My favorite aspect about the Kansas-Kansas State athletic rivalry? There are enough flip-flop alumni and friends, dual loyalists, in the two camps that seldom does this linkup produce the ugliness and bitterness we’ve seen too often in the KU-Missouri alignment.
KU and K-State people generally have a lot more fun with their athletic gambols than people in most rivalries. That tends to lessen unacceptable muckerism. Sure, there were the touchy times when Phog Allen of Kansas and Jack Gardner of KSU squared off beyond the court. KU’s Pepper Rodgers and State’s Vince Gibson spawned some bad blood when Vince turned in KU because he found that Pepper’s daddy had been involved in recruiting a kid. Vince really rankled Pepper when he swooped in one morning in 1967 and signed three Lawrence High football stars right under the beak of the head Jayhawk – Ken White, Dave Oberzan and Ron Mann.
There have been campus raids, mascot snatches, vandalism, official edicts about expulsion if such continued. Some Internet stuff is vile, demented. But generally behavior has been pretty sane, though intense.
My theory: Things are more enjoyable because so many KSU grads live and contribute so much in the Lawrence area while innumerable KU people do likewise in Manhattan. Neighbors like that tend to create respect and lessen the chances for boorish behavior.
I have no data on Jayhawks in Wildcat country, but I’ve been blessed to know countless K-Staters here who have done so much for so long. We all boast and bicker, but we understand it’s “just a game” and get along pretty damned well.
Cynthia and Andy Galyardt quickly come to mind as longtime positive input folks about KU and K-State. Like many, they cheer for KU except when it’s going against their Purple Pride. Andy can show up at one event wearing KU stuff and then another featuring KSU regalia. “The guy’s a damned cross-dresser!” one observer bemused. We see a lot of that around here.
The late Warren and Beverly Hornsby were K-State royalty with KU loyalty. And how can anyone top the “immigrant” contributions of the Bradley family?
Bill and Beverly Bradley got the Bradley veterinary clinic going here 50 years ago this summer. Bill was a tremendous school board member; Bev had a fine career as a county commissioner. Sons John (now the vet king), Phil, Roger and Kent have been outstanding kids and adults in these parts.
What about Ross Beach and wife? Unlimited vital input all over the area and state. KSU Extension people such as Trudy Rice, Bill Wood and the inimitable Earl Van Meter are ‘Cats who also love Jayhawks. Stan Larson and Roy Cropp who taught so many of our kids for so long and so well lean toward Purple sunsets.
I’m embarrassed that I just offhand don’t recall more such names, like dentist Les Miller and architect David Livingood, on and on to productive, contributive infinity.
KSU alumni officials say there are some 2,300 of their faithful dwelling in our parts. It’s at least that, and we’re so blessed to have them, same as Manhattanites will tell you all Jayhawks aren’t bad (even though I might have trouble convincing veterinarian Don Musil and daughters Erin and Katie).
Rodney King asked, “Can’t we all just get along?” even if he couldn’t. KU and K-State people will respond with “Hell, yes, and darned well!” to the benefit of two key communities of Kansas.
