By Brad Hallier
View from the Pressbox
One of the biggest things people in Hutchinson like to complain about—other than loud booms, service at fast-food restaurants, and when a new business opens (we need new businesses, but not THAT business)—is lack of things to do.
Look, we could all use more entertainment options, no doubt. A 12-screen movie theater, a better concert venue, a trampoline park, and a store-brand version of TopGolf would all be nice. But when it comes to local sports, it surprises me how little our community supports our school teams.
In particular, I’m befuddled that Hutchinson Community College sports aren’t better supported.
It seems locals are willing to throw down hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to travel to Manhattan to take in a Kansas State football game, Lawrence for a Kansas basketball game, or Kansas City for a Royals, Chiefs, or Sporting game.
But when it comes down to spending $50 or so to watch our Blue Dragons in football and basketball, that seems to be a line people aren’t willing to cross.
Blue Dragon football in particular is a strange one to me. While Blue Dragon football has been pretty good most of this century, when Drew Dallas took over the program after the 2019 season, the Blue Dragons have become one of the NJCAA’s top teams.
In Dallas’ six seasons, he has led the Blue Dragons to a pair of national championships, two second-place finishes, and twice had the Blue Dragons ranked third in the final NJCAA poll.
Gowans Stadium should have near-capacity crowds every Blue Dragon home game.
I’ve had several football players in my classes at HutchCC. Christian Johnson, this year’s starting quarterback, was as good of a kid as you’ll see on the field and in the classroom. Waymond Jordan, Jr., who was the top player in the NJCAA in 2024, was always in class. Da’mun Allen was incredulous that I collect tangible media. “You’re old!” is what Allen would say, his voice shaking with laughter on more than one occasion.
Colin Shields, CJ Ogbonna, Joe Stone, Cortez Braham, and others, all great dudes.
You could point out that there aren’t enough Kansas kids on the roster, but that doesn’t stop people from going to K-State and KU games. And yet, Dallas is well known not just for recruiting top Kansas talent, but also playing top Kansas players.
You’ve probably seen Malik Benson on TV, playing for Oregon. Yeah, he’s a Kansas native, from Lansing.
As for basketball, most of us around here know about Blue Dragon women’s basketball coach John Ontjes. He has built one of the NJCAA’s marquee programs and won his first national championship in 2024. Ontjes likewise has long recruited Kansas players and plays them. There have been years when Ontjes has had four Kansas starters. Heck, his national championship team was led by Kiki Smith, who hails from Topeka.
The men’s basketball program is an NJCAA blueblood, won a national championship as recently as 2017, and was in the quarterfinals as recently as 2024. And yet, despite the success and contributions from Kansas kids, the Sports Arena crowds are often light.
This is not to say that Gowans Stadium and the Sports Arena should be as full as my belly is on Thanksgiving, but Hutchinson should take more pride in having one of the best athletic departments in the NJCAA.
Other sports like soccer, baseball, softball, golf, and cross country are contenders seemingly every year now.
Yes, Hutchinson has its problems, and yes, entertainment options could be better. But if you’re willing to travel to Arrowhead, Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Allen Fieldhouse, or even Koch Arena, what’s stopping you from going to Gowans Stadium or the Sports Arena?
Brad Hallier is the assistant professor for journalism at Hutchinson Community and has covered Hutchinson-area sports for more than 20 years. You can reach him at hallier23@yahoo.com.