Best small event

The ballots were cast and the votes tallied and earlier this month, the Kansas City Sports Commission gave a big recognition to the efforts of some Rockhurst University students.

After its second go, the Hopkins, Skip and Run 5K beat out more than 30 other events for the coveted title of best small event in the greater Kansas City area.

“It was unexpected and it was a huge honor,” said Phil Hageman, who helped lead the event.  “We’re really thankful for the sports commission for giving us this award. It’s kind of the icing on the cake.”

Hageman and Katie McCune, along with members of the Kappa Epsilon chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha and members of the Zeta Eta chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha started planning the event in January of 2011. The event was held the following September.

Even though it was a lot of hard work, McCune said she was happy to do it. She said she was also shocked when she heard the news.

“We don’t get much recognition outside of our bubble,” she said. “It was nice to see that we were noticed on a bigger level.”

The event is dedicated to Nelson E. Hopkins Jr., a local high school student who was murdered near campus while walking home in December 2009.

McCune and Hageman said they will hold the event again this fall.