Nestled at the junction of the Kansas and Big Blue Rivers, Kansas State University boasts a population of nearly 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. While best known as the oldest public university in Kansas and home to one of the nation’s top agriculture programs, the school is also a hotbed for college sports. Playing in the Big 12 Conference, the Wildcats boast a number of popular sports teams, highlighted by football, women’s basketball, baseball, and women’s soccer.
Football
History
Launched in 1896, Kansas State boasts one of the oldest college football programs in the United States. The Wildcats first found success under coach Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf, who arrived in 1934 and led the Wildcats to a 34-15-1 record over five seasons. The next two decades brought little success, but things began to turn around in the 1960s when Vince Gibson took over as head coach and led the team to its first ranking in the AP Poll in 1968.
The team reached No. 12 the following year after a 59-21 blowout of the 11th-ranked Oklahoma before losing its final four games of the season. Kansas State struggled in subsequent years under Gibson, and after he departed in 1974, a string of unsuccessful coaches put the program in a tailspin.
That all changed in 1989 when Bill Snyder was hired as head coach. He would go on to become one of the most successful coaches in college football history, highlighted by 1998’s “Miracle in Manhattan” when the Wildcats beat No. 1 Nebraska for one of the most significant upsets in college football history. Under Snyder’s leadership, Kansas State became a consistent Top 25 program, appeared in 19 bowl games, and won two conference championships.
Snyder retired in 2005, returned for another stint in 2009, and led the Wildcats to its first-ever conference championship and a Fiesta Bowl appearance in 2012. When Snyder retired again in 2018, he was replaced by North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman, who has compiled a 30-20 record in five seasons. While the program has experienced its share of highs and lows over the years, football remains an essential part of the university’s culture and history.
Famous Alumni
- Darren Sproles
- Jordy Nelson
- Terence Newman
- Colin Klein
- Michael Bishop
- Tyler Lockett
- Chris Canty
- Mark Simoneau
- Martin Gramatica
- Steve Grogan
- Lynn Dickey
2023 Outlook
Coming off a 10-4 season and Sugar Bowl appearance, the Wildcats are expecting a big season in 2023. With a roster full of potential, and a schedule in which it should be the favorite in nearly every game, the team hopes to capture another Big 12 title.
How To Purchase Tickets
To purchase Kansas State football tickets, visit the Wildcats’ website. You can choose between single-game tickets, season tickets, or group tickets.
Women’s Basketball
History
KSU’s women’s basketball team was formed in 1968. The team competed against the University of Kansas, Wichita State, and other state schools for the “Kansas State Conference’’ championship because the Big Eight Conference didn’t recognize women’s basketball in its earliest years. The Wildcats went on to win eight straight Kansas Conference titles from 1972 to 1979 (including the first two Big Eight tournament titles in 1976 and 1977) and won the first two Big Eight regular season titles in 1983 and 1984.
In 1996, Deb Patterson took over as coach and spent 18 years in the role, compiling a 350-226 record. She won two Big 12 Conference titles (2004 and 2008) and a WNIT title (2006). Jeff Mittie assumed the head coaching responsibilities in 2014 and led the team to its first Big 12 Conference championship since 2010. Under Mittie’s leadership, the program has continued to be successful, making four NCAA Tournament appearances in his first seven seasons.
Notable Alumni
Outlook for 2023
Coming off a 19-17 record in 2022-23, the Wildcats are primed for a bigger season in 2023-24. Gabby Gregory is the leading returning scorer in the Big 12 and looks to improve upon her 18.5 ppg average. She’ll be joined by Serena Sundell, an All-Big 12 Freshman a year ago, to form a strong nucleus. The key will be how effective returning center Ayoka Lee will be after missing last season due to knee surgery.
How To Purchase Tickets
To purchase Kansas State women’s basketball tickets, visit the Wildcats’ website. You can choose between single-game tickets, season tickets, or group tickets.
Baseball
History
Kansas State’s baseball program dates back to the 1890s and earned its first varsity championship in 1907 under coach Mike Ahearn, who also coached football and basketball. The Wildcats won the Missouri Valley Conference championship in 1928, 1930, and 1933. In 1973, freshman pitcher Andy Replogle became the first Kansas State player selected to an All-American team. The team has seen success in recent years, making its first NCAA Tournament in 2009 and advancing to its first-ever Super Regional in 2013.
The team has also been at the forefront of racial progress. In 1951, catcher Earl Woods — the father of Tiger Woods — became the first African-American player in the Big Seven Conference.
He notably had to stay in all-Black hotels and away from his teammates on road trips. In 1978, nearly three decades later, Dave Baker became the first African-American baseball coach at a Big Eight institution. Baker would guide the Wildcats to 137 wins from 1978-83.
Famous Alumni
- Earl Woods
- Craig Wilson
- Chad De La Guerra
- A.J. Morris
- Nate Griep
Outlook for 2023
The Wildcats are currently a surprising 24-14 overall and alone in second place in the Big 12 standings at 9-6. The team was picked seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll after a 29-29 (8-16) season in 2022. Head coach Pete Hughes is in his fourth season at the helm and has a career mark of 774-598-3, the most wins among active Big 12 coaches. Hughes and Kansas State are searching for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2013 season.
How To Purchase Tickets
To purchase Kansas State baseball tickets, visit the Wildcats’ website. You can choose between single-game tickets, season tickets, or group tickets. View the Kansas State baseball schedule here.
Women’s Soccer
The Kansas State women’s soccer team is still relatively new, having just played its inaugural season in 2016. In 2019, the Wildcats won its first Big 12 home match, a 2-1 victory over Iowa State, and opened its home stadium, Buser Family Park, a few weeks later. The team continues to make inroads, with Brookelynn Entz being named to the All-Big 12 First Team in 2020 and is looking for a breakthrough season in 2022-23.
How To Purchase Tickets
To purchase Kansas State baseball tickets, visit the Wildcats’ website. You can choose between single-game tickets, season tickets, or group tickets.
Conclusion
There are plenty of reasons to love Kansas State University — a beautiful campus, great academics, and a picturesque college town — but athletics remains one of the top attractions. Whether it’s football, women’s soccer, women’s basketball, or baseball, the Wildcats are a must-watch for any college sports fan.
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