The university s 668-acre wooded campus with historic limestone buildings is located in Manhattan. The community and campus in located in the scenic Flint Hills. The nickname Wildcats was given to the football team in 1915 by coach Chief Bender because of the squad s fighting spirit . The school color Royal Purple was adopted in the fall of 1896 by a committee of the senior class. Although K-State s only official color is purple, white has been used as a complimentary color for many years.
Silver is also a common second or third color.
K-State mascots are in their 75th year of existence. Willie The Wildcat, a student bedecked in a large, life-like Wildcat head, is Kansas State s No. 1 fan. Willie Wildcats are selected yearly by a panel appointed by the cheerleading coach. Traditionally, the identity of the student portraying Willie is kept secret. Everyone knows the familiar tune Wabash Cannonball.