Myles Menges, a former collegiate football player at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), has shared his experience of surviving a brain tumor while excelling both athletically and academically. Menges was recognized as one of the Division 2 Elite 100 Team for the Defensive Line, named the 2024 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, and was a finalist for the 2024 Cliff Harris Award for Small College Defensive Player of the Year. He also received the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award four times and appeared six times on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
Menges described how his final game as team captain took an unexpected turn when he experienced symptoms that led him to seek medical attention. “I had chills, a fever—I thought it was just a virus going around,” he said. “After the game, I told my roommate, ‘I need to go to Urgent Care.’” Medical tests revealed pneumonia in his right lung and a mass in his brain. In fall 2024, he was diagnosed with Grade 2 astrocytoma.
“I was devastated,” Menges said. “I went from being in peak physical condition to doing nothing and being concerned about my future. But I knew who I was. I wasn’t going to not fight this. If God was going to give me a battle, I was going to fight it.”
His family sought treatment options and connected with Dr. Jayson Neil of AdventHealth Medical Group Neurosurgery at Shawnee Mission. Dr. Neil noted, “You can tell from briefly interacting with Myles that he is charismatic, intelligent, kind, athletic, and wants to solve problems… Our treatment discussions focused on maximal safe resection to reduce tumor size and minimize the risk of progression into a higher-grade tumor.”
Menges expressed gratitude for Dr. Neil’s approach: “Dr. Neil was a godsend,” he said. “He explained everything. He didn’t just treat me—he respected me. He comforted my family. He was more than a neurosurgeon.”
The surgery took place in March at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission hospital. Reflecting on that day, Menges said: “It was on Ash Wednesday, and I remember receiving a blessing from the hospital Chaplain… It was a comforting experience that gave me peace of mind that the surgery itself would actually be the easiest part of my journey.”
Recovery required significant adjustment for Menges as he paused his usual training regimen in favor of rest and therapy following successful surgery.
“Post-surgery, I faced three options for recovery: radiation, observation or a daily pill,” said Menges. “I chose the path that would allow me to heal without harsh side effects, which was regular observation. Slowly, month by month, I am beginning to lift more, move more, live more.”
In July 2025—over six months after surgery—Menges met again with Dr. Neil for an observational checkup.
“He is doing fantastic and has healed up well,” said Dr. Neil. “He certainly has no change in his enthusiasm as apparently he was doing pushups in the waiting room prior to our appointment.”
Throughout his illness and recovery process, support from family remained central for Menges: “They’ve always been number one,” he said about his family’s role during treatment.
His teammates also provided steady encouragement before and after surgery; FHSU’s athletic director called him “a respectful and caring young man.”
“I am honored to have helped navigate Myles and his family in this harrowing journey nobody expects will happen to them,” added Dr. Neil.“He is a success story.We will continue to monitor Myles,but I look forward to watching him accomplish the goals he sets for himself in life.”
AdventHealth Orlando—founded in 1908—is located in Orlando,F lorida,and serves as both pediatric care providerand training hospital.Its current president is Terry Shaw.https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-orlando
Myles Menges’s story highlights resilience beyond athletics—a journey shaped by faith,family,and community support.
