The story of Kansas State Athletics begins with Michael Francis Ahearn, a multi-sport athlete and coach who became a defining figure at K-State in the first half of the 20th century. Fueled by his passion for athletics, Ahearn coached football, basketball and baseball for the Wildcats in the early 1900s. Over the years, his role continued to grow, and from 1920-1946 he served as athletic director.
Under Mike’s direction, the athletic program became professional, setting the standard for the athletics program we see today. Schedules expanded, facilities planned and the idea of athletics being a core part of the university took shape. Because of all these accomplishments, fans regard him as the “father” of K-State athletics.
The university built Memorial Stadium in 1922 amid rising college football enrollment and interest following World War I. This stadium became the home for K-State football for more than four decades, showing how football had become a central part of life on campus.
In 1948, Ahearn passed away, unable to see the popularity of basketball begin to take hold. In 1950, two years following his death, K-State replaced Nichols Hall with Ahearn Field House. At the time, it was one of the largest built college basketball arenas in the country, causing it to create a ferocious home court advantage. The building’s size and atmosphere elevated K-State basketball into a major program through the 1950s and 1970s.
Driven by the Title IX implementation, Ahearn Field House helped grow women’s athletic programs such as volleyball, track and soccer. This growth became larger than ever in the present day, as women’s athletics have their own arenas to play in and receive the coverage they deserve.
By the time the 1960s rolled around, it was apparent that the university needed modern football facilities. In 1968, KSU Stadium was born and created a larger environment for K-State football fans. Games became televised, revenues increased and a need for larger capacity was what KSU Stadium brought to the table. These additions also meant basketball needed a more modern makeover and, because of fundraising, Fred Bramlage Coliseum would open in 1988. These major changes symbolized K-State’s shift to a more modern collegiate athletic program.
It would be impossible to discuss K-State history without bringing up football coach Bill Snyder. Hired in 1988, Snyder inherited one of the worst college football records in the country. But, decades of losing and minimal postseason success were quickly in the rearview mirror as Snyder created a new culture for the Wildcats.
In his two tenures with K-State, Snyder won over 200 games, executing one of college football’s greatest turnarounds and shaping the program into a consistent winner by the mid-1990s. The 1998 season saw the peak, as Snyder led the team to an 11-0 regular season record and a top 10 final ranking. Honoring his success, KSU Stadium was renamed Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium in 2005.
There is more to the transition from Ahearn to the Bill than just a timeline of the construction dates of facilities; it’s a story of people with vision and perseverance.
What began as a small athletic department guided by the vision of Ahearn has now become a nationally recognized program. The foundation built by Ahearn has created many memorable moments in K-State history and will continue to create more. The program has a bright future, all thanks to a coach who had a passion for athletics.
