09/18/2024
I don’t post much here anymore…
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This is significant to me personally on so many levels:
This man Bill Snyder showed up at Kansas State University Wildcat Football Coach in the late 80’s.
Same time I arrived there w/ family, as an Army Infantry Captain with the ROTC Leadership program…
I was there, during this period like a lot of people - when they were really bad, a historically bad football program. Jokingly bad. It had become tradition to lose… something like maybe a record of 15 - 75 over the previous decade or so.
👌🏼True story. As I remember, I could purchase a family football ‘season’ package for something like $50!!!!!! Think about that!
As a student and teacher of Leadership over my last 30 years, this became such an interesting story of leadership & success.
👌🏼True story. I was in downtown Manhattan during a parade (probably homecoming), his first year. I just happened to be along the street when Bill Snyder crossed paths with Willie the Wildcat mascot. He looked at Willie, pointed at him saying “you gotta go!”
The PowerCat became the new imagery/logo/mascot immediately thereafter..
He did so much right as a leader to change a culture & to change the legacy of the program, of the family, and of the organization, etc.
To this day, I am so prideful to have been around that change; obviously they became ‘my’ team which they still are today. What a turnaround, causing many joyful tears on the cheeks of this Wildcat over these decades since!
👌🏼True story. I frequently use Bill Snyder/Cats as a case study in my leadership-development professional work.
That 4-yr period was such a significant part of my life for various reasons otherwise - to include all the wonderful student ROTC cadets & stellar people/leaders I connected with…
🥂Bill Snyder…saaaaaalute!!!🥂
Would love to meet the man face-to-face one day.
“Gooooo CATS”
✔️…This is a great video which does a great job of capturing his legacy:
When Bill Snyder took over as the head coach of Kansas State football, the Wildcats were dubbed the worst team in the county. His emphasis on caring for the ...
