K-State Athletics is headed to Kansas City this week as the month-long, 23-stop Catbacker Tour rolls through town on Wednesday and Thursday, while K-State Day at the K caps the week’s activities on Friday night.
The events begin Wednesday with the KC (Northland) Catbacker stop – free and open to the public – at 5 p.m. at the Zona Rosa Town Center, followed by Thursday’s event in Atchison and the annual Kansas City Catbacker program at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park. The Atchison family fun day activities will be held at Willie’s from 11 a.m. until 1:15 p.m., while doors at the Ritz Charles will open at 5 p.m. All kids who attend any Catbacker event this summer will receive a free t-shirt.
Friday night will be K-State Day at the K as the Royals host Cleveland at 7:15 p.m. Athletics Director Gene Taylor will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game, and fans interested in tickets to the game can visit www.royals.com.
Overall this summer, the department will make a total of 23 stops and travel more than 8,000 miles between May 15 and June 16 as K-State visits fans across the state.
New this year on the tour is a “carnival” and “gameday” experience which will include inflatables, tailgate games and other entertainment options for Wildcats of all ages.
Even more, this year’s tour will include an exclusive “Taste of K-State” package, an all-encompassing K-State ticketing experience available only at each stop. Single tickets run $75, while four can be purchased for $250. Each purchase includes a general admission ticket to K-State’s football game against Iowa State (November 25), the choice of one men’s basketball game other than the KU matchup, along with a pick of one women’s basketball, volleyball, soccer and baseball game. Fans also receive a football mini helmet (one per ticket) with this package.
For information on each of the events or to follow the tour at each stop, visit Ahearn Fund.com. Those interested in joining the Ahearn Fund, K-State’s National Fund for Student-Athlete Excellence, can do so for as little as $50 per year by calling 1.888.232.9074 or visiting www.AhearnFund.com.