Brian Hanni

Voice of the Kansas Jayhawks. Director of @RCRClassic. Author of “Game Maker” & “Banner Year” Cameo for cancer patients: Luke 12:48

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

New Jayhawk Network tradition we launched this week... We’ll dedicate each broadcast to a different KU fan fighting cancer. We’ll have their name on our headsets & their story in our hearts. @ me if you have a friend you’d like to feature. God bless, stay strong and Rock Chalk!

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

Today’s #KUCancerFighter tribute features an incredible couple from Lenexa, Matt & Chrissy Stewart.

Perhaps, you’ve seen Matt’s work as an emmy award-winning TV reporter & anchor for FOX 4. Chrissy has been helping fight cancer long before her own battle, serving a clinical nutrition specialist, helping kids at Children’s Mercy.

They’re both impressive individually, but absolutely amazing as a couple. Sadly, both are battling Stage IV cancer and yet their strength, resolve and bold determination to battle while also living life to its fullest is truly inspiring.

Chrissy, now 47, has been battling angiosarcoma since 2021. Angiosarcoma is a rare cancer of the blood vessel lining that occurred her in ovary. Three years after Chrissy’s fight began, Matt was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. It started with the discovery of a tumor in his brain, then lungs and spine. Recently a second brain tumor developed that Matt, now 51, will receive radiation on next week, with a clinical drug trial to follow. Chrissy’s cancer also recently returned after being in remission for a year. She’s had to endure chemotherapy 3 times and yet, continues to be such a warrior in the face of everything she faces, as does her husband.

Chrissy and Matt’s resolve to “live life louder, bolder and without limits” is a mindset and mission that you can read all about in their collective memoir, “All The Things”… one of several books Matt has now worked on, something that’s certainly helped with medical expenses created by their respective cancer battles. Matt even has a KU Basketball book set to be released in the Spring that chronicles KU’s all-time greats from all generations.

The couple are also proud parents of three terrific kids, one of which Jackson, is here today as a senior business major in Manhattan.

We celebrate this tremendous couple, the way they embrace & celebrate each of day of life as the gift that it is, continue to be great parents and pillars in the KC community all while juggling their own cancer battles. Today’s call is for you, Stewart Family. We salute you & marvel at all you continue to do with every day you’re given. Jayhawk Nation is pulling for you! 💙❤️

[Kansas Football @KU_Football]

Dillons Sunflower Showdown Preview with @CoachLeipold 🗣️

Kansas at Kansas State

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

Tonight’s #KUCancerFighter hero is Harleigh Pierce, a 26-year-old from Eldorado Springs, MO, who has been battling Myeloid Leukemia for over a year.

This wonderful mother of 3 has already endured a bone marrow transplant (with her sister as the donor) and had to quarantine for 100 days at the Hope Lodge in Kansas City. She remains in treatment, which means she still has to commute back and forth between Eldorado Springs and KC.  To help with those travel expenses, she’s created home bakery and sells her baked goods on the days when she’s feeling up to leaving the house.

Her grandmother Jannette describes Harleigh as, “A beautiful soul and the strongest woman I know. She will never give up and will continue to fight the fight for her children and the people she loves. Cancer to her is an inconvenience, not a death sentence.”

We applaud that mindset and determination and we’re all cheering you on, Harleigh. Tonight’s call is for you! 💙❤️

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

@thekansasnation @d_block32 Here’s the link to this week’s episode with D-Block!

https://t.co/aA2JPHN8bv

[Kansas Nation @thekansasnation]

Darnell Jackson talking about what made the 2008 Kansas team so special.

Check out the full episode of Hanni and the 'Hawks with National Championship winning Jayhawk Darnell Jackson on https://t.co/3kAKCZms7U and the Kansas Nation YouTube Page

[Kansas Football @KU_Football]

Game 5 Preview with @CoachLeipold 🗣️

Kansas at Utah | 7:00 PM CT

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

Tonight’s #KUCancerFighter hero is Major Jones, a 5-year-old from Blue Springs, MO, who has been battling lymphoblastic leukemia for much of his life. This little warrior recently completed 2.5 years of treatment, wowing his doctors, nurses and family along the way with his courage. His mother Ashley says the best word to describe her son is “Brave”, adding that every time he had his port accessed he refused to cry because in his words, “I’m that brave, Mommy.”

Ashley also describes Major as, “a ball of energy, spunk and personality.”  He loves playing with this two brothers and loves the Jayhawks!  His late Grandfather, John Marquardt (who also battled colon cancer for 6 years) was a very successful youth girls basketball coach in the KC area. He would always tell his players about Paul Pierce and his resilience after a knife attack early in his pro career, as well Paul’s brilliance on the court. Now young Major wants to be like Pierce, because he says, “the hospital saved him too.”

Though now in remission, Major still has to go in for labs every couple months and is seeing multiple specialists due to reactions to his treatment. He’s just now getting to go to school for the first time after spending most of the last 2 years in the hospital. This courageous Kindergartener is full of life and ready to take the world by storm. We salute you, Major and are so impressed by your bravery and toughness. Tonight’s call is for you! 💙❤️

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

Two Stars shining bright on Prime’s TNF postgame. What a moment for @JalonDaniels6 and his mother, Star. Way to represent for Jayhawk Nation, JD6! ⭐️⭐️

[Big 12 Conference @Big12Conference]

have a day today Jalon 😤

@KU_Football 🤝 @Buccaneers

[Kansas Football @KU_Football]

Game 4 Preview with @CoachLeipold

Kansas vs. Middle Tennessee

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

Today’s #KUCancerFighter hero is Kaylee Starnes, a 17-year-old from Osceola, MO who has been battling a rare form of brain cancer for the last year.

Around time last October, Kaylee received her diagnosis of this aggressively growing form of cancer that starts in the spinal cord. She courageously endured a 12.5 hour surgery where doctors were able to remove 60% of the tumor. Sadly, in time, the tumor grew back 3 times its original size. The cancer has left her paralyzed from the chest down and it’s been a grueling road over the last 12 months for this young lady who previous played softball & volleyball and enjoyed being a cheerleader as well. Her family describes her a bubbly personality who loves life, hanging with friends, her animals and driving her mustang.

Kaylee’s got a big birthday coming up in less than two weeks – her 18th – and she’s fighting as hard as ever. Kaylee and her family are determined to not give up. Her mother wants to thank everyone for their support & prayers and is so grateful for all the encouragement they’ve received over the past year. Kaylee, you are such an inspiration. Your determination and resilience in the face of such adversity is as impressive as we’ve ever seen. Jayhawk Nation is behind you and today’s call is for you! 💙❤️

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

https://t.co/kexQQwy6Gp

Here’s the YouTube link to this week’s chat. You can also listen wherever you get your podcasts.

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

On Sunday, Jalon Daniels will become the first Jayhawk quarterback to start an NFL game since Frank Seurer in 1987. So who is Frank and how did he wind up a Jayhawk? Hear his story on this week’s episode. ⬇️

[Kansas Nation @thekansasnation]

Former Kansas Quarterback Frank Seurer on how he became a Jayhawk. Check out Frank’s full conversation with Brian Hanni on the latest episode of Hanni and the ‘Hawks! #kufball #rockchalk

[Kansas Jayhawks @KUAthletics]

Hawk Talk on The Patio 🙌

Featuring Johnny’s Tavern in The Booth!

[Kansas Football @KU_Football]

This Wednesday! 👀🏟️

Join @CoachLeipold for Hawk Talk LIVE from The Patio featuring @JohnnysTaverns in The Booth! 🗣️

6 PM | Sept. 30

[Jake Eisenberg @JakeEisenberg_]

Opening Day, 1969.
Royals vs. Twins.

Listen to Denny Matthews—making his Major League debut at 26 years old—welcome everyone to Municipal Stadium for the first game in Kansas City Royals history.

And the picture? Yeah, iconic.

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

Fly high, Jayhawks! Rock Chalk! 🇬🇧
#UnionJackClassic

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

Today’s #KUCancerFighter hero is Isabella “Izzy” Krumme, a 4-year-old from Lenexa who recently wrapped up a 2-year battle with B-Cell Leukemia.

In all, this courageous little lady endured 26 months of treatment and finally got to ring the bell in June. She still goes in for monthly bloodwork and will continue regular checkups for the next 5 years, but right now Ms. Izzy is feeling great and crushing cancer!  She’s excited to get back to playing with friends, riding her bike, and attending KU Volleyball matches as well.

Her mother described her as a “warrior” and added, “Izzy battled cancer with everything she had. She faced lots of ups & downs but did so with a smile on her face and a positive attitude despite all she endured. She was always more worried about the other kids and people around her, spending much of her time in the clinic making cards for others to brighten their day.”

Izzy, we are so excited to see you doing so well and are thrilled to dedicate today’s broadcast to you. Your determination and selfless heart for others are both so inspiring! Keep crushing it, girl. You’ve got this! ❤️💙

[Brian Hanni @BHanni]

We’ve arrived at historic Wembley Stadium. Here’s our vantage point for today’s Union Jack Classic. Rock Chalk! ❤️💙🇬🇧