State, which ranked fourth nationally with 30,545. Central Missouri finished eighth and Missouri Southern came in 10th. The Mules had an attendance number of 26,716 and the Lions had a figure of 25,325.&nbsp; Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri ranked 14th and 15th respectively. The Griffons recorded a total of 23,116 fans as the Bearcats drew 22,812 fans. Just behind MWSU and NW were Washburn and Emporia State. The Ichabods finished 17th with 22,032 fans and the Hornets were 18th with 21,675 fans.&nbsp; The 2020 MIAA Men’s Basketball Championship game between Northwest Missouri and Missouri Southern was the second-highest attended single-game in NCAA Division II. To see the complete attendance number for all three NCAA Divisions and how MIAA members compare,&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaa.com/services/go.ashx/a77b8913-e565-45c3-b182-b6f92ee75ba4?elinkdata=149015" target="_blank">click here.&nbsp;</a>

&nbsp;INDIANAPOLIS (August 10, 2020) -&nbsp;For the 12th consecutive year, the MIAA led NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball in total attendance with 251,994 fans attending games during the 2019-2020 season. It is also the eighth straight season the Association surpassed 250,000 fans for a season. The MIAA also landed seven members in the top 20 of total attendance led by Fort Hays State, which ranked fourth nationally with 30,545. Central Missouri finished eighth and Missouri Southern came in 10th. The Mules had an attendance number of 26,716 and the Lions had a figure of 25,325.&nbsp; Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri ranked 14th and 15th respectively. The Griffons recorded a total of 23,116 fans as the Bearcats drew 22,812 fans. Just behind MWSU and NW were Washburn and Emporia State. The Ichabods finished 17th with 22,032 fans and the Hornets were 18th with 21,675 fans.&nbsp; The 2020 MIAA Men’s Basketball Championship game between Northwest Missouri and Missouri Southern was the second-highest attended single-game in NCAA Division II. To see the complete attendance number for all three NCAA Divisions and how MIAA members compare,&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaa.com/services/go.ashx/a77b8913-e565-45c3-b182-b6f92ee75ba4?elinkdata=149015" target="_blank">click here.&nbsp;</a>--- MIAA Press Release ---

MIAA leads NCAA Division II in men's basketball attendance again

DETROIT (AP) — A doubleheader between the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers this week is being postponed to allow more time for additional COVID-19 testing.

MLB opted to postpone Thursday’s doubleheader to continue additional testing while players and staff are quarantined before the team returns to play. More details about the Cardinals’ resumption of play will be announced later this week.

The Cardinals had a series against Pittsburgh set to start on Monday postponed after a weekend series against the Cubs was scrapped due to three positive coronavirus tests.

St. Louis had two more players and a staff member test positive for the virus on Friday and have had eight positive players overall, including star catcher Yadier Molina.

There have now been 29 games postponed by Major League Baseball because of coronavirus concerns. The Cardinals have not played since July 30 and have had 15 games scrapped.

Miami and Philadelphia each had seven games postponed earlier and have returned to the field since the disruptions.

DETROIT (AP) — A doubleheader between the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers this week is being postponed to allow more time for additional COVID-19 testing.MLB opted to postpone Thursday’s doubleheader to continue additional testing while players and staff are quarantined before the team returns to play. More details about the Cardinals’ resumption of play will be announced later this week.The Cardinals had a series against Pittsburgh set to start on Monday postponed after a weekend series against the Cubs was scrapped due to three positive coronavirus tests.St. Louis had two more players and a staff member test positive for the virus on Friday and have had eight positive players overall, including star catcher Yadier Molina.There have now been 29 games postponed by Major League Baseball because of coronavirus concerns. The Cardinals have not played since July 30 and have had 15 games scrapped.Miami and Philadelphia each had seven games postponed earlier and have returned to the field since the disruptions.--- Associated Press ---

Cardinals-Tigers doubleheader on Thursday postponed

In an effort to provide the opportunity for students to participate in activities and create the safest environment for our students and their families, the Midland Empire Conference (MEC) Board of Contral has implemented the following guidelines for attendance at activities at member schools for the fall activities season:

- Attendance will be limited to immediate family members of participants (parents, grandparents, guardians, siblings). Individual students will not be admitted.

- Fans (including any family members that are students) will be expected to sit with their families and maintain social distancing from other fans.  There will be no student section.

- Face coverings will be required at all indoor events and may be required at outdoor events, subject to local health guidelines.

- Band and dance teams will be allowed to perform and attend home events and their immediate families will be admitted as well.  Band and dance teams will not remain at the event once their performances have concluded.  To minimize the number of fans at the event, families of band and dance teams are encouraged to attend only the performance of their respective students.  There will be no pep band.

- Cheerleaders will be allowed at home and away events and their immediate families will be admitted.

The goal of the MEC Board of Control is to take as many precautions as possible to provide these opportunities for our students.  Additionally, it is the goal of the Board of Control to create an opportunity for families to attend these events in person.  These guidelines are subject to modification based upon directives and recommendations from health care professionals.

In an effort to provide the opportunity for students to participate in activities and create the safest environment for our students and their families, the Midland Empire Conference (MEC) Board of Contral has implemented the following guidelines for attendance at activities at member schools for the fall activities season:- Attendance will be limited to immediate family members of participants (parents, grandparents, guardians, siblings). Individual students will not be admitted.- Fans (including any family members that are students) will be expected to sit with their families and maintain social distancing from other fans. There will be no student section.- Face coverings will be required at all indoor events and may be required at outdoor events, subject to local health guidelines.- Band and dance teams will be allowed to perform and attend home events and their immediate families will be admitted as well. Band and dance teams will not remain at the event once their performances have concluded. To minimize the number of fans at the event, families of band and dance teams are encouraged to attend only the performance of their respective students. There will be no pep band.- Cheerleaders will be allowed at home and away events and their immediate families will be admitted.The goal of the MEC Board of Control is to take as many precautions as possible to provide these opportunities for our students. Additionally, it is the goal of the Board of Control to create an opportunity for families to attend these events in person. These guidelines are subject to modification based upon directives and recommendations from health care professionals.--- MEC Press Release ---

MEC releases guidelines for attendance at sporting events this fall

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Hunter Dozier hit a two-run single in his first at-bat since testing positive for COVID-19, prized prospect Brady Singer earned his first major league win and the Kansas City Royals swept the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Sunday.

The Royals won their fourth in a row overall. The Twins lost all three at Kauffman Stadium and have dropped four straight.

Dozier, who hit 26 home runs last year and tied for the big league lead with 10 triples, hadn't played this season while recovering from the virus. He quickly delivered, putting the Royals ahead 2-0 in the first inning.

"Each guy just keeps getting better and I'm really impressed," Royals manager Mike Matheny said. "Dozier was in here pretty early today and we are happy he is back."

Singer (1-1) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. A 24-year-old righty, the Royals' first-round draft pick in 2018 struck out four and walked two in his fourth start in the majors.

"I'm really happy about it, but hopefully it's just the start," Singer said. "I felt good the whole outing and my body felt strong."

The Kansas City bullpen threw four shutout innings, striking out six and allowing just two hits. After Greg Holland and Josh Staumont blanked the Twins, Scott Barlow closed for his first save.

"We're always ready to go," Staumont said. "We've been fighting so the clubhouse was negative, but we knew we needed to change it."

Jose Berrios (1-2) went 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs. He allowed Maikel Franco's leadoff homer in the sixth.

A wild pickoff throw by Singer helped the Twins score twice in the third, keyed by Max Kepler's RBI double.

"In general, the offense is probably a little flat," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "Why that is, couldn't give you an exact answer. But I think that's probably a point of emphasis and something we can focus on."

Salvador Perez hit a sacrifice fly in the Royals third for a 3-2 lead.

Royals: OF Franchy Cordero was placed on the IL (right wrist sprain) and Dozier was reinstated.

Twins: RHP Randy Dobnak (2-1, 0.60 ERA) takes the mound in Milwaukee on Monday.

Royals: LHP Kris Bubic makes his third start of the season, facing Cincinnati on Tuesday night.

Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Hunter Dozier hit a two-run single in his first at-bat since testing positive for COVID-19, prized prospect Brady Singer earned his first major league win and the Kansas City Royals swept the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Sunday.The Royals won their fourth in a row overall. The Twins lost all three at Kauffman Stadium and have dropped four straight.Dozier, who hit 26 home runs last year and tied for the big league lead with 10 triples, hadn't played this season while recovering from the virus. He quickly delivered, putting the Royals ahead 2-0 in the first inning."Each guy just keeps getting better and I'm really impressed," Royals manager Mike Matheny said. "Dozier was in here pretty early today and we are happy he is back."Singer (1-1) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. A 24-year-old righty, the Royals' first-round draft pick in 2018 struck out four and walked two in his fourth start in the majors."I'm really happy about it, but hopefully it's just the start," Singer said. "I felt good the whole outing and my body felt strong."The Kansas City bullpen threw four shutout innings, striking out six and allowing just two hits. After Greg Holland and Josh Staumont blanked the Twins, Scott Barlow closed for his first save."We're always ready to go," Staumont said. "We've been fighting so the clubhouse was negative, but we knew we needed to change it."Jose Berrios (1-2) went 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs. He allowed Maikel Franco's leadoff homer in the sixth.A wild pickoff throw by Singer helped the Twins score twice in the third, keyed by Max Kepler's RBI double."In general, the offense is probably a little flat," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "Why that is, couldn't give you an exact answer. But I think that's probably a point of emphasis and something we can focus on."Salvador Perez hit a sacrifice fly in the Royals third for a 3-2 lead.TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: OF Franchy Cordero was placed on the IL (right wrist sprain) and Dozier was reinstated.UP NEXTTwins: RHP Randy Dobnak (2-1, 0.60 ERA) takes the mound in Milwaukee on Monday.Royals: LHP Kris Bubic makes his third start of the season, facing Cincinnati on Tuesday night.

Royals complete sweep of Twins with 4-2 win Sunday

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The entire three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis that was set to begin Monday night at Busch Stadium has been postponed while the Cardinals deal with a COVID-19 outbreak.

There have now been 27 games postponed by Major League Baseball because of coronavirus concerns. The Cardinals have not played since July 30 and have had 13 games scrapped.

MLB said Sunday night that the league and the Cardinals “believe it is prudent to conduct additional testing while players and staff are quarantined before the team returns to play.”

The Cardinals’ weekend series at home against the Chicago Cubs was called off Friday after two more St. Louis players and a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus. Eight of their players in total have tested positive, including star catcher Yadier Molina.

On Sunday morning, the Pirates learned that Monday night’s opener in St. Louis had been postponed.

“Obviously we don’t want the whole series to get canceled,” Pittsburgh catcher Jacob Stallings said before a home game against Detroit. “I think we’re grateful that we get a day off. It’s been obviously a tough stretch. Our pitching could use it. And you know, we’ve had a tough schedule to start the year, so grateful for the day off, but then also everybody doesn’t want three games canceled; we want to get those games in.”

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The entire three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis that was set to begin Monday night at Busch Stadium has been postponed while the Cardinals deal with a COVID-19 outbreak.There have now been 27 games postponed by Major League Baseball because of coronavirus concerns. The Cardinals have not played since July 30 and have had 13 games scrapped.Miami and Philadelphia each had seven games postponed earlier and have returned to the field since the disruptions.MLB said Sunday night that the league and the Cardinals “believe it is prudent to conduct additional testing while players and staff are quarantined before the team returns to play.”The Cardinals’ weekend series at home against the Chicago Cubs was called off Friday after two more St. Louis players and a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus. Eight of their players in total have tested positive, including star catcher Yadier Molina.On Sunday morning, the Pirates learned that Monday night’s opener in St. Louis had been postponed.“Obviously we don’t want the whole series to get canceled,” Pittsburgh catcher Jacob Stallings said before a home game against Detroit. “I think we’re grateful that we get a day off. It’s been obviously a tough stretch. Our pitching could use it. And you know, we’ve had a tough schedule to start the year, so grateful for the day off, but then also everybody doesn’t want three games canceled; we want to get those games in.”--- Associated Press ---

Entire Cardinals-Pirates three-game series postponed

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- One of these days, Royals manager Mike Matheny hopes to see Jorge Soler smile when he trots around the bases.

It didn't happen after either of Soler's two homers Saturday night.

Maybe if he didn't just miss on another one that was caught at the warning track.

The slugging outfielder's big power output included a three-run shot during ago-ahead six-run fourth inning, when Nicky Lopez and Salvador Perez also went deep, and helped to push Kansas City to a 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins that clinched its first winning series against the AL Central rivals since September 2018.

"It's my goal to get him to smile one time when he comes around. That has to be fun to be able to do that," said Matheny, whose club has won three straight on the heels of a six-game slide. "I'm sure he must be smiling on the inside."

Soler and Perez went back-to-back for the second time this season, and it was the first time the Royals hit three homers in an inning since Aug. 19, 2018, against the White Sox. Lopez's two-run shot came off Lewis Thorpe (0-1) and tied the game.

Tyler Zuber (1-1) earned the win in relief of Danny Duffy. Trevor Rosenthal got four outs for his second straight save.

"The bullpen once again came in and did a fantastic job for us," Matheny said, "but that inning where we give up four and we come right back and take six, that's special, and that sort of thing can carry a club for a while, knowing you have that kind of talent and that kind of ability. The three home runs are huge right there."

Nelson Cruz, Byron Buxton and Max Kepler went deep for the Twins, who lost the series opener in a 3-2 pitching duel.

Soler began the show with his homer leading off the third against former Royals pitcher Jake Odorizzi, who was making his season debut for Minnesota after dealing with a sore muscle in his ribs. That gave Kansas City a 2-0 lead.

The Twins answered with a pair of homers in the fourth. Cruz hit the first leading off, the ninth time the 40-year-old slugger has gone deep in his last 12 games against Kansas City. Buxton's three-run shot was the second, giving him homers in three consecutive games after a slow start to the season.

"To put up those runs, it was big inning for us," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "It was a big moment the next half-inning when they put up some runs, too."

The Royals' big rally in the fourth began with a simple single by Maikel Franco, but Lopez immediately followed with his third career homer to tie the game. Brett Phillips and Whit Merrifield continued the charge with singles, and Soler added a three-run shot for his first multi-homer game since -- coincidentally -- facing the Twins last September.

Perez added his homer to cap the six-run inning. That's more than the Royals had scored in all but two games this season.

The Twins got a run back on Buxton's single in the sixth, and another when Kepler went deep in the seventh, before the Kansas City bullpen closed down the last two innings to raise the possibility of a series sweep.

"We decided to go out there and fight. We put a bunch of hits together," Soler said. "That was a big stand."

CF Nick Heath (strained left hamstring) was placed on the injured list and RHP Chance Adams recalled prior to the game. Heath hurt his hamstring on a stolen base attempt in the series opener Friday night.

Twins: 2B Luis Arraez (sore right knee) was back in the starting lineup after missing the past two games. ... 1B Miguel Sano started despite a sore right wrist. His glove was knocked off trying to tag a runner Friday night.

Royals: 1B Ryan O'Hearn fouled a pitch off his right shin in the fourth inning. He was checked by manager Mike Matheny and trainer Nick Kenney but stayed in the game until the fifth, when he was replaced by Franchy Cordero.

Royals RHP Brady Singer (0-1, 4.80 ERA) makes his fourth start and the first of his career at Kauffman Stadium when the rookie takes the hill in Sunday's series finale. The Twins counter with RHP Jose Berrios (1-1, 4.80), who allowed one run on four hits in six innings in a win Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.

Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- One of these days, Royals manager Mike Matheny hopes to see Jorge Soler smile when he trots around the bases.It didn't happen after either of Soler's two homers Saturday night.Maybe if he didn't just miss on another one that was caught at the warning track.The slugging outfielder's big power output included a three-run shot during ago-ahead six-run fourth inning, when Nicky Lopez and Salvador Perez also went deep, and helped to push Kansas City to a 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins that clinched its first winning series against the AL Central rivals since September 2018."It's my goal to get him to smile one time when he comes around. That has to be fun to be able to do that," said Matheny, whose club has won three straight on the heels of a six-game slide. "I'm sure he must be smiling on the inside."Soler and Perez went back-to-back for the second time this season, and it was the first time the Royals hit three homers in an inning since Aug. 19, 2018, against the White Sox. Lopez's two-run shot came off Lewis Thorpe (0-1) and tied the game.Tyler Zuber (1-1) earned the win in relief of Danny Duffy. Trevor Rosenthal got four outs for his second straight save."The bullpen once again came in and did a fantastic job for us," Matheny said, "but that inning where we give up four and we come right back and take six, that's special, and that sort of thing can carry a club for a while, knowing you have that kind of talent and that kind of ability. The three home runs are huge right there."Nelson Cruz, Byron Buxton and Max Kepler went deep for the Twins, who lost the series opener in a 3-2 pitching duel.This one was decided by the long ball.Soler began the show with his homer leading off the third against former Royals pitcher Jake Odorizzi, who was making his season debut for Minnesota after dealing with a sore muscle in his ribs. That gave Kansas City a 2-0 lead.The Twins answered with a pair of homers in the fourth. Cruz hit the first leading off, the ninth time the 40-year-old slugger has gone deep in his last 12 games against Kansas City. Buxton's three-run shot was the second, giving him homers in three consecutive games after a slow start to the season."To put up those runs, it was big inning for us," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "It was a big moment the next half-inning when they put up some runs, too."The Royals' big rally in the fourth began with a simple single by Maikel Franco, but Lopez immediately followed with his third career homer to tie the game. Brett Phillips and Whit Merrifield continued the charge with singles, and Soler added a three-run shot for his first multi-homer game since -- coincidentally -- facing the Twins last September.Perez added his homer to cap the six-run inning. That's more than the Royals had scored in all but two games this season.The Twins got a run back on Buxton's single in the sixth, and another when Kepler went deep in the seventh, before the Kansas City bullpen closed down the last two innings to raise the possibility of a series sweep."We decided to go out there and fight. We put a bunch of hits together," Soler said. "That was a big stand."ROYALS MOVESCF Nick Heath (strained left hamstring) was placed on the injured list and RHP Chance Adams recalled prior to the game. Heath hurt his hamstring on a stolen base attempt in the series opener Friday night.TRAINER'S ROOMTwins: 2B Luis Arraez (sore right knee) was back in the starting lineup after missing the past two games. ... 1B Miguel Sano started despite a sore right wrist. His glove was knocked off trying to tag a runner Friday night.Royals: 1B Ryan O'Hearn fouled a pitch off his right shin in the fourth inning. He was checked by manager Mike Matheny and trainer Nick Kenney but stayed in the game until the fifth, when he was replaced by Franchy Cordero.UP NEXTRoyals RHP Brady Singer (0-1, 4.80 ERA) makes his fourth start and the first of his career at Kauffman Stadium when the rookie takes the hill in Sunday's series finale. The Twins counter with RHP Jose Berrios (1-1, 4.80), who allowed one run on four hits in six innings in a win Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.

Royals defeat Twins 9-6 for third straight win

ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced late Friday (Aug. 7) that it will push its conference games to the spring of 2021 and still allow its 11 member schools to play non-conference football games this fall, if they choose to do so.

The action was approved by vote of the MVFC President’s Council in response to growing national concerns about the safety of college football within the landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Even though game schedules and start dates have yet to be determined for a spring season, the new plan would still call for each team to play eight MVFC games with the spring season culminating with the FCS Playoffs..

“Now that we have some direction from the conference, it gives us an opportunity to start planning how we want to handle our non-conference opportunities this fall,” said Missouri State Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. “We look forward to competing within our conference for NCAA Championship bids in the spring.

“The health and safety of our student-athletes remains our top priority as we begin evaluating those short-term and long-term schedules.”

Montana was scheduled as the Bears’ opponent in MSU’s Sept. 12 home opener, however the Big Sky Conference also announced Friday it would be going to a spring-only schedule. That would leave FBS foe Oklahoma and FCS independent Tarleton State as MSU’s remaining contracted, non-conference games for the fall. 

Moats noted that a decision on Missouri State’s non-conference dates will be made in the coming days.

ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced late Friday (Aug. 7) that it will push its conference games to the spring of 2021 and still allow its 11 member schools to play non-conference football games this fall, if they choose to do so.The action was approved by vote of the MVFC President’s Council in response to growing national concerns about the safety of college football within the landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though game schedules and start dates have yet to be determined for a spring season, the new plan would still call for each team to play eight MVFC games with the spring season culminating with the FCS Playoffs..“Now that we have some direction from the conference, it gives us an opportunity to start planning how we want to handle our non-conference opportunities this fall,” said Missouri State Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. “We look forward to competing within our conference for NCAA Championship bids in the spring.“The health and safety of our student-athletes remains our top priority as we begin evaluating those short-term and long-term schedules.”Montana was scheduled as the Bears’ opponent in MSU’s Sept. 12 home opener, however the Big Sky Conference also announced Friday it would be going to a spring-only schedule. That would leave FBS foe Oklahoma and FCS independent Tarleton State as MSU’s remaining contracted, non-conference games for the fall. Moats noted that a decision on Missouri State’s non-conference dates will be made in the coming days.--- MSU Athletics ---

Missouri Valley Football Conference moves league games to the spring

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ryan McBroom hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, the Kansas City pitching staff held the powerful Twins to just a pair of solo homers, and the Royals beat Minnesota 3-2 on Friday night.

Nick Heath and Nicky Lopez also drove in runs for the Royals, who have won two straight after a six-game slide.

Jakob Junis served up homers to Byron Buxton and Marwin Gonzalez before leaving with two outs in the fifth inning, and Greg Holland (2-0) led four relievers in holding down the Twins the rest of the way. Trevor Rosenthal retired the final three batters in order for his second save.

Matt Wisler (0-1) served up McBroom's homer as Minnesota lost a one-run game for the second consecutive night.

The quintessential power-versus-pluck game played out through the first five innings.

The Twins, who came into the game fourth in the league in homers, got another when Buxton went deep for the second straight night leading off third. Gonzalez hit his over the center field fence with one down in the fourth.

The Royals, whose popgun offense came alive with 13 runs against the Cubs on Thursday, resorted to small-ball to coax across their first runs. Maikel Franco scored in the third after a double, sacrifice bunt from Lopez and a base hit by Heath, and Alex Gordon scored in the fifth after a single, Franco's groundout and Lopez's sharp single.

Whit Merrifield nearly broke the game open with a three-run shot later in the fifth, but Twins left fielder Nick Cave drifted back to the wall and made a leaping grab in front of the Minnesota bullpen to keep the game knotted 2-all.

The Royals finally got a long-ball of their own when McBroom hit the second of his career in the sixth.

The game was halted in the fifth inning for a sudden downpour that was over so quickly the grounds crew never fully got the tarp unrolled. In fact, most of the players never left the field before resuming after a 9-minute delay. The game pressed on the rest of the way despite constant thunder and lightning.

Before the game, the Royals reinstated RHP Jorge Lopez from the bereavement list and designated him for assignment. They also reinstated RHP Chance Adams from the injured list and optioned him to their alternate training site, and they transferred LHP Mike Montgomery (lat strain) and RHP Glenn Sparkman (right forearm strain) to the 60-day IL.

Royals: Heath (left hamstring strain) left in the fifth inning. Brett Phillips replaced him. ... RF Hunter Dozier continues to progress at the club's alternate site after returning from COVID-19. "He's feeling good health-wise and I think it's just that timing," manager Mike Matheny said. "It just takes a little while."

Twins: 3B Josh Donaldson (right calf strain) was place on the IL retroactive to Tuesday. He was hurt against the Indians on July 31. ... 2B Luis Arraez (sore right knee) was out of the lineup for the second straight day.

Twins RHP Jake Odorizzi makes his season debut Saturday against his former team after missing the start of the season with a right intercostal strain. He will face Royals LHP Danny Duffy (0-2, 4.11 ERA).

"Is Jake going to go out there and throw 110 (pitches) in his first start? No," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "We're just going to let him pitch and hopefully he can pitch us somewhere into the middle of the game."

Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ryan McBroom hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, the Kansas City pitching staff held the powerful Twins to just a pair of solo homers, and the Royals beat Minnesota 3-2 on Friday night.Nick Heath and Nicky Lopez also drove in runs for the Royals, who have won two straight after a six-game slide.Jakob Junis served up homers to Byron Buxton and Marwin Gonzalez before leaving with two outs in the fifth inning, and Greg Holland (2-0) led four relievers in holding down the Twins the rest of the way. Trevor Rosenthal retired the final three batters in order for his second save.Matt Wisler (0-1) served up McBroom's homer as Minnesota lost a one-run game for the second consecutive night.The quintessential power-versus-pluck game played out through the first five innings.The Twins, who came into the game fourth in the league in homers, got another when Buxton went deep for the second straight night leading off third. Gonzalez hit his over the center field fence with one down in the fourth.The Royals, whose popgun offense came alive with 13 runs against the Cubs on Thursday, resorted to small-ball to coax across their first runs. Maikel Franco scored in the third after a double, sacrifice bunt from Lopez and a base hit by Heath, and Alex Gordon scored in the fifth after a single, Franco's groundout and Lopez's sharp single.Whit Merrifield nearly broke the game open with a three-run shot later in the fifth, but Twins left fielder Nick Cave drifted back to the wall and made a leaping grab in front of the Minnesota bullpen to keep the game knotted 2-all.The Royals finally got a long-ball of their own when McBroom hit the second of his career in the sixth.POP-UP SHOWERThe game was halted in the fifth inning for a sudden downpour that was over so quickly the grounds crew never fully got the tarp unrolled. In fact, most of the players never left the field before resuming after a 9-minute delay. The game pressed on the rest of the way despite constant thunder and lightning.ROYALS MOVESBefore the game, the Royals reinstated RHP Jorge Lopez from the bereavement list and designated him for assignment. They also reinstated RHP Chance Adams from the injured list and optioned him to their alternate training site, and they transferred LHP Mike Montgomery (lat strain) and RHP Glenn Sparkman (right forearm strain) to the 60-day IL.TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: Heath (left hamstring strain) left in the fifth inning. Brett Phillips replaced him. ... RF Hunter Dozier continues to progress at the club's alternate site after returning from COVID-19. "He's feeling good health-wise and I think it's just that timing," manager Mike Matheny said. "It just takes a little while."Twins: 3B Josh Donaldson (right calf strain) was place on the IL retroactive to Tuesday. He was hurt against the Indians on July 31. ... 2B Luis Arraez (sore right knee) was out of the lineup for the second straight day.UP NEXTTwins RHP Jake Odorizzi makes his season debut Saturday against his former team after missing the start of the season with a right intercostal strain. He will face Royals LHP Danny Duffy (0-2, 4.11 ERA)."Is Jake going to go out there and throw 110 (pitches) in his first start? No," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "We're just going to let him pitch and hopefully he can pitch us somewhere into the middle of the game."

Royals take opener against Minnesota 3-2

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The entire three-game series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis at Busch Stadium was postponed Friday night after two more Cardinals players and a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.

Major League Baseball announced that the whole weekend set was off. Hours earlier, MLB said Friday night’s game had been scrapped to ensure everyone affected on the Cardinals was identified.

There have been 24 games postponed in the majors this season because of coronavirus concerns.

St. Louis has missed 10 games while Miami and Philadelphia each have had seven postponements. In order to complete the 60-game schedule in this shortened season, the Cardinals will have to play 55 games in 49 games once they return to the field.

The Cardinals have been off since last Friday, when two players returned positive coronavirus tests. Eight St. Louis players in total have tested positive, including star catcher Yadier Molina.

The Cardinals spent five days in quarantine in a Milwaukee hotel before finally being cleared to travel back to St. Louis late Tuesday, when they returned negative tests for the second straight day. They got workouts in at home and had been prepared to return to the field Friday.

St. Louis’ next game is scheduled for Monday at home against Pittsburgh. The Cubs are set to play Tuesday at Cleveland.

MLB released its most recent testing numbers Friday. The league said there were 13,043 samples taken last week with 13 positive results for a 0.1% positive rate. During the monitoring phase, there have been 53,826 overall samples that have returned 71 positives for a 0.1% positive rate. Of those 71 positive results, 49 are players and 22 are staff.

Among the players who confirmed they tested positive for COVID-19 were a pair of All-Stars in Molina and Paul DeJong.

Before Friday’s postponement, the Cardinals had already added three doubleheaders against the Brewers to a previously scheduled series to make up their three games postponed last weekend. Milwaukee will host doubleheaders Sept. 18 and 20 and will serve as the home team in the opener of a twinbill in St. Louis on Sept. 25.

The Cardinals will make up this week’s series against the Detroit Tigers with doubleheaders Aug. 13 and Sept. 10. St. Louis had been scheduled to play the Chicago White Sox at the Field of Dreams in Iowa on Aug. 13. Those teams will play in Chicago on Aug. 14 instead.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The entire three-game series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis at Busch Stadium was postponed Friday night after two more Cardinals players and a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.Major League Baseball announced that the whole weekend set was off. Hours earlier, MLB said Friday night’s game had been scrapped to ensure everyone affected on the Cardinals was identified.There have been 24 games postponed in the majors this season because of coronavirus concerns.St. Louis has missed 10 games while Miami and Philadelphia each have had seven postponements. In order to complete the 60-game schedule in this shortened season, the Cardinals will have to play 55 games in 49 games once they return to the field.The Cardinals have been off since last Friday, when two players returned positive coronavirus tests. Eight St. Louis players in total have tested positive, including star catcher Yadier Molina.The Cardinals spent five days in quarantine in a Milwaukee hotel before finally being cleared to travel back to St. Louis late Tuesday, when they returned negative tests for the second straight day. They got workouts in at home and had been prepared to return to the field Friday.St. Louis’ next game is scheduled for Monday at home against Pittsburgh. The Cubs are set to play Tuesday at Cleveland.MLB released its most recent testing numbers Friday. The league said there were 13,043 samples taken last week with 13 positive results for a 0.1% positive rate. During the monitoring phase, there have been 53,826 overall samples that have returned 71 positives for a 0.1% positive rate. Of those 71 positive results, 49 are players and 22 are staff.Among the players who confirmed they tested positive for COVID-19 were a pair of All-Stars in Molina and Paul DeJong.Before Friday’s postponement, the Cardinals had already added three doubleheaders against the Brewers to a previously scheduled series to make up their three games postponed last weekend. Milwaukee will host doubleheaders Sept. 18 and 20 and will serve as the home team in the opener of a twinbill in St. Louis on Sept. 25.The Cardinals will make up this week’s series against the Detroit Tigers with doubleheaders Aug. 13 and Sept. 10. St. Louis had been scheduled to play the Chicago White Sox at the Field of Dreams in Iowa on Aug. 13. Those teams will play in Chicago on Aug. 14 instead.--- Associated Press ---

Entire Cards-Cubs series postponed after more positive tests

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 7, 2020) - The MIAA has released statements regarding Wednesday's announcement by the NCAA Division II President’s Council to cancel the 2020 NCAA Division II Fall Championships, and also the NCAA's release of new COVID-19 Mitigation Requirements for practices and competition this year in all three divisions.

“Like last winter and spring, our hearts break again for MIAA student-athletes and coaches who will not have an opportunity this fall to compete for NCAA national championships.  Our student-athletes train to be the best in the country in their particular sport, and it is very difficult to accept when that pinnacle event is taken away,” stated MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy.

The new NCAA COVID-19 mitigation requirements include Testing Protocols for all student-athletes and key athletics personnel (regardless of local health procedures and guidelines), and legal and insurance restrictions for schools that decide to practice or compete this fall in any sport.  The MIAA COVID-19 Task Force, MIAA Athletic Directors and the MIAA CEO Council continue to meet and discuss how these new requirements impact MIAA plans for athletic department activities this fall.  The MIAA CEO Council is scheduled to meet again on August 13.

"As an Association, we are committed to exploring every option available for MIAA student-athletes and coaches to be engaged in meaningful intercollegiate athletic activities this fall.  Our commitment remains that we will do this in a healthy and safe environment for MIAA students, coaches and staff,” added President Steve Scott of Pittsburg State University and chairperson of the MIAA CEO Council.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 7, 2020) - The MIAA has released statements regarding Wednesday's announcement by the NCAA Division II President’s Council to cancel the 2020 NCAA Division II Fall Championships, and also the NCAA's release of new COVID-19 Mitigation Requirements for practices and competition this year in all three divisions.“Like last winter and spring, our hearts break again for MIAA student-athletes and coaches who will not have an opportunity this fall to compete for NCAA national championships. Our student-athletes train to be the best in the country in their particular sport, and it is very difficult to accept when that pinnacle event is taken away,” stated MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy.The new NCAA COVID-19 mitigation requirements include Testing Protocols for all student-athletes and key athletics personnel (regardless of local health procedures and guidelines), and legal and insurance restrictions for schools that decide to practice or compete this fall in any sport. The MIAA COVID-19 Task Force, MIAA Athletic Directors and the MIAA CEO Council continue to meet and discuss how these new requirements impact MIAA plans for athletic department activities this fall. The MIAA CEO Council is scheduled to meet again on August 13."As an Association, we are committed to exploring every option available for MIAA student-athletes and coaches to be engaged in meaningful intercollegiate athletic activities this fall. Our commitment remains that we will do this in a healthy and safe environment for MIAA students, coaches and staff,” added President Steve Scott of Pittsburg State University and chairperson of the MIAA CEO Council.--- MIAA Press Release ---

MIAA statement regarding recent NCAA COVID-19 announcements

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-05/what-a-pending-football-game-says-about-covid-19-the-fate-small-colleges-and-college-towns">Kansas News Service</a>

STERLING —&nbsp;There’s a lot riding on a kickoff set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

The
 Sterling College Warriors are scheduled to take on the McPherson 
College Bulldogs at home. If that familiar thud of shoe against football
 and cheer from the stands doesn’t happen, the college that keeps the 
central Kansas town’s economy humming, that gives it cultural vitality, 
and that separates Sterling from the hollowing out that defines so many 
other small Midwestern towns, might not survive.

The school, after
 133 years, could die and doom the town that takes such pride in the 
football squad and embraces the student body like family.

“If 
COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” said Jeb Miller, a non-traditional senior at 
Sterling College. “And, as a result, harm a lot of small towns. Badly.”

Hundreds
 of small colleges dotting the country rely on students paying tens of 
thousands of dollars a year in exchange for a distinctive, personal, 
high-touch college experience.

Many of those colleges hung on 
year-to-year even before the pandemic. Now COVID-19 threatens to cut off
 the oxygen sustaining these schools, and the sports programs that drive
 enrollment.

But the very thing small colleges need to stay afloat
 — students coming in, spending money, playing sports — also poses a 
major risk to relatively isolated little towns that, so far, have dodged
 major coronavirus outbreaks.

Only about 2,200 people live in 
Sterling out on the flat, flat plains of south-central Kansas. But this 
small city boasts an almost idyllic downtown. New office buildings. Two 
good coffee shops. A nice grocery store, a bowling alley, you name it.

Sterling
 has good schools, competitive sports teams. Locals say school plays, 
games and concerts draw big crowds. Without the college, the money, 
diversity and energy that defines life in Sterling could evaporate 
quickly.

“There is just so much overlap,” said Kyler Comley, a 
Sterling College senior who’s lived in the town all his life. “The 
community supports the college. The college supports the community. You 
know, you just see how everything’s intertwined and how people are just 
so overly giving and involved.”

Every student attending Sterling 
College gets paired with a family in town. Those families speak 
endearingly about their adopted scholars.

The students left in 
March. Most haven’t come back. Like many people here, Sterling criminal 
justice professor Mark Tremaine said that starting classes up again in 
person this month is make or break for Sterling College.

“The 
bottom line is, we’ve got to get students back to campus. If we’re going
 to survive,” he said.“We have to accept whatever the risks are and do 
it.”

And that’s the plan. Sterling doesn’t have much of a choice.

“We
 have committed to open up in the fall,” Sterling College President 
Scott Rich said. “With face to face classes, face-to-face coursework, 
dorms and activities and full swing. But we’re committed to doing it 
safely.”

Rich said the school will quarantine students coming back to the 
dorms, test them liberally, and isolate those who come down sick in 
local hotels.

Rich said the freshman class looks strong, with 
about 200 new students. But he is desperately trying to woo 50 or so 
upperclassmen who haven’t signed on this year. The school needs them 
because, like many other small institutions, Sterling College scrapes by
 from year to year.

“We’re always dependent upon enrollment, 
always dependent upon that next year, always dependent upon persistence 
or retention,” Rich said. “We have to get students to come back.”

Other small-town schools across the country, and the communities tied to their fate, face the same existential crisis.

“Some
 of the people I know are looking at hundreds of colleges going out of 
business within the next several years, if this pandemic continues and 
if the economic devastation associated with it continues,” said Scott 
Carlson with the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Small liberal arts
 colleges have been shaky for years. Enrollments have slumped, 
endowments have been drained. Many schools have piled on debt in a 
building boom fueled by competition for students.

Most offer 
courses online, but online classes don’t pay the bills. Small schools 
survive only by providing an expensive, in-person college experience. 
And Carlson said the pandemic shreds that business model, and threatens 
to trigger the higher education equivalent of a mass extinction.

“It’s
 kind of sad," he said. "These colleges are unique, little entities all 
on their own, and each one of them provides a unique spin on higher 
education.”

Sterling College, 
for instance, leans heavily on a particular interpretation of 
Christianity. Guarding the front door of the classic, old limestone 
building that anchors campus is a statue of Christ — not being tortured 
on the cross, but humbly washing the feet of a disciple. “Servant 
leadership,” as anyone here will tell you, guides the campus ethic.

But Jesus doesn’t keep the lights on here. Football does.

“We
 do have a good football team,” said Sterling’s athletic director, Scott
 Downing. “They’ve been fairly successful the last dozen years and been 
to the national playoffs, won the conference championship.”

The team helps bring the students together, but more importantly, it drives enrollment.

“With
 a football team number of about 125 to 135 student-athletes, quite a 
bit of our student body is involved in that sport,” Downing said.

That’s
 an understatement. There are only about 500 students on campus in a 
given year, one in four is on the football team. And there are 20 other 
sports.

The chance to play college sports is a major selling point
 for schools like Sterling. It drives enrollment. But in a pandemic, 
sports can be vectors for disease. And Jed Miller, who’s finishing his 
degree at Sterling online next year, says that’s another vulnerability.

“If
 COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” he said. “And as a result, hurt a lot of small 
towns ... badly.”

So, the same colleges that keep some small towns vibrant now pose a particular threat to public health.

“The
 college probably is the most dangerous element for us in terms of 
COVID,” said Kristina Darnauer, a family practice doctor in Sterling. 
“It potentially brings back students from all over the US who have 
variable levels of exposure.”

Darnauer is torn. She loves 
Sterling, loves the college, and fully appreciates how important it is 
to the school and the town that college ramp almost as normal this fall.

But
 she’s got patients to care for. And she said this county, with only one
 hospital and no intensive care unit is not ready for a cluster of 
coronavirus cases.

“If we have a huge outbreak,” Darnauer said, “we’re going to be out of resources very quickly.”

Small colleges and college towns across much of the country face the same worries.

But
 some analysts say that a pruning of universities may prove inevitable, 
and that the coronavirus has only sped up the thinning of the higher 
education herd.

“I actually see the future of higher education, 
broadly speaking, as entering a new golden age,” said Richard Price, a 
research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. It’s a think tank 
that presses for dramatic change in institutions.

Price said the 
pandemic may hasten the evolution to better online classes, and a public
 education system that’s much more accessible and equitable.

“The 
traditional model, it was originally for the landed elite and it wasn’t 
for all genders,” Price said. “It wasn’t for all races. And that is 
slowly getting phased out along with some older business models that 
aren’t pivoting well.”

And Price thinks many little colleges will 
adapt. Lots of them have cheated death before. But he said there’s 
little doubt that this time next year the United States will have many 
fewer colleges. Folks in Sterling, Kansas, hope and, yes, pray, that 
Sterling College is among the survivors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596722865321.png" alt="A local gospel quintet entertains Sterling residents on a recent Tuesday evening. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>A local gospel quintet entertains Sterling residents on a recent Tuesday evening. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-05/what-a-pending-football-game-says-about-covid-19-the-fate-small-colleges-and-college-towns">Kansas News Service</a>STERLING —&nbsp;There’s a lot riding on a kickoff set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.The
 Sterling College Warriors are scheduled to take on the McPherson 
College Bulldogs at home. If that familiar thud of shoe against football
 and cheer from the stands doesn’t happen, the college that keeps the 
central Kansas town’s economy humming, that gives it cultural vitality, 
and that separates Sterling from the hollowing out that defines so many 
other small Midwestern towns, might not survive.The school, after
 133 years, could die and doom the town that takes such pride in the 
football squad and embraces the student body like family.“If 
COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” said Jeb Miller, a non-traditional senior at 
Sterling College. “And, as a result, harm a lot of small towns. Badly.”<h2>Small town institutions</h2>Hundreds
 of small colleges dotting the country rely on students paying tens of 
thousands of dollars a year in exchange for a distinctive, personal, 
high-touch college experience.Many of those colleges hung on 
year-to-year even before the pandemic. Now COVID-19 threatens to cut off
 the oxygen sustaining these schools, and the sports programs that drive
 enrollment.But the very thing small colleges need to stay afloat
 — students coming in, spending money, playing sports — also poses a 
major risk to relatively isolated little towns that, so far, have dodged
 major coronavirus outbreaks.Only about 2,200 people live in 
Sterling out on the flat, flat plains of south-central Kansas. But this 
small city boasts an almost idyllic downtown. New office buildings. Two 
good coffee shops. A nice grocery store, a bowling alley, you name it.Sterling
 has good schools, competitive sports teams. Locals say school plays, 
games and concerts draw big crowds. Without the college, the money, 
diversity and energy that defines life in Sterling could evaporate 
quickly.“There is just so much overlap,” said Kyler Comley, a 
Sterling College senior who’s lived in the town all his life. “The 
community supports the college. The college supports the community. You 
know, you just see how everything’s intertwined and how people are just 
so overly giving and involved.”Every student attending Sterling 
College gets paired with a family in town. Those families speak 
endearingly about their adopted scholars.The students left in 
March. Most haven’t come back. Like many people here, Sterling criminal 
justice professor Mark Tremaine said that starting classes up again in 
person this month is make or break for Sterling College.“The 
bottom line is, we’ve got to get students back to campus. If we’re going
 to survive,” he said.“We have to accept whatever the risks are and do 
it.”And that’s the plan. Sterling doesn’t have much of a choice.<h2>Staying alive</h2>“We
 have committed to open up in the fall,” Sterling College President 
Scott Rich said. “With face to face classes, face-to-face coursework, 
dorms and activities and full swing. But we’re committed to doing it 
safely.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596722974216.png" alt="Sterling College President Scot Rich. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>Sterling College President Scot Rich. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Rich said the school will quarantine students coming back to the 
dorms, test them liberally, and isolate those who come down sick in 
local hotels.Rich said the freshman class looks strong, with 
about 200 new students. But he is desperately trying to woo 50 or so 
upperclassmen who haven’t signed on this year. The school needs them 
because, like many other small institutions, Sterling College scrapes by
 from year to year.“We’re always dependent upon enrollment, 
always dependent upon that next year, always dependent upon persistence 
or retention,” Rich said. “We have to get students to come back.”Other small-town schools across the country, and the communities tied to their fate, face the same existential crisis.“Some
 of the people I know are looking at hundreds of colleges going out of 
business within the next several years, if this pandemic continues and 
if the economic devastation associated with it continues,” said Scott 
Carlson with the Chronicle of Higher Education.Small liberal arts
 colleges have been shaky for years. Enrollments have slumped, 
endowments have been drained. Many schools have piled on debt in a 
building boom fueled by competition for students.Most offer 
courses online, but online classes don’t pay the bills. Small schools 
survive only by providing an expensive, in-person college experience. 
And Carlson said the pandemic shreds that business model, and threatens 
to trigger the higher education equivalent of a mass extinction.“It’s
 kind of sad," he said. "These colleges are unique, little entities all 
on their own, and each one of them provides a unique spin on higher 
education.”<h2>‘Servant leadership’</h2>Sterling College, 
for instance, leans heavily on a particular interpretation of 
Christianity. Guarding the front door of the classic, old limestone 
building that anchors campus is a statue of Christ — not being tortured 
on the cross, but humbly washing the feet of a disciple. “Servant 
leadership,” as anyone here will tell you, guides the campus ethic.But Jesus doesn’t keep the lights on here. Football does.“We
 do have a good football team,” said Sterling’s athletic director, Scott
 Downing. “They’ve been fairly successful the last dozen years and been 
to the national playoffs, won the conference championship.”The team helps bring the students together, but more importantly, it drives enrollment.“With
 a football team number of about 125 to 135 student-athletes, quite a 
bit of our student body is involved in that sport,” Downing said.That’s
 an understatement. There are only about 500 students on campus in a 
given year, one in four is on the football team. And there are 20 other 
sports.The chance to play college sports is a major selling point
 for schools like Sterling. It drives enrollment. But in a pandemic, 
sports can be vectors for disease. And Jed Miller, who’s finishing his 
degree at Sterling online next year, says that’s another vulnerability.“If
 COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” he said. “And as a result, hurt a lot of small 
towns ... badly.”So, the same colleges that keep some small towns vibrant now pose a particular threat to public health.“The
 college probably is the most dangerous element for us in terms of 
COVID,” said Kristina Darnauer, a family practice doctor in Sterling. 
“It potentially brings back students from all over the US who have 
variable levels of exposure.”Darnauer is torn. She loves 
Sterling, loves the college, and fully appreciates how important it is 
to the school and the town that college ramp almost as normal this fall.But
 she’s got patients to care for. And she said this county, with only one
 hospital and no intensive care unit is not ready for a cluster of 
coronavirus cases.“If we have a huge outbreak,” Darnauer said, “we’re going to be out of resources very quickly.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596723019769.png" alt="An aging note on a door at the University of Missouri Kansas City promises a speedy reopening. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>An aging note on a door at the University of Missouri Kansas City promises a speedy reopening. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A new era</h2>Small colleges and college towns across much of the country face the same worries.But
 some analysts say that a pruning of universities may prove inevitable, 
and that the coronavirus has only sped up the thinning of the higher 
education herd.“I actually see the future of higher education, 
broadly speaking, as entering a new golden age,” said Richard Price, a 
research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. It’s a think tank 
that presses for dramatic change in institutions.Price said the 
pandemic may hasten the evolution to better online classes, and a public
 education system that’s much more accessible and equitable.“The 
traditional model, it was originally for the landed elite and it wasn’t 
for all genders,” Price said. “It wasn’t for all races. And that is 
slowly getting phased out along with some older business models that 
aren’t pivoting well.”And Price thinks many little colleges will 
adapt. Lots of them have cheated death before. But he said there’s 
little doubt that this time next year the United States will have many 
fewer colleges. Folks in Sterling, Kansas, hope and, yes, pray, that 
Sterling College is among the survivors.

What a football game says about COVID-19, fate of small colleges

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Whit Merrifield, Maikel Franco and Jorge Soler homered, and the Kansas City Royals stopped a six-game slide by pounding the Chicago Cubs 13-2 on Thursday night.

Soler and Salvador Perez each had three hits and two RBI, helping Brad Keller to the win in his first major league appearance in nearly a year. Keller (1-0), who opened the season on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus, struck out seven in five scoreless innings.

"I didn't expect that type of command, but today I was able to command my fastball and use it to get outs," Keller said. "One thing we've tried to work on is my sliders and be more of a swingable pitch."

Kansas City finished with a season-high 18 hits. It scored a total of 14 runs during its losing streak.

"It seemed like every guy was involved and made a difference tonight," manager Mike Matheny said. "We saw a lot of guys get to two strikes and still have a good approach."

Chicago had won six in a row. Tyler Chatwood (2-1) allowed eight runs and 11 hits in 2 1/3 innings after winning each of his two starts this year in impressive fashion.

"I thought he was throwing the ball pretty good, the stuff looked good," Chicago manager David Ross said. "He had a few pitches that cost him, but some balls found some holes. Just one of those nights I feel like."

Kansas City grabbed control with nine runs over the first three innings.

Ryan O'Hearn singled in Soler in the first, and Merrifield connected for a two-run shot in the second. Franco added a two-run shot in Kansas City's six-run third, and Nick Heath doubled home Nicky Lopez for his first career hit.

Soler made it 12-0 with a solo drive in seventh against his former team.

"This stuff is contagious and we need to carry it into the next series," Merrifield said.

Struggling Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel worked the eighth, allowing a run when Alex Gordon singled in Brett Phillips.

Victor Caratini and Nico Hoerner each had run-scoring singles in the ninth for Chicago.

The Cubs signed right-hander Kelvin Herrera and left-hander Matt Dermody to minor league deals. Herrera and Dermody were assigned to the team's alternate site in South Bend, Indiana.

Herrera struggled in his first two appearances with the White Sox this year, allowing four runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Royals optioned catcher Meibrys Viloria, outfielder Eric Mejia and right-hander Scott Blewett.

Cubs: LHP Jon Lester (1-0, 0.82 ERA) starts at St. Louis on Friday night. He has given up one earned run in 11 innings this season.

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis starts Friday night against Minnesota. In his first start of the season against the White Sox, he went 4 1/3 innings and was charged with two runs and six hits.

Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Whit Merrifield, Maikel Franco and Jorge Soler homered, and the Kansas City Royals stopped a six-game slide by pounding the Chicago Cubs 13-2 on Thursday night.Soler and Salvador Perez each had three hits and two RBI, helping Brad Keller to the win in his first major league appearance in nearly a year. Keller (1-0), who opened the season on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus, struck out seven in five scoreless innings."I didn't expect that type of command, but today I was able to command my fastball and use it to get outs," Keller said. "One thing we've tried to work on is my sliders and be more of a swingable pitch."Kansas City finished with a season-high 18 hits. It scored a total of 14 runs during its losing streak."It seemed like every guy was involved and made a difference tonight," manager Mike Matheny said. "We saw a lot of guys get to two strikes and still have a good approach."Chicago had won six in a row. Tyler Chatwood (2-1) allowed eight runs and 11 hits in 2 1/3 innings after winning each of his two starts this year in impressive fashion."I thought he was throwing the ball pretty good, the stuff looked good," Chicago manager David Ross said. "He had a few pitches that cost him, but some balls found some holes. Just one of those nights I feel like."Kansas City grabbed control with nine runs over the first three innings.Ryan O'Hearn singled in Soler in the first, and Merrifield connected for a two-run shot in the second. Franco added a two-run shot in Kansas City's six-run third, and Nick Heath doubled home Nicky Lopez for his first career hit.Soler made it 12-0 with a solo drive in seventh against his former team."This stuff is contagious and we need to carry it into the next series," Merrifield said.Struggling Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel worked the eighth, allowing a run when Alex Gordon singled in Brett Phillips.Victor Caratini and Nico Hoerner each had run-scoring singles in the ninth for Chicago.ROSTER MOVESThe Cubs signed right-hander Kelvin Herrera and left-hander Matt Dermody to minor league deals. Herrera and Dermody were assigned to the team's alternate site in South Bend, Indiana.Herrera struggled in his first two appearances with the White Sox this year, allowing four runs in 2 1/3 innings.WORTH NOTINGThe Royals optioned catcher Meibrys Viloria, outfielder Eric Mejia and right-hander Scott Blewett.UP NEXTCubs: LHP Jon Lester (1-0, 0.82 ERA) starts at St. Louis on Friday night. He has given up one earned run in 11 innings this season.Royals: RHP Jakob Junis starts Friday night against Minnesota. In his first start of the season against the White Sox, he went 4 1/3 innings and was charged with two runs and six hits.

Royals rout Cubs 13-2 to stop six-game skid

ST. JOSEPH - Missouri Western women's lacrosse head coach Rachel Benzing has finalized her coaching staff for the team's inaugural season in 2021.

Benzing tabbed Courtney Baker as the team's assistant coach and Garland Fiser as the start-up program's first graduate assistant.

"I am extremely excited to welcome Courtney and Garland to the Griffon Lacrosse family," Benzing said. "The two of them are bought into the vision of our program and are ready to grow this thing from the ground up. Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge from her East Coast background and playing experience at the Division I level. This budding coach made a huge impact at North Greenville during her first year on the collegiate sideline and her determination and passion will propel her forward here at MWSU.

"Garland has winning experience in both the GLVC and on the national stage. She will be integral in our total-player development and implementing a championship mindset. The combination of coaches we now have truly rounds out our staff on all sides of the ball and sets us up for success. I'm ready to get to work with these two by my side."

Baker spent last season as an assistant at North Greenville University where she led defensive and goalie training. She was a four-year goalie at Furman University where she earned first team All-Southern conference and All-Southern Conference Tournament honors as a senior. The two-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week left Furman as the program's leader in single season saves as well as holding the Southern Conference record for goals against average in a season. Baker received her bachelor's in political science with a minor in Middle East and Islamic studies from Furman.

"I am very excited and thankful to join this staff and work under Rachel Benzing to help build the program at Missouri Western," Baker said. "Rachel is very passionate about this program and our players and that is what immediately stood out to me during the interview process. Lacrosse is growing rapidly in the Midwest and I look forward to assisting Rachel in building an immediate championship caliber team and culture her at Missouri Western."

Fiser comes to MWSU after helping lead Lindenwood to two RMAC women's lacrosse championships as a student-athlete. Fiser was on three Lindenwood teams that advance to NCAA postseason play, including a national championship semifinal appearance. She earned her bachelor's degree in exercise science with a minor in adapted sports and recreation from Lindenwood.

ST. JOSEPH - Missouri Western women's lacrosse head coach Rachel Benzing has finalized her coaching staff for the team's inaugural season in 2021.Benzing tabbed Courtney Baker as the team's assistant coach and Garland Fiser as the start-up program's first graduate assistant."I am extremely excited to welcome Courtney and Garland to the Griffon Lacrosse family," Benzing said. "The two of them are bought into the vision of our program and are ready to grow this thing from the ground up. Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge from her East Coast background and playing experience at the Division I level. This budding coach made a huge impact at North Greenville during her first year on the collegiate sideline and her determination and passion will propel her forward here at MWSU."Garland has winning experience in both the GLVC and on the national stage. She will be integral in our total-player development and implementing a championship mindset. The combination of coaches we now have truly rounds out our staff on all sides of the ball and sets us up for success. I'm ready to get to work with these two by my side."Baker spent last season as an assistant at North Greenville University where she led defensive and goalie training. She was a four-year goalie at Furman University where she earned first team All-Southern conference and All-Southern Conference Tournament honors as a senior. The two-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week left Furman as the program's leader in single season saves as well as holding the Southern Conference record for goals against average in a season. Baker received her bachelor's in political science with a minor in Middle East and Islamic studies from Furman."I am very excited and thankful to join this staff and work under Rachel Benzing to help build the program at Missouri Western," Baker said. "Rachel is very passionate about this program and our players and that is what immediately stood out to me during the interview process. Lacrosse is growing rapidly in the Midwest and I look forward to assisting Rachel in building an immediate championship caliber team and culture her at Missouri Western."Fiser comes to MWSU after helping lead Lindenwood to two RMAC women's lacrosse championships as a student-athlete. Fiser was on three Lindenwood teams that advance to NCAA postseason play, including a national championship semifinal appearance. She earned her bachelor's degree in exercise science with a minor in adapted sports and recreation from Lindenwood.--- MWSU Athletics ---

Benzing finalizes Griffon lacrosse coaching staff

Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive lineman Lucas Niang has told the team he will opt out of playing during the 2020 season.

Niang played collegiately at TCU and the Chiefs selected him 96th overall in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He was one of several canidates to get playing time at right guard after starter Laurent Duvernay-Tardif also opted out of playing this season, along with free-agent additions Kelechi Osemele and Mike Remmers.

Niang, Duvernay-Tardif and running back Damien Williams are the three Chiefs that have now opted out of the 20202 season.

Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive lineman Lucas Niang has told the team he will opt out of playing during the 2020 season.Niang played collegiately at TCU and the Chiefs selected him 96th overall in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.He was one of several canidates to get playing time at right guard after starter Laurent Duvernay-Tardif also opted out of playing this season, along with free-agent additions Kelechi Osemele and Mike Remmers.Niang, Duvernay-Tardif and running back Damien Williams are the three Chiefs that have now opted out of the 20202 season.

Sports