How Topeka Area Sports Commission helps area youths succeed in sports

Posted by author February 12, 2025 Sports

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The Topeka Area Sports Commission launched three years ago with the mission of assisting young athletes and promoting sporting events in the capital city.

The committee is designed to advocate for and strategically advance the sports scene in the greater Topeka area.

The idea developed from conversations with community stakeholders who identified the need for a permanent organization dedicated to advancing youth and adult sports in Topeka and surrounding counties, a news release said.

Mike Bell, director of the sports commission, said the mission is to promote Topeka as a sports destination. Bell shared updates about the sports commission since its launch with Shawnee County commissioners at a recent meeting.

“So, looking at inclusive sports and giving an inclusive environment, elevating our local facilities, posting quality sports events. Really promoting health and wellness for everybody in the Topeka area and around,” said Bell.

What has TASC accomplished since launching?

Bell said the sports commission is establishing themselves as a hub for athletes, recruiters and directors.

The sports commission launched TASC Cares in July 2023. That’s an initiative aimed to remove barriers to athletic participation by providing micro-grants to local youths.

TASC assists youths between the ages of 8 and 18 who face financial limitations that hinder their chance to participate in sports. Micro-grants awarded are used for registration fees, equipment purchases and other related expenses.

Funding through the TASC Cares Program has been awarded three different times, Bell told The Capital-Journal. The program awarded a total of $2,900 to three recipients at the end of January. Award recipients included Shoes for Children, Mats for Gymnastics and Scholarships for Athletes.

The three awards will provide essential footwear so young athletes can participate in their chosen sports, support a local gymnastics program with high-quality mats to enhance safety and performance, and offer financial assistance to youths, enabling them to pursue their athletic dreams without financial barriers.

TASC assisted with 65 sporting events in Topeka, with those events had an economic impact in the capital city of $27 million. Those sporting events ranged from Topeka Swim Association, Kansas kids wrestling, baseball, softball and more.

What does TASC look to achieve in 2025?

TASC looks to dive deeper into its recruitment area for 2025 to enhance sports experiences. That might include aiming for collegiate markets or promoting Topeka’s sporting facilities, such Hummer Sports Park, 2751 S.W. East Circle Drive.

“It really plays on the fact that we do high school (and) collegiate here in Topeka. High school champions have been here, so should collegiate,” said Bell. “We’re also looking to recruit basketball championships on the collegiate level, but we also just really want to help bring other events.”

TASC has put in bids for such events as the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The NAIA will have a national cheer and dance competition at the Stormont Vail Events Center, 1 Expocentre Drive. in just “a little over a year”, Bell told Shawnee County commissioners.

“We really put a bid in on the basketball championship,” Bell said. “We saw an opportunity that bringing a basketball championship from Kansas City, Mo., to Topeka would be amazing. We have Washburn. Great basketball team going on now and it would’ve been awesome to showcase.”

The NCAA chose to remain in Kansas City for its next round, but Bell said he’s hopeful because now Topeka Area Sports Commission is now “in the room.”

“We really look to diversify what people are coming to the community for and utilize that,” said Bell. “We try to be the connective tissue in getting folks in the community.”

A new grant cycle has launched

TASC is looking forward to its next grant cycle.

Submissions for Q1 2025 are now open and will be accepted until March 1. Organizations, coaches and individuals passionate about youth sports are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the TASC Cares Program and how to apply, visit www.topekasports.org or contact mike@visittopeka.com.

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.