4.7.23

PAGE 3: NEWS

All In for K-State raises over $1 million

PAGE 4: NEWS

Following an override of Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto, a law banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports will take effect July 1

PAGE 6: Arts & Culture

The Spring Closet Cleanout is a donation drive run by student Katelyn Andrist benefitting The Crisis Center

Page 11: Sports

K-State first baseman Roberto Pena makes major impact in brief time

KENNY GAVIN staff writer

Kansas State women’s basketball showed major improvement and potential despite not quite having the season the team was looking for.

Even though they did not make the NCAA tournament and finished secondto-last in the Big 12, they played exceptionally well at home, winning a close game against star Caitlin Clark of No. 3 Iowa and defeated No. 17 Iowa State.

Head coach Jeff Mittie assembled a competitive roster despite the absence of star center Ayoka Lee. Additionally, he provided valuable experience to young players during the season, including sophomore guards Jaelyn Glenn, who finished the season leading the Big 12 in steals, and Brylee Glenn, who provided 8.3 points per game.

Sophomore point guard Sereena Sundell had a productive year, averaging 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while shooting nearly 48% from the field. Although Sundell shined during the season, she had a rough year from the 3-point line, only shooting 27%.

“I struggled with my

3-point shot all year and it kind of became a mental game with myself,” Sundell said. “So I think just getting back to shooting with confidence and knowing that I am a good shooter will help.”

Even with her struggles from outside, Mittie said Sundell excelled around the rim.

“She really finished around the rim better than any guard, maybe in the league,” Mittie said. “She finished around the rim at a clip that we haven’t seen guards finish at before so I thought that was a huge improvement for her.”

Along with the development of these young players, the team will add Lee and forward Gizela Sanchez to the lineup next season.

Sanchez is a transfer from Arizona who averaged 2.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. She has not yet seen the floor for the Wildcats but has recovered from her injury and is cleared to play, Mittie said.

Before her injury, Lee finished the season with a double-double average of 22.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game over 33 appearances. There is no set-instone date for when Lee will be cleared yet, Mittie said, but there is team optimism.

“We knew that this type of surgery was going to be a longer, extended recovery time,” Mittie said. “So I’m hoping we get to mid-summer and we’re kinda into the non-contact stuff on the court with her.”

With Lee back in the lineup, many are intrigued to see how well she and All-Big 12 first-team member guard Gabby Gregory will mesh together.

“It’s one of those things that you are excited for but it’s hard to imagine till it’s happening,” Gregory said. “I’m really excited for my first practice with Yoki [Ayoka].”

mer and we’re kinda into ber guard GabGregory said. “I’m really as planned for K-State, and a lot of that had to do with

This season did not go as planned for K-State, and a lot of that had to do with injuries. The team is not quite back to full health, but when they get back to full strength, the Wildcats will be a team to keep an eye on next season.

when they get back to full

Ayoka Lee claps on the bench during K-State’s Super 16 victory over Wyoming. Lee missed the season due to a knee injury and looks to return in the 2023-24 season.

Women in piloting

K-State Salina names new residence hall after Amelia Earhart

MEREDITH

staff writer

Kansas State University

Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus named its new residence hall after female aviator Amelia Earhart.

“We’re really doing a lot to educate people on women in aviation,” Kyle Chamberlin, assistant dean of student life for K-State Salina, said. “[Earhart] was a proposed name and everybody really enjoyed it, and we thought the history behind it really worked out well.”

Malachi Stenger-Zook, freshman in professional piloting, said naming the residence hall after a woman is a positive step for K-State.

“I definitely think with us

being an aerospace campus, that being able to tie Amelia Earhart into our campus shows that representation of [women] is important,” Stenger-Zook, Earhart Hall RA for the 202324 school year, said. “We have very few females on our campus, and the ones that are here kind of get overlooked.”

Justin May, designer of Earhart Hall, said it is set to open in July and will be available to students for the 202324 school year.

“Crews are busy inside with flooring, ceilings and paint,” May said. “The team is also working outside on sidewalks and grading, and the Powercat logo and building name were just hung.”

May said the residence hall is equipped with the lat-

est amenities.

“The facility holds 104 beds,” May said. “Each floor has its own kitchenette with a range and fire-suppression hood that will allow more cooking options. The [building] includes exterior insulation finishing systems, stone and a Nichiha Fiber Cement Siding panel which is durable and fire resistant.”

Stenger-Zook said he is excited to have something new on campus.

“The residence halls we have now are barracks from when the campus was Schilling Air Force Base, so they’re definitely old and a little crusty,” Stenger-Zook said. “Having a new building is going to bring a lot of improvements, not only to the residence halls but to student life in general.”

Foot traffi c in Aggieville decreases, public relations campaign suggested as solution

MARGARET LATENSER news editor

Manhattan City Commission stands by the parking garage and is not on board with transitioning back to free parking.

“I think we have a responsibility to the taxpayers,” Linda Morse, city commissioner, said. “We have built this garage, we have to figure out how to make it work because we can’t go back and unbuild it. We can only incur more side steps and debt, so we need to move on.”

Belinda Snyder, president of Aggieville Board of Directors, spoke to the city commission and asked for them to consider bringing back free parking until July 31.

“We have so many people not just saying it is hard to get to Aggieville or having a hard time with the garage, but just saying we are not going to come,” Snyder said. “A lot of different sets of people right now just do not want to come to Aggieville because we are making it too hard.”

Mark J. Hatesohl, mayor of Manhattan, said he is open to launching a PR campaign called “Come back to Aggieville” to clarify why “the parking garage is not that terrible” and to boost the district’s traffic.

“How do we get people to change their mind about going to Aggieville?” Hatesohl said. “I do not think free parking is the key; it might be 10% of the problem. It is still going to be

the perception. … That is what we need, some type of campaign to tell people to get your bums back to Aggieville, eat, drink and buy some stuff because it is a cool place and you can make the parking work.”

Wynn Butler, city commissioner, said he agrees with the PR effort.

“I think maybe we need to say, look, the parking garage is easy to work,” Butler said. “I really do not think that is what is deterring people from getting there. Then you have the naysayers on facebook saying they want to beat everybody up and say everything is a tragedy, we need to just counter that and a PR effort may be the way to do that.”

All In for K-State: Donors gift over $1 million to students’ financial futures

going to change students’ lives and equip them for life with new financial skills.

In just 24 hours, the Kansas State University Foundation raised $1,051,199 on March 22 for its All In for K-State giving day to improve the financial futures of K-State students, according to the Foundation’s website.

“I was hopeful that it would be a great day,” Kathleen Hatch, Morrison family associate vice president for student well-being, said. “It certainly exceeded expectations, but it was really fun to check in with different people to see how stunned they were that K-State could … receive such generous gifts.”

Jodi Kaus, director of Powercat Financial, said the money from this day will go towards programing, educational resources and staffing to help teach students how to manage their finances.

“Having over a million towards this effort is really going to help us start to make sure that we have a bigger reach and that we have more students impacted by these kinds of support services,” Kaus said.

Kaus said she is already seeing an impact, as Powercat Financial hired 20 peer counselors who are ready to help students in the fall.

“We have shown from our research that the earlier we can get in front of students with this guidance and information, the more success we can have,” Kaus said.

Hatch said finances are a general stress for many students and impact their well-being.

“[Finances] are identified in our National Collegiate

Health Association as the third highest stressor students are facing that impedes on their academic progress,” Hatch said.

Hatch said there are many economic stresses due to loss of jobs and COVID-19 that can impact a household’s finances.

“I would say that your gift is not only gonna make an impact on our current students and soon to be K-State students, but also throughout their entire lifetime,” Kaus said. “These are life skills, career readiness skills, skills to help them achieve their future goals.”

Annie Schorgl, senior in mass communications, said she is happy for students to have access to these helpful resources.

“I think that these resources would be really helpful just because I’m going into the adult world soon and I honestly don’t know that much about managing my money,” Schorgl said.

The university has more plans to help students with their finances, Kaus said.

“When a student is meeting each semester with their academic advisor and creating that academic plan they can have in tandem with that, this comprehensive financial

plan that they update every semester,” Kaus said.

There are many on-campus financial resources available such as Powercat Financial, the Office of Financial Assistance, and free canvas courses to help students learn how to manage their money, Kaus said.

To receive help and learn more about managing finances, you can request scheduling for an appointment on navigate or email Powercat financial at financial@ksu.edu.

“Financial well-being is just one aspect of greater well-being, and it bleeds over into other areas of both emotional or physical or mental well-being,” Hatch said.

Hatch said the money raised at All In for K-State is

GWYNETH DAVIDSON

staff writer

In a Kansas State climate survey, one-third of students who participated reported they have considered dropping due to financial issues. To help relieve students’ stress over finances, KSU Foundation held a day of giving.

Kansas bans transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports

KELSEY VOLK managing editor

Transgender athletes will be banned from participating in women’s and girls’ sports from kindergarten through college in Kansas following the override of Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill proposing a transgender student athlete ban.

The veto was overridden by an 84-40 vote in the House of Representatives and 28-12 in the Senate. This marks the third time Gov. Kelly has vetoed similar legislation.

Courage Wortman, a trans non-binary student at Kansas State, said the law affects transgender people in several ways.

“There’s the effect of what directly happens to

us, like kids not being able to play sports,” Wortman, senior in gender, women, and sexuality studies, said.

“There’s that direct impact. But then there’s also the impact of how people view and talk about trans people, and there’s such a fear built into it. Our identities have been politicized — just me existing — they’re like, ‘You’re trying to start a fight.’”

Proponents of the legislation argue its purpose is to maintain fairness in women’s sports by eliminating what they say is a competitive edge held by transgender women and girls.

“If my kids were to grow up, I want them to have a fair chance,” Ashlynn Hartman, freshman in agronomy, said. “Allowing biological males to compete

against biological females will never be fair.”

The law, dubbed the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” takes effect July 1, and makes Kansas one of 20 states that have enacted some form of restrictions on transgender athletes.

There are several other bills proposed in Kansas affecting LGBTQ rights. On Tuesday, the Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 180, a bill that defines sex as “either male or female, at birth” and would require transgender people to use bathrooms associated with the gender on their birth certificate.

“It’s one after another after another,” Wortman said. “It’s constant. It’s exhausting and draining.”

Wortman, an advocate for transgender rights, said

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visibility without protections is dangerous.

“People talk about visibility a lot. Visibility is great and wonderful, and it’s cool whenever people can see you and recognize who you are and how you understand yourself,” Wortman said. “Since we don’t have those protections in place, we’re also seeing people attack queer people and trans people and this community. We need those protections.”

For more information on how legislation will affect LGBTQ students visit the LGBT Resource Center in Holton Hall.

Representatives fill the House in the Kansas State Capitol to seat the legilators voted in every two years.

YOUR U BAND N NAME YOUR BAND NAME

S U B M I T Y O U R A R T I S T B I O T O m h k m u s i c s c e n e @ g m a i l . c o m

T O B E F E A T U R E D

If you’re shopping on Poyntz Avenue and see two little ears peeking out from under the display at Danenberg Jewelers, stop in and visit the shop’s newest employee.

Carat the “Easter Bunny” is a brown rabbit with a surprising distaste for carrots and a strong dislike for being held. He is prone to hiccups, enjoys pets from patrons and loves to relax in the corner of his large pen.

Brian Danenberg, co-owner of Danenberg Jewelers, said the bunny is popular among passersby.

“There’s a ton of people

that stop by,” Danenberg said. “He draws so much attention. It’s unbelievable. People walking by will just stop dead in their tracks when they see him and it just — it’s always surprised me how they can spot him.”

Danenberg said Carat is on loan from Trieb Tribe WABbitry, a rabbit breeder based out of Wamego. While this is the fourth time the jewelers have borrowed a bunny in recent years, Danenberg said the jewelers have a long tradition of hosting the “Easter Bunny” at the store.

Carat is currently up for adoption. If you’re interested in paying him a visit, hop over to Danenberg Jewelers at 425 Poyntz Ave.

GRACE NEEDHAM

arts & culture editor

The Spring Closet Clean Out with The Crisis Center Inc. started on April 3 and will last through April 10. The Crisis Center is a shelter for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse.

Katelyn Andrist, senior in human health and family sciences, started the project and said she encourages everyone to participate. She runs the project by herself.

“Last year around this time I was living in Kappa Delta and I noticed that a lot of girls were switching their clothes from winter to springtime,” Andrist said. “And so I thought, ‘Well, why don’t we as a community come together and all just clean out our closets?’”

Donations have expanded from just clothing; Andrist now takes household products, such as cleaners, toiletries and grooming supplies, in addition to women’s and children’s clothing. More information about donations the center accepts can be found on The Crisis Center’s website.

“Since they are in a location that is discreet, [the center doesn’t] get that many items on the daily,” Andrist said. “So for me, it was really important to go in there and talk with them and let them know that we’re doing this for them.”

The Crisis Center serves Riley, Marshall, Clay, Geary and Pottawatomie counties. Kathy Ray, executive director of the Crisis Center, said the organization has other resources besides the safe shelter available to victims.

“We provide court advocacy, individual counseling, support groups, crisis intervention and we also have

24/7 live-answer hotlines,” Ray said. “We are aroundthe-clock any time someone needs us.”

Andrist said it’s special to see the impact projects like this have on women at the center.

“Just to hear these women’s stories — that they are trying to create a better life, circumstance and so

leave that situation.”

It takes minimal effort to donate to the Spring Closet Cleanout, Andrist said.

“To be able to just give back to them as simply as cleaning out your closet, you’re about to change mothers’ and people’s lives and make them feel like Manhattan really does care about them,” Andrist said.

months that we haven’t even touched, by giving that to somebody, you’re building up her self esteem,” Andrist said. “At the end of the day, we’re all meant to love and to receive love.”

Andrist wants people to know it’s simple to donate. She picks up donations and drops them off at the center.

“If you have literally anything, I don’t mind swinging by your house to come grab it,” Andrist said. “Just put it on your porch. Right now, my car is pretty much full. I have one big box and I have about six different trash bags full just from Manhattan.”

Volunteering is another

great way to help victims at The Crisis Center. Ray said the center especially needs volunteers for the Police Response Advocate program.

“We have volunteers who typically come from K-State who meet with victims when there’s a domestic violence call that comes in to the police department,” Ray said. “That’s just a way to get them some more information about us and then our staff follows up with them the next day.”

Ray said to keep an eye out for volunteer training dates in the fall. Dates will be posted on the website.

“If you can volunteer your time, you should go out

of your comfort zone,” Andrist said. “With it being a domestic violence and abuse center, I think that scares a lot of people away because there are some heavy emotions, but I think if you take that risk and you take that jump of faith to just be yourself, you never know who you’re going to impact.”

Katelyn Andrist can be reached at 316-680-7522 for Spring Closet Cleanout donations.

“We’re still taking donations until Monday,” Andrist said. “Anything and everything counts.”

much more for themselves and their families — it’s truly amazing,” Andrist said.

“People forget, when you do have an intimate abusive relationship, that it’s much [easier] said than done to

Having clothes that fit and new toiletries help women at the shelter feel confident, Andrist said.

“Our clothing that has just been hanging up in our closets for how many

GRACE NEEDHAM arts & culture editor

Courtesy of Katelyn Andrist Spring Closet Clean Out donations will be contributed to the Crisis Center. They take clothing, household products, toiletries and grooming supplies.

ALLISON DOLLAR staff writer

“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury is a story of Guy Montag, a fireman. In this 1953 dystopian novel, firemen are not responsible for extinguishing fires, but rather for igniting them. Montag’s job is to burn books.

In Montag’s world it’s against the law to read books. Anyone caught with books is taken away by the police. If offenders of this law run, they are chased down by “The Hound.” This frightening mechanical dog-monster doesn’t leave survivors.

In the beginning, Montag loves his job. He loves burning things and laughs at the idea that firemen historically put out fires instead of starting them. However, Montag’s curiosity gets the best of him, and he begins to secretly steal books from the scenes of fires. He soon realizes he doesn’t want to stop.

Bradbury describes a world where people are socially isolated. The relationships Montag has with his co-workers are shallow and unfulfilling. His wife is pulling away from him and becomes increasingly involved in her television plays. Due to his book exposure, Montag develops a yearning for deep connections, like those depicted in his novels.

Montag’s downfall comes not long after he meets a young woman with whom he begins an intellectually exciting relationship. His wife just seems to find fulfillment in the television and repeatedly attempts to commit suicide.

“Fahrenheit 451” is relatively short and easy to read; however, it’s also uncomfortable to read. The similarities between Mon-

tag’s world and ours are glaring.

It seems Bradbury foresaw COVID-19 lockdown-induced social isolation as Montag’s wife’s beloved plays are featured on wall-sized screens that are similar to the large televisions sold in Walmart. These shows become her world; she is isolated from the humans around her. This doesn’t seem too far off from the reality shows that are on every streaming platform right now.

The most frightening part of Montag’s world is the anti-intellectualism that leads to book burning. In 2023, there is a push to limit children’s education by restricting information and discouraging critical thinking. At the moment, book

burnings are rare, but book banning is on the rise. There is a thin line between banning a book and burning it.

“Fahrenheit 451” deserves more than one reading. Bradbury uses language carefully, and the book is full of symbolism. The allusion to fire and light deserves careful attention. It is a masterpiece that has lasted sixty years without losing relevance, and its warnings should not be dismissed.

marketing / pr manager

Mary Ubel is a Kansas State University graduate, military veteran and owner of 2UW Brush Creek Ranch. The ranch’s existence for over 100 years is attributable to Ubel’s hard work and devotion to the ranch.

“I’m an entrepreneur,” Ubel said. “My dad was sick and died of heart failure. I had to figure something out to keep the ranch in the family.”

The 2UW Ranch sprawls across 400 acres, and is just 15 minutes away from Manhattan and 10 minutes

from Tuttle Creek. Apart from providing world-class horse and rider training with champion Joe Ammann, the ranch also offers safe private rooms and apartments.

There are a variety of living options available at the ranch, such as the lofts and private rooms. Lofts are not furnished but do have washers and dryers. Each loft has its own deck with a view of the valley below. Pets are allowed in the lofts at a monthly rate.

“The lofts are set up for people who enjoy an exclusive, peaceful environment,” Ubel said.

Rooms are private and available off the main lodge. The private rooms come furnished with baths and their own entrance. Each room offers a lake view and has its own refrigerator, microwave and kitchenette. Pets are not allowed in the rooms.

“The concept of the ranch is one of a kind,” Ube said. “There’s nothing like this in the United States. We have a five-star service and I expect that and I expect to give it as well.”

The ranch offers fiber-optic high-speed internet and a private lake. The land is secure and is highly main-

Religion Directory

ALYSSA FULLINGTON

Kansas State baseball lost its series against West Virginia, 2-1, between March 31 through April 2. The Wildcats previously won four out of its past five games.

Photos by Madison Riebel | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

Photos by Avery Johnson | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

Kansas State baseball has been in full force for the last month. As warmer weather draws in more fan interest, a new face stands out among the team: first baseman Roberto Pena.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Pena grew up playing both soccer and baseball, garnering a deep passion for sports. Athletics have been a point of stability, helping him through his toughest points in life.

“It’s always been there,” Pena said. “Baseball and my dad have always been there for me and have never failed

for me. It’s my go-to every time, whenever I am struggling. I just go out to the field; it helps get my mind off of everything.”

Pena and his father fled from Venezuela when Pena was young, moving to Miami where he would have to learn a new language and culture.

Baseball became a second home for Pena, finishing his high school career with a state title and being named to the 2018 MaxPreps Media School All-American second team. Entering college, Pena decided to stay close to his new home.

He began his collegiate career at Florida in 2019 before bouncing around

the state to the College of Central Florida in 2020 and South Florida in 2021. K-State’s head coach, Pete Hughes, eventually recruited Pena.

“We track the [transfer] portal, and my second son Hal actually played summer baseball during the summer of 2020 with him in the Florida Collegiate League,” Hughes said. “They got to be friends and my son got to watch him play and he was able to tell me what kind of player he is.”

Despite being nearly 1,500 miles away, Pena took a chance and bought into the program that Hughes was selling.

“He [Hughes] is a great guy,” Pena said. “I trusted him. I have never been outside the state of Florida and he told me I wouldn’t regret it and I don’t. I’m having the time of my life here at K-State.”

In his first season at K-State, Pena has become a veteran presence in the locker room.

“He is a great role model for our younger players,” Hughes said. “He exemplifies playing this game even keel so you can deal with the ups and downs of the game and he certainly proved that for our younger players.”

Despite only being on the team for close to five months, Pena was voted team

captain by his peers, displaying the respect that both his coaches and fellow players have for him. For Pena, work ethic and responsibility are a point of pride.

“Leading by example is one of the things I take really serious, win or lose,” Pena said. “I am usually the last one to pick up trash in the dugout, picking up balls, simply by example. I try to bring the team together on and off the field, even though we have different personalities. I still try to make sure when we win, everybody is there hanging out.”

Pena went through a dry spell in the early weeks of March. He recorded only

nine hits throughout 14 games until he had a breakout performance against West Virginia. He recorded three home runs and seven RBI in the series, earning him the Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week award.

For Pena, the team’s success is what matters most. Pena and the team look to build momentum throughout the season as they dive further into conference play.

“I just try to go out there every day and help my team win and win the Big 12 and make it to Omaha,” Pena said. “That was my goal ultimately from the day I got here.”

Roberto Pena rounds third base after hitting his first of two homeruns on April 2 in a 10-6 win vs. West Virginia. Pena hit four total home runs and 14 RBI on the week and was named Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week.

KIER BISHOP staff writer

It was a warm and windy evening in the Little Apple when the Kansas State Wildcats baseball team fell 6-1 to its former Big 12 rival, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. With this loss, the Wildcats move to 19-12 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play.

The wind played a large factor in the ballpark, with heavy gusts blowing through the stands. Early play saw both teams take advantage of dropped balls flying into the outfield, helping set up early scores in the second inning.

Mason Buss got the start for the Wildcats at pitcher, going up against Nebraska’s Caleb Clark. Buss came into this matchup undefeated with a 3-0 record. In his five innings pitched, he recorded only five hits, four strikeouts and

one earned run.

Clark only played two innings for the Cornhuskers, giving up the single run of the Wildcat’s evening. K-State accumulated three hits and suffered two strikeouts while scoring one earned run against Clark.

The first scores of the game came in the second inning, where designated hitter Garrett Anglim hit a sacrifice fly, allowing one runner to score. A single from right fielder Cole Evans followed, giving Nebraska a 2-0 lead.

Right fielder Cash Rugely placed the Wildcats on the board in the bottom of the second with a double, sending designated hitter Jayden Lobliner home.

Scoring didn’t return until the sixth inning when pitchers took advantage of the wind. K-State had opportunities to score but well-struck balls flew

just shy of the wall. The Cornhuskers added insurance runs when shortstop Brice Mathiews hit a double with the bases loaded, putting Nebraska up 4-1.

Nebraska topped off the scoring in the ninth with a homer from second baseman Max Anderson and a double from catcher Josh Caaron, sending his second baseman home for the final score of 6-1.

“We weren’t very opportunistic, that’s for sure,” head coach Pete Hughes said. “We had our opportunities to win the game. When you leave 11 guys on bases, at some point someone has to get a hit, and sometimes that’s the game of baseball.”

K-State moves into the weekend series against a familiar Big 12 opponent, the Texas Longhorns, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday in Austin.

KIER BISHOP staff writer

Jersey Johnson

Freshman Mason Buss lines up for a pitch against Stonehill on March 6. K-State baseball finished strong with a 6-5 win.

LUKE LAZARCZYK sports editor

“K-State Twitter” went into an unneeded frenzy on March 31. After CBS reporter Dennis Dodd reported the hiring of former Kansas State punter and special teams coach Sean Snyder — son of K-State legend Bill Snyder — to University of Kansas as special assistant to the head coach, the madness began.

Wildcat fans resorted to bashing Sean Snyder for both joining a former rival and his merits as a coach. Twitter and message boards became hubs of anti-Sean Snyder sentiment.

The arguments between

K-State and KU fans about Sean Snyder’s choice and coaching ability led to some friendly fire for K-State fans. Bill Snyder added to the controversy himself, blocking accounts that spoke negatively about his son.

Reflecting on the weekend’s controversy, it’s clear how excessive fandom, including K-State fandom, can become.

It doesn’t make sense to criticize someone for taking a job that’s better than their previous one. This applies especially to the world of sports. Sean Snyder has no need to turn down a job because of his previous years at a rival school.

He already left the

program in 2020 and spent time at Illinois and USC, each far from his roots. Now, in Lawrence, Sean Snyder is just an hour away from his old home. How is that a bad thing?

Bill Snyder going on a Twitter blocking spree is completely justified. The situation goes beyond normal fan bias.

The Kansas–Kansas State rivalry has been discussed this school year as the Wildcats have become a top sports program in football and basketball. The peak of controversy occurred away from the play itself, when the Wabash Cannonball was threatened due to the “F-- KU” chants. Fortunate-

ly, men’s basketball coach Jerome Tang took a stance against the profanity laced chant and it was mostly wiped out.

Tang has been a major reason for the change at K-State with his culture focus. He’s become one of the

most popular coaches in the country and possibly the most influential person in Manhattan. Still, Wildcat fans are not adhering to his message.

As K-State Athletics enters a new era of success, fans should become less divisive and more caring, es-

pecially when an alum has positive career news. One of Tang’s best quotes puts it simply.

“When you love people, it’s amazing what you can accomplish.”

Rodney Dimick

Associate head coach Sean Snyder talks with his father and head coach Bill Snyder during a timeout in the game against Texas Tech on Nov. 14, 2015, at the Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Sean Snyder has been hired by Kansas to serve as special assistant to the head coach.

Collegian Staff Gambling Picks

1. The name of the rabbit at Danenberg Jewelers is ____.

2. The ____ Closet Clean Out with the Manhattan Crisis Center lasts through April 10.

5. K-State Salina campus named new residence Hall after Amelia ____.

7. Texas baseball ranks third in the Big 12, _____ spot ahead of K-State. 8. Will return for the women’s basketball 202324 season.

3. Named Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week.

4. Sean Snyder was ________ Assistant to the head coach at Kansas. 9. __________ 451 is a book by Ray Bradbury and portrays an alternate world where books are seen as a danger.