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Honorary Staff Sgt. Willie the Wildcat, the Kansas State University mascot, was promoted by Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris, the 1st Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major, during Fort Riley Day at the Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas on September 18, 2021. The Soldiers in attendance were honored for their service throughout the game highlighting the strong partnership between Kansas State University and 1st Infantry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brandon Bruer, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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Children smile and pose for a photo on the military equipment static displays provided by the 1st Infantry Division for the Kansas State University’s Fort Riley Day events, September 18, 2001, in Manhattan, Kansas. The event honored the military for their service both at home and overseas. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Catherine Bravo, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris, the 1st Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major, and Maj. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II, the 1st Infantry Division commanding general, ran out of the tunnel onto the field with the Kansas State University football team prior to kickoff, as part of the Fort Riley Day at the Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas on September 18, 2021. Kansas State University’s Fort Riley Day is an annual event that celebrates K-State’s connection to Fort Riley military base and also honors Soldiers serving at home and overseas. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brandon Bruer, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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1st Infantry Division Soldiers unfurls the U.S. Flag during the half-time show on the Kansas State University’s football field on Fort Riley Day at the Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas, September 18, 2021. The Soldiers in attendance were honored for their service throughout the game highlighting the strong partnership between Kansas State University and 1st Infantry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brandon Bruer, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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The 1st Infantry Division band joined the Kansas State University Marching Band during their halftime show as part of the KSU Fort Riley Day, September 18, 2021 in Manhattan, Kansas. KSU’s annual Fort Riley Day honors the military for their service and ties to the community. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Catherine Bravo, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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1st Infantry Division Soldiers do push-ups near the end zone for every point scored by the Kansas State University’s football team against Nevada on Fort Riley Day at the Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas, September 18, 2021. KSU recognized the partnership between the university and the Big Red One by hosting the annual Fort Riley Day. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brandon Bruer, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Kickoff began at 1:00 p.m. as Kansas State University squared up against the University of Nevada, Reno on September 18, 2021 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The day wasn’t a traditional football game day, it was a day for celebrating the long-standing partnership between K-State and the Fort Riley military community.
Kansas State University’s Fort Riley Day is an annual event that celebrates K-State’s connection to Fort Riley military base and also honors Soldiers serving at home and overseas.
“I think it’s one of the greatest events that really highlights the military and the partnership that we have with K-State and how much the community really appreciates both of these organizations. This is my 4th time planning this event and it just keeps getting better every year,” said Maj. Jason Cady, 1st Infantry Division.
Local sponsors provided hundreds of free tickets for Fort Riley Soldiers and their Families.
The day began with Soldiers displaying military equipment outside the stadium as well as attending a free tailgate.
Before the start of the football game, K-State’s school mascot, Willie the Wildcat was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant by Command Sgt. Maj. Harris. Immediately following, the 1st Inf. Div. Commanding General Maj. Gen. Douglas A. Sims and Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond S. Harris led the Wildcats out of the tunnel and onto the field.
“This is the biggest one by attendance by Fort Riley Soldiers,” said Lt. Col. (R) Dr. Arthur DeGroat, Director of Veterans and military affairs, K-State. “It’s a great thing. You can’t be a part of and enjoy Flint Hills in this community if you’re not a part of K-State athletics. So we are happy to host all our Soldiers from the Big Red One for today’s game.”
Not only were Soldiers and families in the stands to support the team, there were Soldiers on the field to motivate them as well. Every time K-State scored, Soldiers performed pushups in the end zone.
In the end, K-State came out victorious, beating Nevada with a score of 38 to 17.
“Fort Riley looks forward to the continued partnership with K-State in the years to come,” said Cady.
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