K-State to Honor Volleyball Legend Susan (Haas) Brown with Prestigious IMPACT Award
Recognizing a lifetime dedicated to empowering female athletes,Kansas State University Athletics will present its 2026 Girls and Women in Sports IMPACT Award to former Wildcat volleyball standout Susan (Haas) Brown during Saturday’s women’s basketball game against BYU. the presentation underscores K-State’s commitment to celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day and acknowledging individuals who have profoundly influenced the lives of girls and women thru the transformative power of sport.
According to a senior K-State Athletics official,”Susan had a tremendous coaching career at Johnson County. The impact she had coaching young women, and the sustained success that she achieved is remarkable. Winning the Jayhawk East Conference title 14 out of her 16 seasons speaks volumes. She was a proven leader and not only led with her coaching but also directed her program in such a way as to produce champions in the classroom too.”
The celebration extends beyond the award presentation, with K-state Athletics hosting its annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic prior to the basketball game. Organizers report the clinic reached full capacity more than two weeks in advance, demonstrating notable community interest.
Brown’s connection to K-State began as a student-athlete, lettering with the volleyball team from 1977 to 1980.Following her graduation in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education,she embarked on a remarkable coaching career at Johnson County Community College (JCCC),serving as head volleyball coach from 1981 to 1996.
During her tenure at JCCC, Brown amassed an impressive record of 527 wins, including three seasons with 40 or more victories.Her teams secured 14 Jayhawk East Conference titles, a testament to her consistent leadership and strategic acumen. Her career win total ranks 25th nationally among inactive coaches in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) across all divisions.
Brown’s JCCC squads also achieved significant postseason success,claiming three Region VI titles in 1981,1982,and 1983,and advancing to the NJCAA National Tournament in each of those years,finishing 13th,4th,and 5th respectively. Beyond wins and championships, Brown fostered a culture of academic excellence, producing four NJCAA Academic All-Americans.
Her coaching prowess was widely recognized, earning her NJCAA Region Coach of the Year honors three consecutive times from 1981 to 1983. Brown’s contributions to the sport were further cemented with her inductions into both the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001 and the JCCC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.
Even after stepping down from the sidelines, Brown continues to impact young lives as a professor of Health and Wellness at JCCC, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to mentorship and education.
K-State’s game against BYU is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (800) 221 CATS or visiting kstatesports.com/tickets. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, as well as on the K-State Sports Network, with local coverage on Sunny 102.5 and 1350 KMAN in Manhattan.
K-state Girls and Women in Sports IMPACT Award Recipients
2026 Susan (Haas) Brown – volleyball
2025 Betsy (Sloan) Meeks – women’s basketball
2024 Lynn Holzman – women’s basketball
2023 Tamie (Peugh) preston – tennis
2022 Patricia (drake) Potts – women’s basketball
The recognition of Susan (haas) Brown serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact that dedicated individuals can have on the lives of female athletes, both on and off the court.
