Author(s): NABIL SHAHEEN
Hays Daily News: June 27, 2006
Bill Wilson was sitting among friends at an establishment outside the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita and in walked Ernie Barrett.
He, much like Wilson, was there for the induction of the Class of 2006.
Wilson is a charter member of the KSHOF and figured he ought to be there, having been the one to nominate former Fort Hays State University men's basketball coach Bill Morse.
"I'm sitting out there watching the ceremonies and Bill Snyder is being inducted," Wilson said. "I'm wondering if he has some time."
As president of the recently established Heartland Catbackers, Wilson pretty much had everything set for the July 13 kickoff meeting in Hays.
Having started so late in forming the Heartland Catbackers, Wilson was informed that active coaches - namely public relations darlings Ron Prince and Bob Huggins - were booked through the summer with prior commitments. He still needed a big-name speaker.
As Wilson attended the induction ceremonies, he wanted a chance to meet Snyder and perhaps pitch the idea of being the guest speaker July 13.
"Well I missed the autograph session, missed the cocktail hour and then he just got away," Wilson said. "So I went to the bar to meet a friend and Ernie Barrett comes in."
Ernie Barrett is one of Kansas State University's most famous athletes. After catching up with his old friend, Wilson asked Barrett if he knew Snyder's schedule this summer and if he had any speaking engagements.
"He said, well, have you talked to Bill?" Wilson said. "I said I don't even know Bill."
It was right about then that none other than Snyder walked in the bar.
Barrett gave Wilson a tug and said, "come here and we'll get that taken care of."
So Barrett introduced Bill, the president of the Heartland Catbackers to Bill, the former coach of the 'Cats.
"Bill and his friends at Hays are trying to round up some 'Cats for a Catbackers club," Barrett informed Snyder.
Snyder's retort was quick - "Well, I've always been a pretty good roper."
A few days later Wilson was informed that July 13 would work for Snyder.
"It's a great, great deal to get Bill Snyder out here," Wilson said. "He's probably one of the most famous football coaches to coach college football. To have him at K-State is one thing, but to get him out to Hays is fantastic."
The Heartland Catbackers will have a hog roast July 13 at the American Legion and are prepared to serve about 200 people.
Their goal is simply to run out of food, to get as many people as they possibly can.
This is not the first Catbackers club in Hays, but it is the first in a while after the last one faded.
"It kind of went by the wayside and fell apart," Wilson said. "There was too few people trying to do too much."
The biggest confidence boost that Wilson and any member will have is the local interest in the Wildcats now, with seven Hays High School or Thomas More Prep-Marian athletes on varsity squads right now, and a few more from northwest Kansas.
"It's very important for the city of Hays and our community because we have so many athletes down there now," Wilson said. "There is a lot of interest right now, which doesn't mean we'll quit supporting Fort Hays at all."
That is one important thing Wilson wants all Catbackers to know. And much like many others in our area, he roots for Fort Hays and then one of the larger state schools, obviously dominated by KU and K-State.
Invitations were scheduled to be sent out to all K-State alumni and season ticket holders but all Wildcat supporters are welcome.
The cost will be $15 for dinner and $25 for Catbackers family dues. All proceeds benefit every athlete in every Wildcat sport.
"This whole thing, all the profits we'll be mustering up, it all goes back to the scholarship funds to help fund athletes at Kansas State and we don't want to lose sight of that," Wilson said.
Sports reporter Nabil Shaheen can be reached at (785) 628-1081 ext. 127 or by e-mail at nshaheen@dailynews.net.
Copyright 2006 The Hays Daily News