KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs and Entercom have announced the play-by-play broadcast team for the 2020 season on the 70-station Chiefs Radio Network.

Anchored by the flagship station, 106.5 The Wolf (WDAF-FM), the Chiefs Radio Network will feature “Voice of the Chiefs” Mitch Holthus, who returns for his 27th season as the club’s play-by-play personality. He has called a team-record 433 career regular and postseason games for the club and has earned eight Kansas Sportscaster of the Year awards.

A pair of newcomers will join Holthus in the booth for the 2020 season as former Chiefs wide receiver and current Ambassador Danan Hughes will begin his inaugural campaign as the network’s color commentator. Hughes has been broadcasting football and baseball as part of the Big Ten Network since 2008, as well as Chiefs pregame and postgame shows on local television since 2014.

Entering his first season as the network’s sideline reporter is Josh Klingler, a morning show host on 610 Sports Radio (KCSP-AM) who has been broadcasting collegiate athletics as a sideline reporter for the University of Kansas for more than 14 years and has been part of the local sports talk radio landscape for more than 16 years. Veteran sportscaster Art Hains will also return as host of 106.5 The Wolf’s pregame and postgame show coverage.

“We are very excited to begin defending our Super Bowl championship in a few short weeks and are thrilled to have Mitch, Danan and Josh bringing the game action to Chiefs fans throughout the Kingdom, while Art anchors the pre- and postgame coverage on 106.5 The Wolf,” Chiefs Executive Vice President of Business Operations Tyler Epp said. “The Chiefs Radio Network is adding talented individuals to the booth, and we know they will provide the excitement and insight that Chiefs fans have come to expect when tuning in.”

“Like all of Chiefs Kingdom, we’re eagerly awaiting the return of the defending Super Bowl champions and look forward to another great season,” said Dave Alpert, Regional President and Market Manager, Entercom Kansas City. “As the new flagship station of the team, we look forward to providing fans unrivaled coverage of everything Chiefs, including a marquee radio team delivering rich gameday analysis and exciting calls of the action.”

Listeners can tune in to Chiefs games on 106.5 The Wolf (WDAF-FM) in Kansas City, as well as any number of Chiefs Radio Network affiliates throughout Chiefs Kingdom like KFEQ 680 AM and 107.9 FM, as well as Q Country 92.7 FM. Gameday radio broadcasts are also available on the Chiefs Mobile app.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs and Entercom have announced the play-by-play broadcast team for the 2020 season on the 70-station Chiefs Radio Network.Anchored by the flagship station, 106.5 The Wolf (WDAF-FM), the Chiefs Radio Network will feature “Voice of the Chiefs” Mitch Holthus, who returns for his 27th season as the club’s play-by-play personality. He has called a team-record 433 career regular and postseason games for the club and has earned eight Kansas Sportscaster of the Year awards.A pair of newcomers will join Holthus in the booth for the 2020 season as former Chiefs wide receiver and current Ambassador Danan Hughes will begin his inaugural campaign as the network’s color commentator. Hughes has been broadcasting football and baseball as part of the Big Ten Network since 2008, as well as Chiefs pregame and postgame shows on local television since 2014.Entering his first season as the network’s sideline reporter is Josh Klingler, a morning show host on 610 Sports Radio (KCSP-AM) who has been broadcasting collegiate athletics as a sideline reporter for the University of Kansas for more than 14 years and has been part of the local sports talk radio landscape for more than 16 years. Veteran sportscaster Art Hains will also return as host of 106.5 The Wolf’s pregame and postgame show coverage.“We are very excited to begin defending our Super Bowl championship in a few short weeks and are thrilled to have Mitch, Danan and Josh bringing the game action to Chiefs fans throughout the Kingdom, while Art anchors the pre- and postgame coverage on 106.5 The Wolf,” Chiefs Executive Vice President of Business Operations Tyler Epp said. “The Chiefs Radio Network is adding talented individuals to the booth, and we know they will provide the excitement and insight that Chiefs fans have come to expect when tuning in.”“Like all of Chiefs Kingdom, we’re eagerly awaiting the return of the defending Super Bowl champions and look forward to another great season,” said Dave Alpert, Regional President and Market Manager, Entercom Kansas City. “As the new flagship station of the team, we look forward to providing fans unrivaled coverage of everything Chiefs, including a marquee radio team delivering rich gameday analysis and exciting calls of the action.”Listeners can tune in to Chiefs games on 106.5 The Wolf (WDAF-FM) in Kansas City, as well as any number of Chiefs Radio Network affiliates throughout Chiefs Kingdom like KFEQ 680 AM and 107.9 FM, as well as Q Country 92.7 FM. Gameday radio broadcasts are also available on the Chiefs Mobile app.

Chiefs announce broadcast team for 2020 season on Chiefs Radio Network

The Kansas City Royals announced Thursday that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Ronald Bolaños and outfielder Franchy Cordero from the San Diego Padres for left-handed pitcher Tim Hill.

Cordero, 25, has played in parts of three seasons with the Padres, hitting .240 (59-for-246) with nine doubles, four triples, 10 homers and 36 runs scored in 79 big league games. He was limited to just nine Major League games last season, due to a pair of stints on the Injured List. A left-handed hitter, Cordero was named a Baseball America Triple-A All-Star with El Paso in 2017, setting a Triple-A record with 18 triples, which also tied for the most in the minor leagues during that season.

Bolaños, 23, made his Major League debut last September with the Padres, after splitting a majority of the season between Lake Elsinore (A+) and Amarillo (AA). He was 0-2 with a 5.95 ERA (13 ER in 19.2 IP) in his five appearances (three starts) with San Diego, after posting a 13-7 mark with a 3.66 ERA (53 ER in 130.1 IP) and 142 strikeouts (9.81 K/9) in 23 starts (25 appearances) combined in his minor league stops.

The Kansas City Royals announced Thursday that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Ronald Bolaños and outfielder Franchy Cordero from the San Diego Padres for left-handed pitcher Tim Hill.Cordero, 25, has played in parts of three seasons with the Padres, hitting .240 (59-for-246) with nine doubles, four triples, 10 homers and 36 runs scored in 79 big league games. He was limited to just nine Major League games last season, due to a pair of stints on the Injured List. A left-handed hitter, Cordero was named a Baseball America Triple-A All-Star with El Paso in 2017, setting a Triple-A record with 18 triples, which also tied for the most in the minor leagues during that season.Bolaños, 23, made his Major League debut last September with the Padres, after splitting a majority of the season between Lake Elsinore (A+) and Amarillo (AA). He was 0-2 with a 5.95 ERA (13 ER in 19.2 IP) in his five appearances (three starts) with San Diego, after posting a 13-7 mark with a 3.66 ERA (53 ER in 130.1 IP) and 142 strikeouts (9.81 K/9) in 23 starts (25 appearances) combined in his minor league stops.--- Royals Press Release ---

Royals trade Hill to Padres for OF Franchy Cordero & RHP Ronald Bolaños

The Missouri State High School Activities Association has released guidelines and recommendations for opening sports and activities this fall.

MSHSAA has stated that fall sports can start practice on August 10 and competitions can begin on August 28. 

<a href="https://www.mshsaa.org/resources/PDF/2020-2021%20MSHSAA%20Guidelines-Recommendations%20for%20Opening%20Sports%20and%20Activities.pdf">Click here to view the guidelines and recommendations from MSHSAA.</a>

The Missouri State High School Activities Association has released guidelines and recommendations for opening sports and activities this fall.MSHSAA has stated that fall sports can start practice on August 10 and competitions can begin on August 28. <a href="https://www.mshsaa.org/resources/PDF/2020-2021%20MSHSAA%20Guidelines-Recommendations%20for%20Opening%20Sports%20and%20Activities.pdf">Click here to view the guidelines and recommendations from MSHSAA.</a>

MSHSAA releases guidelines and recommendations for opening sports this fall

The NCAA Sport Science Institute has released the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/resocialization-collegiate-sport-developing-standards-practice-and-competition">Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Developing Standards for Practice and Competition</a>&nbsp;to extend previous guidance and provide updated recommendations about the protection of athletes and prevention of community spread of COVID-19.

The guidelines are designed to inform schools in responding appropriately based on their specific circumstances and in the best interest of returning college athletes’ health and well-being.&nbsp; Many sports require close, personal contact and require specially crafted guidelines. &nbsp;Among the recommendations put forth:

“Any recommendation on a pathway toward a safe return to sport will depend on the national trajectory of COVID-19 spread,” said Brian Hainline, NCAA chief medical officer. “The idea of sport resocialization is predicated on a scenario of reduced or flattened infection rates.”

“When we made the extremely difficult decision to cancel last spring’s championships it was because there was simply no way to conduct them safely,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “This document lays out the advice of health care professionals as to how to resume college sports if we can achieve an environment where COVID-19 rates are manageable. Today, sadly, the data point in the wrong direction. If there is to be college sports in the fall, we need to get a much better handle on the pandemic.”

The recommendations were developed in collaboration with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/node/28911">NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/node/29971">American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) COVID-19 Working Group</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/node/30016">Autonomy-5 Medical Advisory Group</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nmanet.org/">National Medical Association</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/governance/committees/committee-competitive-safeguards-and-medical-aspects-sports">NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Prevention and Performance Subcommittee</a>. The guidance also takes into consideration recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is the latest update to the initial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/node/29371">Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Sport</a>&nbsp;recommendations, providing guidelines and practices that schools should consider as they develop their own mitigation plans. The previously released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/resocialization-collegiate-sport-action-plan-considerations">Action Plan Considerations</a>&nbsp;offered recommendations to help schools mitigate risks of COVID-19 spread as staff and student-athletes return.

For more information on the NCAA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/coronavirus-covid-19">ncaa.org/covid-19</a>,

The NCAA Sport Science Institute has released the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/resocialization-collegiate-sport-developing-standards-practice-and-competition">Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Developing Standards for Practice and Competition</a>&nbsp;to extend previous guidance and provide updated recommendations about the protection of athletes and prevention of community spread of COVID-19.The guidelines are designed to inform schools in responding appropriately based on their specific circumstances and in the best interest of returning college athletes’ health and well-being.&nbsp; Many sports require close, personal contact and require specially crafted guidelines. &nbsp;Among the recommendations put forth:<ul>
 <li>Daily self-health checks.</li><li>The appropriate use of face coverings and social distancing during training, competition and outside of athletics.</li><li>Testing strategies for all athletics activities, including pre-season, regular season and post-season.</li><li>Testing and results within 72 hours of competition in high contact risk sports.</li><li>Member schools must adhere to public health standards set by their local communities. &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>“Any recommendation on a pathway toward a safe return to sport will depend on the national trajectory of COVID-19 spread,” said Brian Hainline, NCAA chief medical officer. “The idea of sport resocialization is predicated on a scenario of reduced or flattened infection rates.”“When we made the extremely difficult decision to cancel last spring’s championships it was because there was simply no way to conduct them safely,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “This document lays out the advice of health care professionals as to how to resume college sports if we can achieve an environment where COVID-19 rates are manageable. Today, sadly, the data point in the wrong direction. If there is to be college sports in the fall, we need to get a much better handle on the pandemic.”The recommendations were developed in collaboration with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/node/28911">NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/node/29971">American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) COVID-19 Working Group</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/node/30016">Autonomy-5 Medical Advisory Group</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nmanet.org/">National Medical Association</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/governance/committees/committee-competitive-safeguards-and-medical-aspects-sports">NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Prevention and Performance Subcommittee</a>. The guidance also takes into consideration recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.It is the latest update to the initial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/node/29371">Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Sport</a>&nbsp;recommendations, providing guidelines and practices that schools should consider as they develop their own mitigation plans. The previously released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/resocialization-collegiate-sport-action-plan-considerations">Action Plan Considerations</a>&nbsp;offered recommendations to help schools mitigate risks of COVID-19 spread as staff and student-athletes return.For more information on the NCAA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/coronavirus-covid-19">ncaa.org/covid-19</a>,--- NCAA Press Release ---

NCAA issues next set of return-to-sport guidelines

The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2020 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team and individual awards, chosen by media representatives who cover the league.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:	Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State, RB, Jr., Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:	Darius Stills, West Virginia, DL, Sr., Fairmont, W.Va.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:	Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma, QB, 6-0, 199, R-Fr., Phoenix, Ariz. 

QB	Sam Ehlinger 3	Texas	Sr.	Austin, Texas

RB	Pooka Williams Jr. 1	Kansas	Jr.	New Orleans, La.

RB	Chuba Hubbard 1^	Oklahoma State	Jr.	Sherwood Park, Alberta

FB	Nick Lenners 1	Kansas State	Jr.	Lincoln, Neb.

WR	Andrew Parchment 3	Kansas	Sr.	Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

WR	Charleston Rambo	Oklahoma	Jr.	Cedar Hill, Texas

WR	Tylan Wallace 2^	Oklahoma State	Sr.	Fort Worth, Texas

TE	Charlie Kolar 1	Iowa State    	Jr.	Norman, Okla.

OL	Creed Humphrey 1^	Oklahoma	Jr.	Shawnee, Okla.

OL	Adrian Ealy 2	Oklahoma	Jr.	Gonzales, La.

OL	Teven Jenkins 3	Oklahoma State	Sr.	Topeka, Kan.

OL	Samuel Cosmi 2^	Texas	Jr.	Humble, Texas

OL	Jack Anderson	Texas Tech	Jr.	Frisco, Texas

PK	Gabe Brkic 2	Oklahoma	So.	Chardon, Ohio

KR/PR	Joshua Youngblood 1	Kansas State	So.	Tampa, Fla.

DL	JaQuan Bailey	Iowa State	Sr.    	Jacksonville, Fla.

DL	Wyatt Hubert 1	Kansas State	Jr.	Topeka, Kan.

DL	Ronnie Perkins 2	Oklahoma	Jr.	St. Louis, Mo.

DL	Eli Howard 2	Texas Tech	Sr.	San Angelo, Texas

DL	Darius Stills	West Virginia	Sr.	Fairmont, W.Va.

LB	Terrel Bernard 2	Baylor	Jr.	La Porte, Texas

LB	Garret Wallow 1	TCU	Sr.	New Orleans, La.

LB	Joseph Ossai 3	Texas	Jr.	Conroe, Texas

DB	Greg Eisworth 1    	Iowa State	Sr.	Grand Prairie, Texas

DB	Kolby Harvell-Peel 1	Oklahoma State	Jr.	College Station, Texas

DB	Trevon Moehrig 1 	TCU	Jr.	Spring Branch, Texas

DB	DShawn Jamison	Texas	Jr.	Houston, Texas

P	Austin McNamara 1	Texas Tech	So.	Gilbert, Ariz.

Players listed at each position alphabetically by school.

The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2020 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team and individual awards, chosen by media representatives who cover the league.OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:	Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State, RB, Jr., Sherwood Park, Alberta, CanadaDEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:	Darius Stills, West Virginia, DL, Sr., Fairmont, W.Va.NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:	Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma, QB, 6-0, 199, R-Fr., Phoenix, Ariz. 2020 Preseason All-Big 12 Football TeamOFFENSEPos.	Player	School	Class	HometownQB	Sam Ehlinger 3	Texas	Sr.	Austin, TexasRB	Pooka Williams Jr. 1	Kansas	Jr.	New Orleans, La.RB	Chuba Hubbard 1^	Oklahoma State	Jr.	Sherwood Park, AlbertaFB	Nick Lenners 1	Kansas State	Jr.	Lincoln, Neb.WR	Andrew Parchment 3	Kansas	Sr.	Fort Lauderdale, Fla.WR	Charleston Rambo	Oklahoma	Jr.	Cedar Hill, TexasWR	Tylan Wallace 2^	Oklahoma State	Sr.	Fort Worth, TexasTE	Charlie Kolar 1	Iowa State 	Jr.	Norman, Okla.OL	Creed Humphrey 1^	Oklahoma	Jr.	Shawnee, Okla.OL	Adrian Ealy 2	Oklahoma	Jr.	Gonzales, La.OL	Teven Jenkins 3	Oklahoma State	Sr.	Topeka, Kan.OL	Samuel Cosmi 2^	Texas	Jr.	Humble, TexasOL	Jack Anderson	Texas Tech	Jr.	Frisco, TexasPK	Gabe Brkic 2	Oklahoma	So.	Chardon, OhioKR/PR	Joshua Youngblood 1	Kansas State	So.	Tampa, Fla.DEFENSEPos.	Player	School	Class	HometownDL	JaQuan Bailey	Iowa State	Sr. 	Jacksonville, Fla.DL	Wyatt Hubert 1	Kansas State	Jr.	Topeka, Kan.DL	Ronnie Perkins 2	Oklahoma	Jr.	St. Louis, Mo.DL	Eli Howard 2	Texas Tech	Sr.	San Angelo, TexasDL	Darius Stills	West Virginia	Sr.	Fairmont, W.Va.LB	Terrel Bernard 2	Baylor	Jr.	La Porte, TexasLB	Garret Wallow 1	TCU	Sr.	New Orleans, La.LB	Joseph Ossai 3	Texas	Jr.	Conroe, TexasDB	Greg Eisworth 1 	Iowa State	Sr.	Grand Prairie, TexasDB	Kolby Harvell-Peel 1	Oklahoma State	Jr.	College Station, TexasDB	Trevon Moehrig 1 	TCU	Jr.	Spring Branch, TexasDB	DShawn Jamison	Texas	Jr.	Houston, TexasDB	Caden Sterns	Texas	Jr.	Cibolo, TexasP	Austin McNamara 1	Texas Tech	So.	Gilbert, Ariz.1 - First Team selection in 2019.2 - Second Team selection in 2019.3 - Honorable Mention in 2019 ^ - Unanimous Preseason Team selectionPlayers listed at each position alphabetically by school.--- Big 12 Press Release ---

Big 12 announces preseason All-Conference football team

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas football senior wide receiver Andrew
Parchment has been named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, the
Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation Inc., (TQC) announced on Thursday,
which recognizes the college football season’s most outstanding Football Bowl
Subdivision (FBS) receiver, regardless of position. 
Parchment is the first Jayhawk to be named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason
Watch List since Steven Sims Jr., who earned the recognition in 2018. 
Last season, Parchment led all KU receivers by hauling in 65 receptions for 831
yards and seven touchdowns. His 65 receptions were the seventh-most in KU
history, while his 831 receiving yards are the second-most among returning Big
12 players. 
A 2019 honorable mention All-Big 12 newcomer and wide receiver, Parchment
collected 100-or-more receiving yards in four games in 2019, including a
season-high 132 yards against West Virginia. Parchment reached the endzone in
four different games in 2019, including a pair of touchdowns in consecutive
weeks against Boston College (Sept. 13) and West Virginia (Sept. 21). 
Parchment is one of 55 individuals named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason
Watch List. The semifinalists, finalists and award recipient are selected by
the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a
group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers,
Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers.

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas football senior wide receiver Andrew
Parchment has been named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, the
Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation Inc., (TQC) announced on Thursday,
which recognizes the college football season’s most outstanding Football Bowl
Subdivision (FBS) receiver, regardless of position. 
Parchment is the first Jayhawk to be named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason
Watch List since Steven Sims Jr., who earned the recognition in 2018. 
Last season, Parchment led all KU receivers by hauling in 65 receptions for 831
yards and seven touchdowns. His 65 receptions were the seventh-most in KU
history, while his 831 receiving yards are the second-most among returning Big
12 players. 
A 2019 honorable mention All-Big 12 newcomer and wide receiver, Parchment
collected 100-or-more receiving yards in four games in 2019, including a
season-high 132 yards against West Virginia. Parchment reached the endzone in
four different games in 2019, including a pair of touchdowns in consecutive
weeks against Boston College (Sept. 13) and West Virginia (Sept. 21). 
Parchment is one of 55 individuals named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason
Watch List. The semifinalists, finalists and award recipient are selected by
the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a
group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers,
Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers.--- KU Athletics ---

KU's Parchment named to Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list

High School sports in the state of Kansas will not start on time this fall after Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that she will sign an executive order to delay opening schools around the state until after Labor Day.

“The executive order will apply to all K-12 activities or academics,” Kelly said during a Wednesday news conference. “Kansas State High School Activities oversees sports, theater, drama, debate, all those kinds of things. So, yeah, sports will be included in that.”

The first week of the regular season for high school football was suppose to be September 3rd, but now teams won't be able to practice or play until after Labor Day on September 7th.  The first sports to begin play were suppose to be girls golf and tennis as they were schedule to begin competitions on August 21st.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association released the following state on Wednesday evening:

“The KSHSAA believes participation in school and school activities is critical for the students of Kansas, and we strive to provide those opportunities for students this fall. This Friday (July 17), the KSHSAA had planned to distribute considerations and guidance for all fall activities to take place starting Aug. 17. With the announcement today (July 15) from Gov. Kelly, we will not release any information Friday. Rather, we will go back and look at models and plans that are in place with a delayed start and release information when appropriate.”

High School sports in the state of Kansas will not start on time this fall after Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that she will sign an executive order to delay opening schools around the state until after Labor Day.“The executive order will apply to all K-12 activities or academics,” Kelly said during a Wednesday news conference. “Kansas State High School Activities oversees sports, theater, drama, debate, all those kinds of things. So, yeah, sports will be included in that.”The first week of the regular season for high school football was suppose to be September 3rd, but now teams won't be able to practice or play until after Labor Day on September 7th. The first sports to begin play were suppose to be girls golf and tennis as they were schedule to begin competitions on August 21st.The Kansas State High School Activities Association released the following state on Wednesday evening:“The KSHSAA believes participation in school and school activities is critical for the students of Kansas, and we strive to provide those opportunities for students this fall. This Friday (July 17), the KSHSAA had planned to distribute considerations and guidance for all fall activities to take place starting Aug. 17. With the announcement today (July 15) from Gov. Kelly, we will not release any information Friday. Rather, we will go back and look at models and plans that are in place with a delayed start and release information when appropriate.”

Kansas High School athletics delayed until after Labor Day

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Eli Drinkwitz has been the head football coach at Missouri for just over seven months.

He has yet to lead the Tigers onto the field, much less win a game, yet his role in the community already has forced him to take some important stands.

First, it was supporting his new players as they pushed for equality amid the Black Lives Matter movement. Now it is encouraging folks to wear masks when they are out in public, which health experts insist is among the best ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus -- even though, much like social justice, it has become a politicized issue.

"I don't believe I have power. I have influence," Drinkwitz said during a Zoom meeting Wednesday, which he began by wearing a mask with the Tigers' logo. "There is a certain amount of influence being a head coach of an SEC school, being the head coach of Missouri, having the logo on your chest. It gives you a certain amount of credibility when you make conversations. What we are trying to do is encourage people that it's OK to wear a mask. It's OK to do it.

"I get that there are arguments on both sides. I get that for some reason it's been politicized," Drinkwitz added. "I just happen to believe that is good public health policy. Does it solve all the problems? I don't know. I'm a football coach. But I know that to get things done we have to buy into a collective mission. Is it a perfect plan? Seldom plans are perfect. But they have a plan in place. Let's work the plan. That's what were trying to do. Let's see if it works."

Time is running out to see if it works before decisions must be made on the upcoming college season.

The Big Ten and Pac-12 have announced they will play conference-only games this fall, if they are able to take the field at all. The Ivy and Patriot leagues from the FCS have decided to not compete in the fall.

Officials from the SEC met Monday to discuss their plans but will not make a final decision until later this month.

"It is clear that current circumstances related to COVID-19 must improve," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. "In the coming weeks we will continue to meet regularly with campus leaders via video conferences and gather relevant information while guided by medical advisors."

Missouri has become one of the latest hot spots for the coronavirus, reporting 28,826 cases with 932 people who were hospitalized Tuesday.

Nationwide, nearly 3.5 million people have contracted the virus and more than 136,000 have died.

Part of the problem in Missouri has been inconsistent messages. Many communities have implemented policies that require the use of masks in public spaces and where social distancing is not possible, and Gov. Mike Parson encouraged people to do the same. But even Parson went without a mask while making a series of public appearances over the weekend.

There is no such waffling for Drinkwitz, who still plans on the Tigers playing their opener Sept. 5 against Central Arkansas.

"I'm frustrated with the fact that when people argue against it, why are we not willing to try it?" he said. "My decision for me is a personal decision because of how it affects me on a personal basis. I can't affect if someone in Florida is going to wear a mask, but I can -- as an avenue of change -- I can help recommend here in Columbia that people wear a mask."

It isn't just the football season that is hanging in the balance. Drinkwitz wants to be able to visit local restaurants and bars, meet with fans and attend the kind of events with boosters that are vital to running a successful program.

"I'm not sure exactly what the numbers need to be or what they're looking for and all that. What I know and what I am suggesting is that numbers in and around our community are going up," he said, "and I don't know about you all, but I like going to Shakespeare's Pizza and some of the great spots in Columbia, and I really don't want to not be able to go to those places anymore. And in order for my wife to not have to home school this fall, we have to wear masks."

Drinkwitz's edict appears to be working as the football team continues offseason workouts. The school has administered nearly 400 tests since early June with just 10 positive cases, none of which were connected to the Tigers' facilities.

Meanwhile, nearby schools Kansas and Kansas State have been forced to halt workouts after too many positive tests.

"Look at our numbers compared to everybody else," Drinkwitz said. "I think our guys have heeded the message. They have gone above and beyond to ensure they are doing everything possible. You can do everything right and still get exposed, but you don't have to put yourselves in an adverse situation. Now the trick is to continue doing it."

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Eli Drinkwitz has been the head football coach at Missouri for just over seven months.He has yet to lead the Tigers onto the field, much less win a game, yet his role in the community already has forced him to take some important stands.First, it was supporting his new players as they pushed for equality amid the Black Lives Matter movement. Now it is encouraging folks to wear masks when they are out in public, which health experts insist is among the best ways to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus -- even though, much like social justice, it has become a politicized issue."I don't believe I have power. I have influence," Drinkwitz said during a Zoom meeting Wednesday, which he began by wearing a mask with the Tigers' logo. "There is a certain amount of influence being a head coach of an SEC school, being the head coach of Missouri, having the logo on your chest. It gives you a certain amount of credibility when you make conversations. What we are trying to do is encourage people that it's OK to wear a mask. It's OK to do it."I get that there are arguments on both sides. I get that for some reason it's been politicized," Drinkwitz added. "I just happen to believe that is good public health policy. Does it solve all the problems? I don't know. I'm a football coach. But I know that to get things done we have to buy into a collective mission. Is it a perfect plan? Seldom plans are perfect. But they have a plan in place. Let's work the plan. That's what were trying to do. Let's see if it works."Time is running out to see if it works before decisions must be made on the upcoming college season.The Big Ten and Pac-12 have announced they will play conference-only games this fall, if they are able to take the field at all. The Ivy and Patriot leagues from the FCS have decided to not compete in the fall.Officials from the SEC met Monday to discuss their plans but will not make a final decision until later this month."It is clear that current circumstances related to COVID-19 must improve," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. "In the coming weeks we will continue to meet regularly with campus leaders via video conferences and gather relevant information while guided by medical advisors."Missouri has become one of the latest hot spots for the coronavirus, reporting 28,826 cases with 932 people who were hospitalized Tuesday.Nationwide, nearly 3.5 million people have contracted the virus and more than 136,000 have died.Part of the problem in Missouri has been inconsistent messages. Many communities have implemented policies that require the use of masks in public spaces and where social distancing is not possible, and Gov. Mike Parson encouraged people to do the same. But even Parson went without a mask while making a series of public appearances over the weekend.There is no such waffling for Drinkwitz, who still plans on the Tigers playing their opener Sept. 5 against Central Arkansas."I'm frustrated with the fact that when people argue against it, why are we not willing to try it?" he said. "My decision for me is a personal decision because of how it affects me on a personal basis. I can't affect if someone in Florida is going to wear a mask, but I can -- as an avenue of change -- I can help recommend here in Columbia that people wear a mask."It isn't just the football season that is hanging in the balance. Drinkwitz wants to be able to visit local restaurants and bars, meet with fans and attend the kind of events with boosters that are vital to running a successful program."I'm not sure exactly what the numbers need to be or what they're looking for and all that. What I know and what I am suggesting is that numbers in and around our community are going up," he said, "and I don't know about you all, but I like going to Shakespeare's Pizza and some of the great spots in Columbia, and I really don't want to not be able to go to those places anymore. And in order for my wife to not have to home school this fall, we have to wear masks."Drinkwitz's edict appears to be working as the football team continues offseason workouts. The school has administered nearly 400 tests since early June with just 10 positive cases, none of which were connected to the Tigers' facilities.Meanwhile, nearby schools Kansas and Kansas State have been forced to halt workouts after too many positive tests."Look at our numbers compared to everybody else," Drinkwitz said. "I think our guys have heeded the message. They have gone above and beyond to ensure they are doing everything possible. You can do everything right and still get exposed, but you don't have to put yourselves in an adverse situation. Now the trick is to continue doing it."--- Mizzou Athletics ---

Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz using 'influence' to push wearing masks

The Big 12
Conference is rescheduling its 2020 Virtual Football Media Days presented by
Academy Sports + Outdoors to Monday, August 3. 

“As everyone
is aware, our head coaches and student-athletes have not been able to
collectively engage in organized team functions since athletics activities were
suspended in March. We felt it was prudent to give coaches a chance to
re-acclimate with their teams prior to participating in our annual season
preview event,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby.

A revised
version of the original July 20-21 media day schedule will be available in the
coming days. 

The Big 12
Conference is rescheduling its 2020 Virtual Football Media Days presented by
Academy Sports + Outdoors to Monday, August 3. “As everyone
is aware, our head coaches and student-athletes have not been able to
collectively engage in organized team functions since athletics activities were
suspended in March. We felt it was prudent to give coaches a chance to
re-acclimate with their teams prior to participating in our annual season
preview event,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby.A revised
version of the original July 20-21 media day schedule will be available in the
coming days. --- Big 12 Press Release ---

Big 12 Conference reschedules virtual football media days

Lincoln – University of Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills received preseason recognition Wednesday afternoon, as he was named a candidate for the 2020 Doak Walker Award. The honor, which is awarded to the nation’s top running back, is presented by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.

Mills, a senior from Waycross, Ga., made a significant impact in his first season at Nebraska in 2019. He led the Huskers with 745 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, earning honorable-mention All-Big Ten accolades from both the coaches and media. Mills posted a pair of 100-yard rushing efforts for the Huskers in 2019, highlighted by a 188-yard performance against No. 15 Wisconsin. His other 100-yard performance came against Northern Illinois, when he had 116 yards and a score on just 11 carries. That performance included a career-long 61-yard run. He finished eighth in rushing and touchdowns in Big Ten play in 2019. It is the second time Mills has been on the preseason Doak Walker list, as he was also on it following his freshman year at Georgia Tech. 

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the 2020 recipient. 

Lincoln – University of Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills received preseason recognition Wednesday afternoon, as he was named a candidate for the 2020 Doak Walker Award. The honor, which is awarded to the nation’s top running back, is presented by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.Mills, a senior from Waycross, Ga., made a significant impact in his first season at Nebraska in 2019. He led the Huskers with 745 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, earning honorable-mention All-Big Ten accolades from both the coaches and media. Mills posted a pair of 100-yard rushing efforts for the Huskers in 2019, highlighted by a 188-yard performance against No. 15 Wisconsin. His other 100-yard performance came against Northern Illinois, when he had 116 yards and a score on just 11 carries. That performance included a career-long 61-yard run. He finished eighth in rushing and touchdowns in Big Ten play in 2019. It is the second time Mills has been on the preseason Doak Walker list, as he was also on it following his freshman year at Georgia Tech. The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the 2020 recipient. --- NU Athletics ---

Nebraska's Dedrick Mills named to Doak Walker watch list

By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/college-football-schedules-unsettled-coronavirus-cases-spike-kansas-and-us">Kansas News Service</a>

BALDWIN CITY, Kansas — College athletics departments
 in Kansas are needing to make a call as the number of coronavirus cases
 climb across the country and in their own ranks: Cancel fall sports, 
delay them until the spring, try in-conference games only or something 
in between.

At the center of it all is football — the 
high-contact sport that brings in money from the top college level to 
the small schools.&nbsp;

Dozens of schools have reported coronavirus 
cases among team members at voluntary workouts. And earlier this summer,
 Kansas State became one of the first major college teams in the country
 to shut the workouts down because of a high number of positive tests. 
The University of Kansas soon followed suit.

Already, three of 
the five major college conferences (Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference 
and Pac-12) have said they’ll only play against teams in their 
conference. The Ivy and Patriot leagues are calling off their fall 
seasons entirely. The National Junior College Athletic Association voted
 to move football to the spring.

The Big 12, which includes KU and K-State, is expected to make its decision at the end of the month.

Without
 the money from big-time sports, universities that are already hurting 
financially after having to shift fully online in the spring will 
suffer. But so will the college towns.

Baker University drives 
the economy in Baldwin City, Kansas, a town of more than 4,700 that’s 
about a half-hour from Lawrence. Of the roughly 800-plus students on 
campus at Baker, 66% play one of the school’s 24 varsity sports.

In
 early June, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics 
(NAIA) announced that all of its schools — Baker included — would be 
reduced to nine regular-season games from 11. It’s still uncertain if 
fans will be allowed to attend the home games because the NAIA is 
leaving it up to schools to follow state and local requirements.

“The potential of not having our family at games, it’s something 
that’s going to be very, very different,” Baker athletics director Nate 
Houser said.

Already, Baldwin City’s 63rd annual Maple Leaf 
Festival has been cancelled for the fall. Apryl Strawn, the manager of 
Jo’s Diner in town, said the possibility of football without fans could 
be devastating to their business.&nbsp;

“It’ll be awful,” Strawn said. “It’ll be absolutely awful.”&nbsp;

The athletes’ health vs. financial health&nbsp;

Whether
 football is played in Baldwin City or at KU, the issue is the same: How
 do you avoid transmission of coronavirus in a sport where you’re lined 
up next to each other and hit other players constantly?

It’s a question KU Director of Athletics Jeff Long has been pondering all summer, and hasn’t been able to answer.

"We
 don’t know what the impact of practicing, closed-quarters hitting, 
tackling, all those things will have on a team,” Long said during a 
Kansas City Public Library virtual forum last month.

Players came
 back to campus for voluntary workouts from all over the country, 
including Texas, which has seen a dramatic spike in cases.&nbsp;

But epidemiologist Dr. Chris Hostler, who is a consultant for the NFL
 and the Big 12 (which KU and K-State are a part of), said coronavirus 
can be anywhere.

“We’re going to continue to have athletes and 
staff who are positives, who are coming from different areas of the 
country,” said Hostler, who is based in Durham, North Carolina. “Or even
 just remaining in their communities.”

And there’s another thing 
to consider: If any scholarship athlete, man or woman, chooses to sit 
out this fall as a health precaution, would he or she lose that full 
ride to college? The Pac-12 says no. With the Big 12 leaving it up to 
its members — K-State says it will honor scholarships but is still 
working out the terms of the language, while KU hadn’t provided its 
policy by the time this story went to print.&nbsp;

But more than 
anything, college administrators are aware of the added financial pinch 
if there are no college football games this fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“When people 
ask, ‘Why is it so important for you to play football, play basketball?”
 It’s to generate the revenue to fund that program,” Long said.

A major college football program like KU or K-State generates an average of $78 million according to a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2020/04/14/college-football-major-programs-could-see-billions-revenue-go-away/2989466001/">recent study by USA Today</a>.

Within
 the Big 12, the Texas schools (Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor and TCU) 
figure to already see less money. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently 
mandated that no schools can have more than 50% fan capacity at home 
games.

But Hostler said what’s happening in Texas won’t dictate a uniform set of recommendations.

“What
 happens in West Virginia is going to be very different than what 
happens a couple states away in Iowa or in Oklahoma,” he said.

Greg Echlin is a freelance sports reporter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594758329334.png" alt=" Kansas State's football team had several players test positive for COVID-19 this summer. Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3 file photo" />
 <figcaption> Kansas State's football team had several players test positive for COVID-19 this summer. Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3 file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/college-football-schedules-unsettled-coronavirus-cases-spike-kansas-and-us">Kansas News Service</a>BALDWIN CITY, Kansas — College athletics departments
 in Kansas are needing to make a call as the number of coronavirus cases
 climb across the country and in their own ranks: Cancel fall sports, 
delay them until the spring, try in-conference games only or something 
in between.At the center of it all is football — the 
high-contact sport that brings in money from the top college level to 
the small schools.&nbsp;Dozens of schools have reported coronavirus 
cases among team members at voluntary workouts. And earlier this summer,
 Kansas State became one of the first major college teams in the country
 to shut the workouts down because of a high number of positive tests. 
The University of Kansas soon followed suit.Already, three of 
the five major college conferences (Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference 
and Pac-12) have said they’ll only play against teams in their 
conference. The Ivy and Patriot leagues are calling off their fall 
seasons entirely. The National Junior College Athletic Association voted
 to move football to the spring.The Big 12, which includes KU and K-State, is expected to make its decision at the end of the month.Without
 the money from big-time sports, universities that are already hurting 
financially after having to shift fully online in the spring will 
suffer. But so will the college towns.Baker University drives 
the economy in Baldwin City, Kansas, a town of more than 4,700 that’s 
about a half-hour from Lawrence. Of the roughly 800-plus students on 
campus at Baker, 66% play one of the school’s 24 varsity sports.In
 early June, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics 
(NAIA) announced that all of its schools — Baker included — would be 
reduced to nine regular-season games from 11. It’s still uncertain if 
fans will be allowed to attend the home games because the NAIA is 
leaving it up to schools to follow state and local requirements.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594758388532.jpeg" alt=" Nate House is Baker University's athletic director. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption> Nate House is Baker University's athletic director. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>“The potential of not having our family at games, it’s something 
that’s going to be very, very different,” Baker athletics director Nate 
Houser said.Already, Baldwin City’s 63rd annual Maple Leaf 
Festival has been cancelled for the fall. Apryl Strawn, the manager of 
Jo’s Diner in town, said the possibility of football without fans could 
be devastating to their business.&nbsp;“It’ll be awful,” Strawn said. “It’ll be absolutely awful.”&nbsp;The athletes’ health vs. financial health&nbsp;Whether
 football is played in Baldwin City or at KU, the issue is the same: How
 do you avoid transmission of coronavirus in a sport where you’re lined 
up next to each other and hit other players constantly?It’s a question KU Director of Athletics Jeff Long has been pondering all summer, and hasn’t been able to answer."We
 don’t know what the impact of practicing, closed-quarters hitting, 
tackling, all those things will have on a team,” Long said during a 
Kansas City Public Library virtual forum last month.Players came
 back to campus for voluntary workouts from all over the country, 
including Texas, which has seen a dramatic spike in cases.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594758418685.jpeg" alt=" The field before last year's KU vs. K-State rivarly game. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3 file photo" />
 <figcaption> The field before last year's KU vs. K-State rivarly game. Credit Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3 file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>But epidemiologist Dr. Chris Hostler, who is a consultant for the NFL
 and the Big 12 (which KU and K-State are a part of), said coronavirus 
can be anywhere.“We’re going to continue to have athletes and 
staff who are positives, who are coming from different areas of the 
country,” said Hostler, who is based in Durham, North Carolina. “Or even
 just remaining in their communities.”And there’s another thing 
to consider: If any scholarship athlete, man or woman, chooses to sit 
out this fall as a health precaution, would he or she lose that full 
ride to college? The Pac-12 says no. With the Big 12 leaving it up to 
its members — K-State says it will honor scholarships but is still 
working out the terms of the language, while KU hadn’t provided its 
policy by the time this story went to print.&nbsp;But more than 
anything, college administrators are aware of the added financial pinch 
if there are no college football games this fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;“When people 
ask, ‘Why is it so important for you to play football, play basketball?”
 It’s to generate the revenue to fund that program,” Long said.A major college football program like KU or K-State generates an average of $78 million according to a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2020/04/14/college-football-major-programs-could-see-billions-revenue-go-away/2989466001/">recent study by USA Today</a>.Within
 the Big 12, the Texas schools (Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor and TCU) 
figure to already see less money. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently 
mandated that no schools can have more than 50% fan capacity at home 
games.But Hostler said what’s happening in Texas won’t dictate a uniform set of recommendations.“What
 happens in West Virginia is going to be very different than what 
happens a couple states away in Iowa or in Oklahoma,” he said.Greg Echlin is a freelance sports reporter.

College football schedules unsettled as virus cases spike

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Left-hander Danny Duffy will start for the Kansas City Royals when they open the season in Cleveland next week.

Duffy, 31, will make his third start on Opening Day, although this one is far different than the others because of the coronavirus pandemic. The game July 24 will begin a season shortened to 60 games that will last through August and September.

Right-hander Brad Keller, who started on Opening Day last season, is sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus. He is one of four players expected to make the Royals' initial 30-man roster who are awaiting two negative tests in a 24-hour span to return to the club. The others are first baseman Ryan O'Hearn and catchers Salvador Perez and Cam Gallagher.

Duffy went 7-6 with a 4.34 ERA in 23 starts last season.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Left-hander Danny Duffy will start for the Kansas City Royals when they open the season in Cleveland next week.Duffy, 31, will make his third start on Opening Day, although this one is far different than the others because of the coronavirus pandemic. The game July 24 will begin a season shortened to 60 games that will last through August and September.Right-hander Brad Keller, who started on Opening Day last season, is sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus. He is one of four players expected to make the Royals' initial 30-man roster who are awaiting two negative tests in a 24-hour span to return to the club. The others are first baseman Ryan O'Hearn and catchers Salvador Perez and Cam Gallagher.Duffy went 7-6 with a 4.34 ERA in 23 starts last season.--- Associated Press ---

Royals' Danny Duffy to start opening day against Cleveland

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (July 14, 2020) - The Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday that it will postpone the start of volleyball, soccer and cross country competition through at least August 31. The decision will provide additional time to prepare for the safe return of competition on an adjusted timeline.

The delay in competition includes all exhibition and non-conference games.

SEC institutions will continue to follow the guidance of the Conference's Return to Activity and Medical Advisory Task Force and the NCAA's Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines as student-athletes are engaged in preseason preparation for a return to competition.

Any rescheduling of non-conference contests impacted by the postponed start of the fall seasons in volleyball, soccer and cross country will be determined by each school.

The SEC continues to monitor developments related to COVID-19 as it evaluates the potential impact on fall schedules in all sports, with the understanding that the primary responsibility of the SEC and its institutions is to ensure the health and well-being of its student-athletes.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (July 14, 2020) - The Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday that it will postpone the start of volleyball, soccer and cross country competition through at least August 31. The decision will provide additional time to prepare for the safe return of competition on an adjusted timeline.The delay in competition includes all exhibition and non-conference games.SEC institutions will continue to follow the guidance of the Conference's Return to Activity and Medical Advisory Task Force and the NCAA's Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines as student-athletes are engaged in preseason preparation for a return to competition.Any rescheduling of non-conference contests impacted by the postponed start of the fall seasons in volleyball, soccer and cross country will be determined by each school.The SEC continues to monitor developments related to COVID-19 as it evaluates the potential impact on fall schedules in all sports, with the understanding that the primary responsibility of the SEC and its institutions is to ensure the health and well-being of its student-athletes.--- SEC Press Release ---

SEC postpones the start of volleyball, soccer & cross country seasons

The Kansas City Chiefs and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones agreed to a four-year contract that could be worth up to $85 million on Tuesday, the latest in a lavish spending spree by the Super Bowl champions as they continue to lock up their core pieces as training camp approaches.

The deal for Jones, which comes on the heels of a record-setting 10-year extension for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, includes $60 million in guarantees, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Chiefs had not announced the extension.

The two sides had been working on an extension since last year. But they were never very close, even when Jones showed his displeasure by skipping the entirety of the offseason program — including the mandatory summer minicamp.

Jones returned in time for training camp, though, and his unique ability to rush the passer from the interior of the defensive line was instrumental in helping Kansas City beat the San Francisco 49ers to win its first Super Bowl in 50 years.

Jones said afterward that he wanted to help the Chiefs establish a dynasty, but the euphoria of that victory in Miami soon wore off. Contract negotiations continued to stall and the Chiefs had to buy time by placing the franchise tag on Jones, and establishing a deadline of Wednesday for working out a deal.

And once the contract with Mahomes was done, the Chiefs had a better idea of their salary cap situation and that allowed negotiations with Jones' representatives to pick up.

“Listen, I think (general manager) Brett Veach has done a nice job of getting and retaining our players," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said recently, “and that’s not an easy thing to do with the way the salary cap is set up in today’s world.”

The length of Jones' contract works out for the Chiefs in that it expires before the big-money years begin for Mahomes, whose baseball-like contract could surpass $500 million total over the 12 years that he is under contract.

Jones certainly has earned his own impressive financial haul during his first four seasons in the league.

The second-round pick in the 2016 draft started 11 games and had two sacks as a rookie, then bumped that total to 6 1/2 sacks in Year 2. But it was the 15 1/2 sacks that he piled up while helping the Chiefs to the AFC title game in 2018 that really raised eyebrows, and put the Chiefs in the position of trying to hammer out a long-term contract for him.

Jones had another nine sacks last year despite missing three games with injuries, putting himself in an elite tier of interior pass rushers that includes Rams standout Aaron Donald and the Eagles' Fletcher Cox.

Jones hinted several weeks ago about holding out all season if the sides were unable to agree to a long-term deal. But his posts on social media over the past week had grown increasingly optimistic, and tweets over the weekend that said “I love you KC” and “vibes are unmatched” were taken by some as a sign that an extension was close.

“Got my boi locked up!” Mahomes tweeted Tuesday, when news of the deal broke. Mahomes then alluded to the fact few thought it would get done given the Chiefs' tight financial situation when he tweeted, “And yall thought we couldn’t...”

The Kansas City Chiefs and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones agreed to a four-year contract that could be worth up to $85 million on Tuesday, the latest in a lavish spending spree by the Super Bowl champions as they continue to lock up their core pieces as training camp approaches.The deal for Jones, which comes on the heels of a record-setting 10-year extension for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, includes $60 million in guarantees, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Chiefs had not announced the extension.The two sides had been working on an extension since last year. But they were never very close, even when Jones showed his displeasure by skipping the entirety of the offseason program — including the mandatory summer minicamp.Jones returned in time for training camp, though, and his unique ability to rush the passer from the interior of the defensive line was instrumental in helping Kansas City beat the San Francisco 49ers to win its first Super Bowl in 50 years.Jones said afterward that he wanted to help the Chiefs establish a dynasty, but the euphoria of that victory in Miami soon wore off. Contract negotiations continued to stall and the Chiefs had to buy time by placing the franchise tag on Jones, and establishing a deadline of Wednesday for working out a deal.And once the contract with Mahomes was done, the Chiefs had a better idea of their salary cap situation and that allowed negotiations with Jones' representatives to pick up.“Listen, I think (general manager) Brett Veach has done a nice job of getting and retaining our players," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said recently, “and that’s not an easy thing to do with the way the salary cap is set up in today’s world.”The length of Jones' contract works out for the Chiefs in that it expires before the big-money years begin for Mahomes, whose baseball-like contract could surpass $500 million total over the 12 years that he is under contract.Jones certainly has earned his own impressive financial haul during his first four seasons in the league.The second-round pick in the 2016 draft started 11 games and had two sacks as a rookie, then bumped that total to 6 1/2 sacks in Year 2. But it was the 15 1/2 sacks that he piled up while helping the Chiefs to the AFC title game in 2018 that really raised eyebrows, and put the Chiefs in the position of trying to hammer out a long-term contract for him.Jones had another nine sacks last year despite missing three games with injuries, putting himself in an elite tier of interior pass rushers that includes Rams standout Aaron Donald and the Eagles' Fletcher Cox.Jones hinted several weeks ago about holding out all season if the sides were unable to agree to a long-term deal. But his posts on social media over the past week had grown increasingly optimistic, and tweets over the weekend that said “I love you KC” and “vibes are unmatched” were taken by some as a sign that an extension was close.“Got my boi locked up!” Mahomes tweeted Tuesday, when news of the deal broke. Mahomes then alluded to the fact few thought it would get done given the Chiefs' tight financial situation when he tweeted, “And yall thought we couldn’t...”--- Associated Press ---

Chiefs, Chris Jones agree to 4-year, $85M extension

KANSAS CITY, MO (July 13, 2020) – The Kansas City Royals announced Monday that they have scheduled three exhibition games leading up to the season opener on Friday, July 24.  

The Royals will host the Houston Astros in Kauffman Stadium on Monday, July 20 (7:05 p.m.) and again on Tuesday, July 21 (1:05 p.m.). The club will then travel across the state to play the St. Louis Cardinals in a 3:05 p.m. affair in Busch Stadium on Wednesday, July 22.  This will mark the first exhibition meeting between Kansas City and St. Louis since 2001, when both clubs were members of the Grapefruit League, while the Royals last met Astros in exhibition play in 2015 in Houston.

All three games will be shown on Fox Sports Kansas City.

KC is scheduled to open the 2020 regular season on Friday, July 24 in Cleveland at 6:10 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, MO (July 13, 2020) – The Kansas City Royals announced Monday that they have scheduled three exhibition games leading up to the season opener on Friday, July 24. The Royals will host the Houston Astros in Kauffman Stadium on Monday, July 20 (7:05 p.m.) and again on Tuesday, July 21 (1:05 p.m.). The club will then travel across the state to play the St. Louis Cardinals in a 3:05 p.m. affair in Busch Stadium on Wednesday, July 22. This will mark the first exhibition meeting between Kansas City and St. Louis since 2001, when both clubs were members of the Grapefruit League, while the Royals last met Astros in exhibition play in 2015 in Houston.All three games will be shown on Fox Sports Kansas City.KC is scheduled to open the 2020 regular season on Friday, July 24 in Cleveland at 6:10 p.m.--- Royals Press Release ---

Royals will play three exhibition games next week

<a href="https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/h/u/dk9lnct08xxptv/NJCAA_Updated_Plan_of_Action.pdf">CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2020-21 NJCAA UPDATED PLAN OF ACTION</a>

Charlotte, NC – Following the recommendations from the NJCAA Presidential Advisory Council and the NJCAA Board of Regents, the NJCAA has announced its adjusted plan of action for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year. Following the Board of Regents' vote on Monday, a majority of competition will be moved to the spring semester.

"Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President &amp; CEO. "Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents, and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place. As we move forward as an association, we will continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and all those involved with the NJCAA to be safe and successful."

The most recent plan of action shifts all close-contact fall sports to the spring semester. These sports include football, men's and women's soccer, and court volleyball. The NJCAA cross country championships for all three divisions and half marathon championships will remain as their originally scheduled dates in the fall as well as Division III women's tennis. 

All winter sports competition will begin in January with a majority of championship seasons moved from March to April. These sports include men's and women's basketball, wrestling, and swimming and diving. Men's and women's bowling and men's and women's indoor track and field will be held at the beginning of March.

Spring sports competition remains intact with minor adjustments to dates. These sports include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, track and field, and men's and women's tennis.

Along with the adjustments to competition season and championship dates, the NJCAA has provided information as it relates to scrimmage and practice dates and allowances in the fall.

Championship dates are subject to change based on championship facility availability.

<a href="https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/h/u/dk9lnct08xxptv/NJCAA_Updated_Plan_of_Action.pdf">CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2020-21 NJCAA UPDATED PLAN OF ACTION</a>Charlotte, NC – Following the recommendations from the NJCAA Presidential Advisory Council and the NJCAA Board of Regents, the NJCAA has announced its adjusted plan of action for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year. Following the Board of Regents' vote on Monday, a majority of competition will be moved to the spring semester."Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President &amp; CEO. "Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents, and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place. As we move forward as an association, we will continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and all those involved with the NJCAA to be safe and successful."The most recent plan of action shifts all close-contact fall sports to the spring semester. These sports include football, men's and women's soccer, and court volleyball. The NJCAA cross country championships for all three divisions and half marathon championships will remain as their originally scheduled dates in the fall as well as Division III women's tennis. All winter sports competition will begin in January with a majority of championship seasons moved from March to April. These sports include men's and women's basketball, wrestling, and swimming and diving. Men's and women's bowling and men's and women's indoor track and field will be held at the beginning of March.Spring sports competition remains intact with minor adjustments to dates. These sports include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, track and field, and men's and women's tennis.Along with the adjustments to competition season and championship dates, the NJCAA has provided information as it relates to scrimmage and practice dates and allowances in the fall.Championship dates are subject to change based on championship facility availability.--- NJCAA Press Release ---

NJCAA votes to move football and other sports to the spring

MANHATTAN, Kansas – Kansas State Athletics has confirmed that only two total student-athletes are currently being isolated for active COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon.

Since the department began testing last month, a total of 29 student-athletes had tested positive for COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing of 190 student-athletes.

The football program began today its summer access program, which includes eight hours of weight training, conditioning and film review per week, while the men’s basketball, women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball continue voluntary workouts.

Cumulative positives since testing first began in June: 29

MANHATTAN, Kansas – Kansas State Athletics has confirmed that only two total student-athletes are currently being isolated for active COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon.Since the department began testing last month, a total of 29 student-athletes had tested positive for COVID-19 following PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing of 190 student-athletes.The football program began today its summer access program, which includes eight hours of weight training, conditioning and film review per week, while the men’s basketball, women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball continue voluntary workouts.COVID-19 Testing SummaryTotal Student-Athletes Tested: 190Current active positives: 2Cumulative positives since testing first began in June: 29-- K-State Athletics ---

Kansas State athletics provides July 13 COVID-19 update

The Big 12 Conference will commemorate its 25th anniversary during the 2020-21 athletic year by recognizing the memorable student-athletes, coaches and teams since inception. Highlights include national championships, award winners, academic honors, hall of famers and unforgettable performances. 

A social media campaign featuring these accomplishments will launch on July 20 across the Conference’s social media platforms to coincide with the start of Big 12 Virtual Football Media Days presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. The campaign will continue through June 15, 2021. As part of the 25th anniversary recognition, each institution created commemorative videos with versions for football, men's basketball, women's basketball and Olympic sports. The videos will be featured on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ throughout the season. Additionally, a commemorative logo was created for use during the anniversary year. 

“While our nation is certainly in the midst of trying times, we still want to acknowledge this significant Conference milestone,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “There have been many iconic individuals, teams and moments that have shaped our 25-year history and we look forward to reminiscing throughout the upcoming year.”

The Big 12 Conference was founded on February 25, 1994, and began official competition with the 1996-97 academic year. The original structure consisted of 12 universities with eight of those as current members in Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech. On July 2, 2012, the Big 12 welcomed TCU and West Virginia for its current 10-institution membership. 

In its short history, the Big 12 has been at the forefront in college athletics reform, specifically with student-athlete welfare. Competitive excellence, scholarship and sportsmanship are all equal components of the Big 12 philosophy. The award-winning “Big 12 Champions for Life” campaign highlights the positive impact an athletics scholarship has had on the lives of student-athletes leading to stories of personal growth and success. 

Since it began competition in 1996-97, the Big 12 has collected 63 NCAA team titles and 689 individual national championships. The Conference has had 720 student-athletes rewarded as Academic All-Americans and 34,960 recognized on Academic All-Big 12 teams. 

At the end of each academic year, the Conference honors its top male and female student-athletes with the Big 12 Athlete of the Year and Sportsperson of the Year awards. Among its academic initiatives is the prestigious Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships. A total of 461 scholars have received over $3.5 million in postgraduate financial aid through the first 24 years of the program.

The Big 12 sponsors 23 sports. Men’s squads include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track &amp; field, outdoor track &amp; field, swimming &amp; diving, tennis and wrestling. Women’s teams are fielded in basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, indoor track &amp; field, outdoor track &amp; field, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming &amp; diving, tennis and volleyball. 

Big 12 institutions create a league that encompasses five states and nearly 38 million people. Nearly 5,000 student-athletes from across the United States and around the world compete annually in the sports sponsored by the Conference.

The Big 12 Conference will commemorate its 25th anniversary during the 2020-21 athletic year by recognizing the memorable student-athletes, coaches and teams since inception. Highlights include national championships, award winners, academic honors, hall of famers and unforgettable performances. A social media campaign featuring these accomplishments will launch on July 20 across the Conference’s social media platforms to coincide with the start of Big 12 Virtual Football Media Days presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. The campaign will continue through June 15, 2021. As part of the 25th anniversary recognition, each institution created commemorative videos with versions for football, men's basketball, women's basketball and Olympic sports. The videos will be featured on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ throughout the season. Additionally, a commemorative logo was created for use during the anniversary year. “While our nation is certainly in the midst of trying times, we still want to acknowledge this significant Conference milestone,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “There have been many iconic individuals, teams and moments that have shaped our 25-year history and we look forward to reminiscing throughout the upcoming year.”The Big 12 Conference was founded on February 25, 1994, and began official competition with the 1996-97 academic year. The original structure consisted of 12 universities with eight of those as current members in Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech. On July 2, 2012, the Big 12 welcomed TCU and West Virginia for its current 10-institution membership. In its short history, the Big 12 has been at the forefront in college athletics reform, specifically with student-athlete welfare. Competitive excellence, scholarship and sportsmanship are all equal components of the Big 12 philosophy. The award-winning “Big 12 Champions for Life” campaign highlights the positive impact an athletics scholarship has had on the lives of student-athletes leading to stories of personal growth and success. Since it began competition in 1996-97, the Big 12 has collected 63 NCAA team titles and 689 individual national championships. The Conference has had 720 student-athletes rewarded as Academic All-Americans and 34,960 recognized on Academic All-Big 12 teams. At the end of each academic year, the Conference honors its top male and female student-athletes with the Big 12 Athlete of the Year and Sportsperson of the Year awards. Among its academic initiatives is the prestigious Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships. A total of 461 scholars have received over $3.5 million in postgraduate financial aid through the first 24 years of the program.The Big 12 sponsors 23 sports. Men’s squads include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track &amp; field, outdoor track &amp; field, swimming &amp; diving, tennis and wrestling. Women’s teams are fielded in basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, indoor track &amp; field, outdoor track &amp; field, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming &amp; diving, tennis and volleyball. Big 12 institutions create a league that encompasses five states and nearly 38 million people. Nearly 5,000 student-athletes from across the United States and around the world compete annually in the sports sponsored by the Conference.--- Big 12 Press Release ---

Big 12 to celebrate its 25th anniversary during 2020-21 school year

ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 13, 2020 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that pitcher Jordan Hicks has opted out of the 2020 season, citing pre-existing health concerns.

“We respect and understand Jordan’s decision to opt out this season,” stated Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak.  “We wish him well as he continues his recovery from elbow surgery, and we look forward to seeing Jordan back on the mound for the 2021 season.”

Hicks, 23, is currently recovering from “Tommy John” elbow surgery performed last June.  The hard-throwing Hicks appeared in 29 games last season (2-2, 3.14 ERA &amp; 14 saves) before his 2019 campaign was ended.  Hicks’ career mark stands at 5-6 with a 3.47 ERA and 20 saves in 102 games.

ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 13, 2020 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that pitcher Jordan Hicks has opted out of the 2020 season, citing pre-existing health concerns.“We respect and understand Jordan’s decision to opt out this season,” stated Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “We wish him well as he continues his recovery from elbow surgery, and we look forward to seeing Jordan back on the mound for the 2021 season.”Hicks, 23, is currently recovering from “Tommy John” elbow surgery performed last June. The hard-throwing Hicks appeared in 29 games last season (2-2, 3.14 ERA &amp; 14 saves) before his 2019 campaign was ended. Hicks’ career mark stands at 5-6 with a 3.47 ERA and 20 saves in 102 games.--- Cardinals Press Release ---

Cardinals' pitcher Jordan Hicks opts out of 2020 season

MANHATTAN, Kan. – One of the top returning defensive ends in the nation in 2020, Kansas State junior Wyatt Hubert has been named to the watch list for the 26th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.

Hubert is the first Wildcat to land on the watch list for the Bednarik Award – presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year – since D.J. Reed in 2017. He is the eighth player in school history to be considered for the award, which includes 1996 finalist Chris Canty and 2012 semifinalist Arthur Brown.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – One of the top returning defensive ends in the nation in 2020, Kansas State junior Wyatt Hubert has been named to the watch list for the 26th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.Hubert is the first Wildcat to land on the watch list for the Bednarik Award – presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year – since D.J. Reed in 2017. He is the eighth player in school history to be considered for the award, which includes 1996 finalist Chris Canty and 2012 semifinalist Arthur Brown.A 2019 First Team All-Big 12 performer, Hubert enters his junior season ranked 12th nationally among active players in career sacks per game (0.50) and 13th in career tackles for loss per game (0.91). Hubert, who earned votes for both the league’s defensive player and defensive lineman of the year awards last year, has recorded 11.5 sacks over his first two seasons, tied for the second most ever by a Wildcat prior to his junior campaign.Hubert, a native of Topeka, Kansas, started 12 games last season with 33 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. He tied for second in the Big 12 in sacks and was 10th in TFLs. He tied his career high with 2.0 sacks against both Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, while he had a season-high for tackles and 1.5 TFLs in K-State’s win over No. 5 Oklahoma.The Bednarik Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which is unveiling their preseason watch lists.--- K-State Athletics ---