Topside Tipoff Turns 37: How a Kiwanis Conversation Became a Northwest Kansas Basketball Classic
- Kristina Hemel
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
High school hoops season in Northwest Kansas officially arrives this week as the 37th Annual Topside Tipoff Basketball Tournament tips off Thursday, December 11, at the historic Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland.
Teams from three states will pack the dome this year:
Goodland High School
Colby High School
Life Prep Academy (Wichita)
Ulysses High School
Burlington High School
Wray High School
Norton High School
McCook High School
It’s three days of early-season basketball, loud student sections, and small-town hospitality that feels a lot like a family reunion.
But this whole thing actually started with two guys who were tired of driving to Scott City.
From “There’s Got to Be a Better Way” to Tipoff Tradition
Back in 2021, as the tournament celebrated its 33rd year, NWKS Radio’s Ross Volkmer sat down on the floor of Max Jones Fieldhouse with three men who were there at the very beginning: Ron Vignery, Dale Shields, and Dick Short.
Ron remembered sitting at a Kiwanis meeting with local insurance agent Larry Minner. Both had kids in high school, and both had spent years making late-night drives to Scott City for an early-season tournament—about 200 miles of winter highway every weekend.
They finally looked at each other and basically said: “Why are we doing this? We’ve got this beautiful fieldhouse in Goodland. Why don’t we host our own tournament?”
That simple complaint turned into a big idea.
They started meeting in Ron’s law office library around 1987, slowly building out a plan. It took a few years to recruit teams, because most schools already had long-standing tournament commitments. But the group was determined to create something special in Goodland—something worth building entire seasons around.
Built by the Community, for the Community
One of the most important decisions early on was to make the tournament independent of the school budget. The vision was big: an eight-team boys and girls event, run at a high level, with all the details done right.
So they formed a separate corporation and went to the business community for help. Goodland stepped up.Local businesses bought ads in the program, became sponsors, and essentially funded the entire operation. Over time, the sponsorship structure grew into what are now corporate sponsors, ranging from a few hundred dollars into the four-figure range.
By the time of that 2021 interview, the committee had over 30 corporate sponsors supporting the tournament each year, helping pay for everything from hospitality to awards and making sure the event didn’t just survive—it thrived.
Even during the COVID year, when attendance was heavily restricted and gate receipts were minimal, the sponsors stayed with it. According to the founders, not one backed out. That loyalty helped keep the streak alive.
The Pride of Goodland: Max Jones Fieldhouse
If you’ve ever walked into Max Jones for Topside Tipoff, you’ve seen what so many first-time teams experience: eyes immediately going up to the dome.
In that 2021 conversation, Dale talked about how new teams walk into the fieldhouse, look around, and realize this doesn’t feel like a regular-season gym. It feels like something closer to a state-tournament environment—a big-time stage for small-town kids.
Over the years, the field has included powerhouse programs from across Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska. One of the most famous visitors: Ottawa High School, led by future Duke and SMU standout (and NBA player) Semi Ojeleye, who once poured in 58 points in a single tournament game and scored 142 points over three games in one December event. (CJOnline)
Ambassadors, Hospitality, and the “Little Things”
Topside Tipoff is more than just a bracket. It’s a full community event.
The Goodland Ambassadors—the folks in the green coats—have been a huge part of the tradition. Each team is paired with an ambassador host who helps them navigate town, feel welcome, and often goes the extra mile with treats, decorations, and personal touches.
The tournament is also known for its hospitality room, which coaches and officials rave about year after year. Organizers have always believed that if you treat teams, fans, and referees well, they’ll want to come back.
Even the officiating crew has its own tradition—officials travel in from outside the immediate area, stay for the three days, and many look forward to returning year after year.
All of those “little” details add up to one big impression: Topside Tipoff feels first-class.
2025 Tournament: When and Where to Listen
This year’s 37th annual Topside Tipoff runs Thursday, December 11 through Saturday, December 13 at Max Jones Fieldhouse in Goodland. (topsidetipoff.com)
Here’s how to follow our local teams on NWKS Radio:
Goodland Cowgirls vs. Norton – Thursday, 6:00 p.m. MT
Goodland Cowboys vs. Burlington – Thursday, 8:00 p.m. MT
Both games live on RockIt 102.5 with Ross Volkmer on the call.
Colby Eagles (girls and boys) vs. Wichita Life Prep – starting at 7:00 p.m. CST
Coverage on 100.3 The Ride with Connor Schuh bringing you all the action.
You can listen on-air or stream from NWKSRADIO.NET, and follow along all weekend with scores, updates, and recaps.
For complete brackets, game times, and tournament updates, visit TopsideTipoff.com.
From a frustrated Kiwanis conversation about long drives in the late ’80s to a three-day event drawing teams from across the tri-state region, the Topside Tipoff has become exactly what its founders hoped for: a celebration of basketball, community, and Northwest Kansas pride.
See you under the dome. 🏀
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