Beginning this Friday, October 30th Fort Hays State University will be hosting the Division I and Division II Kansas high school volleyball tournaments. This family-friendly event will be held at Gross Memorial Coliseum on the FHSU campus, directly off the 183 bypass. Doors open on Friday at 7:00, with the first game beginning at 8:30 am. On Saturday morning the doors will open again at 9:00 and the first game will begin at 10:00.
This is an exciting time for communities in Kansas to support their athletes. You can certainly see the small-town excitement flooding into Hays when cars from all over the state roll into town sporting decorated windows with their team name and players’ numbers. Athletic Director at FHSU, Brad Haynes says this event is special because students from small rural schools get to play at a big venue like Gross Memorial Coliseum; some for the first time ever.
When FHSU hosts this tournament, not only is the Coliseum benefited, but also the whole town of Hays due to the rush of tourism. The Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, appreciate FHSU hosting this tournament because of the influx of people bringing their business to Hays in the hotels, restaurants, and stores.
Fort Hays State University has been hosting this tournament ever since Gross Memorial Coliseum was built (if you weren’t around in those days it was late 1970’s). Not only does FHSU host the state volleyball tournament, but they also host the state football, basketball, and wrestling tournaments every year. Last year was the first time FHSU didn’t host the high school basketball championships due to the Women’s Tiger Basketball Team ranking high enough to host the regional tournament here in Hays.
This is going to be a busy weekend for sports at FHSU with the football game being televised, hosting a home men’s soccer game and Gross Memorial jam packed with volleyball games. However, Haynes says this is what the operations staff loves to do; putting on an exceptional experience for the casual sports fan. Whether you are a soccer, volleyball, or football fan there will be something for everyone in Hays, Kansas this weekend!