Kansas Shrine Bowl looking for another host site as Washburn closes campus for summer
The 47th annual Kansas Shrine Bowl has suffered a threatening setback.
Washburn University has closed its campus in Topeka for the summer because of the COVID-19 outbreak, and that includes Yager Stadium, the site of the 2020 Shrine Bowl. According to a news release, the Shrine Bowl has not been canceled, and the staff is looking for an alternate site to go on July 18.
“We certainly understand the concerns and ultimate decision made by Washburn University leadership,” said B.J. Harris, Shrine Bowl executive director, in a release. “... The phased approach to opening is different throughout the state, based on the severity of cases in each region. We’re still hopeful we can find a venue and host city that hasn’t been impacted as greatly and might be closer to being able to accommodate a large event this summer.”
There are still 23 Kansas counties that have no reported cases of COVID-19, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
In addition to the stadium’s closing for the summer, Washburn has closed its residence halls, and dining facilities until the fall, according to the release. But Jessica Schenkel, Visit Topeka vice president, said in the release the city is looking forward to partnering with Washburn again in the future to bring the back back to town.
Topeka last hosted the Shrine Bowl in 2013 and welcomed one of the largest crowds in event history.
“We are disappointed that we will not be able to host the Shrine Bowl football game this year,” Washburn President Jerry Farley said in the release. “However, we are proud to be a part of the important work of the network raising money to support Shriners Hospitals for Children.”
The Shrine Bowl experience includes an All-Star football game, splitting Kansas from east and west. It also features a band camp, cheer camp, parade, football combine, 5k event, golf tournament, banquet and other activities.