Hays to play in Shrine Bowl

Captured Images/Kenny Felt Uniontown senior Chad Hays (1), seen here in an October game versus Humboldt, was chosen to particpate in the 2007 Kansas Shrine Bowl recently. The 2007 game will be played July 28 at Hays, Kan.

It's appropriate that this year's Kansas Shrine Bowl high-school football all-star game will be played at Fort Hays State University.

Why? Because Uniontown senior Chad Hays was one of the 68 Kansas seniors selected to participate in the game, which will be played July 28.

Hays played quarterback and defensive back for the Eagles and was a four-year starter for head coach Jim Mason.

Hays, son of Frank and Patty Hays of Lawrence and Kelly Hall of Mapleton, was a first team All-Three Rivers League player at both positions this year and received Kansas Class 2A All-State honors. Hays was also selected by the Wichita Eagle as one of the top 33 high school football players for all classes in the state of Kansas for 2006. He was the only southeast Kansas player to be recognized.

Hays is also the only player from the four Tribune Area schools to be selected to play in the game this season. According to the Shrine Bowl web site, he is just the second Uniontown High School player ever selected to play. Levi Neville played in the 1999 Shrine Bowl in Wichita.

The game and its events are produced by the Kansas Shrine Bowl to bring attention to the state's fine young athletic talent, and to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. Kansas children are treated free in Shriners Hospitals for Children regardless of the child's race, religion, nationality, creed, or relationship to a Shriner.

Through 2004, over 2.25 million dollars have been raised by the Shrine Bowl for the care and treatment of Kansas kids. There are currently about 950 Kansas kids receiving expert medical care and treatment at Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The game will feature the state's best graduated high school football players, and will also feature many of the top high school band members and cheerleaders from across Kansas.

According to Shrine Bowl Executive Director Dave Mize, the Shrine Bowl is excited about coming back to Hays.

"The Hays community embraced this game in 1997," he said. "And we're pleased to be welcomed back. It will be an exciting event for football fans in this part of the state, and we're looking forward to coming back to Hays and Fort Hays State."

This report was compiled from submitted information from multiple sources.