HUTCHINSON, Kan. — My 93-1 and Country 102.9 held their annual Adopt-A-Pet event with the Hutchinson Animal Shelter Saturday.
Three dogs were adopted at the event, held at the 9th and Main Eagle Media Center, and three more were adopted at the shelter before the day was over.
“It made a huge difference,” Ronnie Schlabs, animal services manager at the shelter, said in an email to HutchPost.com. Schlabs deemed Saturday a “very good day.”
Adoption fees were reduced Saturday and new pet parents received care packages to welcome their new furry friends home.
My 93-1 and Country 102.9 always hold Adopt-A-Pet one Saturday in May at Eagle Park, the lawn just south of their 9th and Main studios.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College Athletic Department announced on Monday that Robert Spies will become the new head coach of the Blue Dragon Track and Field program.
Current HutchCC track and field coach Pat Becher, left, welcomes new head coach Robert Spies. In February, Becher announced this season would be his last.
Director of Athletics Josh Gooch made the announcement at an introductory news conference on Monday at the Sports Arena.
Spies will officially take the program over July 1. Hall of Fame Blue Dragon head coach Pat Becher announced his retirement earlier this season after 34 seasons. Becher’s official last day is June 30.
Spies becomes just the fifth head coach of the Blue Dragon men’s program and just the third head coach of the women’s program at HutchCC.
“This is an exciting day for the future of Blue Dragon Track and Field,” Gooch said.
“This is a great time, not just for myself, but my family,” Spies said. “I know that there are very, very, very big shoes to fill. I’ve known Coach Becher for a very long time. I’m going to do my best to keep things going.”
Before Hutchinson, Spies guided four other collegiate track and field programs and has had success at each stop.
Before Hutchinson, Spies was the head coach at McPherson College. Starting at McPherson in 2013, Spies produced 75 NAIA national qualifiers and 33 NAIA All-Americans. He coached one NAIA national champion, 73 conference champions, 92 all-KCAC performers and more than 60 school records fell in his tenure with the Bulldogs.
From 2011 to 2013, Spies was the head coach at Bethany College in Lindsborg. At Bethany, Spies’ teams produced eight NAIA national qualifiers, three All-Americans, 13 conference champions, 58 all-conference performers and 10 school records.
Spies isn’t a stranger to the Jayhawk Conference. From 2007 to 2010, he was the head coach at Fort Scott Community College. While at Fort Scott, Spies mentored three NJCAA All-Americans, nine NJCAA national qualifiers, 36 all-Jayhawk East performers and 34 school records fell in those four seasons.
Spies started coaching at Pittsburg State University as an assistant in 2006 and 2007. With the Gorillas, Spies coached eight NCAA All-Americans, one NCAA national runner-up, 10 national qualifiers, six conference champions and 18 all-conference performers and five school records fell.
Spies was named the KCAC Coach of the Year three times (2016, 2017 and 2018). He was also the McPherson College Coach of the Year in 2018.
“One of the things that was appealing to me about Hutch was the continuity . . . not in just the athletic department but around the campus,” Spies said. “Gowans Stadium is a nice selling point. When you can bring a kid in and tell them we host nationals here, that’s a really nice selling point. I like to have a stadium.”
While at Pittsburg State, Spies was also the Student Fitness Facility Supervisor. Before that, from 2001 to 2004, Spies was the Strength and Conditioning coach at Virginia Military Institute.
Spies ran collegiately at Fort Hays State University. He was a 4-time NCAA Division II All-American, a 12-time Conference champion in both the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. While at Fort Hays State, Spies was ranked 14th in the world in the 60 meters, clocking a time of 6.57 seconds during his senior year. He has also competed at the USA National Championship level.
Spies completed a bachelor’s degree in childhood development with a minor in recreation from Pittsburg State. He earned a master’s degree in human health performance and recreation with an emphasis in sport and leisure management.
Robert and his wife, Ermelinda, have two children, Davian and Sofia.
Robert Spies’ Coaching Resume
July 1, 2019 Head coach at Hutchinson Community College
2013-2019 Head coach at McPherson College
2011-2013 Head coach at Bethany College
2007-2010 Head coach at Fort Scott Community College
2006-2007 Assistant coach at Pittsburg State University
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Super Cash Keyword Days: Tune in to Country 102.9, My 93.1 and KWBW 1450AM/98.5 FM for occasional “Super Cash Keyword Days”. On “Super Cash Keyword Days,” three unique keywords will be announced several times throughout the day (9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. on Country 102.9 and My 93.1, or in the 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. hours on KWBW). Listeners can log on to the contest section appearing here and enter the given keywords. Each unique keyword will qualify as one digital entry, ultimately giving listeners up to THREE potential digital entries for that day’s drawing held at 5 p.m. On “Keyword Days,” if you do not have access to the internet, you may alternatively register in-person at the Eagle Media Center studios at 825 N. Main. On these “Keyword Days,” you may only register by entering keywords online or in-person at the Eagle Media Center, NOT BOTH. One finalist will be randomly selected from that day’s combined “Digital Keyword” entries and Eagle Media Center written entries.
WICHITA, Kan. — Musical icon George Strait will once again take the stage at INTRUST Bank Arena on Friday, January 24, for Visit Wichita Presents Strait To Oz, an exclusive one-night engagement. Tickets for Visit Wichita Presents George Strait: Strait To Oz will go on sale Friday, May 17, through Select-A-Seat.
The King of Country’s January concert is the first show announced for INTRUST Bank Arena’s 10th Anniversary Concert Series in 2020, a celebration that will feature multiple artists and events throughout the year to commemorate the arena’s 10th Anniversary. Visit Wichita Presents Strait To Oz will be one of Strait’s rare live performances in 2020. INTRUST Bank Arena’s first concert took place on Jan. 9, 2010 and featured country superstar Brad Paisley.
“We can’t think of a better way to kick off our 10th Anniversary in January than by welcoming the King of Country, George Strait, back to Wichita,” AJ Boleski, SMG General Manager at INTRUST Bank Arena, said. “This concert wouldn’t be possible without the support of Visit Wichita and we are very grateful for their partnership and willingness to share in our vision for bringing Strait To Oz to INTRUST Bank Arena.”
George Strait’s last appearance at INTRUST Bank Arena in April 2014 was part of his final two-year tour, The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. The sold-out concert held the arena’s single-event attendance record for nearly five years and had a significant economic impact of $3.2 million for Wichita.
Strait recently released his brand-new album Honky Tonk Time Machine Friday, March 29, on MCA Nashville, debuting as his record-extending 27th No. 1 Billboard Country album. Comprised of 12 original titles plus Strait’s version of the Johnny Paycheck classic “Old Violin,” Honky Tonk Time Machine marks an incredible 30th career studio album for Strait. Strait, who produced the album alongside Chuck Ainlay, wrote eight of the 13 tracks including “Sing One with Willie” featuring Willie Nelson that the pair happily debuted at a recent Nashville show marking the first time the two country icons have ever shared the stage.
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 17, at 10 a.m. and will be available online at www.selectaseat.com, by phone at 855-755-SEAT (7328) or in person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena. For an opportunity to purchase tickets during a presale period beginning Wednesday, May 15, at 10 a.m., fans are encouraged to sign up for INTRUST Bank Arena’s Newsletter at www.intrustbankarena.com. American Express® Cardmembers can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Friday, May 10, at 10 a.m. through Thursday, May 16, at 10 p.m. Additionally, George Strait’s Fan Club will have an exclusive presale opportunity.
Two upgraded VIP Experiences are available for fans. The “Ace In The Hole” Gold VIP Experience includes one premium reserved ticket within the first three rows, early entry into the arena, access to a pre-show VIP Party, a crowd-free merchandise shopping opportunity before doors are opened, and a commemorative “Strait To Oz” merchandise item and poster signed by George Strait. The “Here For A Good Time” Silver VIP Experience includes one premium ticket within the first 10 rows, early entry into the arena, a crowd-free merchandise shopping opportunity before doors are opened, and a commemorative “Strait To Oz” poster signed by George Strait. Additional details are available at www.intrustbankarena.com/straittooz.
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The fire department, police department and emergency personnel from South Hutchinson lined up at Kutter’s Furniture Friday afternoon to greet Rice County Undersheriff Chad Murphy.
Murphy was shot earlier this week when he attempted to serve a warrant to David Madden. Murphy was initially taken to a Wichita hospital in critical condition.
A brigade of officers from local counties teamed up to transport Murphy back to Lyons. He is well enough to finish his recovery at the hospital in Lyons.
In a display of unity, officers lined K-96 from Wichita to South Hutchinson. At Kutter’s Furniture just outside of South Hutch, first responders from the city waited with lights flashing and the American flag waving.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Country 102.9 and My 93-1 will be accepting donations for BrightHouse, the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Center Women’s Shelter, at the 57th Annual Abbyville Rodeo on Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, near the main gate.
Look for the Eagle Radio truck starting at 6 each evening to drop off your donation before the rodeo begins at 8 p.m.
Below is a wish list of the current items most needed at the shelter.
LIBERAL, Kan. — Because of blizzard conditions in western Kansas, the final regular season games against Seward County have been postponed until Sunday.
The No. 6 Dragon women will play Sunday at 4 p.m. with the men to follow at 6 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Bre Rogers, Blue Dragon Sports Information.
Hutchinson’s women (28-1, 19-1) will battle the No. 2 Seward Saints (27-2, 19-1) with a Jayhawk West title on the line.
Hutchinson managed just 15 points in the second half earlier this month and watched a six-point halftime lead dissipate. The Saints handed the Blue Dragons their only loss of the season in a 70-54 final.
The winner will lock down the one-seed in the Jayhawk Conference playoffs and secure a first-round bye.
The No. 13 Seward men (24-5, 17-3) already locked up the Jayhawk West title, but Hutchinson is jockeying for seeding in upcoming postseason play.
With a win, the Dragons (23-6, 14-6) would lock up the two-seed in conference playoffs. The Dragons are currently tied with Barton in the standings. Hutchinson holds the tiebreaker over Barton should the Dragons lose and the Cougars win their season finale.
