Donors like you helped the Pride of Wildcat Land turn Ireland purple for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in 2025.
When the K-State football team opened the 2025 season in Ireland against Iowa State in Dublin, donors made it possible for 125 members and staff of the K-State marching band, to fly to Ireland and give the Irish a true K-State experience.
“I was beyond excited,” proclaimed K-State marching band drum major Colby Johnston. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
The Wabash Cannonball was heard throughout Dublin because of the generosity of Wildcat donors. It was especially sweet as it was the final football season the marching band would be under the direction of Dr. Frank Tracz as he began his 33rd and final year as K-State’s director of bands.
After flight delays that allowed for impromptu band concerts in airports across the US, the band announced their arrival with the K-State fight song as they drove into Dublin on double-decker buses from the airport. A pregame pub crawl also brought a taste of the Little Apple to the Emerald Isle.
It wasn’t possible without help from generous K-Staters like you.
“We have kids in the band who couldn’t afford the $180 for a passport, or the extra dorm fees for early rehearsal dates,” explained band director Frank Tracz. “These kids gave their all to K-State. And we brought that K-State spirit to Ireland in support of the team and the fans.”
While the outcome of the game was not ideal, the band was able to perform a pregame show and at halftime with the Iowa State band, giving everyone a show-stopping taste of Midwest talent.
