There is the Weems Way, and all others. Kevin Weems, a former Washburn basketball player, practiced what he preached, whether it was dropping off veggies from his garden to his mother or coaching youngsters on basketball or chaperoning kids on a school field trip. He believed that whom much is given, much is required. And he instilled that in former professional basketball player Kyle Weems and former NFL player Michael Wilhoite, two Topeka Hall of Famers. 

“All he ever wanted was us to give back to the city,” Wilhoite told KSNT in June 2022. “That’s all he ever wanted was ‘Mike, ya’ll got to come back and be teachers man. Ya’ll got to come back and give back to the city. These kids, they need you. They need to see you guys. They need to hear your voices.'”

That led to the Big Kev Community Giveback, which honors Weems who died in 2019. The event encourages local youngsters by showing them sports' positive pathways.

How did Weems give back? When Kyle was 12, his dad coached the Highland Park freshmen boys' basketball team; he mentored some of the fellas and became a constant in their lives. He coached the Topeka Diamondbacks Baseball Team as well as the Topeka Jayhawks Basketball Team. At Meadows Elementary School where he worked in the District's Maintenance Department, he became especially close to the staff and students. He chaperoned school trips and became a father figure to many children.

Weems, who was known to tinker in his garden, often shared his plump, red tomatoes, juicy cucumbers and hearty cabbage heads with family, friends and co-workers.