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Karl Gehring/Journal-World Illustration
Today's football game between Kansas and Kansas State is more than a contest between the red and blue and the purple.
It is the clash of two rival universities: the farm kids versus the preps, the country versus the city, the friendly versus the not-so-friendly.
At least, that's the word on the street.
It's "the battle of the state," Manhattan resident Ritchey Farrell said of the age-old rivalry.
And though the Jayhawks and the Wildcats dwell only 85 miles apart, those in both towns often see a world of difference.
When folks in the Little Apple think of Lawrence, words like "preppy" or "prestigious" often arise. KU is not the red and blue, but the crimson and the royal blue to be precise.
"In Lawrence, they have a give-in prestigious attitude for some reason," said K-State senior Khad Crabbe of Bronx, N.Y. "I would say the people here at K-State are more approachable."
Ditto according to K-State senior Nick Enlow of Overland Park. To Enlow, KU folks loathe Wildcats more than the other way around.
Audio clips
KU-KState rivalry
"KU people have more of a sense of dominance over us," he said. "They want to pick on us."
In size, the schools aren't dramatically different. K-State's fall enrollment this year is 23,100, while KU's is 26,800, not including KU Medical Center.
Manhattan is less populous, with 44,733 residents in 2003 compared with Lawrence's 82,120.
Wildcats in Manhattan look east and see a more urban community in Lawrence, one often associated with Johnson County.
"Students from KU are more likely to have the nicer cars, nicer clothes because they're from Johnson County, most likely," said Lindsey McAtee, a Manhattan resident who works in Aggieville. "Most of the students from K-State are more likely to be from smaller towns and have the trucks and the hand-me-down cars."
And many pick up on Lawrence's political reputation of being an island of blue in a sea of red.
"I think the student body influences both towns, but I think Lawrence is more influenced by students from a liberal background because I believe they draw their student body from both coasts where people tend to be a bit more liberal than they are in the Midwest," said Norman Warders, a retiree living in Manhattan.
KU vs. K-State
Tiffany Buck, a K-State graduate student from McPherson, sees something similar.
"It seems like there's a lot of hippies there," she said.
When Jayhawks consider Wildcats, they see, well, the opposite of urban.
"It's sort of like a country, backward type of town with not a whole lot to offer and kind of a lame college town compared to Lawrence," said Adam Clark, a KU junior from Overland Park.
KU senior Becky Strathman of Seneca said going to the K-State campus reminds her of going back to high school.
"I feel like (K-State students) don't experience anything new outside of what they have experienced the rest of their life and in high school and stuff," Strathman said. "I think we're more open to things than K-State students are."
Who's the more loyal fan? Well, that's an issue both sides are willing to arm wrestle over.
"The K-State fans are some of the most loyal fans anywhere," said K-State senior Jordan Essenburg of Dodge City. "They'll go anywhere to watch our guys play - anywhere in the United States. Whether it's raining out, snowing out, they're there with purple on, ready to back us no matter what happens."
Oh, but so are the Jayhawks, they say.
"The KU fans are supportive no matter how the season is going," KU junior Jamie Shaw, a Lawrence native, said. "It probably helps that we win a lot."
Some differences between the cities:
Manhattan
K-State fall 2006 enrollment: 23,141
Percentage of K-State students from Kansas: 80.8 percent in 2005
2003 population: 44,733
Top two employers: K-State with more than 5,500 employees; Fort Riley with more than 4,100 civilian personnel.
2005 median family income: $55,500
2005 average home sale price: $163,918
Lawrence
KU fall 2006 enrollment: 26,773
Percentage of KU students from Kansas: 69.6
2003 Population: 82,120
Top two employers: KU with more than 9,300 employees; Pearson Government Solutions with 1,800 employees.
2005 median family income: $62,200
2005 average home sale price: $187,465
Riley County Political Climate
Boyda or Ryun for 2nd District? Boyda received 48.42 percent; Ryun received 50.53 percent.
Sebelius or Barnett for governor? Sebelius, 59.18 percent; Barnett, 37.76 percent.
Kline or Morrison for attorney general? Morrison, 60 percent; Kline, 40 percent.
Douglas County Political Climate
Boyda or Ryun for 2nd District? Boyda received 61.04 percent; Ryun received 37.63 percent.
Sebelius or Barnett for governor? Sebelius, 76.76 percent; Barnett, 21.62 percent.
Kline or Morrison for attorney general? Morrison, 75.16 percent; Kline, 24.62 percent.
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Comments
Kuku_Kansas (anonymous) says...
Bronx, NY? At K-State.
Interesting.
November 18, 2006 at 5:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ronwell_dobbs (anonymous) says...
That's some great lead-in artwork.
Why ain't the PowerCat chewin' tobacco?
November 18, 2006 at 7:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stops4armadillos (anonymous) says...
Terrific illustration! I graduate from KU and now work at KSU. There are all types...both places. It's silly how we tend to dwell on the imagined differences.
November 18, 2006 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cog_nate (Nate Poell) says...
ronwell, I'm with you. Karl, try to make your artwork a little less creepy next time. I mean, what is that? Cheshire Hickcat and anime-eyed Rastahawk?
November 18, 2006 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
topekan7 (anonymous) says...
I did three years of my undergraduate degree at KU. I completed my degree in Topeka at Washburn University. Now I'm working on my Masters degree at KU. If I could turn back time, I would go to KSU for my undergraduate degree. Their tradition of academic excellence is unparalleled with their reputation at the public university level. Kansas State University is the only public university since 1986 to rank among the top 10 of all U.S. schools for all five of these major scholarship programs: Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater and Udall. Throughout it all, I've been a Kansas State Wildcat fan!!! I've never lived in Manhattan, but I love the town, love the campus, love Ahearn Fieldhouse, and Bill Synder Family stadium. I've been to many basketball games in Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence and it just can't touch the atomosphere that KSU basketball had when it was in Ahearn. I saw K-State (under the leadership of Lon Kruger and Steve Henson) beat number one ranked Oklahoma in Ahearn in late winter of 1988. Truly the most incredible college basketball game I've ever seen. I was hooked and have been a KSU Wildcat fan ever since. Someday soon, that glory will return to Bramlage coliseum. I've followed KSU football to all the Big XII venues and several bowl games. The KSU fans are down to earth, pleasant, fun to be around, and love to demonstrate purple power. KU fans tend to be surly, rude, arrogant, fair-weather fans who berate their coaches (Glen Mason) and don't fully appreciate the joy of competition and supporting their team. I'll be watching this afternoon's game and will be eager to see another Wildcat victory over the lowly Jayhawks!!!
November 18, 2006 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PeteJayhawk (anonymous) says...
Looks like someone works for the KSU public relations office. Way to spout all the talking points from their commercial.
Manhattan is a godforsaken cowtown in the middle of nowhere. As I've explained to all my friends from back home in Illinois, Lawrence is like a small Madison and Manhattan is every stereotype you think of when you think "college town in BFE Kansas". When your city's finest dining experience is the Carlos O'Kelly's at the mall....well, let's just say you aren't going to win any quality-of-life awards away from Lawrence anytime soon.
November 18, 2006 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
topekan7 (anonymous) says...
Thank you PeteJayhawk! Exactly! Lawrence defines itself by its "fine dining". Manhattan is defined by its great people! And your rationale for comparing Lawrence to Madison, WI is laughable! Is that because your friends from "back home" won't come to Kansas to visit you? Fess up, are you ashamed to be a Kansan?
November 18, 2006 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BunE (anonymous) says...
I love both cities and while a loyal Wildcat, I inadvertantly attended KU for some grad classes. I agree that every stereotype exists on both campuses. Lets agree on this: Those who live and breathe and create their persona based on their Alma Mater's sports teams success or failures are losers.
I have to say this. i freaking hate the powercat. i still wear my washed out willie the wildcat hat and my own alumni base mock me. Oh well...everyman a wild cat go jim beam!!!! ksu 45 ku 17
November 18, 2006 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
couranna1 (anonymous) says...
Who cares about KU or kstate football really. Especially with kstate hiring Huggins the real rivalry will go back to hoops as it always has. kstate tried to be a football school for awhile but Snyder could not get it done so back to hoops Oh by the way
KU 28 ksu 24
November 18, 2006 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhyphene (anonymous) says...
Re: topekan7's comment about K-State basketball glory of yester-year returning soon to Bramledge...I call bullsh*t. That place will never, ever, ever come remotely close to rekindling the magic of a place like Ahearn. To do that, you need both good basketball AND a good atmosphere. Ahearn delivered the atmosphere in spades. Ahearn and Allen were the great venues in the conference. Bramledge is just another lame arena in the conference now. The basketball rivalry has not been the same since K-State built Bramledge. And I don't think it ever will be the same. How awesome if K-State would play ONE home game each season at the old gym...make KU beat them in Ahearn. Would bring back some of the magic, I'd suspect. It sure would make it more interesting for me as a fan, that's for sure.
November 18, 2006 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
topekan7 (anonymous) says...
jhyphene, I agree with you completely! 'Nuff said bro!
November 18, 2006 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BABBOY (anonymous) says...
Couranna1
Do you have an ounce of insight? Bill Snyder went to 11 straight bowl games. He got it done. Saying he didn't is simply ignorant and is typical crap KU fans say when they talk about football. It does not matter who wins today. It does not matter how much money Lew Perkins wastes on the football program at KU. KU is a basketball school and it always will be. Basketball is a stupid sport played in a gym to occupy time when there is snow on the ground. KU has not been good in football since Bobby Douglas and Gayle Sayers. Mangino will take KU to a bowl game from time to time and may even beat KSU from time to time. He may very do so today. But, he is not a great foot ball coach. Great football coaches do not weigh 400 plus pounds. Forget about -- focus on basketball.
Petejayhawk simply does not know what he is talking about and arguing with him is waste of brain cells because all we will get back is stupid comments like "cow town." If you have ever been out of the Midwest you would know that everywhere in Kansas including Kansas City is a cow town and that there is nothing wrong with that. Lawrence has this illusion that is somehow not in Kansas. I think most of my Lawrence friends who constantly try get me to move there look down on me for living where I was born (Topeka). But, Lawrence is ok to visit any your businesses have no problem taking my money -- but Colbert Hills is better than Alvmar and the smell of cows is more preferable than some 40 something blue blood wannabe in ten year old BMW (which I could buy seven times over) budding in line anywhere on Mass Street.
November 18, 2006 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BunE (anonymous) says...
BABBOY, why are you being "that guy"? If you were confident and proud to be a wildcat, you would feel good about your school, not bad about KU...
Petejayhawk is baiting you. All of these posters are baiting you.
Also the whole "which I could buy seven times over" comment? Who do you think you are? You sound like some Jack@#$ braggart.
Stop making my school look bad.
KSU 45 KU 17
November 18, 2006 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DerekR25 (anonymous) says...
Congrats to the writer of this article!!! I've really enjoyed reading these posts tonight. It was fun seeing an article like this get KSU fans arguing back and forth between themselves. hahaha It was awesome. After the first time topekan7 posted, their were only two posts by a jayhawk fan, the rest were KSU fans trying to argue about the "glory days" of Ahearn and the football program under Snyder (who by the way took the powercat logo idea straight from Iowa, and dispite his tremendous success and honors actually ended up hurting the program several years because of weak scheduling when they had a very strong team). I love it. Go Jayhawks!!! Way to whip those cats!!!
November 19, 2006 at 12:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
the_crark (anonymous) says...
you lost...
get out of our city, and get off of our websites.
November 19, 2006 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
couranna1 (anonymous) says...
How many championships did he win ZERO. Basketball is a great sport moron and KU has championships kstate has zero Hmmm kstate=zero Yeah that says it alright.
Buy me 7 X over HAHAHA keep hanging on those threads bud.
KU 39 ksu 20 Spanked their butts. We'll do it in hoops too So sorry
November 19, 2006 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )