Biggest Summerfest event they’ve had.
Overflow crowd. +500 in attendance. Every table was filled and there was standing room only in the back.
Silent auction was a little weak this year outside of a signed Chargers Sproles jersey. The cash bar was fantastic. Nice assortment of premium liquors on hand and a good selection of bottled beer.
Dinner. Appetizer - Yogurt and fruit. Main Course - Grilled chicken, roast beef, bbq beans, au gratin potatoes, corn bread. Desert – Biscuit and strawberries. Filling, but nothing extraordinary. “Yummy” might be a stretch.
Good collection of scantily clad classy cats sprinkled throughout. Could have done without a few of them.......
Athletes – Spani’s daughter, pretty hot actually, and some football player, can’t remember his name. No representatives from bball.
Shultz was great. Energetic. Talked about strategic vision for 2025. Talked about the importance of interconnectivity, being able to utilize technology. Long term growth, wanting alumni to help shape this vision.
Curry was up next. Excellent as well. Extremely energetic, assertive. Was wearing a mustard colored sport jacket. Looked good, probably smelled equally as impressive. Mentioned the fact that he and the new prez have condos across the hall from each other and are competing to see who can get to the office earlier each morning. Specifically mentioned Frank and the special season for this coming year. Talked about never losing sight of the responsibility each member of his staff has when money, no matter how much, is entrusted to their keeping. On a side note, I appreciate the fact that he actually attends these types of alumni gatherings (unlike a certain previous athletic director that now collects a paycheck from us in Dallas).
Patterson took the floor. She had on some sort of sweat suit. Started talking about a memory from a WNIT game, started shouting, and I got up and took a long restroom break. Walked around a little bit. Decided to leave the premises, drove across the street to the Walgreens to use the ATM, came back and she was still rambling about something. Eventually, they started playing music to get her off the stage. Embarrassing on multiple levels. Auctioned off some women’s bball item that went for like 450 bucks.
Frank was up next and he was tremendous. You can just sense the star power. It’s palpable. Reminded me of a leading man if Cuba had a Hollywood, dressed in an all black combination. Suit looked great. Talked about the mix of experience and young talent that for the first time he’s had a K-State. Made fun of Chris Merriwether’s shooting ability. Called Denis our best player accidentally. Relayed a story about him coming into his office and telling him, “Coach, Frank, we’ve got a LOT of good players this year”. Said, the final basketball schedule will be released in the next 48 hours. There will continue to be at least one game played in KC. He looked comfortable and relaxed. Amazing the difference between this year and his first in that regard. A bunch of asinine questions from the tards in the audience. Some old thought it was hilarious to ask him if he ever considered taking stress medication. The evening’s seminal “Catbacker” moment. I could tell Frank wanted to choke the life out of him, but he had a clever answer that brought lots of laughs.
They auctioned off an all access ticket to a men’s basketball game that included the practice, team shoot around, pre-game meal, and two seats behind the bench. It went for $2000, biggest item of the night.
The Silver Fox looked/sounded fresh and energized. Talked about the K-State family, how much it means to him. Talked about the real possibility of dropping to 1A and being eliminated from the Big 8 when he took over. Talked about fan support, the amazing bowl experiences, the way football success and the support by the fans revitalized the university. Says the K-State fans saved the Cotton Bowl. Discussed his mentoring initiative and even dropped a web address. Staying true to form, he didn’t make a single mention of this year’s football team or coaches. It was extremely boring and very Snyderish, but enjoyable in a weird way.
Additional things:
Questionnaires were at the table for “Fan Experience” improvements. Quality of concessions, accessibility to restrooms, marketing productions and promotions, etc. Apparently they are actually serious about this.
Looks like a new K-State commercial has been created and they were playing it in between speakers. Actually looks like a professional production, a moody coldplayesque track, nicely shot cinematography, basically not something you would see from Vatarotte Technical College. Good change.
Saw RockyMtnCat and his roommate.
That’s all I can remember…………
