Kevin Haskin: New complex much needed for K-State football

MANHATTAN Bill Snyder has a nostalgic side.

So do I.

We were walking off the field after Kansas State concluded its football media day one fall, and I wondered about the Big Eight Room in the Vanier Complex. Usually, thats where Snyder conducts his weekly media sessions.

Not that day, however. So I had to ask whether the room, with ornate carvings depicting logos of all the Big Eight members, was being removed or remodeled.

Oh no, he said. As long as Im here well have the Big Eight Room.

Now, however, it's in jeopardy. And thats a good thing.

Plans and drawings were released Saturday detailing a complete makeover of K-States football complex. It will be gutted Big Eight Room and all to provide facilities more suitable for competing in the big time, beginning with the Big 12.

The project, priced at $65 million, is ambitious, aggressive and appealing. Necessary, too.

The arms race in college athletics requires teams particularly in football to compete between white lines, while hoping to keep budgets from curdling in red ink. K-State athletic director John Currie is confident this overhaul can be managed after the namesake of the complex the Vanier family provided $20 million in seed money.

Five months ago no funds had been raised for the do-over on the north side. Now, roughly $38 million has been donated, a nice chunk of the $50 million K-State wants to raise with private funds. The final $15 million will come from athletic department revenues.

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Kevin Haskin: New complex much needed for K-State football