While many kids in Kansas dream about working with the famous KU basketball programs, De Soto High School alumni Jared Baruth and Noah Wilson are pursuing those dreams in their collegiate years.

Baruth, who participated in boys’ basketball at DHS his whole high school career and graduated in 2018, went to KU to get a degree in civil engineering. He is the only student on the KU campus that is a practice player with the KU men’s basketball team.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with the team. I would definitely do it again,” Baruth said.  

Baruth also receives the same free athletic and spirit wear the other players on the team get. He feels that there are multiple benefits that come from practicing with the team, but one of the biggest is that it is a “once in a lifetime experience and a really good resume builder.”

           Wilson graduated at DHS in 2017 and majors in finance at KU. He found a job working with the women’s basketball team at KU as a manager. He helps them out in a variety of aspects within the program.

“I give out equipment, setup events and practices, do laundry, run scout team against athletes and travel to all their games,” Wilson said.

Wilson enjoys working with the team, but admits that it takes effort.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but looks good on resumes and keeps me busy. Also, it’s paid,” Wilson said.

Wilson also mentioned that “if anyone is coming to KU and looking for any KU athletic jobs, whether it’s marketing, manager, etc.,” to just reach out to him.