Brian Hanni

New Jayhawk Network tradition we launched this week... We’ll dedicate each broadcast to a different KU fan fighting cancer. We’ll have their name on our headsets & their story in our hearts. @ me if you have a friend you’d like to feature. God bless, stay strong and Rock Chalk!

The Jayhawks have hit the floor in San Diego and Coach Self made sure to find his favorite fans. Rock Chalk!

Nobody does it better than the great Kevin Harlan. He’s set the bar for all Jayhawks coming out of the @KUJournalism School and quite frankly, for announcers everywhere. Congrats on nearly 30 years of being one of the signature Voices of March Madness. Rock Chalk!

As Mario closes in on finishing his degree, the legendary Jayhawk was kind enough to drop by my Play-by-Play class at @KUJournalism. Mario helped critique the students as they called “Mario’s Miracle” in front of the legend himself. Now THAT’s pressure! Just like Mario, our students delivered in the clutch - including @Trev_b27, who Mario tabbed the best. Thanks, Rio and congrats on getting that degree! 🙌🎓 Rock Chalk!

Salvador Perez: 2015 World Series MVP 2020 Comeback Player of the Year 2022 Lou Gehrig Award 2024 Roberto Clemente Award 2024 Stan Musial Award 2026 World Baseball Classic champion 9-time All-Star 5-time Gold Glove 5-time Silver Slugger

Nearly two decades after becoming a @KU_Hoops hero, @mchalmers15 is back on campus fulfilling a promise to his mom by earning his degree.

I’m going to share this once. Some friends offered to do this for us. No one is under any obligation. This time my family in going through something we’ve never been through. We’ve never had Brody need four surgeries in three months. We’ve never spent over two months away from home like we have to this year. We’ve never had to max out my wife’s PTO for Brody’s medical needs by July. We’ve never needed me to be out of my practice for 6 weeks to help care for my son because he is now a big boy that need two people to lift him in/out of his wheelchair, etc. We’ve never been in this position. My ego pushed back against this for a long time. I don’t like asking for help. I don’t like feeling like we aren’t able to handle it. I hate all of it. But we had a lot of people ask how they could help us through this time and this is what our friends came up with. No obligation. No expectation. Appreciation for any little bit. Love you all for all you’ve ALREADY done to lift us up during this time. gofundme.com/f/support-brod…

Tonight’s #KUCancerFighter tribute celebrates the life of Jeff Kennedy, a passionate Jayhawk supporter & proud 1981 KU grad who passed away last month after courageously battling kidney cancer for over a year. Jeff was 75 when he passed.   This loving husband and Dodge City native, was a very successful lawyer, who served as managing partner of Martin Pringle Attorneys at Law. Loyal Jayhawk Network listeners are used to hearing the “Martin Pringle Attorneys at Law Bill Self & Lance Leipold postgame interviews” and Jeff was actually the man who made those happen, a proud piece of his KU legacy, for this season-ticket holder and avid Jayhawk fan.   Jeff was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity while at KU and finished with a journalism degree at Kansas before pursuing law school at Washburn. He gave back to both alma maters and proudly served as the Chairman of the KU Alumni Association National Board of Directors and once got to speak at commencement in 2014. In 2019, he received the Fred Ellsworth Medallion, the Alumni Association’s highest award for volunteer service to KU.   Jeff’s family says it’s hard to name one particular favorite Jayhawk, but that true to his spirit, Jeff always cheered hardest for the less-heralded players and would be quick to point out how their dedication and contributions were just as valuable as the stars.   Jeff, you’re forever a star in our eyes. We are so grateful for the lifetime of contributions you made to KU and the example you set for so many Jayhawks who have followed in your footsteps. We also saw how courageously you battled cancer down the stretch, another example of what a special soul you truly are. Tonight’s call is for you. Rock Chalk forever, brother. 💙❤️😇

@LVCoug @travisclones There sure is. Thanks for your thoughtfulness: gofundme.com/f/blessings-fo…

@BHanni @travisclones Is there a go fund me for him and his family?

Tonight’s #KUCancerFighter hero is Kalvin Lynch, a 16-year-old from Wabaunsee battling DIPG – an aggressive and fast-growing tumor located in the brain stem.   Based on the location, the tumor is inoperable, but Kalvin is attacking each day, making the most of every chance he gets and has courageously begun a radiation regimen that involves 5 treatment days a week, for 6 straight weeks. This young warrior remains super positive despite the horrible hand he’s been dealt. He has an incredible ability to still smile, laugh and joke even on the hardest days, seemingly trying harder to comfort his family than himself. He is one of 4 kids and his beloved by his family, friends and church. His biggest wish is just to feel like himself again, being able to drive, play the drums and laugh with his friends. His family describes him as a leader in his school with a special, light-hearted way about him that attracts friends among every group he meets.   Kalvin, we’re so inspired by your courage and resilience and want you to know what a hero we think you are! Tonight’s call is for you and we hope to play all month with that same #KalvinStrong toughness and determination. Rock Chalk, brother! 💙❤️

All they needed was a Dawg. 🔥🤫 ♦️ Big 12 Newcomer of the Year ♦️ All-Big 12 Honorable Mention ♦️ All-Newcomer Team @melvincounciljr | bit.ly/KUMBB-AllBig12

Locked up the league. 🔒🗣️ ♦️ Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year ♦️ All-Big 12 First Team ♦️ All-Defensive Team @FBidunga | bit.ly/KUMBB-AllBig12

We’ve been treated to numerous legendary game-winners in 23 years of Bill Self basketball at KU… but Self’s first in The Phog came on January 1st, 2005 with the great @keith_langford delivering in overtime. Keith breaks down this awesome moment and many more on this week’s episode.

Dawg on the diamond 🔥 MCJ with the first pitch! ⚾️ @KUBaseball

Jayhawks forever ❤️

Hear from @EversWilder after Kansas' victory over Kansas State 🗣️ #RockChalk x @theclubcarwash

A truly special senior speech from Melvin Council and then a rare full roster rundown by the Hall of Famer as well. What a memorable Senior Day in The Phog.

Melvin Council receives the loudest ovation rounding out a special 6-pack of Kansas seniors. Coach Self has said no player has endeared himself to this fanbase more in a short window than Jayhawk Nation’s favorite “dawg.” Congrats, Melvin and all our seniors, now let’s go make it 43-straight! Rock Chalk!

Today’s #KUCancerFighter hero is Zara Smith, a 16-year-old from Kansas City, KS battling a rare cancer called Angiosarcoma.   This brave young lady received her diagnosis just a couple days after Christmas and though devastating, has hit the ground running with a determined mindset and resilience that has impressed all who know her. Also impressive has been her ability to not allow her cancer battle to keep her from doing the things she loves. One of her favorite hobbies is doing nails, something her family says has been a good distraction from her treatments and something that brings her peace and joy. As you can see from the photos, she’s very talented in her nail designs and might even make a career out of it one day when her cancer journey is behind her. Zara’s family is grateful for all the support she’s received and all who have reached out with encouragement the last few months amidst her cancer journey.   Zara, Jayhawk Nation is so impressed by your courage and mindset to not let cancer take over your life. We’re all pulling for you and today’s call is for you!  Rock Chalk!

Pretty special pregame scene in The Phog and the whole team & staff are soaking it up. Nobody does Senior Day like Kansas.

@YLOD_Express Thanks for your support, James. Really means a lot. @Learfield has a site called SyncMyGame.com that helps listeners pair the audio to their TVs through the free Varsity Network App. Hope that helps a bit. Rock Chalk, brother!

Excited to celebrate this special group today. For those wondering… Yes, we will carry the entirety of the Senior Speeches on the Jayhawk Sports Network & if you want to watch them, turn on our “Behind the Mic” feed via the “Kansas Jayhawks” Facebook page during postgame. Rock Chalk! 💙❤️