Special to Reflector-Chronicle
Kyle Klein, a member of the Kansas State University football team, Jacquelyne Leffler, a member of the KSU track team will appear with Cloverton, one of the top Christian bands in America at the Chapman High School Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening, Feb. 10.
The event, sponsored by the Good News Spectacular” Committee, is open to everyone with special invitations extended to Fellowship of Christian Athlete Chapters throughout central Kansas.
There is no cost to attend the “Good News Spectacular” event although a free-will offering will be taken with the net proceeds distributed to the Drew Kroeker Memorial Scholarship Fund as administered by Emmanuel Church in Abilene. Drew was a 15-year old Solomon High School athlete who died in an automobile accident on Nov. 4, 2005. His sister, Megan was a volleyball player at Kansas State University.
Kevin Wade, area drector of Northeast/Northcentral Kansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes and former KU athlete, will share his experiences as an FCA Member.
Throughout his time at Kansas State, Klein has been known best as Collin’s younger brother.
That may always be the case, but Klein will be able to make a name for himself starting next year. Older brother will be gone, pursuing a career in the NFL. Klein will be a sophomore receiver, pursuing a starting spot.
Kyle, 6’3,” 210-lbs., is from Loveland, Colo. He redshirted in 2010.
In 2009 as a senior tight end he caught 47 passes for 853 yards and 13 touchdowns, while recording 113 tackles and 5 picks on defense. Kyle was first team All-State 4A selection at safety. He was also All-Conference tight end and a two-year captain. He also earned All-Conference accolades at quarterback as a junior.
Kyle was born Oct. 25, 1991. He is majoring in Industrial Engineering at K-State.
With only Chris Harper and Zach McFall leaving the program, he will face strong competition. But he will be in the mix for playing time behind Tyler Lockett and Tramaine Thompson along with Curry Sexton, Torell Miller, and Deante Burton. Klein saw playing time this past season.
Klein was still adjusting to the position this season. Since joining the K-State program, he has spent time at defensive end, tight end and receiver. He played practically every position, including quarterback, for his high school football team and prides himself on being versatile. Still, he needed time to fully grasp K-State’s offense as a receiver.
Now that he feels more comfortable, his coaches are expecting big things.
“He had a great bowl prep,” co-offensive coordinator Dana Dimel said. “He is really starting to make some strides. I’m paying a lot of attention to what the young guys are doing. Kyle has made a lot of nice plays. He’s just like Collin. He is learning how to play his position. He is getting a lot better. He brings length to that position. We want to throw the ball downfield and he allows us to do that.”
Receivers coach Michael Smith also likes Klein’s progress.
“Kyle has come a long way,” Smith said. “He was a defensive end, then a tight end, now a wide receiver. But he has sculpted his body down to 205 and he still runs like a gazelle. He is one of those guys that will be in the mix to compete for a starting job and that is good for us as a unit.
That competition is going to bring out the best in whoever becomes the starter.”
Collin Klein is looking forward to seeing what his younger brother can do when he leaves. He has seen him make plays in practice, and says he has become one of the fastest players on the roster.
Kyle Klein hasn’t had many chances to show off his skills yet, but he is confident is day is coming.
Jacquelyne Leffler was four-time state champion in shot put and discus… state Junior Olympic champion in shot put in 2006 while finishing second in discus and third in javelin… two-time league champion in javelin … also lettered two years in volleyball and one in basketball and three in powerlifting… named all-league in volleyball and basketball and all-state in powerlifting in 2006… member of FCA, National Honor Society, 4-H and Future Business Leaders of America. Her hometown is Americus, Kansas. She attended high school at Northern Heights.
Jacquelyne redshirted at KSU in 2009 and had a medical redshirt of 2010 indoor but has excelled in shot put, hammer throw and discus since returning from her medical redshirt.
Jacquelyne holds the state record in shot put at (46-08) and discuss at 164’-04.
“Cloverton” is one of the finest young Christian bands in America.
Winners of the first ever ROCK THE CAMP contest hosted by TobyMac and Camp Electric, Cloverton propelled onto the Christian music scene in 2011, scoring the No. 1 most downloaded song in the history of KLOVE radio for their first single “Take Me into the Beautiful.” After racking up countless numbers of miles traveling all over the world playing shows, festivals, and even cruises, the four piece Christian indie outfit focuses on the future and their newly released “The End is the Beginning”.
While accolades and success have not been the ambition of the band, the early response to Cloverton's piano-laden rock has garnered much attention. When asked why Cloverton’s music has already had such an impact, Grammy and Dove award winning producer Paul Ebersold (Third Day, Skillet, 3 Doors Down), who is also the producer for the new EP states, “Lyrically, it’s forward thinking. It’s smarter.”
“Good News Spectacular” Chairman, Doug Thompson stated, “This is our third Good News Spectacular, Don Piper, author of the book “90 Minutes in Heaven” was the featured speaker for the first event with Bill Wiese, author of the book “23 Minutes in Hell” as the featured speaker for the second event. This event will be equally powerful.
Kyle Klein and Jacquelyn Leffler are major contributors to athletics at Kansas State University. Each will bring an inspirational and motivational message to those attending the event.”
Thompson added, “Fellowship of Christian Athletes is one of the most important organizations in any school or community. All of us are proud of the members of each chapter throughout Kansas and this gives us an opportunity to give something back to those who have given so generously of their time.”
The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday night, Feb. 10 at the Chapman High School Auditorium in Chapman. All are welcome on a first come, first serve basis. The auditorium seats over 700 but there is also room for a pour-over crowd. For further information concerning the event, call 785-922-6642 or email at karm@eaglecom.net. All of us look forward to seeing you for “Good News Spectacular 3”.
