Bill Snyder addresses ‘present-day disruptions’ connected to K-State

After multiple acts involving racism and homophobia – some real, and some hoaxes – have been connected to the K-State campus, head football coach Bill Snyder sent a letter to the student body.

“I think back to first coming to Kansas State in 1989 because of the people and what a special unified spirit existed here,” he wrote in the letter. “I have had many offers to leave throughout the years but have chosen to stay because of the people of Kansas State and our community. You and those who preceded you have carried on that family tradition for a quarter of a century, of which I am so very, very proud.

“Therefore, you can readily see how these present-day disruptions are so very concerning to me,” Snyder continued.

In September, racist fliers were found on campus, and last month, a photo of a K-State student in a photo referencing the KKK went viral and an anti-gay slur was found outside the K-State Student Union.

The most recent incident, threatening and racist graffiti painted on a car near the K-State campus, turned out to be a hoax when the owner of the car admitted it was a Halloween prank.

The letter was sent to students through the Monday, Nov. 13 edition of the K-State Today.

“It is not always the easiest thing to get along with someone we may disagree with, but we have always managed to do so and have become better people because of it,” he wrote. “As we have in our football program, we have always been a diverse and inclusive university and community, which has indeed made Kansas State truly special.”

Snyder used the letter to remind students of the K-State Unity Walk and KSUnite, a Tuesday, Nov. 14 event for which K-State has suspended classes. The event will include a campus-wide rally against racism.

Snyder then ended his letter with what he prays for:

“I pray that each of us commits ourselves to help eliminate any type of division in our university environment and join our fellow students, faculty and community in once again becoming an inclusive, diverse and caring FAMILY. Thank you for listening. God Bless You.”

To read the full letter, visit https://www.k-state.edu/today/students/announcement.php?id=37957.

This story was originally published November 13, 2017 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Bill Snyder addresses ‘present-day disruptions’ connected to K-State."