Weekly Wildcat Wrap (Week Of 06.09.12)

This, the second edition of Weekly Wildcat Wrap, is my first contribution to Jug Of Snyder. I’ll forgo a  long introduction, and just say this: KU Sucks! Now let’s get on with it.

This week, news broke that touched every sport at K-State: the contract extension of AD John Currie. The news release from K-State Athletics highlights Curries accomplishments since starting at K-State in 2009, and outlines the new terms of his contract which include a base salary of $450,000 and annual increases of $25,000 per year until the contract expires in 2018.

There was Big 12 basketball news this week as it was announced that the conference tournament would remain in Kansas City through 2016. Jug Of Snyder also featured an article written by Dave Skretta, K-State beat writer for the AP about the inner-workings of the Bruce Weber regime at K-State. Coach Weber and his new staff have hit the recruiting ground running and made an early offer to 6’ 5” forward Nathan Harris.

In conference realignment news, the Big Ten made headlines this week as their university presidents met and declared their desire to “maintain the status quo.” The comments were provoked by a playoff proposal that includes a 4-team playoff including only the 4 highest ranked teams, regardless of whether  they win their conference. The Big Ten presidents’ discomfort with the proposal drew the ire of college football fans and media who are clamoring for a change. The question is, how is their stance really that surprising considering the Big Ten hasn’t had a team ranked in the top 4 of the BCS standings at the end of the regular season since 2007? Last year, Wisconsin was ranked the highest, at #10 in the BCS. Seems their presidents would prefer a setup that allows a team that isn’t very good to play for a national championship. Interesting.

In other news, Jug Of Snyder unveiled a new column called “K-State Baseball in the Pros.” No sooner had the column been introduced, than four new Cats were drafted. Also,  K-State golf alum Aaron Watkins qualified for the US Open. Aaron becomes the first K-Stater to qualify since the great Jim Colbert 25 years ago.

Finally, we end the week on a tragic note. On Thursday, June 7th, Ron Bramlage, his wife Becky and their four children died in a plane crash in Florida. Ron is the grandson of Fred Bramlage, the namesake for Bramlage Colesium. They were a great K-State family and the entire K-State Nation is mourning this devastating loss.

Next week we’ll be monitoring all of the usual realignment progress (or lack there of) and updating readers on how our K-Staters performed at the NCAA track meet.