By Fred Liggett
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Local college sports fans will want to take note of the schedule at this year’s autograph booth which features alumni from K-State, Arkansas, UCM and Mizzou over the three-day event.
Up first on Friday will be Kaleb Drinkgern and Brian Hertzog on what is being called a K-State Kickoff. The purple colors will shine from 4 to 6 p.m. “Go Hogs” will be the chant when former Arkansas football player and current LS West assistant coach Limbo Parks appears. Parks will be appearing with ex-Arkansas hoops star Mario Credit.
Area sports fans are invited to visit with them from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday night will finish with prizes from those playing games like Mini Corn Hole, A Stack the Cups Contest and finally spinning the popular Spin to Win Wheel.
Saturday starts early with the 2018 American Association League Champions, Kansas City T-Bones baseball on hand to promote their 2019 season.
From 11 a.m. to noon event attendees are welcome to have pics taken with T-Bones mascot Sizzle. Thanks to the recently completed renovations to Lea McKeighan Park the Lee’s Summit Parks & Rec offerings of Pickle Ball and KC Ice has proven very popular.
Parks & Rec Supervisor Ryan Gibson will be on hand to provide details on the programs offered to those living in or just visiting Lee’s Summit from noon to 2 p.m.
Sports Booth fun continues Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Kansas City Comets Arena soccer team. Comets alumni Alan Mayer will be there as well as team mascot Comet as area soccer fans learn more about the team’s summer camps.
For four hours starting at 4 p.m. the University of Central Missouri athletic department will be sharing the latest news about the Mules and Jennies based in Warrensburg, Missouri. Saturday will wrap up with an event called “Mizzou Made” as former athletic standouts at Mizzou stop by from 8 to 10 p.m. Chase Coffman and Colin Brown will represent Mizzou football as Mark Ellis represents Mizzou wrestling. Ellis was the NCAA Heavyweight champion in 2009. Brown, a 2009 KC Chiefs draft pick, played in the NFL for the Chiefs, Ravens and Bills. Coffman, a prep standout at nearby Ray-Pec High School, starred at Mizzou before becoming a 2009 NFL draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. Coffman went on to play for the Buccaneers, Falcons, and Titans and Seahawks before concluding a seven-year pro career.
Sunday offers a chance for those area sports fans who enjoy visiting the Truman Sports Complex a chance to see a one-time Kansas City Chief and a long time Kansas City Royal.
Kicking things off at 11 a.m. is KC Chief ambassador Mark Collins who spent 1994-96 with the team. Collins is a two time Super Bowl champion while with the New York Giants. Following Collins at 1 p.m. is KC Royal alum Mike Macfarlane. Mac as he was known by Royals fans wore Royal blue from 1987-1994 and again from 1996-98. Currently MacFarlane stays busy with his business Mac & Seitz Baseball center in South Kansas City. The center sponsors several youth Lee’s Summit teams that play games at Legacy Park each season.
Whether you leave with an autograph, a picture, win a prize or have the chance to root for your favorite college team one can expect a fun-filled three days at the Downtown Days Sports Booth.
The Sports Booth, sponsored by Security Bank, is located within the Lee’s Summit Medical Center Sports Zone on Douglas Street across from the fire station.
