<p>K-State Coach Bill Snyder announced his retirement today. Whether you are a sports fan or not, you’ll want to follow the story and hear the heartwarming stories about him and his family. In his 17 years at K-State, the Wildcats have become a nationally recognized football program… which has had a fiscal impact on not only the town of Manhattan but upon the entire state of Kansas as well perhaps. KSU football in Kansas is HUGE!</p>
<p>Heard it today. His former DC will be the new HC at Wisconsin next year and there is speculation he will hire some of the KSU staff.</p>
<p>who do you think they’ll hire as the next HC?</p>
<p>heard on the radio that the KSU stadium is being renamed the “Bill Snyder Family Stadium.”</p>
<p>The name Glenn Mason popped up but I have no idea really. Also the assistant at Oklahoma–Venebal or soemthing like that. Not a bad job but a tough place to win every year.</p>
<p>heard that enrollment at KSU during Snyder’s years there went from around 18,000 students to 24,000 students. Purple pride is seen all across the state now…the Powercat logo was something that came to be during those years. The fb program has had a big impact.</p>
<p>Glen Mason? Really? That would be as unlikely as Rick Pitino going to Louisville after coaching at UK. Oh, wait. . .</p>
<p>Unfortunately, KSU’s transition back to a bottom feeder is complete. Roberson’s gone, Sproles gone, Snyder gone.</p>
<p>will they again have the success that they’ve achieved under snyder? it’s an amazing story of how they came from the bottom…he was said to have taken the “hardest” job…and took them to the top. will be interesting to see what happens in the future.</p>
<p>This is really sad. I lived in Manhattan until 2001 while my dad was getting his PhD from K-State, the Wildcats were awesome in the last few years before I left. I was a pretty big fan (along with everyone else in the little apple). Snyder was a godsend for their team. I had sort of forgotten about them until now though.</p>
<p>wesa - you then know what a really big deal this is in the media …if you are interested…read the on-line newspapers…manhattan, kcstar, wichita eagle beacon, topeka capital journal…they’ll all likely have big coverage of it:)</p>
<p>You’re right, I just went to the Wichita Eagle website, practically the whole front page is filled with news stories about his retirement. It makes me feel nostalgic for the days when we were on top again.</p>
<p>k-state has enjoyed success with some of their other programs too…women’s basketball, volleyball…maybe track & field.</p>
<p>I travel to Kansas for business quite a bit. The first time I went, I was amazed at the number of sports talk radio stations in what, to me, was a mid-size market. Those callers (and hosts) were and are insanely passionate about “their” Jayhawks, Wildcats, Chiefs, Royals and even Mizzou Tigers.</p>
<p>yes - iderochi - for years the football program at ku was in the tank and ksu was on top…now ku has improved under Mangino. KU beat Nebraska a couple of weeks ago…first time in 37 years…the goal posts came down! fans in kansas are passionate about their teams. wichita state seems to have a good men’s basketball program and a good women’s volleyball program. </p>
<p>there is even sports news about the junior colleges and that they are feeders for the 4 year schools.</p>
<p>So I guess you all are saying that big time athletics can enhance a college’s academic profile? If curious, see my earlier thread about complaints of excessive salaries for the coaches at U of Virginia and Virginia Tech.</p>
<p>lake washington - yes, i read most of that thread. that was quite a discussion. to see what has taken place at KSU over the last 17 years that Bill Snyder has been there has been remarkable. the football program is said to have brought much to the university, the town, and the state for that matter. you’ll have to check with the folks in manhattan…my guess is that they think paying the coaches salary…was well worth it. the alumni giving has surely grown. there has certainly been much media coverage and a big interest in the k-state football program. it’s a fascinating success story of college athletics, i think.</p>