Lost for decades, K-State banner to return home

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - A one-of-a-kind banner will return home soon after a 50 year absence.

After more than five decades, a unique piece of Kansas State Wildcat history will return Manhattan. Bobby Sloan, SVP and director of marketing at Outdoor Bank, told 27 News the banner was stolen decades ago from Ahearn Fieldhouse. Even though he is a University of Kansas graduate, Sloan said the banner is bigger than an old college fued.

It cost him weeks of his own time, and a five-figure chunk of change, but Sloan said it was well worth it.

"It felt like my Indiana Jones moment where I could go find this piece of history that had been missing for 50 years," Sloan said. "It was a college prank 50+ years ago, but this is too important. It's a living piece of history. It's a witness to history."

The banner displays a hand-painted 'Willie the Wildcat'. It witnessed "moments of school pride, sports triumphs and even history itself," according to Outdoor Bank.

“Bringing this banner back to Manhattan is about more than just preserving a piece of history,”
Sloan said. “It’s about reuniting generations of Wildcats and celebrating the legacy that
has defined Kansas State University for so many. This banner embodies the spirit of resilience,
pride, and community that defines the Wildcat family.”

The banner was hanging for a significant moment in the country's history. It was hanging behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's final collegiate address before his assassination in 1968, according to the news release.

This piece of K-State history is more than just a historical piece of art, according to Outdoor Bank. It symbolizes pride that alumni, students and community members can share.

"This is more than just a banner—it’s a thread that connects us to the stories of those who came before, and it inspires us to continue building a legacy worth honoring. It’s a reminder of how our past continues to shape our future."

Excerpt from the Outdoor Bank news release

Now that the banner is in the Little Apple, it will be displayed for everyone to appreciate. At half-time of the K-State vs. LSU men's basketball game, the banner will be unveiled.

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