Family vs. Fireworks

I knew there were going to be fireworks after K-State's season opener. I just didn't expect the explosions to involve the Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band.

Band Director Dr. Frank Tracz's motives were called into question with a formation during Saturday's halftime show that some believed was vulgar in nature. For the record, nobody was discussing this at all during the halftime show or during the second half, at least in the south end zone where I was sitting. (Granted: Cell phone reception is not the best in the stadium. I wasn't checking my phone every minute, and my son, who was sitting by me, wasn't going to bring up this topic willingly to his mother. But I didn't hear it from anyone else either.)

Honestly, I was very impressed with the halftime show. The band is always good. But they did multiple formations and were moving all over the field in intricate, ever-shifting patterns. I don't ever recall a show that had more moving parts. I thought it was an apt reflection of the Wildcat band's recognition with the Sudler Trophy, an award given every two years to the top college band in the nation.

After the internet hubbub, I wrote to President Kirk Schulz and Athletic Director John Currie, expressing my support and asking them to stand behind our band and its director. And I also wrote to Dr. Tracz with an apology. It said:

"I am writing with a confession of sorts. I probably would not have written this email if the controversy about the band's halftime performance wouldn't have happened. And that's the sad part to me: I sat in the south end zone of the football stadium on Saturday and was amazed at the intricate formations the band was performing. In all the years we've been season ticket holders for football, I don't recall a halftime show with more moving pieces. So I should have been thinking - then and there - "I should write an email to Dr. Tracz and the band and tell them how much I appreciated all their time and effort in creating and carrying out the halftime show!"

But, in reality, I probably wouldn't have done so. That's sad, and I'm sorry about that - for all the times I should have said thank you and congratulations for your wonderful achievements - but I didn't. Every time I hear the patriotic fanfare at the beginning of the game, I tear up. I also appreciate the band's enthusiasm and leadership with the Wabash Cannonball, the alma mater and so much more.

Congratulations on your national honor! I am proud to have you and the band represent me and my alma mater!

I am not a band alumni, but I have known a few throughout the years. I know that your performances represent HOURS of practicing. As I told someone else, you guys probably spent more time outside practicing in the heat and humidity than the football team did because you don't have a brand new indoor practice facility. So, for all the blood, sweat and tears, thank you!

 I have emailed people in leadership at both K-State and KU, voicing my support for you and the band. So ...

Fight you K-State Wildcats

for Alma Mater fight!

Glory into combat for the Purple and the White

Faithful to our colors

We will ever be

Fighting, ever fighting, for a Wildcat Victory!

Go State!

 

I don't agree with the University's self-imposed sanctions. I think Schulz and university administration should have stood behind its band family. "Family" is the flag we wave before the game.

It's the sign our football team carries at the forefront as it runs onto the field before the game.

Family is what built the new Vanier football complex and West Stadium ...

... and the amazing digital scoreboard. (The image above taken from across the football field, zooming in on the new scoreboard. It was a wonderful addition for we south end zone occupants!)

There were plenty of positive things to focus on at Saturday's game. Game goers helped "Stripe Out" the stadium, wearing either white or purple shirts in assigned sections. It looked awesome!

The National Football Foundation saluted Coach Snyder on his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Four great Wildcats became the newest Ring of Honor recipients - Michael Bishop, Jordy Nelson, Clarence Scott and Darren Sproles. There were raucous standing ovations for each one of them.

My sister called from Chicago on Monday and asked about the controversy. I offered my take. I told her that it was too bad that the good things were overshadowed. She also had no idea that our starting quarterback Jesse Ertz had a season-ending injury during the first drive or that senior safety Dante Barnett had an arm injury.

Life isn't fair. My parents have been telling me that my whole life, so you'd think I would have learned that lesson by now. So I hope the band members and Dr. Tracz rally and come back next home game better than ever.

And I hope the fireworks we'll be talking about at Bill Snyder Family Stadium will be simply that - fireworks ... or another explosive 100-yard kickoff return from Morgan Burns or one of his special teams pals!

Famous Trio - K-State Style

There are plenty of famous trios.
The Chipmunks - Alvin, Simon & Theodore.
Huey, Dewy & Louie - Donald Duck's nephews.
The Bee Gees
Peter, Paul & Mary
The list goes on.

Now, our little family has a famous trio, too. Well, maybe not famous, but this trio spruced up K-State Athletics' debut of its master plan for the Vanier Football Complex.

Eric & Jill called Saturday afternoon.

"Did you look at the master plan for the Vanier complex?" Eric asked.

"Yes, I watched the video," I told them.

"Well, go to www.kstatesports.com/masterplan/vanierfootballcomplex/. The photo you took of us going toward the stadium last fall is there."

When I finally clicked through to the right place, I could see it, too ... if I looked closely enough.

Eric circled their little K-State family in the photo he posted to Facebook, where he wrote:

I guess they needed to spiff up the renderings of the Vanier complex, so they added the best looking K-State family they could find ; ) Check out the original picture; and then find our family (mini sized) in the bottom left of the renderings!

I downloaded the rendering and cropped it so we could see it more closely. Yep, that was Eric, Kinley and Jill walking hand-in-hand toward Bill Snyder Family Stadium at Kinley's first football game of 2013.

Here's the original photo, which appeared on the blog September 17, 2013, where Kinley the K-Stater gave a Wildcat sideline report.

I think it's amazing that Eric saw it and recognized it.  I don't know who at K-State Sports found the photo, but this K-State family is loving being a tiny (and I do mean tiny - almost microscopic) part of this next phase of K-State football history.

It's a legacy that began long, long ago with my Grandpa, Shelby Neelly, who got K-State letters as a football player in 1927, 1931 and 1932. (He had to go back home and earn money before he could come back to finish his degree. That's the reason for the gap in years.).

(At left above, a page from an old K-State program. Grandpa is at the top righthand corner of the old program page. At the top right, he's wearing his K-State sweater. He was Fan of the Game at a K-State women's basketball game in 2002 at age 98.)

My Dad was also on the 1953 K-State football team. He's No.35 in the photo below. When he arrived on the K-State campus in the fall of 1952, he tried out for football and lettered his freshman year. He was on the squad his sophomore year and made the traveling squad for the game at Colorado State University. His most unique football experience was getting knocked out during practice by K-State's All-American and future pro player, Veryl Switzer.

Is it any wonder we bleed purple around here? Randy & I sit in the south end zone during football games, so the new Vanier complex at the north end zone (and its accompanying giant scoreboard and video board) will give us an even better view for Wildcat Victories!

I'm sure that cute little family on the renderings will inspire donors to give the big bucks, right?!