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Location: Manhattan, Kansas
Conference: Big 12
School Color: Royal Purple
Fight Song: "Wildcat Victory"
Kansas State University Nickname: Wildcats
K-State hasn't always associated itself with the feline family. The name
"Aggies" was the first used by the school in the late l890s by head football
coach John "Chief' Bender. The new coach made his mark on K-State history
when he gave his team the "Wildcat" nickname. However, Coach Bender soon
left the K-State program and the Wildcat nickname became a stray.
The school's nickname darted back to its agricultural roots when coach Z.G.
Clevenger's announced a nickname revision to "Farmers" in 1917. However,
K-State's next coach, Charles Bachman, must have been a meat and
potatoes man because he discarded Farmers in favor of Wildcats in 1920.
Conference: Big 12
School Color: Royal Purple
Fight Song: "Wildcat Victory"
Kansas State University Nickname: Wildcats
K-State hasn't always associated itself with the feline family. The name
"Aggies" was the first used by the school in the late l890s by head football
coach John "Chief' Bender. The new coach made his mark on K-State history
when he gave his team the "Wildcat" nickname. However, Coach Bender soon
left the K-State program and the Wildcat nickname became a stray.
The school's nickname darted back to its agricultural roots when coach Z.G.
Clevenger's announced a nickname revision to "Farmers" in 1917. However,
K-State's next coach, Charles Bachman, must have been a meat and
potatoes man because he discarded Farmers in favor of Wildcats in 1920.
| Kansas State Wildcats Traditions Discover the story behind K-State's nickname, mascot, colors and more! |
Mascots: Willie the Wildcat
The fIgure found prowling the sidelines of Wildcat games is a creature that resembles half animal and half man.
However, assigning the mystery to the X-Files would rank as a hoax since it's just K-State's mascot, Willie. Sporting a
Wildcat head and a football uniform, the costumed mascot displays wildcat strength at K-State football games when he
does push ups each time his team scores. The amount that Willie knocks out equals the number of Wildcat points on
the scoreboard.
Besides playing an important role at the school's games, Willie attends events around the state as a representative of
the university. Fans find the antics of Willie prompting them to meet the man behind the fangs, good luck! The identity of
the student who becomes Willy is kept secret.
A long line of bobcats have supported K-State through the years, but they've been sidelined. Touchdown XI must now
cheer from Manhattan's Sunset Zoo since the live cats are no longer invited to the games. The bobcat legacy began in
1922 when Touchdown I was donated to the school by two Idaho veterinarians.
The fIgure found prowling the sidelines of Wildcat games is a creature that resembles half animal and half man.
However, assigning the mystery to the X-Files would rank as a hoax since it's just K-State's mascot, Willie. Sporting a
Wildcat head and a football uniform, the costumed mascot displays wildcat strength at K-State football games when he
does push ups each time his team scores. The amount that Willie knocks out equals the number of Wildcat points on
the scoreboard.
Besides playing an important role at the school's games, Willie attends events around the state as a representative of
the university. Fans find the antics of Willie prompting them to meet the man behind the fangs, good luck! The identity of
the student who becomes Willy is kept secret.
A long line of bobcats have supported K-State through the years, but they've been sidelined. Touchdown XI must now
cheer from Manhattan's Sunset Zoo since the live cats are no longer invited to the games. The bobcat legacy began in
1922 when Touchdown I was donated to the school by two Idaho veterinarians.
Wilbur the Wildcat drums up great spirit for Kansas State fans
|
GAME DAY TRADITIONS: FIRST DOWN! & WABASH CANNONBALL
A game day tradition that K-State claims to have originated is one that fans coast to coast love to scream out when their
team makes a first down. Those who have ever shouted "first down" when the referee makes the signal, perhaps owe
this joyful moment to a group of purple clad fans.
This is how it's done Wildcat style. After the team makes a first down, K-State's stadium announcer, Ivan Wilkinson says,
"Good for another Wildcat ... " and the rest of the Wildcat fans yell "first down" while pointing in the direction their beloved
team is headed.
Go to any K-State football game and the tune Wabash Cannonball is certain to be heard. The connection between the
song and the school became a natural after K-State's department of Music burned down in the fall of 1969. The only
music salvaged was a copy of Wabash Cannonball that was in the director's briefcase.
With the next football game took place, the band only had the music to one song. Therefore, they played Wabash
Cannonball again and again. Apparently the song grew on the Wildcat faithful, because it now serves as a second fight
song.
A game day tradition that K-State claims to have originated is one that fans coast to coast love to scream out when their
team makes a first down. Those who have ever shouted "first down" when the referee makes the signal, perhaps owe
this joyful moment to a group of purple clad fans.
This is how it's done Wildcat style. After the team makes a first down, K-State's stadium announcer, Ivan Wilkinson says,
"Good for another Wildcat ... " and the rest of the Wildcat fans yell "first down" while pointing in the direction their beloved
team is headed.
Go to any K-State football game and the tune Wabash Cannonball is certain to be heard. The connection between the
song and the school became a natural after K-State's department of Music burned down in the fall of 1969. The only
music salvaged was a copy of Wabash Cannonball that was in the director's briefcase.
With the next football game took place, the band only had the music to one song. Therefore, they played Wabash
Cannonball again and again. Apparently the song grew on the Wildcat faithful, because it now serves as a second fight
song.