City trio ‘touched’ by visit

Manhattan ? Three city football players learned this week what life would be like playing football in college.

But more importantly – and as always seems to be the case for participants in the annual Kansas Shrine Bowl, which kicks off at 7 tonight at Kansas State’s KSU Stadium – the recent Lawrence High and Free State graduates received a reaffirming lesson of what life is all about.

“It changes your whole view,” said former LHS running back Jeff Colter, who along with 67 other Shrine Bowl players made a trip to St. Louis last weekend to visit a Shriners Hospital For Children.

“I think it touched everyone,” Colter said of the group’s visit with a handful of disabled youths. “Sometimes you think you have it bad, and then you see people who have it worse than you, and it changes your whole perspective. That moment stays with you.”

Colter

So, too, does the mission of the Shrine Bowl, said Free State coach Bob Lisher, who is making his second appearance as an assistant coach for the East team.

“The Shriner motto is, ‘Strong legs run that weak legs may walk,’ and I think the kids really react to that,” said Lisher, who gets one final opportunity to coach former Firebird Philip Weinmaster tonight. “It’s just an awesome event with a great cause. I feel like it’s a great honor to be able to play or coach in this game.”

Ian Handshy

So does Ian Handshy, a standout linebacker/running back from LHS, who along with Weinmaster will walk on at Kansas University this fall.

“It was really nice to meet the kids, to see how much the Shriners really do for so many people and the real reason for why we’re playing the game,” he said.

The annual event that started in 1974 has raised more than $2 million for Shriners Hospital For Children.

Philip Weinmaster

In addition to feeling good about aiding the Shriners, the trio said the weeklong practices and activities offered a glimpse of what campus life would be like.

“Since we don’t have classes, all we really do is play football, eat, sleep and hang around,” said a laughing Handshy. “Not a bad life.”

Colter said it was cool getting to know former foes.

“You already kind of know the guys a little bit, but spending so much time with them you really can bond and get to know their personalities better,” Colter said. “When you’re playing against them, you kind of think they’re your enemy, but when you get to know them, you find out they’re pretty cool.”

What the East team – which won last year’s game, 29-12, at Emporia State to break a two-year losing streak – isn’t cool about is finding success in Manhattan.

Tonight will be the ninth time the teams have tangled in the Little Apple, and only once (in 1978) has the East team emerged victorious.

“There is a lot of talent in this state, but hopefully we’ll be able to get it done,” Colter said.

Weinmaster said he wasn’t sure he wanted to be done being coached by Lisher – especially since he has been able to have a few hijinks at his mentor’s expense this week.

“He’s different, a lot more laid-back,” Weinmaster said. “I’ve caught myself taking my helmet off a couple of times, which you could never do during the real season.

“But what’s he going to do? This is our big farewell together.”