Should it be?
Wefald quickly says, "No."
"No," but...
"Whether it be Kansas State or Kansas, no matter how many scientists, doctors and engineers we produce, the first thing they do is read the sports page. That's what brings attention to our schools, especially when they are winning. To some, athletics is the tail that wags the dog. At times, I'm afraid that's right."
Bill Snyder agrees, on both counts.
"Has athletics outgrown some boundaries?" asked Snyder. "Yes."
But he added, "You learn very quickly that the role we play is really significant. It brings people together for a common cause, which is usually winning and losing.
"When Kansas State started winning football games, the Foundation started receiving more money on a continuum, and that benefits students, and that does make a difference in the world," Snyder said.
While no person on campus cheers each and every Wildcat sports team more than Wefald, he turns ultra-serious when he talks of the recruitment of students from each of Kansas' 105 counties and 304 school districts.
"We want them on our campus to fulfill a life-long dream, and our first goal is academic excellence," said Wefald, who proudly wears a 2003 Big 12 championship ring. "Our institutional goal is not to be No. 1 in football or No. 1 in basketball, but it's our mission to be No. 1 in academics."
Whether it be a State of the University address to the Board of Regents, or at a bowl pep rally, Wefald is sure to pump his fist in re-addressing the fact that Kansas State is the No. 1 public university in producing Rhodes, Marshall, Truman and Goldwater scholarship winners in the last 10 years.
"When we win these scholarships, we have to beg to get the information into the paper," Wefald said. "They are equal to Michael Beasley being a first-team all-American in basketball, and equal to Jordy Nelson being first-team all-American in football. (Pause) But how many of our fans can name one of our Truman winners?"
But without question, the success of the Wildcats on the field gives Wefald additional platforms to celebrate his academic all-Americans.
What Wefald and Snyder both agree on is that the expenses to keep pace with schools in the Big 12 Conference are staggering to the point of being ridiculous.
"I take issue with the money being spent," Snyder said. "One school builds a building, and another school has to top it. There is too much money being spent."
While Kansas State refurbished the Vanier Complex, built a new indoor workout facility, replaced its 30-year-old temporary press box with a spiffy new five-level facility with sky suits, and moved seating from 42,000 to 50,000, during Snyder's 17 years, his standard comment was, "I don't have to have a Taj Mahal. I just want a comfortable environment for players and staff."
To Snyder, for football to live in 5-Star status "... and a chemistry teacher to work in a 100-year-old building with window air conditioners, and without enough money to buy enough beakers ... that isn't right because we're trying to pro-
