The termination of the historic and legendary Fort Scott Community College football program was a difficult and emotional decision.
A competitive football program at FSCC is not sustainable due to the cumulative effect of limited resources, changes in Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) football eligibility rules in 2016, and the changing ethos of football in general.
We simply do not have the resources to maintain a football team that would be competitive in the Jayhawk Conference.
The FSCC football program has afforded thousands of young men the opportunity to attain a college education and was the positive, transformational experience that allowed them to be more successful in life.
The dedication, expertise, and contributions of the many outstanding coaches, community supporters, and support staff who have been part of the football program over many years is one of the reasons FSCC is loved by many of our alumni.
We would especially like to thank the current football players and coaching staff who have represented FSCC with honor, pride, and dignity this season in very trying competitive circumstances.
FSCC will honor scholarships for all football student-athletes who choose to stay at FSCC and continue their education.
Steve Anthony, left, and Doug Guns. Submitted photo.
Steve Anthony, 49, is the new Woodland Hills Golf Course Clubhouse Manager in Fort Scott. The course is owned and operated by the City of Fort Scott.
Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton, Fort Scott.
He replaces Shannon O’Neil, who left in July.
Anthony feels that he and Doug Guns, the golf course superintendent, are a good team.
“I feel I have a good grasp of things and if things come up that need two heads to make a decision, Doug and I make the decision as we are pretty much on the same page and we make our decision on what’s best for the club and or our member’s,” he said.
Anthony’s hometown is Parkersburg, West Virginia and he is married to Stephanie Anthony.
“I have been an avid golfer since I was a young kid back in West Virginia,” he said. “I have been in Fort Scott for nine years now.”
“I have always had a love for the sport of golf and when the opportunity came to pursue the golf course (position) here, I jumped at the chance to take it on,” he said.
“When I started, I knew I wanted to do some different things that had not been done here,” Anthony said. “For example, having watch parties for National Football League games and it has grown each week. My hope is once the colder weather sets in we will have more folks come out to join us for games as they will be tired of just sitting at home.”
He enjoys coming to work each day, getting to do something that he loves, Anthony said.
“The Woodland Hills Golf Course is in really beautiful shape as Doug (Guns)and his crew do a great job making it look beautiful,” he said.
In the community, Anthony has been involved with Special Olympics, a large sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities.
“I, along with Bourbon County Undersheriff Ben Cole, host a golf tournament each year to benefit Special Olympics,” he said. “I am also on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Kansas.”
He enjoys coming to work each day, getting to do something that he loves, Anthony said.
Anthony can be reached at 620-223-5060 or his cell phone at 620-215-2392.
Golf carts that can be rented are lined up near the entrance to the Woodland Hills Golf Clubhouse.
The Eagles’ volleyball team traveled to Marmaton Valley and Riverton last week, and to Pleasanton this past Tuesday. They were defeated by Yates Center (25-12, 25-14); Altoona Midway (25-12, 25-19), where Hannah Moore scored 5 points; Moran (25-15, 25-15); Galena (25-20, 25-18), where Kristy Beene scored 9 points and Gwen Fry was 7/8 with 2 kills; Columbus (25-17, 25-21), Madison Shepard scoring 6 points, going 7/8 on attacks and getting 1 kill; Riverton (25-4, 25-10); St. Paul (25-8, 25-9); and Pleasanton (25-16, 25-9). The girls are working hard to improve, but there’s a long road ahead of them this season. “The past few weeks have been busy with volleyball,” Coach Hall says. “We are continuing to work on improving our game.” The Lady Eagles are headed to Cherryvale on Saturday, September 25th.
The annual Old Settler’s Co-Ed Ranch Rodeo was postponed from Labor Day to Sept. 13 because of the weather.
On that date, 15 teams of cowboys and cowgirls competed at the Uniontown Arena, just west of the town on Hwy. 3.
“We provide and promote horse-related events for the community,” Wayne Hall, president of the club said. “An each year we give a Warren McKinnis Scholarship to high school students. These are rural kids involved with agriculture.”
The club was established in 1967 as a family-oriented club that provides a large arena that hosts horse shows, rodeos, and roping practices, according to its’ Facebook page.
The 2021 the winners are:
Cutter Stevens, Fredonia, was the winner of the Uniontown Saddle Club Ranch Rodeo Top Youth award. Submitted photos.Tristan Hensen, Lamar, MO, was the winner of the Uniontown Saddle Club Top Female Participant award. Submitted photos.Trenton Umphenour, Pleasonton, is the winner of the Uniontown Saddle Club Top Male Participant award. Submitted photos.
In the team competitions:
Big Creek, comprised of Michell LaRue, Trent Eck, Cassidy Furhman, and Will Harding earned first place. Wayne Hall is on the right. Taken from Uniontown Saddle Club Facebook page
Second place winners: Brock Hall, Julia Hall, Karlee Boots, Trenton Umphenour, with Kactus K Trucking. Wayne Hall is on the right. Taken from the Facebook page.
Third place winners: Diamond S Cattle comprised of Kolby Boo, Britt Michaleis, Colby Brownrigg, and Mindi Holloway.
All prizes were purchased with sponsorship from the community.
The Uniontown Eagles’ football team played their Homecoming game against the Pleasanton Blu-Jays on Friday, September 17th. They beat the Jays 30-6. Treden Buckman had a total of 113 rushing yards over 14 attacks during the game. He made 2 of the 4 touchdowns. Andrew Buckman made 1 touchdown and Luke Perry made the other. Byron Fry had 4 knockdowns and Rylan Lee had 3. Matthew Poyner had 10 total tackles, Byron Fry had 9, and Korbin Miller had 9. “We stayed focused throughout the day with Homecoming distractions and got the job done,” said center defensive lineman Korbin Miller.
The Uniontown Eagles have had a rough start to their football season. Friday, September 4th’s game was cut into two parts due to weather concerns.
The second half of that game was played the following Monday, the 6th.
Treden Buckman lead in rushing that game, with 79 yards. Andrew Buckman followed with 45 yards. Andrew also led in passing for that game with 35 yards. Brycen Stewart, Korbin Miller, Byron Fry, and Matthias Johnson each had 1 knockdown during the game. The ending score on Monday was 7-22.
Last Friday, saw Wabaunsee travel the long four hours to our home field.
Treden rushed 39 yards and Joey Marlow rushed 23 yards. Korbin Miller had 4 knockdowns, and Byron Fry and Colby Hueston each had 3. The game ended 6-17.
No coaches were available for comment, but the players are eager to keep morale up and turn this season around.
Next weekend, two annual sports events will be combined: the Marmaton Massacre with the Tri-Yak-A-Thon and additionally a separate golf disc tournament.
Local businessman and bike enthusiast, Frank Halsey is the organizer of the bike race called the Marmaton Massacre and the kayak-run-bike contest called the Tri-Yak-A-Thon.
The Marmaton Massacre is still seeking participants, according to the Gunn Park Trails Facebook page.
The deadline to register is this Sunday, September 12, at midnight.
Frank Halsey, the event organizer, hugs his grandson following a first-place win in the kids’ race in July 2018.
“The Gunn Park Trail Volunteers (the sponsors of the events)are super excited! It’s going to be a very busy weekend in beautiful Gunn Park,” Halsey said.
“We’ve combined our annual Marmaton Massacre Festival and The annual Tri-Yak-A-Thon into a really fun-packed weekend, September 18th & 19th,” Halsey said. “In addition, Danny Craig is hosting a disc golf tournament on Saturday, the 18th.
“We kick off the activities with the Tri-Yak-A-Thon, at 9 a.m. Saturday,” Halsey said. “This is our 8th year for this charitable fundraiser of running a 5k on the trails, kayaking a 5k on the Marmaton River, and finishing with a 10k ride on the trails.”
Participants may go solo, or as a relay team.
“Solo is for those hard-core athletes, while the relay team is not easy, it’s definitely easier,” he said. “I don’t run any longer, so my daughter, Libby, and I will be a team. Proceeds of the Tri-Yak-A-Thon are donated to proceeds go to Fort Scott Paws and Claws Animal Shelter.”
“At 1 p.m. the Massacre officially starts with the marathon race,” Halsey said. “This is a 3-hour race, where participants complete as many laps as possible on our trails.”
To participate in the events see the Gunn Park Trails Facebook page, registrations must be sent by Sunday, Sept. 12.
The whole community is invited to watch.
“While most of the events are not really spectator-friendly, we’d love to have the locals show up for the Saturday evening festivities,” he said. “These start about 5:30 p.m. with the always fun Kid’s Bike Race. We create an open course, through the park, so not on the trails, for kids 10 years old and under. This is a hoot watching these kids, and everybody cheering.”
At 6:30 p.m. a father and son, Ed and Exander Schilling, St. Joe, MO will give a demonstration on bike skills.
Halsey describes the two as “extremely talented.” “Ed can do things on a bike that most can’t do on their feet, and Exander likes to get big air,” he said.
“Around 7:30 pm we have live music with DJ Brown & The Bourbon County Revival performing until about 9 or 9:30 p.m.,” he said. “They are a local band, that plays a little bit of everything.”
“The Beech Street Eats food truck will be onsite for refreshments,” Halsey said.
“This is a great family atmosphere, and we hope the people of Fort Scott, and the surrounding area, will bring their lawn chairs, kid’s bikes, enjoy the evening in beautiful Gunn Park,” he said.
“We could not do this without our volunteers and our generous sponsors, including:
Fort Scott Community College Men’s Basketball team over the years have been able to accessorize their basketball gear with numerous shirts, hoodies, masks, and even shoes thanks to the dedication of the community and booster supporters. Now the Hounds want to give the community the opportunity to “shop their closet” and purchase memorabilia from over the years. These items were made only for the players and not available to the public at the time. Now everything from practice gear and hoodies to shoes and travel jackets can be yours to show your Hound spirit this season.
“This is a great opportunity to purchase items and support and show spirit to the program and the student-athletes,” says Coach Cook.
All items will be available to view and purchase by contacting Coach Cook at [email protected] or follow them on social media. Proceeds from sales will go back to the FSCC Men’s Basketball Booster account for future purchases.
Women’s Flag Football is coming to Fort Scott Community College.
“Flag football is an emerging sport which has gained popularity across the country in recent years,” Tom Havron, FSCC’s Athletic Director said. “Many NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) schools in the region have started the programs, and FSCC is proud to be one of the founding members at the NJCAA level.”
“Flag football will be a female sport, consisting of 15-20 team members,” he said. “We will have students at FSCC fall of 2022, but the inaugural season will be a spring sport starting in 2023.”
Tom Havron is the FSCC Athletic Director. Submitted photos.
“Women’s Flag Football has been a growing commodity across the nation and FSCC intends to provide an opportunity for these student-athletes to continue their passion for the sport while pursuing their education at the collegiate level.”
“Similar to the Fort Scott youth flag football program, the FSCC team will feature women who play the game at a high level,” he said.
“FSCC is currently recruiting students to start competition in the fall of 2022,” Havron said.
Flag football. Submitted photo.
“As flag football is an emerging sport, there are not many people who have much experience in the region,” Havron said. “We have communicated with the area NAIA schools who have started the program in the past few years and hope to learn and grow with them. FSCC was awarded a $10,000 grant from the NFL and NJCAA. Part of this will be used to seek professional development activities for our coaching staff. ”
“We will practice on the FSCC campus at the turf field, and hope to play our games at Frary Field as well as other regional institutions,” he said.
Bryce Eck, 17, comes from a family of bucking horse riders.
“My Dad (Andy) rode bucking horses when he was younger,” Eck said. “My older brother, Colt (19 years old) rides as well.”
All that practice, and talent, paid off for Bryce when he won the 2021 World Championship Junior Rodeo in the bareback riding event, this year held in Guthrie, OK from July 29-31.
“The top eight (contenders) make it back to finals on the third day,” Eck said. “The winner rides on Thursday, Friday, Saturday at noon then that evening.”
“You have to be under 19 years old to go to this rodeo, (and) you have to make it back each round with your score and how well you rode,” he said.
“A good ride is to have the horse bucking and the rider spurring the ride,” Eck said. “You have to stay on for eight seconds.”
At home on the Eck farm, Bryce pitches in.
During the interview yesterday, he was hauling hay for his dad on their cattle farm, near Redfield.
The hay will be for winter feed for the animals on the Eck farm.
“We raise cattle and we have a colt training business,” Eck said. “We train the horses to be ridden.”
The site of the Burke Street Classic Wiffle Ball Tournament, July 30, 2021. Submitted photos.
Some area youth have organized a tournament in their neighborhood.
The Burke Street Wiffle Ball Classic 2021 starts at 2 p.m. today and is estimated to run until approximately 7:30 p.m., according to event organizer Dryden Cosens, age 17.
The event is located on Burke Street, adjacent to the Cosens’ home at 1320 Marblecrest Drive.
“It’s on a lot between Ralph Hall’s and Frank Halsey’s houses, our neighbors,” Cosens said.
A wiffle ball is a light perforated ball used in a type of baseball.
“The rules are watered down,” Cosens said. “It’s a fun thing to do in the backyard with family and friends.”
But today it is a tournament, that approximately nine teams will be competing in, with around 35-40 people.
The name of the league is Burke Street Wiffle Ball, he said.
“Anybody can come and watch,” Cosens said. “There are some shade trees, but bring your own lawn chairs.”
To aid players on this humid July day with temperatures expected to be near 100 degrees, Cosens and his brother Cal, will have popcicles and a tent set up, along with water.
Cal and Dryden Cosens. Submitted photo.
The Cosen brothers have been playing wiffle ball since Dryden was in sixth-grade, he said. He is now 17, and Cal is 15.
“In 2015, we had our first tournament,” Dryden said. “We made a Youtube channel, but kind of gave it up when we got busy with playing baseball.”
A friend, Rocco Loffredo, came to Dryden, with the idea of restarting the tournament.
“I talked to Cal, and we decided it would be a good idea,” he said.
Big Creek, comprised of Michell LaRue, Trent Eck, Cassidy Furhman, and Will Harding earned first place. Wayne Hall is on the right. Taken from Uniontown Saddle Club Facebook page
