Kansas State Wildcats announce upgrade to football stadium ahead of 2026 season
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- K-State expects to install the new LED lights in July.
- The Koster family provided a leadership gift to fund the stadium lighting upgrade.
- K-State named its outdoor turf practice field the Duane and Kathy Koster Family Field.
Imagine purple lights flashing and music blaring after every touchdown that Kansas State scores next season at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Does that seem like a fun game-day experience?
The Wildcats emphatically answered yes to that question on Wednesday when they announced that a new LED lighting system will be installed at their football stadium before new head coach Collin Klein works his first game in September.
K-State will be able to make the stadium upgrade thanks to a leadership gift from the Koster family of Garden City.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Klein back to K-State and for him to lead our football program,” Kathy Koster said in a statement. “Our grandchildren have seen other football stadiums with lighting systems that change color and add to the gameday excitement. We visited as a family; we wanted the football team and Wildcat fans to have the same experience and are proud to make this gift to support this project.”
Many schools across the country, and in the Big 12, already have special LED lights that flash their colors after touchdowns and other big plays.
They are a hit during night games.
Klein got a taste of college football light shows while he worked as an offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. He looks forward to more of it in Manhattan.
“I am extremely grateful to Kathy and the Koster family – tremendous K-Staters – for this impactful gift,” Klein said in a statement. “The new lighting system will be a first-class addition to the stadium, not only elevating the gameday experience but also impacting recruiting efforts in a positive way. I can’t wait to see the stadium lit up in purple this fall.”
K-State athletics director Gene Taylor said the Wildcats have been working on this project for several years.
“Our team and fans will absolutely love this new addition to the gameday environment at Bill Snyder Family Stadium,” Taylor said.
In recognition of the gift, K-State has decided to name the school’s football outdoor turf practice field the “Duane and Kathy Koster Family Field.”
K-State expects to install the new lights in July, which will give the football program plenty of time to test the system before its home opener against Nicholls on Sept. 5.