Football forces flaunt turnover chains and baseball dugouts don home runs masks. But in Manhattan, Kansas State women’s basketball sports a stuffed goat dripped out in gold glamour.
With his gold chain, an occasional No. 7 pendant and purple jersey, Gap Goat exploded in popularity alongside the women’s basketball scene in the Little Apple.
Gap Goat is hoisted by team managers after every gap — three consecutive defensive stops — K-State completes. The No. 13-ranked Wildcats use him as motivation and celebration of defensive success. If the team reaches seven gaps, Gap Goat earns his pendant and the team’s chance to win is 95%.
“We got a bunch [of gaps] tonight, right?” Mittie joked after then-No. 9 K-State’s 111-46 trouncing of Milwaukee. “It’s been fun for the players, fun for the fans, fun for our managers.”
Former All-Big 12 guard Gabby Gregory led the charge in Gap Goat’s initiation with the Wildcats. The plush pal became a beloved figure by teammates, fans and neutral observers alike as the Wildcats earned a No. 2 ranking at their highest and an eventual top-four seed, hosting the NCAA Tournament’s opening round last year.
Even with Gregory’s graduation from college athletics last season, Gap Goat’s legacy continued to garner defensive success. With an opponent scoring average of 53.2 points ranks top 25 in the nation.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate what we’re emphasizing,” Mittie said. “We have drills in practice where we’re emphasizing it … I’m all for anything that can motivate us to play better defense, even if it’s just a stuffed goat,” Mitte said.
While the K-State managers play a key role in watching Gap Goat’s on gamedays, senior guard Serena Sundell said she took primary custody of the fuzzy friend.
“Yeah, it’s me,” Sundell said after consulting with teammate guards Taryn Sides and Jaelyn Glenn. “I do a lot of it, but I think our whole team does a good job of having fun with it.”
Gregory may not call Manhattan home anymore, but that doesn’t mean she’s taken a complete step back as Gap Goat’s guardian.
In addition to occasional practice drop-ins, Gregory made a dramatic return to Manhattan at football’s Harley Day, hoisting Gap Goat from the back of a motorcycle in front of a sold-out Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
We see you @gabbygregory12 and GapGoat!!!! #EMAW #HARLEYDAY @kstatevangirl pic.twitter.com/8dTrEs35vq
— K-State Van Man (@mitchmoss) September 14, 2024
“I don’t know what to call her — she’s a good mother, stepmom, godmother, I don’t know,” Sundell said.
Gap Goat has seen the scenic spectacle of many Big 12 cities, but perhaps his greatest trip came during this year’s Thanksgiving break as K-State braved the Ball Dawgs Classic in Las Vegas.
“To my knowledge, the goat’s never been to Vegas,” Mittie joked before the trip. “I worry about anybody going to Vegas for the first time.”
While Sides said Gap Goat’s agenda in Vegas was “top secret,” photos surfaced on social media of his sin city sightseeing.
Where the goats come to play!
Gappy took his free time to see the sights today pic.twitter.com/XBT0wW27UA
— K-State Women’s Basketball (@KStateWBB) November 25, 2024
The Wildcats jumped out to a red-hot start to the 2024-25 season, with their only loss coming to No. 13 Duke at the Ball Dawgs Classic.
K-State’s average margin of victory sits at a blazing 32.7 mark with help from its goat-inspired defense. As conference play approaches, Gap Goat’s lasting legacy will be key to keeping the momentum rolling.
“As silly as it is, it is helpful,” Sundell said. “And it’s a lot of fun to get seven gaps, we all really believe in what it means and the statistics … We trust in coach Mittie and that philosophy. It’s been fun to see that hard work pan out so far.”
