Supporters rally for Washburn coach Brett Ballard after crash

Incredible love and support have been shown for Washburn University basketball coach Brett Ballard since he was seriously hurt late Aug. 4 in a Kansas Turnpike crash, the university and Washburn Athletics said Aug. 6 on Facebook.

“It’s a powerful reminder of what makes Washburn and Topeka such a caring community,” they said.

Ballard, 46, was listed in fair condition Aug. 6 at Topeka’s Stormont Vail Health, said Taylor Bugg, marketing and communications specialist for Stormont Vail.

“Many people have asked how they can send their encouragement and well wishes,” said the Facebook post by Washburn University and Washburn Athletics.

Cards and notes may be dropped off at the welcome desk just inside the north entrance at the university’s Morgan Hall, it said.

“We’ll make sure every message is delivered to Brett and his family,” the post said. “Thank you for continuing to surround the Ballard family with kindness, compassion and support.”

Brian Hanni — “Voice of the Jayhawks” at the University of Kansas, where Ballard played college basketball — shared on social media a list created by co-workers of Ballard’s wife, Kelly Ballard, giving ways people can help the couple and their three children.

“Brett is one of the best people you’ll ever meet,” Hanni wrote. “Let’s rally around him and his wonderful family!”

Hanni said the public can help by continuing to pray for Brett Ballard and his family and by providing gift cards to help with food and everyday needs.

Gift cards may be dropped off at Thiessen Design + Construction, 3512 SW Fairlawn Road, Suite 200, with every gift and contribution going directly to the family.

“Once everyone is back home together, we’ll organize a meal train and share those details as well,” Thiessen Design + Construction said on Facebook.

That post added: “This family has poured so much into this community over the years. Seeing that love return to them now speaks volumes about who they are — and about all of you. Thank you for holding them close.”

Ballard had been preparing for his ninth season as head coach at Washburn, where his career record is 167-79. His team during the 2024-2025 season went 30-4 and made it to the NCAA Division II National Semifinals (Four Four).

“A couple” of Washburn coaches have visited Ballard at Stormont Vail, said Gene Cassell, Washburn’s assistant athletic director for athlete communications, on Aug. 6.

Basketball team workouts and practices haven’t started yet at Washburn, where players are “on their own” until after school starts later this month, he said.

Still, strength and conditioning coaches are helping with the players’ workouts, he said.

Ballard was alone driving a 2024 Ford F-150 pickup truck westbound on the Kansas Turnpike about six miles northeast of its south Topeka exit about 8:17 p.m. Aug. 4 “when it left the roadway and went to the left, struck a delineator post, the embankment, and then a bridge pillar,” a Kansas Highway Patrol accident report said.

Delineators are brightly colored posts that tend to be three to four feet tall and are typically used to guide drivers, mark highway boundaries and separate traffic lines.

Ballard was wearing a seat belt, the accident report said.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at 785-213-5934 or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Supporters rally for Washburn coach Brett Ballard after crash