Player Selections Announced for the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl
The Kansas Shrine Bowl has announced the 88 players who have received invitations to play in the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. These invitations are the result of a selection process combining statewide media votes and Kansas Shrine Bowl coaching staff selections from a list of nearly 400 nominees. In addition to filling position specific needs on the roster, the selection process includes additional criteria regarding geographic restrictions, classification size, and limits on the number of players that may be selected per school. To learn more about the full selection process, visit www.KansasShrineBowl.com/SelectionProcess.
All invited players must accept their invitation to officially be added to the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl roster, in the case of a player declining their invitation or opting out of their commitment at any point prior to the game, a replacement player will be invited to fill the open roster spot. Roster replacements are selected and invited by the Kansas Shrine Bowl coaching staff.
“I’d like to congratulate these young men who have earned this opportunity, through their hard work and dedication as student-athletes, to be a part of something much bigger than just a game,” said Brice Kesler, Executive Director of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. “We can’t wait to welcome these players into the Kansas Shrine Bowl family and showcase their extraordinary talents, while making a life changing impact for the children who benefit from this annual Kansas tradition.” <read full release>
All invited players must accept their invitation to officially be added to the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl roster, in the case of a player declining their invitation or opting out of their commitment at any point prior to the game, a replacement player will be invited to fill the open roster spot. Roster replacements are selected and invited by the Kansas Shrine Bowl coaching staff.
“I’d like to congratulate these young men who have earned this opportunity, through their hard work and dedication as student-athletes, to be a part of something much bigger than just a game,” said Brice Kesler, Executive Director of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. “We can’t wait to welcome these players into the Kansas Shrine Bowl family and showcase their extraordinary talents, while making a life changing impact for the children who benefit from this annual Kansas tradition.” <read full release>
53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl Coaching Staff Announced
The Kansas Shrine Bowl is excited to announce the coaches who will lead the East and West teams in the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Emporia, Kansas. Each classification of 11-man football, 1A through 6A, is represented on the coaching staff, while the Head Coach of each team is selected from the previous year’s Kansas Shrine Bowl assistants. <read full release>
Kansas Shrine Bowl Announces $140,000 Donation
to Shriners Children's
The Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc. Board of Directors is proud to announce a 2025 donation of $140,000 to benefit Shriners Children’s. The net proceeds generated by the success of the organization’s 2025 events, the 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl presented by Mammoth and the 2nd KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals, are made possible by the generosity and efforts of many. The Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc. Board of Directors would like to extend their heartfelt thank you to all of the staff, participants, families, supporters, ambassadors, corporate partners, advertisers, volunteers, local hosts, and nobles across Kansas who have contributed in any fashion towards this remarkable contribution that will greatly impact the lives of the many Kansas children and families who receive care at Shriners Children’s. <read full release>
2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl Head Coaches Announced
The Kansas Shrine Bowl has announced the selection of Mike Berg, Wellsville High School, and Daniel Myears, Mulvane High School, to serve as the head coaches for the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The head coaches are selected from the group of assistant coaches from the previous year’s game after a vote from the previous year’s coaching staff, camp directors and support staff. The 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.
<read full release>
<read full release>
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The Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that produces annual events and related activities with net proceeds benefiting Shriners Children's. The Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc has existed since 1974 and has sent $3.36M to Shriners Hospitals for Children. The flagship event has been the Kansas Shrine Bowl, an East vs. West all-star senior football game that began in 1974. Kansas Shrine All-Star Events also include the Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band Camp, the Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Camp, the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals and many other game week events. All Kansas Shrine All-Star Events are produced and presented to benefit Shriners Children's. Shriner's Children's, previously Shriners Hospitals for Children, is a world-renowned healthcare system with hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe. Shriners Children's is dedicated to improving the lives of children every day by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
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