Sigma Alpha Epsilon - Kansas State University

The lion's lore page 2 E rnie Barrett '51 came from Wel- lington, Kan., and was recruited by coaching legend Tex Winter to play at K-State in 1947. Jack Gardner was the head coach at the time, and is in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame alongside Tex Winter. "I was very for- tunate to have those coaches as a fresh- man," he recalled. "They had me practice every day, and Coach Winter even had me play against him. He taught me to be quick." By his senior year at K-State, Ernie was captain of the basketball team and the first-round draft pick of the Boston Celtics. During this time, he met and married his wife, Bonnie, who he's been married to for 67 years. Ernie also let a close friend talk him into joining the Kansas Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon his last year of school, where he was able to live with fellow athletes. "I really enjoyed my time in the fraternity, and I took part in a lot of activities," he shared. "Since I was a senior, they gave me the role of secretary to help keep things right in the house." Ernie was drafted in the U.S. military right after his graduation in 1951 and spent two years serv- ing his country. Following his service, he played for the Boston Celtics for two seasons before heading back to K-State as assistant coach under Tex Winter. After many years and a series of head coaches came and left Kansas State, such as Jack Gardner, Tex Winter, Colton Fitzsimmons, Lon Kruger, and Bebe Lee, the university was in need of a new head coach. While others were looking for candidates outside of K-State, the president of Kansas State at the time, James McCain, said they needed to pick someone they all knew and loved—someone they called "Mr. K-State." And so he became renowned as Mr. K-State, and served as athletic director for the next seven years. "It was one of the most outstanding positions I had in the world of intercollegiate athletics," he shared. "I enjoyed the opportunity to make de- cisions that needed to be made." As if his own collegiate and professional basketball careers and roles as assistant and head coaches weren't enough, Ernie followed this by leading numerous fundraising campaigns for Kansas State Athletics. Many of the current K-State athletics facilities are largely thanks to Er- nie, including Bramlage Coliseum, R.V. Chris- tian Track and Field Complex, the men's and women's golf complex at Colbert Hills, the south side of Tointon Family Stadium, and many others. Though we don't know the exact number Ernie has actively helped raise, it's certainly in the mil- lions. "I've always encouraged people to be a part of what they gave money for, and to enjoy the success of the facilities we have now." Not only has he given so much back to K-State, but he's also contributed to the effort of updating and replacing equipment in the fraternity. There, all members know who he is and are proud to have him over to the chapter house when they can. "SAE was a tremendous addition to my suc- cess, and it's significant for students as it leads to greater opportunities for them as they get an education," he said. For Ernie, K-State and SAE were just the right fit. "To this day, I know I made the right decision because of those who show up and make SAE and K-State bigger, better, and winners when they leave." A LIVING SAE LEGEND How Ernie Barrett '51 Became Mr. K-State Eminent Archon Nathan Jackson '21 (832) 373-7887 46jackson@gmail.com Eminent Deputy Archon Noah Bohannon '20 Risk Manager Grey Rogers '20 Treasurer Will Cocking '20 Assistant Treasurer Jared Haas '21 New Member Educator Nathan Harrel '21 Social Chairmen Cade Mills '21 Noah Wildman '22 Recruitment Chairmen Ryan Schippers '19 (785) 656-1554 ryan_schippers3@ yahoo.com Chase Stalder '19 (785) 280-3273 stalder00@ksu.edu House Managers Zac Quam '21 Travis Wiebler '22 Philanthropy Chairman Fischer Carr '22 Eminent Warden Dylan Vance '21 Eminent Recorder Garret Roberts '21 Diversity and Inclusion Chairman Devin Thibodeaux '19 ChaPter LeadershiP

• Cover