Stormy Sky

Perfect Proof

John Cantrell’s life is dedicated to “perfect proof.” For that fact to come to mind in a man who, by…

Untraditional Traditions

For seventy-four years, a custom passed on from generation to generation took place in Liberal, Kansas, to celebrate Shrove Tuesday….

Team ropers displayed their skill and timing.
A sun beam illuminatied a lens on a swimmer’s goggles.
High-flying players were pumped up for the game.
A competitor unleashed the shot during the Senior State Games .
Smiles filled the faces of the Smith Center victors.
The beautiful wood ceiling and the college’s championship banners loomed over a Tony Kinser layup.
Wrestlers whirled around the mat in a sea of red.
The passing of the baton.
Happy players raced to their dugout at games end.
Terry Lilac concentrated on the peg.

Picturing the Power of a Dream

With the inception of this website in the summer of 2020, I asked viewers to consider “The Heart & Soul of Kansas Sports” and the goal of a grand multimedia documentary. I asked people to believe in a dream. The problem with dreams is that they are often hard to explain. What seemed so clear in my mind could be abstract and veiled for others. I asked people to financially support me when all I had at the time was the belief that the people of Kansas and the uniting power of sports would be worthy of their financial support.

Team ropers at the Flint Hills Rodeo. — Team ropers displayed their skill and timing at the Flint Hills Rodeo.

A sun beam illuminated a lens on a swimmer’s goggles at the State Boys Swimming & Diving Championship in Topeka.

High-flying players of the Nemaha Central Thunder were pumped up for a game in Seneca.

A competitor unleashed the shot during the Senior State Games .

Smiles filled the faces of the volleyball victors — Smiles filled the faces of the Smith Center victors at the State 2A Volleyball Championship.

The beautiful wood ceiling of Stewart Field House and Southwestern College’s championship banners loomed over a Tony Kinser layup.

Wrestlers whirled around the mat in a sea of red at the State Girls Wrestling Championships.

Shawnee Heights' Jeremiah Smith and Topeka West's Tyrell Reed congratulated each other — Shawnee Heights’ Jeremiah Smith and Topeka West’s Tyrell Reed congratulated each other after finishing first and third in the 100-meter dash.

The passing of the baton at the Galena Bull Dog Relays.

Terry Lilac concentrated on the peg during the State Doubles Horseshoe Championship.

A BMX rider cast a shadow during the State Championship at Heartland BMX.

Happy players raced to their dugout at games end.

Picturing the Power of a Dream

What Kansans are saying about ‘Heart & Soul’

As Jeff Jacobsen visits the state’s 105 counties his photographs are creating memories across generations

Jeff – I just reviewed your link … and though the photos are incredible and will be thoroughly enjoyed by the athletes and their parents, it was the Article that was so personally “perfection” for me. You did more to pinpoint the essence of small-town high school football and the importance that it has to their communities, than any other article or write up that I have ever seen.”

Your sports action shots are fantastic! The way you capture the true essence of the story within the sports you are shooting is phenomenal!”

Thank you so much for uniquely capturing my son playing a game that he loves.”

Only you could make bowling look this cool! Love it.”

I just wanted to say how serendipitous it has been that our paths never crossed until this fall, but so glad they did! I have enjoyed subscribing to your newsletter and have drawn much inspiration and hope from your photographs!!!”

You are such a powerful writer and your photography is stunningly beautiful!”

Great photos, and great camaraderie depicted in the words and images.”

Great work capturing the grace, beauty, and strength of these gymnasts. Again, the parents of these athletes have to be very happy for your images.”

You know you just made the day for a lot of wrestlers, parents, and grandparents.”

The championship will mean a lot to these young men for the rest of their lives, and you recorded it for posterity.”

I appreciate your dedication to work and to others.”

I am so very glad that you decided to attend the game early in the season and even more glad that you adopted us as a team that you wanted to follow. We are most definitely the richer for it. I very much anticipate the article that accompanies your very high-quality pictures. Again, thank you very much and it was soooo good getting to know you.”

It is such fun to watch The Heart and Soul of Kansas Sports grow and touch so many lives. Well done!”

I want to thank you so very much for following our team and capturing those moments that I just cannot capture as a FB mom and a coach’s wife! Your talent and abilities are just amazing and so very appreciated!!!”