Kansas State High School Activities Association Continues Partnership with Kansas Beef Council as Official Protein Sponsor
For more information, contact:
Jeremy Holaday
Assistant Executive Director
Kansas State High School Activities Association
[email protected]
For more information, contact:
Hailey Gilbreath
Director of Communications
Kansas Beef Council
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2026
Kansas State High School Activities Association Continues Partnership with Kansas Beef Council as Official Protein Sponsor
(TOPEKA) - The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) names the Kansas Beef Council (KBC) as the Official Protein Sponsor of Kansas High School Athletics. This announcement is the continuation of the partnership, spotlighting the strength and community spirit of Kansas student athletes while showcasing beef as the protein that powers their success.
KBC will serve as the official protein sponsor of KSHSAA at state championship events and presenting sponsor of both the State Cross Country and State Wrestling Championships. These efforts will reach nearly 1 million fans annually, providing educational programming to help member schools make informed decisions about athletic nutrition.
A key component of the Checkoff-funded partnership includes the Sports Nutrition Game Plan, a free online resource designed to help athletes, coaches and parents learn how to properly fuel for performance. Developed by a registered dietitian, the program offers science-based nutrition guidance, including videos, recipes, meal plans and hydration tips, all emphasizing beef’s role as a high-quality protein for performance and recovery.
“High school athletes work hard to improve their performance, and nutrition is an important part of that equation,” KBC Director of Nutrition Abby Heidari, RDN, LD, said. “The Sports Nutrition Game Plan gives athletes and coaches practical, science-based tools to help them fuel, recover and perform their best.”
With more than 140 Kansas coaches and trainers already enrolled, the program continues to grow as schools without access to a sports dietitian seek reliable nutrition education. Through digital, social and event-based promotions, this partnership keeps beef top of mind with athletes and families while strengthening trust and demand.
“There are two pillars to the state of Kansas: a community supporting high school activities and the beef industry. For many, the two are what the town revolves around,” KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director Jeremy Holaday said. “When we think of meaningful partnerships for our member schools, Kansas Beef Council is a winner on all fronts. Their ability to enhance KSHSAA championships and provide nutritional plans for our schools has been outstanding.”
The partnership continuation reflects KSHSAA’s and KBC’s continued commitment to supporting high school athletics across Kansas and educating student-athletes, schools, families and fans on the high-quality protein for performance and recovery.
To learn more about the partnership between KSHSAA and KBC, visit www.kansasbeef.org or contact Director of Nutrition Abby Heidari, RDN, LD, at [email protected].
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About Kansas Beef Council The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents of each dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
About Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) is a non-profit association of accredited member schools, whose purpose is to administer a program of interscholastic activities, festivals, clinics and contests among member schools. The KSHSAA offers state championships in 11 boys and girls sports, and ten additional championships in music activities, debate, speech and drama and scholar's bowl. Of particular importance are efforts to elevate standards of good sportsmanship and to encourage growth of good citizenship among students and spectators.