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Academic Success

It is a vibrant time at Kansas State University. Over 250 majors and options are offered in eleven different colleges. K-State has gained a nationwide reputation for producing prestigious scholarship winners, such as the Rhodes and Truman. Only Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, and Duke have had more — no other public university has had more.

• K-State has been named among the best values in U.S. colleges and universities by two recent guides, the Princeton Review and the Kiplinger 100.

• K-State is one of the "25 cutting-edge schools in the nation," according to 2008 edition of Kaplan Publishing's guide. K-State was the only school in Kansas and the only school from the Big 12 identified as a cutting-edge school in the guide.

• K-State is ranked among the top 4 percent of institutions of higher education in the United States by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

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Manhattan Kansas — The Little Apple

A student-athlete’s life involves more than academics and athletics. Like most college students, student-athletes need to relax and have a good time, and Manhattan is the place to do just that.

Manhattan is a progressive community in a region which includes a total population of nearly 80,000. An easy commuter flight from Kansas City or Dallas, Manhattan reflects the joys and opportunities of big city living while retaining a friendly, open atmosphere.

Manhattan has many appealing places to shop, eat and socialize. An award-winning shopping mall is located in the heart of downtown, plus Aggieville - the famous district of shops, bars and restaurants just beyond the southern border of campus.

There are several beautiful parks and walkways throughout the city, while picturesque Tuttle Creek Reservoir sits just five miles from campus for seasonal swimming, water skiing and boating. Additionally, the 13,500-seat Bramlage Coliseum, which recently received a $2 million renovation, has become a favorite stop for major concerts throughout the year.

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Powercat Strength

Working in the John Allen Baseball Strength Center, K-State uses workouts specific for each position and each individual. The players work on developing strength, power, speed, agility, and flexibility — all things that help them compete at the highest level.

The program puts a big emphasis on speed development. During the past four years each player was able to improve his time by .10 seconds in the 60-yard sprint due to the top speed equipment we have available and the extra attention given on proper running techniques. Other goals of the program include enhanced performance, injury prevention, mental toughness, development, and increased confidence. The average offseason increase on squats is 50 pounds, bench press increase was 15 pounds and the db bench press was 20 lbs. In addition to that 21 of the 35 players on the roster can squat 400 or better.

“Because of the generous contribution by John and Anna Allen, we have one of the best baseball strength training centers in the country,” head strength coach Scott Bird said. “By utilizing this great facility, it is my goal that through consistent, intense and smart training, each player will have the opportunity to develop themselves physically to be the best they can be.”

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Top-Notch Facilities

K-State recently completed the final phase of the construction of Tointon Stadium as the 1,500 square-foot John A. Allen Strength Center was finished in time for the 2006 season. K-State also has the luxury of an indoor facility when needed as the Brandeberry Indoor Practice Facility gives the squad the advantage of not missing any practice. The complex is equipped with a FieldTurf playing surface and contains two full-length batting cages, portable pitching mounds and enough area to conduct infield and bullpen workouts.

The team room is loaded with satellite television receivers, projection televisions and a variety of DVD players for watching game film and scouting reports. The team room also houses a study area containing numerous computers which Wildcat baseball players can use for homework or other personal use.

Members of the Kansas State baseball team have access to top-notch services and facilities available at the Vanier Academic Learning Center. More than 50 tutors are available to provide various levels of support for the student-athlete, with a computer lab with 24 work stations and academic support staff.

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Elden Auker

One of the greatest athletes in Kansas State history, Auker played football, basketball and baseball at K-State in the late 1920s and early 1930s and was selected as an 1st Team All-American in all three sports. Upon graduation, he had offers to play both professional football and baseball, but chose baseball where he embarked on a 10-year major league career.

Auker played with three different teams in his major league career, including the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out the legendary Babe Ruth on four pitches in his first visit to venerable Yankee Stadium in New York.

Auker was elected to numerous Halls of Fame, including the state of Kansas and the inaugural K-State Sports Hall of Fame class. Named to Sports Illustrated’s Top 50 greatest sports figures of the century in the state of KS, Auker passed away in Vero Beach, Fla., in 2006.

MORE K-STATE BASEBALL HISTORY

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