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!

No Moral Victories, But ...

There's no such thing as a "moral victory" on the football field. "Shoulda, woulda, coulda" doesn't have a place in the rankings at the end of the year.

I guess the No. 5-ranked Auburn Tigers were the cats that had nine lives last Thursday night, as they pulled out a 20-14 victory. But even though K-State couldn't get the win, I still walked away proud to be a Wildcat.

From the roar of the pre-game flyover ...

to the roar of the Harleys ...

... to the roar of the crowd ...

... It was a great day to be a college football fan.

Brent says he doesn't remember the stadium ever being louder. I would have to agree. ESPNU College Road Trip hosts Rayven Tirado and Jordan Eichenblatt came to the Little Apple last week. Eichenblatt grew up in SEC country, so he didn't know what to expect from K-State football fans.  Tirado told K-State Sports reporter Kelly McHugh:

"It was definitely a lot better than I thought it would be. The hospitality was great. From the moment we walked into our room, everybody has been so genuine, nice and helpful. Being a part of the game day experience here, it's been a lot more intense than I thought it was going to be. You never know coming in what it's going to be like, but overall, it was great here."

Rayven Tirado

They saw and experienced our traditions, like the keys at kickoff ...

Good for a Wildcat first down!

And good for a Wildcat TOUCHDOWN! (Wish we'd had another one of those!)

I get perturbed at fans who boo our own players. But I also know they represent a small minority of the Wildcat Nation. Most of us are proud to be Wildcats, win or lose.

I'm anxious to see the College Road Trip segment on K-State this coming Wednesday, September 24, at 5 PM CT on ESPNU. The show will also air at 10:30 PM Wednesday and at 8 AM and 3:30 PM on Thursday, September 25.

We sat with Brent for the Thursday night game, then traveled to Topeka to spend Friday with Jill, Kinley and Brooke. All around, it was a FAMILY weekend ... just how we like it!

Are You Ready for Some Football?

We got a letter from Coach Bill Snyder last week. He wanted us to help fill Bill Snyder Family Stadium for K-State's football season opener last Saturday. So we did.

What? You got the letter, too? It wasn't just a special message to Randy and me?

Oh well. I'm glad we went anyway. It does feel like family at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, just like Coach says:

As I have stated so many times publicly and in my own thoughts, we (my family & I) came to Kansas State because of the people and returned to Kansas State because of the people.  You have been the foundation of the development of our football program and our University.  You have taken our attendance from 13,000 to 50,000.  You have ... genuinely cared about your “family football program” for the right reason. ...

As the 2014 season is about to get underway, I hope you will join us in supporting your program by filling “your family stadium” with caring, passionate K-Staters.  And thank you for recognizing that this is about far more than winning and losing and that its true meaning is relative to the development of quality young men who establish character and intrinsic values that will guide them to successful and meaningful lives.

Our Kansas State Wildcats were victorious over the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, 55-16, Saturday night. We were winners on the scoreboard. We were winners in getting reacquainted with the other season ticket holders in Section 13. It does end up feeling a little like a family reunion as we visit with the people who sit near us, year after year.

And we were winners in the Kansas sky department, too.

Even though it was too hot - even with a 6:10 start time - the skies and clouds were beautiful as we moved toward sunset. 

Those sun-kissed clouds added a beautiful backdrop to the Pride of Wildcat Band's halftime show.

Then, fireworks lit up the sky, too.

The west stadium provided its own light show, as we left and walked back toward Brent's house. Bill may think we're all family. But it was Brent that let us park at his house and save the $20 parking fee. 

Thanks, Bill! It was a great family reunion, and it was good to be back.

K-S-U Wildcats by Kinley

Hi again! It's Kinley, reporting from Manhattan.

 

I must confess that I did not make it to the K-State vs. Iowa State game on Saturday. My Mommy and I were home cleaning. When my Daddy left home to come to the game, I was dusting the low spots, while Mommy got the higher real estate. I also helped my Mommy make corn muffins and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  (Last week, I went incognito and did my cooking as an owl. This week, I just had to cook in my regular clothes.) Mommy had to make the chili by herself because I needed to take a nap. I was getting ready to have my GG (Great Grandma Carol) and my Daddy's family come to dinner on Sunday. I got to play with my cousin and fellow flower girl, Hannah.

October 27, 2013

Anyway, I did get to go to the K-State football game on October 26. Sorry I am so slow in reporting the homecoming festivities.

There is a lot to watch at the K-State football games. Even though most people are there to watch football, I think I like the band the best. I am pretty good at keeping a beat. Just ask my Grandmas.

My Grandma Christy and I were ready when our Wildcats moved the ball down the field. We moved our arms just right when the announcer said, "Good for a Wildcat first down!"

My Daddy has been working with me when we score a touchdown. I know just what to do: Arms straight up in the air!

I explained all the finer points of the game to my Grandma Christy and Grandpa Alan.

And, I also provided my insight about the Wildcat offense and its two-quarterback system to my Grandma and Grandpa Fritzemeier. I must have been a good luck charm because the 'Cats got a win, 35-12 over the West Virginia Mountaineers!

After the game, we got our photo taken outside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. I think it's not just Bill Snyder's family. My family seems to show up at that stadium quite regularly, too.

October 26, 2013

My Grandmas both thought I would have liked Fort Riley Day on Saturday, since there were three bands. A military band joined the Pride of Wildcat Land for the pregame patriotic fanfare.

And then the Iowa State band, the K-State marching band and Fort Riley worked together during the halftime show, including playing Stars and Stripes Forever, where they unfurled a giant flag.

Even Willie the Wildcat was dressed in camouflage. Maybe I'll get to go to Fort Riley Day next year. I wasn't sure whether K-State could win without me, but they did, 41-7. 

Until next time,
Kinley Marie

Kinley K-Stater: A First-Person Report

Hello, all! It's Kinley with a report from my first K-State football game of the 2013 season.

We had to park a long way from Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The parking lot reminded me of Grandpa's pasture, even though there were no cows. Thankfully, my Mommy and Daddy didn't make me walk the whole way. But once we got to the parking lot, I gave them a break. 

I kept getting distracted by all the kids playing football. Hey, guys! Don't you know that there's going to be a game inside the stadium?

We got there just in time for the pregame show. My family knows all the words to the K-State Fight Song and the Alma Mater. I'm still working on them. Itsy Bitsy Spider, anyone?

Then it was time for Willie the Wildcat to lead the football players onto the field.

They came down to the south end zone where I was sitting. Everybody seemed really excited to see them.

Then I saw one guy carrying a flag with a K on it. Was it for me, Kinley? My Mommy said it was for K-State, but I think maybe they were welcoming me to Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

 

My Grandma wanted to take my picture. She is always wanting to take my picture. Not now, Grandma! I'm watching the game!

While those boys were out there running around, I got a little hungry. Shhhh! We weren't supposed to bring in cereal. Maybe they thought the people around me would be jealous. I would have shared. If only they would have shared their purple popcorn with me. Mommy said I couldn't have any this time. (Something about a choking hazard. I wouldn't want that!)

And here's another "Shhhh!!!" Don't tell my Uncle Brent that I was too busy drinking water to join everybody in saying, "Good for a K-State TOUCHDOWN!" He would be SO disappointed. (But he knows I can do it. I've showed him on Skype.) And even though I missed it that time, I did it when the Wildcats scored another touchdown. Really, Uncle Brent!

I liked finding all the Wildcats at the stadium. There was one on my chairback. Mommy had a Powercat on her shirt. So did Grandma. And I had one, too. Poor Daddy. His shirt was defective. It didn't have a Powercat. It was the right color, though. I got an A+ on colors at daycare last week, so I know all about purple. There sure was a lot of it at that ballgame!

As exciting as the game was, I probably liked the halftime show the best. It was Band Day, so the football field was full of kids playing their instruments. Every time they would quit playing, I would tell them, "More! More!"

I was sorry that Grandpa Fritzemeier had to stay home and cut corn, but I used his seat. Thanks Grandpa!

Last year, Grandpa taught me about "Good for a Wildcat FIRST DOWN!" So I knew what to do this year.

September 2012

I think I've grown quite a bit since then.

Grandma Fritzemeier and I cheered the Wildcats on to victory. We beat the University of Massachusetts 37-7! Good job, Wildcats!

I also got to see Grandma Christy and Grandpa Alan at the game. It may be Bill Snyder's family stadium, but I have a lot of family there, too.  It was so crowded that I didn't get to see them all. Maybe next time!

Until then, this has been your Wildcat sideline reporter, Kinley Marie.