NAIA Fab Four teams take a timeout to give back to KC community
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Two rounds into March Madness, and while unfortunately there’s not a regional team or local players to root for in the big tournament, there’s still basketball being played in town that Kansas City can be proud to have here.
The NAIA Fab Four – Freed-Hardeman, Arizona Christian, The College of Idaho and Oklahoma Wesleyan will play the semi-final on Monday, March 24. However, on Sunday, March 23, they took a break from the competition to teach their skills to kids during a Special Olympics clinic.
Max was one of those Olympians. His mom, Mary Burian, watched with proud eyes as he shot, dribbled and ed on Municipal Auditorium’s basketball court.
“I love seeing them connect with our kids, and our kids look up to them because they’re so tall,” Burian said. “We got a picture of him dribbling down the lane with all the players cheering him on.”
Freed-Hardeman Basketball Coach Drew Stutts is pursuing back-to-back championships this year, and although there’s added pressure that comes along with that goal, making time for the skills session is important to him, too.
“This is such a great opportunity to give back to the Kansas City community,” Stutts said. “Really wanting to develop our guys and give them an opportunity to give back. It’s more about who they become than just being basketball players.”
Tip-off between Arizona Christian and the College of Idaho is at 5 p.m. on Monday, and the game between Oklahoma Wesleyan and Freed-Hardeman will take place afterward. The winners will play in the championship game at Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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