Kansas State Wildcats Overview

Fast facts

League: Division I (NCAA)

Head Coach: Jerome Tang

Team Mascot: Willie the Wildcat

Year Opened: 1988

Capacity: 11000

City / State: Manhattan / Kansas

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Sunflower Showdown

Rival Team: Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas State and Kansas have an age old rivalry that dates back to the creation of the two universities in the 1860s. Since then the two schools have created an intense basketball rivalry that began in 1907. The rivalry between the Wildcats and Jayhawks was at its peak in the 1950s when the two teams were regularly ranked in the Top 10. If you want to see the biggest game of the year, don’t miss it when the Jayhawks come to Bramlage Coliseum.

Kansas State Wildcats Stadium Guide

In Game

Football may be king at K-State, but you’ll still have an excellent time attending a basketball game inside the “Octagon of Doom.” Wildcats fans have been calling Bramlage Coliseum the “Octagon of Doom” since the mid-2000s and with good reason as it can be quite a difficult place for opponents to play.

The K-State student section gets on the opponents with their chants and when it’s a big game like Kansas State-Kansas the arena really gets rocking. Speaking of rocking the sight of Wildcats fans rocking back and forth to the “Wabash Cannonball” is something everyone should take in at least once. K-State fans may not have the reputation of their in-state rivals, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find a lively atmosphere inside Bramlage Coliseum.

In addition to the vocal fan support in Manhattan, you’ll also be able to see plenty of K-State basketball history on display. The concourse is lined with trophies and pictures of past greats, and you’ll find banners honoring tournament teams and retired numbers hanging from the wall. These small touches go a long way in giving Bramlage Coliseum a unique feel and provide plenty for you to see before the game.

You’ll also want to make a trip to Aggieville during your trip to the Little Apple. Here you’ll find a large selection of bars and restaurants, making it the perfect place to grab a drink or bite to eat before or after the game.

You’ll have an excellent time attending a K-State in the “Octagon of Doom” where you’ll find good fan support and a fun atmosphere.

Things to check out

Trophies

All around the concourse are trophies won by the K-State men’s and women’s basketball teams over the years. Make sure to check these out and remember all of the biggest victories in Wildcats history.

Fred Bramlage Statue

Outside of Bramlage Coliseum is a statue of its namesake, Fred Bramlage. Take a minute to check out the statue before the game.

Retired Number Banners

Hanging from the rafters of Bramlage Coliseum are banners honoring all of the players to have their numbers retired by K-State. Take them all in and recall your favorite memories of players such as Bob Boozer, Rolando Blackman, and Mitch Redmond.

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Concourse Pictures and Border

On the concourse, you’ll see a variety of pictures of all of the best players and moments in Wildcats basketball history. There is also a border showcasing all of the program’s conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances, so take a walk of the concourse before the game.

Willie the Wildcat

Willie has been the Wildcats official mascot since 1947 and today can be seen performing throughout the game. One of his most famous antics include crowd surfing. Look for Willie to energize the crowd to give the Wildcat that extra bit of enthusiasm they need.

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Octagon of Doom

In the late 2000s fans started calling Bramlage Coliseum the “Octagon of Doom” due to its eight sides. The nickname stuck and today you can see fans bring octagon shaped signs that say “Doom” and wearing “Doom” shirts, so bring a “Doom” sign or shirt to the game with you to join in on the fun.

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Wabash Cannonball

One of the most famous traditions at K-State is the rocking back and forth that the fans do when “Wabash Cannonball” is played. Start rocking back and forth when you hear the tune to join your fellow K-State fans in rooting on the Wildcats.

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Pep Band

The Wildcats pep band puts on an incredible show and keeps everyone engaged in the action. Even when the Wildcats are struggling the pep band keeps everyone in good spirits, so enjoy their music when attending a Wildcats game.

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Fight Songs

  1. Wildcat Victory

    Sung before every game

    Fight, you K-State Wildcats,
    For alma mater fight! FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!
    Glory in the combat
    For the purple and the white.
    Faithful to our colors
    We shall ever be
    Fighting, ever fighting
    For a Wildcat victory. Go State!

  2. Wabash Cannonball

    From the great Atlantic ocean to the wide Pacific shore

    She climbs flowery mountain, o’r hills and by the shore

    She’s mighty tall and handsome, and she’s known quite well by all

    You can set your watch to – the Wabash Cannonball.

    Verse:

    Oh, the Eastern states are dandy, so the Western people say

    Chicago, Rock Island, St. Louis by the way

    To the lakes of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall

    No changes to be taken on the Wabash Cannonball.

    Chorus:

    Oh, listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar

    As she glides along the woodland, o’r hills and by the shore

    She climbs the flowery mountain, hear the merry hobos squall

    She glides along the woodland, the Wabash Cannonball.

    Oh, here’s to daddy Cleaton, let his name forever be

    And long be remembered in the courts of Tennessee

    For he is a good old rounder till the curtain ’round him fall

    He’ll be carried back to victory on the Wabash Cannonball.

    I have rode the I.C. Limited, also the Royal Blue

    Across the Eastern countries on Elkhorn Number Two

    I have rode those highball trains from coast to coast that’s all

    But I have found no equal to the Wabash Cannonball.

    Chorus:

    Oh, listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar

    As she glides along the woodland, o’r hills and by the shore

    She climbs the flowery mountain, hear the merry hobos squall

    She glides along the woodland, the Wabash Cannonball.

    Another verse

    She came down from Birmingham on a cold December day

    As she pulled into the station you could hear all the people say

    There’s a gal from Birmingham, She’s long and she’s tall

    She came down from Birmingham on the Wabash Cannonball.

  3. EMAW

    A popular fan favorite is the EMAW slogan, meaning every man is a Wildcat. This unifies the school and rallies them up to support their team

    been a long time comin…
    ain’t no flash in the pan…
    hold your keys up…
    this is manhattan.

    Wildcat Nation….on your feet!!!

    It’s gameday ya’ll…tailgate packed
    Call us K-state proud
    and Every Man a Wildcat

    this is a itty bitty ditty put together for you
    all the purple party people and future wildcats too
    ain’t gone be no cursing we just do what we do
    lay down the law like the judge gone do

    Little Apple’s our yard and we don’t share so well
    take a look at the scoreboard that’s the story we tell
    so wobble baby left and wobble baby right
    and rock it front to back we do the Wabash right

    It’s gameday ya’ll…tailgate packed
    Call us K-state proud
    and Every Man a Wildcat

    We got the stadium name, stepped up ’86
    LIke Bobby Fisher and Einstein sportin Cortez kicks
    Landon Lecture them officials, throws his hat on the grass
    little love for the legend, he’s unsurpassed

    Today’s about today, lets not live in the past
    ain’t every year you can be Texas State Champs
    we got a job to do, ya’ll can knock us down
    blood and bruises don’t hurt, Wildcat Touchdown

    Kimball and College, ya’ll that’s where it’s at
    Call us K-state proud
    and Every Man a Wildcat

    K-state Mask, he makes the sacrifice
    sweating under that thing, still spittin advice
    Fizbo baby we ain’t gone leave you out
    Stonestreet reppin K-state that’s what it’s all about -Tweet it!

    notta lotta big money here, but there ain’t no zeroes
    still got wranglers and rockstars among the smalltown heroes
    K…U.. might see my diesel truck and start the state school hating
    but it sure beats a porche when you’re out tailgatin

    Kimball and College, ya’ll that’s where it’s at
    Call us K-state proud
    and Every Man a Wildcat

    go head watch the flim, no we don’t do it subtle
    crushin to the goal like a stampede from tuttle
    Pillsbury party when we reduce you to rubble
    leave it all on the field, drop it like Pizza Shuttle
    776.5577

    if you wanna see a show you better go to McCain
    this is a battlefield baby CATS bring the pain
    You want cuties they in Ford and the Todd Street Trio
    it’s a four quarter war, no pretty boys or eg0

    K-State Proud ya’ll
    Willie the Wildcat
    Ultimate Fan
    from Sedgwick to Bourbon ya’ll
    Cowley to Clay
    From Norton to Brown all you Wildcats say….

    EMAW!!!

  4. “Eat ‘Em Up, Eat ‘Em Up K-S-U!”

    Eat ‘Em Up, Eat ‘Em Up K-S-U!

  5. Purple Pride

  6. Bring on the Cats, Bring on the Cats

    Chanted before the Wildcats take the court

    Bring on the Cats,
    Bring on the Cats,
    Bring on the Cats!

  7. K-S-U Wildcats!

    Chanted after every K-State victory

    K!
    S!
    U!
    Wildcats!

  8. Foul Chant

    After every foul by the opposition the fans chant the number of fouls player has. Join in on the chant to get into opponents’ heads and get them to foul out.

     

  9. Three Point Chant

    After every K-State three pointer, the PA announcer says, “player name for” and everyone joins in and chants, “Three!” Let everyone know when a three pointer has been made by taking part in this Wildcats cheer.

    (Player name) for
    Three!

Kansas State Wildcats Bars & Restaurants

  1. Little Apple Brewing Company

    Little Apple Brewing beer

    Long-standing casual steakhouse & tavern that brews its own ales & serves Certified Angus Beef.

    1110 Westloop Pl, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-539-5500

    Bar website

    steakhouse - $$

  2. Aggie Lounge

    Blarney Stone Wine Spirits

    One of the best hole-in-the-wall bars around! It's a local's hangout with some of the finest folks you could ever meet.

    712 N 12th St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-539-5722

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  3. Auntie Mae’s Parlor

    Mojito

    Bar set in a 1930 speakeasy with a variety of music styles performed live & trivia on Wednesdays.

    616 N 12th St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-539-8508

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Porter’s

    Pavlovs

    Since 2000 Porters Bar & Grill has been serving area residents, office workers, hotel guests, and also Garden Event attendees.

    706 N Manhattan Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-537-7151

    Bar website

    american - $

  5. Johnny Kaw’s

    Uncle Festers

    Johnny Kaw is a symbol of Midwest pride! Standing 30’ tall this burly giant overlooks City Park in Manhattan, KS.

    12181/2 Moro St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-380-2811

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  6. O’Malley’s Alley

    OMalleys in the Alley

    Great bar with billards for you and your friends to enjoy.

    1208 Moro St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-537-0775

    Bar website

    american - $

  7. Tubby’s Sports Bar

    Fat Daddys

    Sports bar offering basic grill fare, TVs & a patio turns into a bustling party scene on weekends.

    1127 Moro St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-587-8707

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  8. Early Edition

    Star Lite Dining Lounge

    Straightforward eatery serving homestyle American breakfast & brunch fare like biscuits & gravy.

    3210 Kimball Ave, Manhattan, KS 66503, USA

    785-539-3255

    Bar website

    american - $$

  9. Rock-A-Belly Bar & Deli

    Rock A Belly Deli

    Updated bar & deli food plus beer & cocktails are dished out in a kitschy retro space.

    718 N Manhattan Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-539-8033

    Bar website

    american - $

  10. The Chef

    Chef Cafe

    Hopping breakfast cafe with down-home dishes from frittatas to PB&J pancakes in a casual fixture.

    111 S 4th St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-537-6843

    Bar website

    cafe - $$

  11. The Little Grill

    Ribs

    They have Jerk Chicken, Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Burgers, Steaks, Wings, Froglegs, Nachos, Gumbo, and many more.

    6625 Dyer Rd, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-323-0112

    Bar website

    american - $$

  12. Varsity Donuts

    Varsity Donuts

    Get excited for triple chocolate, mixed berry, lemon drop, maple bacon, good ol' vanilla glazed, and more!

    704 N Manhattan Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-539-7654

    Bar website

    cafe - $

  13. Bluestem Bistro

    Blue Stem

    Made-from-scratch in the heart of Aggieville

    1219 Moro St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-587-8888

    Bar website

    american - $$

  14. So Long Saloon

    So Long Saloon

    Funky venue for pub grub & Tex-Mex plates along with bourbon, beer & specialty cocktails.

    1130 Moro St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-537-9292

    Bar website

    american - mexican - $$

  15. Kite’s Bar & Grill

    Kites bar

    Standard sports bar catering to Kansas State University students & serving beer & burgers.

    615 N 12th St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-776-4300

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  16. CoCo Bolos

    Coco Bolos

    Upscale Mexican dishes with modern twists delivered in an artsy, lively space with a full bar.

    1227 Bluemont Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-537-4700

    Bar website

    american - mexican - $$

  17. Taco Lucha

    Pacos Mobile Tacos

    Mexican street food with its own modern twists. They offer flavorful food made from scratch daily in small batches.

    1130 Moro St, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA

    785-320-5255

    Bar website

    mexican - $$