Luke's KC Crew | #GreatIdeas Series

This is installment #4 of my 30 "Interesting Idea" Posts #30before31 challenge. The challenge is to think of or find an interesting idea that would solve a problem or fill a gap. One that I have, one that I've seen in the world or one that one of my talented friends or colleagues have put into action. 

I stumbled upon KC Crew about 2 years ago when a friend and I were looking for a softball league to join with friends. The only option that we could find in downtown KC was KC Crew, so we signed up. KC Crew offers a wide variety of sports over multiple season, all culminating in an "end of the season" tournament. 

A few softball seasons later, I was surprised to discover that KC Crew was the brainchild of my former co-worker and peer, Luke Wade, a developer at VML (the company I also worked for in KC). 

Luke grew up a sports enthusiast, playing almost every sport as a kid, playing football in college, rec sports for his fraternity and playing soccer when he was stationed in Iraq. So when he moved to downtown KC, he was ready to join a sports league. But after extensive research he was shocked to discover that the closest sports league was out in the suburbs. After hearing his friends and colleagues complaining about the same thing, he thought why not be the one to solve the problem? 

He had the programming and graphic design skills to create a logo and build a website, initiative to start the league and connections to play. So in January 2012, he launched the KC Crew website and started a league. 

"For the first 6 months, I left my day-job at 5pm every day to ump all the leagues myself. I never thought it would turn into this" he admits. 

At the end of 2012, KC Crew had 1000 players and at the end of 2014, their participants have tripled to almost 3000 players. The league brings revenue to local bars who agree to sponsor specials before and after the game and they also do non-league charity events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for organizations in the community. And what's so refreshing is the mentality of everything being really fun offering softball leagues, karaoke leagues, beer die leagues and events like Beer Olympics and a zombie End of the World Pub Crawl (which I am sad to say I missed every year). 

KC Crew has been so successful that Luke was able to quit his day job and make owning KC Crew his full-time job, along with getting involved in other initiatives that support the community. 

His vision for KC Crew is expansion & rethinking. He's excited to unveil new software that will change the way people organize their teams and make his job easier and less manual on the back-end. He hopes the new technology will allow to him start leagues in North Kansas City, Waldo, the 'burbs and even expand outside of KC. 

I wish the best of luck to Luke and am inspired by his initiative to solve a problem and bring fun/commerce to the KC community in an incredibly fun way. In fact, I can honestly say that some of my best memories of KC were with friends on that softball field playing in a KC Crew league. 

Q's (AKA: Quinton Lucas) | #GreatIdeas Series

A few months ago, I realized that I have a lot of friends that have turned a problem into a solution or brought an idea to life. So, I thought why not ask them about it? 

So far I've gotten some great stories and I hope to get a lot more. And hopefully I can do more with their stories than just feature them on my little blog. 

Anyway, for the first installment in the #GreatIdeas Series I'm highlighting, Quinton Lucas, KU law professor (yes, despite my Mizzou affiliation we are still friends) and politician currently running for City Council [3rd district at large] in Kansas City. Oh and of course, a kick-a** trivia teammate. 


Q is a HUGE KC supporter (and I don't just mean a Royals fan - even though I swear I saw a Facebook post at every game this playoff season), but ever since I've known him, he has supported countless causes, organizations and people who want to improve the city. And he's just my age. 

The latest thing that he's been working on getting off the ground is a prison education program in Kansas. The idea was inspired by his experience while teaching inmates at a maximum security prison in New York through Cornell where he saw the positive impact of the program on the inmates.

Cornell's prison education program's goal is to provide valuable education and structure, expand inmate's future opportunities, and prepare them for getting back in the workplace. Through the program, inmate students are offered a variety of classes taught by Cornell faculty and graduate students. 

Q noticed there wasn't anything like that in Kansas City and thought there should be. So being a well-connected and enterprising guy, he reached out to the Missouri Department of Corrections and pitched his idea, but it was rejected. Determined to not let that stop him, he took a shot at reaching out the Kansas Department of Corrections and they were interested! 

He believes this program is really a win-win as it is almost no cost to Kansas taxpayers, a low-cost alternative to other "recreational" prison programs and most importantly - gives inmates a better chance at making a life for themselves and being a positive member of society after their sentence is over. Ultimately improving the city. Quinton hopes that someday this program will become as big (or bigger) than Cornell's program - that there both graduate students and prisoners alike who want to participate in this program.  


I admire Quinton's way of seeing something that happened in one place and asked, why can't we have that here in KC? And figured out a way to make it happen. And something that could definitely impact the city long-term. 

Not only has Quinton been a good friend, but someone who will do great things for Kansas City (and trivia teams) for years to come. 

Royally Proud

It's a little delayed (and cliche), I know, but I had to post about how proud I am of the Royals and the city. I couldn't have asked for a better October. And I am so lucky that I was able to hitch a ride back and experience it. The K, the plaza, P&L, downtown, and being back with all my friends... it was an experience I'll never forget. 

I've gone back and forth quite a bit over the past few months even though I now live in Chicago. And now that the post-season is over, I'm excited to focus on discovering Chicago. Stay tuned for more Chicago shenanigans and restaurants reviews. 

Thank You #Royals

KC Royals - 

I know last night didn't turn out how either of us planned, but don't let it get you down. Just think about all you've done over the past few weeks. You've brought attention to our beloved Kansas City on a national scale, unlike ever before. 

It's been really inspiring how you've banded together as a team for the city and each and everyone of you have represented the city proudly. Yeah, you've had some outstanding hits, awesome plays and amazing games, but the real story is what you've done for KC. 

Even from afar, I can feel and see the energy and excitement that you've brought to the city. The pictures of Power & Light, the sold-out stadium, the businesses that have turned blue to support you. That's not just because they love baseball, it's because they are proud of KC. 

And you've brought so much pride, excitement and fun to the game and the city. With the mohawks, moose antlers, opening a tab at the P&L and more you've won us over. 

No matter what happens over the next few days (although we'd really love a W), in my mind you've already won. Won over the hearts of all of KC and of people across the nation. And you've done something great for the city. 

Thank you. 

-RoyalsForver