By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Sports Kansas was created out of the Kansas Tourism group to market and promote sports-related travel to Kansas. The organization has quarterly meetings where they pick a location in the state to tour a sports facility or venue.
The first in-person quarterly meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic hit will be hosted in Great Bend May 13.
Great Bend Convention & Visitors
Bureau Director Christina Hayes says the guest speaker will be local basketball
start Jackie Stiles.
"Specifically, we are interested in knowing what is it for a sports person, or sports superstar, that they are looking for in venues or things communities can do that give that extra boost to players, teams and fans," said Hayes. "She will speak to that a little bit, but of course, we want to hear about everything Jackie."
Stiles graduated from Claflin High School in 1997 and continues to hold the
Kansas girls’ record for most points scored in a career with 3,603. Stiles
attended Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State, where her
3,393 points scored ranks third in the NCAA D-I records. Stiles was also a
first round pick in the WNBA Draft in 2001. Stiles is currently an assistant
coach for the University of Oklahoma women’s basketball team.
Hayes says anyone will be able to listen to Stiles speak.
"We are just taking a free-will donation," said Hayes. "You can come and give a free-will donation and listen to her speak. We're hoping to have some sort of signing or picture option afterwards as well. The donation will help in the cost to get Jackie here and help Sports Kansas."
The Sports Kansas quarterly meeting will begin at 10 a.m. The group will take a
tour of The Fieldhouse and then have a catered meal. Stiles is expected to
speak at the Great Bend Events Center at 1:30 p.m.
For more information email Hayes at [email protected].