Kansas Coach Injured in Serious Highway Crash

Brett Ballard, the 46-year-old head coach for Washburn University's men's basketball team, is in the hospital with serious injuries following a single-vehicle accident on Tuesday night. The incident occurred just after 8:15 p.m. on Interstate 470 in Topeka, Kansas.

Ballard was driving his 2024 Ford F-150 westbound when the truck veered left, left the roadway, and struck a concrete bridge pillar after going into an embankment. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was wearing his seatbelt. First responders transported him to Stormont Vail Hospital for treatment.

A former Kansas Jayhawks standout and assistant coach, Ballard has been the head coach at Washburn for nine seasons. He has led the Ichabods to a 198-81 record, establishing them as a consistent Division II program. His coaching career also includes a successful tenure at Baker University.

The university president expressed deep sadness and asked the community for thoughts and prayers for Ballard and his family. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.