TIGER ATHLETICS

SUPER SEASONS IN THE MAKING

An elementary school teacher. An ultrasound technician. A financial trader. The world will be getting some talented professionals when Whitney Randall, Jaden Hobbs, and Jared Vitztum leave Fort Hays State University to embark on their careers.

But the real world will have to wait. That trio is gearing up for the final season of their standout careers after the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to athletes competing in winter sports last year because of the pandemic.

All three received some type of All-America honors and were leaders for their respective teams during their traditional senior seasons. With an unprecedented fifth season made available, these “super seniors” have one more chance to take their teams to new heights. Whitney Randall, Jaden Hobbs, and Jared Vitztum are looking to make this a super season – one for the ages. Visit fhsuathletics.com for more on winter athletics and schedules.

Forever Friends

Whitney Randall and Jaden Hobbs were high school teammates and best friends in Alva, Okla. (population 5,100). The formidable guard tandem led the Goldbugs to three consecutive state championships during their high school careers.

Following graduation, Hobbs – one of the most sought-after high school point guards in Oklahoma at the time – took off for Oklahoma State. A year younger than Hobbs, Randall came north to Fort Hays State the next year.

Hobbs redshirted her freshman year at OSU because of injury, so she got on the court for the Cowgirls the same year as Randall did for the Tigers.

When Hobbs came to visit her friend in Hays one weekend during her sophomore season, she watched the Tigers play in the Central Region Tournament. The roaring crowd in Gross Memorial Coliseum gave Hobbs goosebumps. She later checked out the medical diagnostic imaging (MDI) major, which was not available at Oklahoma State, and she was impressed with the program. By the next season, the dynamic duo from northern Oklahoma was back together.

By the time they had completed their second year together at FHSU, Randall and Hobbs had definitely left their mark, leading the Tigers to their second MIAA championship in three years while garnering records and honors galore.

But those personal accomplishments aren’t all that important to Randall and Hobbs. They would like to do something no other FHSU women’s team has done.

“We want to get past regionals,” Hobbs said.

“Yes,” Randall echoed. “We want to get farther than last year. Of course, we always to win the league title. But the Elite Eight – that’s what we are shooting for this year.”

Sometimes, Coach Tony Hobson has to pinch himself to realize the impact of having not one, but two, players of this caliber back for another season.

“Everybody is calling this group ‘super seniors,’ and with these two, that description is literal,” he said. “Not only are they great players, but they are very good leaders off the floor, someone for the young players to look up to. They are good at explaining to the younger players what to expect. It’s a real bonus to have a couple of players like this in your program to lead the way.”

Randall is student teaching this semester at O’Loughlin Elementary School in Hays and plans to substitute teach in the spring. Hobbs will complete her bachelor’s degree in health and human performance this fall and earn another bachelor’s (in MDI) next spring, then begin her clinical rotation.

While they will look at their Tiger basketball careers with fond memories, they agree that it’s the memories they are making off the court that will linger long after the last game horn has sounded.

“They are more my friends than my teammates, and I think that’s really important,” Hobbs said. “These are lifelong friends. We will be in each other’s weddings and stay in touch forever. I’m extremely grateful for everything I’ve experienced here at Fort Hays State.”

One More Shot

Jared Vtztum says he was prepared to give up playing competitive basketball after high school. Then he got a call from FHSU Coach Mark Johnson.

Johnson had already secured all his recruits for the 2016-17 season, so there wasn’t a basketball scholarship available for Vitztum.

No matter. Vitztum, an honor student from Day 1 in kindergarten, had several academic scholarships to help cover his college expenses. He just wanted to continue playing basketball. So he joined the Tigers.

Fast forward five years.

After redshirting his freshman year, Vitztum eventually won a basketball scholarship. He strung together a respectable four years on the court, culminating in a senior season that ended with a long list of accomplishments and honors.

Now a solid, 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, Vitztum led the team in numerous categories while working on his master’s degree in business-finance.

Following that dream season, he was prepared to move on. He had already accepted a position with Adams Brown Wealth Consultants following a successful internship summer with the company.

Then came another visit with Coach Johnson, who asked “How would you like to play one more year for the Tigers?”

As much as Vitztum wanted to say “yes” immediately, he had to give it some thought. After all, he had a job awaiting him at the end of his senior season.

He still does.

Assured of his position as a financial trader in the Overland Park office of Adams Brown, Vitztum opted for playing basketball one more season.

That decision certainly pleased his coach.

“To have a Jared Vitztum back for another season is huge,” Johnson said. “The young guys definitely respect his talent level, and they really gravitate to him. He has good rapport with his teammates. With his experience and ability, he will play a big part in our success this year.”

Vitztum says he plans to take it all in.

“There’s nothing like hanging out with the guys in the locker room after a big win,” he said. “That’s what I think I will miss the most when I’m done. But I have one more shot at it. These guys will be lifelong friends. It’s nice being in that atmosphere for a couple years.”

“Or,” he added with a grin, “for six years.”