Month: November 2015

20th-ranked KCKCC teams play host at Lindsey Classic Friday, Saturday

by Alan Hoskins

For the first time in history, both Kansas City Kansas Community College basketball teams are ranked in NJCAA pre-season basketball polls.

Ironically, both teams are ranked No. 20 as they prepare to play host at the annual Keith Lindsey Classic Friday and Saturday.

In opening round women’s play Friday, Labette will play Allen County at 2 p.m. and KCKCC will square off against Coffeyville at 6 p.m. while men’s action will send Highland against St. Louis Community College at 4 p.m. and KCKCC against Link Year at 8 p.m.

Women’s play Saturday will begin at noon with Labette playing Coffeyville. The Highland and Link men will battle at 2 p.m. with the KCKCC women meeting Allen County at 4 p.m. and the Blue Devil men facing St. Louis CC at shortly after 6 p.m.

Induction ceremonies for the KCKCC Athletic Hall of Fame will be held between the KCKCC games about 6 p.m. Saturday. The 2015 inductee is Alan Hoskins, KCKCC public information supervisor and sports information director for more than 30 years.

The KCKCC-Coffeyville women’s game is a re-match of last year’s game in which Coffeyville dealt KCKCC one of the Lady Blue Devils’ three losses in a 29-3 season.

“I’m sure our returnees are looking forward to it,” said KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry, whose Blue Devils are unbeaten in five games this season.

A post-prep school in Branson, Mo., Link Prep is in its first season of collegiate basketball while St. Louis CC is returning for its second appearance in the Classic. Last year KCKCC escaped with a 78-70 win. Both St. Louis and KCKCC are coming off losses. Lewis and Clark defeated St. Louis while KCKCC fell 92-89 to Livin’ The Dream, a team made up of former college and professional players.

Alan Hoskins is the sports information director at KCKCC.

Security Bank sponsors Learning Club at Juniper Gardens

Security Bank has again invested in the Wyandotte County community. Recently, Security Bank President Jim Lewis announced that the bank would renew its sponsorship of the Learning Club for the 2015-2016 school year.

The Learning Club of KCK is a local non-profit that provides one-on-one after-school and summer tutoring in four high-poverty neighborhoods in the urban core of Kansas City, Kan.

Security Bank’s contribution supports weekly tutoring at the Learning Club’s Juniper Gardens public housing site. As part of the sponsorship, numerous Security Bank employees volunteer to work with the children.

Security Bank employees who tutor at the Learning Club feel connected to the community they serve. One Security Bank employee said she is proud that Security Bank is a corporate sponsor.

“I think it shows a commitment to our community, especially to those who have a greater need.” Another employee notes that “the Learning Club is special because it is individuals’ investment of time and effort, not just writing a check or attending a dinner.” A third employee said that it “demonstrates the real character of our bank.” This is a great gift to the community.

The Learning Club serves children in three other sites in Kansas City, Kan.: St. Margaret’s public housing, Chalet Manor public housing, and the Blessed Sacrament neighborhood. More than 100 elementary students (typically first to sixth grade) come weekly to receive free academic tutoring and mentoring.

Through the hour and a half program, tutors and students work on a variety of non-academic skills as well, including social skills, self-discipline, and responsibility.

The Learning Club provides occasional field trip opportunities for students to explore different areas of interest. Tutors and students alike love the relationships they form and the time they spend each week in the program.

In addition to Security Bank, Ryan Lawn and Tree and Jack Stack BBQ also sponsor Learning Club sites.

For more information about volunteering or donating to the Learning Club, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/learningclubkck/ or its website at https://learningclubkck.org/.

Security Bank employees are volunteering to work with children in the Learning Club at Juniper Gardens. (Photo from Security Bank)
Security Bank employees are volunteering to work with children in the Learning Club at Juniper Gardens. (Photo from Security Bank)

Security Bank employees are volunteering to work with children in the Learning Club at Juniper Gardens. (Photo from Security Bank)
Security Bank employees are volunteering to work with children in the Learning Club at Juniper Gardens. (Photo from Security Bank)

Security Bank employees are volunteering to work with children in the Learning Club at Juniper Gardens. (Photo from Security Bank)
Security Bank employees are volunteering to work with children in the Learning Club at Juniper Gardens. (Photo from Security Bank)