Jerry Moran: “I am here this evening to honor a legend at Kansas State University, its football program coach Bill Snyder. At a press…”

“I am here this evening to honor a legend at Kansas State University, its football program coach Bill Snyder. At a press conference earlier today, Coach Snyder announced his retirement as the head coach of the Kansas State Wildcats after 17 seasons. Coach Snyder leaves behind a legacy of success for a football program, a school, and a community that is stronger and better because of his tremendous leadership. Football is a great American tradition, and this tradition is alive and well in Manhattan, Kansas. This is Wildcat country, where during football season Powercat flags are proudly flown and where Saturdays are spent at Wagner Field cheering K-State to victories. But times were different when Coach Snyder took over the Kansas State football program in 1988. Sports Illustrated had identified K-State as the worst college football program in the Nation. Undeterred, Coach Snyder took on the challenge, and through hard work and determination performed what has been labeled as the ``Miracle in Manhattan.'' By 1993, K-State had achieved a victory in the Copper Bowl. During the next 10 seasons, they would advance to bowl games, including the Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and a memorable defeat over first-ranked Oklahoma in 2003 to seize the Big 12 Championship. With 135 victories, Coach Snyder is K-State's all-time winningest football coach. He is credited with orchestrating what many regard to be the biggest turnaround in college football history.…”