Named to honor a person known affectionately as “Mr. K-State” — a person who has served Wildcat Athletics as an athlete, a coach, and an administrator — this new, fully implemented athletic endowment program at Kansas State University represents a long-term solution to the ever-escalating costs of competing in the ultra-competitive world of intercollegiate athletics. Endowments guarantee a perpetual source of financial support for athletic scholarships, coaches’ salaries, and programs allowing funds from the athletics department to meet other essential needs — such as facility enhancements, game day operations, academic support and personnel salaries. Building an endowment is vital for the future of Wildcat Athletics.
Endowments are the vehicle through which a Wildcat supporter can leave an individual or family legacy at K-State and have an impact on future student-athletes lives forever. We must ensure that the K-State Athletic Department has not only the funds to operate — funds provided by Ahearn Fund contributions, ticket sales, and television and radio revenue — but also the funds to grow and enhance our ability to compete.
The establishment of an athletic scholarship endowment program to help underwrite the increasing costs of tuition, room, board, fees and books is a vital priority. K-State has a total of 220.8 athletic scholarships covering 16 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams. That means that the K-State Athletics Department pays approximately $4,500,000 each year to Kansas State University for these scholarships. Contrary to popular belief, the University does not waive fees or give these scholarships to the athletics department. The athletics department must pay for the scholarships that they offer to student-athletes. Currently, these funds come from Ahearn Fund supporters and a few loyal fans who have already endowed athletic scholarships.
