"Imagine being one of the best Baseball players in the country, butbeing treated like a second-class citizen just because of the color ofyour skin," Wefald said. Wefald was impressed with O'Neil's"indomitable positive attitude." At a 1999 ceremony in Manhattan,Wefald awarded the former Kansas City Monarch the school's first-everLifetime Leadership Award, and lauded O'Neil for his great spirit andoutlook.

Tomorrow night, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City willhonor Wefald with the Buck O'Neil Legacy Award, recognizing Wefald forhis long-standing support of the museum.

That the award is named for O'Neil makes it even more special, Wefaldsaid.

"Buck O'Neil is one of the greatest people I've ever met," Wefald said.

He not only was the quintessential spokesman for the Negro LeaguesBaseball Museum, but he was the symbol of the greatness of the NegroLeagues over this past generation. He will always be one of the mostbeloved individuals in the history of Kansas City."

Wefald said he was moved when he visited the museum the first time.

"These teams, and especially the players and their owners and theirmanagers didn't sit around and complain. They knew there would be abetter day. They knew America was a country based on hope and progress,and someday they would overcome."

Wefald was so inspired he wrote a paper about the Negro Leagues; therehave been serious talks about turning it into a television movie.

K-State's College of Education also got involved. Through the effortsof Dean Mike Holen and numerous faculty members, an Internet projectcarries the league's story all over the world. A video introduction tothe museum is online at http://www.coe.ksu.edu/nlbemuseum/intro.htmland teacher resources are on the Web athttp://www.coe.ksu.edu/nlbemuseum/about.htmlThe Legacy Awards are scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Gem Theater,1615 E. 18th St. The event honors current Major League Baseball stars,including Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals, and Justin Morneau,Minnesota Twins, Players of the Year; Ryan Howard, PhiladelphiaPhillies, and Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers, home run leaders; ChipperJones, Atlanta Braves, and Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins, battingchampions. Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston will receive theJackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award. The Buck O'Neil Award toK-State President Jon Wefald will be presented by coach Bill Snyder,also a strong supporter of the museum.

CONTACT: Jon WefaldTel: +1 785 532 6221Cheryl MayTel: +1 785 532 6415e-mail: may@k-state.edu

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