UAFS is transitioning into the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association this fall. Over the coming weeks, we are highlighting our new conference rivals so you know who the Lions are up against! This is your crash course in everything MIAA!

Fort Hays State Tigers 

About the university (Short Bio): 

Fort Hays sponsors 18 varsity sports, and since 1902 they have won 58 conference championships and nine national titles. Fort Hays officially joined the MIAA in 2006.  

Most of these titles have come from a combination of men's and women's basketball. Fort Hays' men's team has been extremely dominating, winning back-to-back NAIA titles in 1984-1985 as well as their first Division II title in 1996 going 34-0. In 2020, they upset Division I Kansas State 81-68 in an exhibition game. The women's team brought home their only national title in 1991.

As for football, the Tigers won their first MIAA conference title in 2017 after beating Northwest Missouri, 13-12, and finishing the regular season undefeated.  

Where Are They: Hays, Kansas (600 Park St, Hays, KS 67601) 

Sports Offered: 

Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Track & Field, and Wrestling 

Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling 

University Size: 14,658 

Date Entered Conference: 2006 

Mascot: Victor E. Tiger 

Colors: Black and Gold 

Previous Match ups (If any): 

Volleyball: 1-0 (Last Match up 2017; UAFS 3 – FHSU 2) 

Direction/Visiting Guides: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uYHRVkRQReimGAN36 

Estimated Travel Time: Approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes (about 390 miles). 

Things to Do in Hays, Kansas 

1. Fort Hays State Historic Site: 

• Explore the remnants of a 19th-century fort that played a key role in the American frontier. 

2. Sternberg Museum of Natural History: 

• Known for its extensive fossil collection, including the famous "fish-within-a-fish" fossil, this museum offers fascinating exhibits on natural history. 

3. Downtown Hays: 

• Stroll through the historic downtown area, which features unique shops, restaurants, and galleries. Don't miss the Ellis County Historical Society Museum for a deeper dive into local history. 

4. The Hays Arts Council Gallery: 

• Check out local art exhibits and community art events. The gallery showcases works from regional artists. 

5. Big Creek Crossing: 

• A shopping mall with a variety of stores and dining options. A good place to spend some time indoors. 

6. Wild West Festival: 

• If you're visiting in the summer, don't miss this annual festival featuring concerts, a carnival, a parade, and other family-friendly activities. 

7. Hays Aquatic Park: 

• A fun destination for families, offering water slides, a lazy river, and a large swimming pool. 

Dining in Hays 

• Gella's Diner & Lb. Brewing Co.: A local favorite for its delicious American fare and craft beers. 

• Augustine's Bakery: Known for its fresh-baked goods and pastries. 

• Thirsty's Brew Pub & Grill: Offers a variety of beers and a menu with American classics. 

Lodging Options 

• Hilton Garden Inn Hays: A modern hotel with great amenities. 

• Fairfield Inn by Marriott Hays: Known for its comfortable rooms and good service. 

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hays: Offers modern facilities and a convenient location. 

Fun fact: The infirmary at Fort Hays, a former army post that had been abandoned in 1889, was where 57 students paid a tuition fee of $5 for the first summer courses in 1902. The stone guardhouse down the path at what is now Historic Fort Hays served as the gymnasium.  

Notable Alumni: 

1. Mike McCarthy: 

• Current head coach of Dallas Cowboys and former coach of the Green Bay Packers and Super Bowl XLV championship.  

2. Jerry Moran: 

• Former US senator and House of Representative member representing Kansas's 1st congressional district. 

3. Mickey Spillane: 

• Mickey was an American crime novelist, writing mainly about his signature detective character. Mike Hammer. More than 225 million copies of his books have been sold.  

Fort Hays State University Athletics