WICHITA, Kan. — The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and Commissioner Ted Breidenthal are pleased to announce the inaugural Game One "Game Changers of the Month" for the month of November.
The Game Changer of the Month recognition celebrates and highlights KCAC student-athletes and staff members in a wide variety of categories and is intended for those who fit the definition of a "Game Changer" in the eye of the athletic department and institution. Any KCAC student-athlete or staff member who fits their definition of a Game Changer is eligible to be nominated by an athletic staff member from any KCAC member institution. KCAC athletic staff are encouraged to identify and nominate Game Changers for consideration who are then reviewed and selected through a voting process. These individuals embody the spirit of the KCAC and have separated themselves by making a distinct and noticeable difference and impact on their campus, in the KCAC and beyond. This award celebrates individuals in the KCAC, in our athletic departments, and on our campuses for their impact. As described, this recognition is not restricted to statistics and objective measures.
Jalil Brown
McPherson College
Football Student-Athlete
Brown was nominated by Jeremiah Fiscus, football head coach at McPherson College
Brown earned back-to-back KCAC Football Offensive Player of the Week honors in the month of November. In November alone, he had 58 carries for 301 yards and four rushing touchdowns, along with 18 receptions for 193 yards and one receiving touchdown. When football all-division honors were announced in November, he was selected as the Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Kessinger Division, and was a first team all-division honoree. He also received a nomination on campus for student of the month, which is submitted by faculty members.
"Jalil is a tireless worker who does things right on and off the field," Fiscus said. "He appreciates his teammates and coaches. he works hard in the classroom. He is an outstanding young man!"
Meagan Contreras
Kansas Wesleyan University
Assistant Athletic Director for Developmental Programs & Senior Woman Leader
Meagan was nominated by Bruce Palmbaum, men's soccer head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University.
"Meagan gets it done right," Palmbaum remarked. "November is a crazy month at KWU, with Soccer playoffs, Cross Country, Golf and Football games. In addition, Basketball starts up. On one Saturday, Meagan was the game-day operations person for seven games for various sports on campus. Her efforts were nothing short of extraordinary and heroic."
Contreras has ties to Kansas Wesleyan dating back to 2014, when she arrived as a softball student-athlete. After earning her undergraduate degree at KWU, she earned an MBA degree in 2020 while serving as a graduate assistant within the athletic department in charge of game operations. After completion of her graduate degree, she moved into a full-time role within the department, overseeing game operations and serving as office manager. She served in those roles until leaving in Fall 2021.
Contreras worked as the Director of Ticket Operations at Sam Houston State University (Texas) for two years before returning to Kansas Wesleyan in early 2024 and assuming her current position.
Bethany Schrag
Bethel College
Women's Cross Country Student-Athlete
Bethany was nominated by Stacy Middleton, Athletic Operations Administrator and Senior Woman Leader for Bethel College Athletics.
Bethany was honored as the Champions of Character medallion recipient from Bethel College for women's cross country, and the Bethel women's cross country team as a whole was named the Team of Character for women's cross country. She qualified for the NAIA National Women's Cross Country championship meet in Columbia, Mo., and broke the Bethel College school record (set the year before by herself) by 29 seconds, finishing at Nationals with a time of 24:02. Bethany has also volunteered within the North Newton community and served at the Bluestem Gala with her team. She was also recognized for her kindness on campus with the ThresherKIND Award.
"Bethany Schrag is the epitome of dedication and excellence," Julio Martinez, head cross country coach at Bethel, said of Schrag. "Every day, she brings a relentless work ethic, a positive attitude, and a kind-hearted spirit that inspires those around her. Whether in practice or competition, she consistently rises to the occasion, tackling challenges with determination and grace. Her ability to embrace adversity and step up when it matters most is a testament to her character and competitive mindset. What truly distinguishes Bethany is her coachability—she listens, learns, and adapts with a level of maturity and focus that makes her an absolute joy to mentor. She has earned every bit of her success this season through hard work, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to growth."
KCAC Game Changers will also be recognized and celebrated at a designated sporting event to be determined.
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ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 28 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
—KCAC—