The Story of Kansas City Life’s Basketball Legacy

For over a century, the competitive spirit that drives success at Kansas City Life Insurance Company has spilled from the office onto the basketball court. Dating back to the 1920s, Kansas City Life fostered a robust employee basketball tradition from its iconic headquarters at 3520 Broadway Blvd., playing full seasons to qualify for the prestigious Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Tournament.

This commitment to excellence was part of the building's foundation, with the men's and women's teams practicing on a court on the lower level of the company headquarters. This history embodies the origins of the company's 'play to win' mindset.

That winning tradition, exemplified by the 1925 team closing out a dominant 13-1 season, is very much alive today. 

A century later, employees Zachary Hoare, Anthony Lupardus and Sam Wright claimed victory in the men’s Division D 3x3 basketball championship at the Kansas City Corporate Challenge (KCCC).

From left: Sam Wright, Zachary Hoare and Anthony Lupardus

The modern-day champions proved the competitive mindset is unchanged. The semifinals were their toughest test, but they worked hard and pushed through to take the title home. For them, the company's history served as powerful motivation. "It’s cool to be a part of something that’s been going on for so long,” Wright said. Hoare added that the win felt like it had “come full circle, starting back then to now – Kansas City Life has been hooping it up the whole time.” 

The pursuit of excellence is a defining value at Kansas City Life. In 2025, associates earned medals across multiple events in the KCCC. Building on this performance, the organization is off to a strong start in 2026 with several associates having medaled.

In 2025, the company had 13 medalists who placed in both team and individual events. Front row: John Nogalski (gold – men’s pickleball); Becky Henning (gold – half marathon, mile run, silver – 5K); Madison Warren (bronze – long jump, mixed doubles table tennis, women’s bowling); Carol Woodward (bronze – women’s bowling); Ian Demers (bronze – mixed doubles table tennis); Katie Schilly (bronze – women’s bowling).

Back row: Kyle Linville (silver – shot put); Sam Wright (gold – men’s 3-on-3 basketball); Scott Gilroy (gold – 50-meter breaststroke, bronze – 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke); Anthony Lupardus (gold – men’s 3-on-3 basketball); Zachary Hoare (gold – men’s 3-on-3 basketball). Bennett Deacy (gold – men’s pickleball). Not pictured – Carolyn Jost (bronze – women’s bowling).

Beyond the medals and trophies, the spirit of friendly competition is crucial for employee bonding and reinforcing the supportive culture the Bixby family has cultivated since 1904. Though Lupardus, Wright and Hoare hail from different departments, playing together "accelerated our friendship," as Lupardus noted, saying, “We didn’t know each other well before and now we’re good buds.”

Kansas City Life associates gathered for a group photo in the company’s historic home office lobby in recognition of the 2026 kickoff of the Kansas City Corporate Challenge.

Company President, CEO, and Vice Chairman of the Board, Web Bixby, sums up the value of the KCCC, calling it “a great way for people to get to know each other and immerse themselves in friendly competition while also building stronger relationships and staying in touch with our history.” The Bixby family remains present and supportive, cheering on the teams just as they did a century ago.

Pictured left to right, Zachary Hoare, Anthony Lupardus and Sam Wright

The physical lines of the old basement court may be gone, replaced by storage, but the cultural imprint remains. Today’s employees embrace the challenge, understanding that true success requires working hard and playing hard. With the memory of past winners, the 2025 KCCC men’s 3x3 basketball team is already determined to repeat their win on June 7, continuing Kansas City Life's enduring history of champions.

A collection of Kansas City Life basketball trophies dating back to the company’s early days.

Today’s article is in partnership with Kansas City Life Insurance Company. All images courtesy of Kansas City Life Insurance Company.