Im not old enough to...
Understand what Ahearn Field House means to the masses.
What sitting in the football stadium during the 70s and 80s meant.
Throwing oranges on the football field during the first score or first down of a season.
Understanding what going and winning the Copper Bowl means
What Bill Sndyer's first introduction press conference meant
The win against North Texas in 1989 means
Gathering plastic cups after being able to pick whatever seats my family wanted during a football game during the late 80s means.
The Asbury and Wooldridge years
What I am old enough to understand
Missing Lon Kruger days and having nothing to do with basketball until Bob Huggins and Frank Martin started the transformation. I didn't understand what basketball meant to this university until the trip to the Final 8 under Martin. I'm still devastated to this day losing to Butler. Watching that game at Paddy O'Quillegy's with my work colleagues and friends is still devastating to think about as we all went work after the double OT game with Xavier.
The early Snyder days where you had to get actual tickets for a game and sit in the actual seats you purchased.
Kicking the crap out of Tennessee during an ice storm on New Year's Day.
Terrance Newman as a walk-on
Beating Nebraska for the first time in decades and seeing the picture of the goal posts tore down on Sports Illustrated. Knowing your college roommate helped lead the goal post to Aggieville.
Even though we lost, acknowledging the loudest game you have ever attended was the Oklahoma game in 2000.
Hearing the crowd chant over-rated to USC when you are up 20-0 and watch Troy Polumua illegally hit Aaron Lockett on a punt return and know he should've been ejected.
Making friends with complete strangers but they were KSU students/friends so that made them family during the 2000 game against Nebraska and laughing at the KSU players who made snow angels on the ground as Wille climbed to the top of the press box and led the crowd to the loudest K-S-U chant you have ever heard.
Yelling towards the turf when the clock was getting low to Ell Roberson.
Winning a Big XII Championship in 2003. One of the few moments of my life I have complete clarity. I was at the game and can tell you every moment of everything that happened that day including not getting into the game on the actual ticket I purchased from the university, the replacement car my parents bought for me getting hit by someone else that night (had the car less than a week) and every interaction I had with everyone at the Arrowhead stadium still a decade and half later. (Still get chills to this day watching the game film and the "Stand Up for the Champions" video 13 1/2 years later.)
Attending bowl games with college roommates and tailgating with complete strangers but that they were KSU people so that made them family.
Jordy Nelson as a walk-on
Remembering Coach retiring the first time and the tears that flowed down my face as Marcus Watts was seriously hurt, Brandon Archer returning a pick 6 and knowing coach was walking away.
Walking out at half-time with a Ron Prince team and acknowledging you aren't coming back because of the play calling and effort multiple times.
Hearing Bill Snyder was coming back and "tarnishing his legacy."
Sadness as Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M played here for the last time
Missing the 4OT Texas A&M game and the first home game I'd missed in 10 years.
Winning the Big XII in 2012 and the horrible fog in town that night. Appreciating the university having a new "Stand Up for the Champions" video ready that night.
Seeing Willie approach the edge of the press box in the fog and thinking he might fall.
Beating Baylor 36-35 as Arthur Brown chases down Robert Griffin.
Watching Jack Cantele kick the game winning field goal against TCU but also missing multiple kicks against Auburn on a Thursday night and saying to myself "9 points. We left 9 points on the field."
Not understanding how North Dakota State beat us
Questioning Dana Dimel playing calling multiple games.
Owning the state of Texas and hoping it continues multiple years.
Still mad at yourself for missing the Texas Bowl and owning Texas A&M again.
Hearing about Coach Snyder's illnesses and knowing the inspiration he has been to others and hoping we can all be an inspiration to him.
Hoping Bill comes back, healthy, in 2017.
I guess my message of these thoughts is wanting to be a positive message to coaches, players and the KSU fanbase. By following the 16 goals this can happen regardless of our circumstances. Appreciate every single effort from every coach, AD, president and staff member the last 30 years. Its easy to cash it in and work to the least common denominator but the truth is K-Staters make the effort to go above and beyond. KSU people that truly want to exhibit the 16 goals do this in athletics the classroom and beyond. Even though I have graduated from KSU multiple times it makes my heart bleed purple to believe in these values and helps me know that Coach Sndyer and other other KSU members who have health concerns will carry on and fight the good fight. God bless you and your family.
And a final note, Coach Snyder you are in our prayers and we know you will beat cancer and continue to help our football team meet it's potential. GO EMAW!!
Understand what Ahearn Field House means to the masses.
What sitting in the football stadium during the 70s and 80s meant.
Throwing oranges on the football field during the first score or first down of a season.
Understanding what going and winning the Copper Bowl means
What Bill Sndyer's first introduction press conference meant
The win against North Texas in 1989 means
Gathering plastic cups after being able to pick whatever seats my family wanted during a football game during the late 80s means.
The Asbury and Wooldridge years
What I am old enough to understand
Missing Lon Kruger days and having nothing to do with basketball until Bob Huggins and Frank Martin started the transformation. I didn't understand what basketball meant to this university until the trip to the Final 8 under Martin. I'm still devastated to this day losing to Butler. Watching that game at Paddy O'Quillegy's with my work colleagues and friends is still devastating to think about as we all went work after the double OT game with Xavier.
The early Snyder days where you had to get actual tickets for a game and sit in the actual seats you purchased.
Kicking the crap out of Tennessee during an ice storm on New Year's Day.
Terrance Newman as a walk-on
Beating Nebraska for the first time in decades and seeing the picture of the goal posts tore down on Sports Illustrated. Knowing your college roommate helped lead the goal post to Aggieville.
Even though we lost, acknowledging the loudest game you have ever attended was the Oklahoma game in 2000.
Hearing the crowd chant over-rated to USC when you are up 20-0 and watch Troy Polumua illegally hit Aaron Lockett on a punt return and know he should've been ejected.
Making friends with complete strangers but they were KSU students/friends so that made them family during the 2000 game against Nebraska and laughing at the KSU players who made snow angels on the ground as Wille climbed to the top of the press box and led the crowd to the loudest K-S-U chant you have ever heard.
Yelling towards the turf when the clock was getting low to Ell Roberson.
Winning a Big XII Championship in 2003. One of the few moments of my life I have complete clarity. I was at the game and can tell you every moment of everything that happened that day including not getting into the game on the actual ticket I purchased from the university, the replacement car my parents bought for me getting hit by someone else that night (had the car less than a week) and every interaction I had with everyone at the Arrowhead stadium still a decade and half later. (Still get chills to this day watching the game film and the "Stand Up for the Champions" video 13 1/2 years later.)
Attending bowl games with college roommates and tailgating with complete strangers but that they were KSU people so that made them family.
Jordy Nelson as a walk-on
Remembering Coach retiring the first time and the tears that flowed down my face as Marcus Watts was seriously hurt, Brandon Archer returning a pick 6 and knowing coach was walking away.
Walking out at half-time with a Ron Prince team and acknowledging you aren't coming back because of the play calling and effort multiple times.
Hearing Bill Snyder was coming back and "tarnishing his legacy."
Sadness as Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M played here for the last time
Missing the 4OT Texas A&M game and the first home game I'd missed in 10 years.
Winning the Big XII in 2012 and the horrible fog in town that night. Appreciating the university having a new "Stand Up for the Champions" video ready that night.
Seeing Willie approach the edge of the press box in the fog and thinking he might fall.
Beating Baylor 36-35 as Arthur Brown chases down Robert Griffin.
Watching Jack Cantele kick the game winning field goal against TCU but also missing multiple kicks against Auburn on a Thursday night and saying to myself "9 points. We left 9 points on the field."
Not understanding how North Dakota State beat us
Questioning Dana Dimel playing calling multiple games.
Owning the state of Texas and hoping it continues multiple years.
Still mad at yourself for missing the Texas Bowl and owning Texas A&M again.
Hearing about Coach Snyder's illnesses and knowing the inspiration he has been to others and hoping we can all be an inspiration to him.
Hoping Bill comes back, healthy, in 2017.
I guess my message of these thoughts is wanting to be a positive message to coaches, players and the KSU fanbase. By following the 16 goals this can happen regardless of our circumstances. Appreciate every single effort from every coach, AD, president and staff member the last 30 years. Its easy to cash it in and work to the least common denominator but the truth is K-Staters make the effort to go above and beyond. KSU people that truly want to exhibit the 16 goals do this in athletics the classroom and beyond. Even though I have graduated from KSU multiple times it makes my heart bleed purple to believe in these values and helps me know that Coach Sndyer and other other KSU members who have health concerns will carry on and fight the good fight. God bless you and your family.
And a final note, Coach Snyder you are in our prayers and we know you will beat cancer and continue to help our football team meet it's potential. GO EMAW!!
