Cy Fair Sun - Sports
Klein, Collins alumni raise money for Konicki
By Michael Sudhalter
Justin Hebert wanted to continue an old tradition with a new cause.
Hebert, a 1999 Klein High graduate, had played in the Bearkats’ annual alumni game – the Santa Bowl -- since it started in the mid-1990’s when he was still a high school student.
The 27-year-old mechanical engineer saw the game grow from a handful of friends playing outside an elementary school to a 12-team, 7-on-7 tournament played last Friday at Klein Memorial Stadium.
Hebert, the Santa Bowl organizer, decided it was time to re-name the event to the Coach Konicki Santa Bowl in honor of Mike Konicki, who passed away at the age of 44 last May due to colon cancer.
Konicki, a 1982 Klein graduate and former assistant coach and defensive coordinator with the Bearkats, was the head football coach at Klein Collins when he passed away.
The Coach Konicki Santa Bowl featured approximately 100 athletes. Ten of the teams were made up of Klein graduates, and two were from Klein Collins, and it was the largest Santa Bowl event to date.
“Coach Konicki meant the world to me and a lot of guys out here,” Hebert said. “He pumped you up more than any coach, and he really cared for all of his players. This is just an effort to show how much we care for Coach Konicki.”
“We really hope we can use this as annual event, call it the Coach Konicki Santa Bowl every year. We’ll continue to raise money, and I think it’ll be a fun event.”
The athletes all braved light rain to compete in the round-robin tournament, which was won by the Klein High Class of 2007 team.
All of the money raised -- $8,879,19 according to kleinbowl.com – went to Konicki’s family. Klein ISD allowed the teams to use the field and lights free of charge, and Kroger donated hot dogs, chips and soda.
Most of the players involved in the event had a connection to Konicki.
Ryan Thompson, a freshman at Texas State who graduated from Klein Collins last spring, was proud to be involved in the event.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Thompson said. “It’s a good way to get some money out there for his family. I played for him for two years, and he was a great guy. This is exactly what he’d like for us to be doing.”
Alex Tran, a 2000 Klein graduate who played for Konicki, returned to his hometown from the Dallas area to see family, friends and take part in the event.
“It’s just great to see everybody out here,” Tran said. “We’re paying tribute to a great coach and seeing our teammates, so it’s a win-win. He had so much energy and enthusiasm. It definitely spilled over to our team.”
Hebert, a 1999 Klein High graduate, had played in the Bearkats’ annual alumni game – the Santa Bowl -- since it started in the mid-1990’s when he was still a high school student.
The 27-year-old mechanical engineer saw the game grow from a handful of friends playing outside an elementary school to a 12-team, 7-on-7 tournament played last Friday at Klein Memorial Stadium.
Hebert, the Santa Bowl organizer, decided it was time to re-name the event to the Coach Konicki Santa Bowl in honor of Mike Konicki, who passed away at the age of 44 last May due to colon cancer.
Konicki, a 1982 Klein graduate and former assistant coach and defensive coordinator with the Bearkats, was the head football coach at Klein Collins when he passed away.
The Coach Konicki Santa Bowl featured approximately 100 athletes. Ten of the teams were made up of Klein graduates, and two were from Klein Collins, and it was the largest Santa Bowl event to date.
“Coach Konicki meant the world to me and a lot of guys out here,” Hebert said. “He pumped you up more than any coach, and he really cared for all of his players. This is just an effort to show how much we care for Coach Konicki.”
“We really hope we can use this as annual event, call it the Coach Konicki Santa Bowl every year. We’ll continue to raise money, and I think it’ll be a fun event.”
The athletes all braved light rain to compete in the round-robin tournament, which was won by the Klein High Class of 2007 team.
All of the money raised -- $8,879,19 according to kleinbowl.com – went to Konicki’s family. Klein ISD allowed the teams to use the field and lights free of charge, and Kroger donated hot dogs, chips and soda.
Most of the players involved in the event had a connection to Konicki.
Ryan Thompson, a freshman at Texas State who graduated from Klein Collins last spring, was proud to be involved in the event.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Thompson said. “It’s a good way to get some money out there for his family. I played for him for two years, and he was a great guy. This is exactly what he’d like for us to be doing.”
Alex Tran, a 2000 Klein graduate who played for Konicki, returned to his hometown from the Dallas area to see family, friends and take part in the event.
“It’s just great to see everybody out here,” Tran said. “We’re paying tribute to a great coach and seeing our teammates, so it’s a win-win. He had so much energy and enthusiasm. It definitely spilled over to our team.”
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