Good afternoon!

An exciting fall weekend has already begun in Manhattan as alumni from across the country have returned for Homecoming.

It has been a priority for us to keep our K-State alumni and friends up to date as much as possible on developments related to the Big 12 Conference and the national intercollegiate realignment scene.

Today the Big 12 Conference has taken another significant step toward achieving long-term stability and maintaining our reputation as one of the top leagues in the country as West Virginia University has officially been accepted as the newest member of the Big 12 Conference, effective July 1, 2012. We are proud to welcome such a terrific university and athletics program to our league and look forward to furthering our relationships with the Mountaineer administration, coaches, student-athletes and fans.

Good morning K-State fans!

It's Homecoming at Kansas State University and we are excited to have our terrific alumni and friends back on campus. As a reminder the annual Homecoming parade takes place this afternoon at 5 p.m. starting along Poyntz Avenue near Manhattan Town Center featuring honorary Grand Marshalls Jack and Donna Vanier.

In addition to a full slate of regular "day-before-the-game" activities I have the opportunity to speak to the Ahearn Fund National Leadership Circle this morning. We can't thank all our donors enough for the tremendous support K-State is receiving. Did you know that we now have Ahearn Fund donors in 48 states? Let's find some purple pride for the Ahearn Fund in Vermont and Maine!

K-State top news stories from local and national media:

• Four weeks could tell K-State's tell (Wichita Eagle)
• Jones offers K-State stiff test (GoPowercat.com)

K-State top news stories from local and national media:

• Four weeks could tell K-State's tell (Wichita Eagle)
• Jones offers K-State stiff test (GoPowercat.com)

Top K-State news stories today from local and national media:

• KSU's Lockett puts a lock on Sunflower Showdown (Salina Journal)
• Soaring Cats turn attention to Sooners (Manhattan Mercury)

Top K-State news stories from local and national media:

• The many faces of Frank (Topeka Capital-Journal)
• K-State Wildcats' resurgence is part of Bill Snyder's model for consistency (Wichita Eagle)

Top stories for K-State from local and national media:

• K-State special teams have been special (Salina Journal)

Here are today's top stories from local and national media about K-State:

• Bill Snyder making sure K-State takes struggling KU seriously (Kansas City Star)
• Ludwig becomes leader for Cats (Manhattan Mercury)
• K-State Wildcats get new role: favortie (Wichita Eagle)

Good afternoon K-State fans!

I'm getting ready to head east to Kansas City for a few afternoon media appearances before I spend some time with the KC Catbackers at their weekly meeting - if you are in the KC area tonight stop by Lucky Brewgrille in Mission beginning at 5:30 p.m. and join in the fun.

Before I hop in the car and hit I-70, I want to thank you for your attendance and support at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and Ahearn Field House so far this fall.

This past weekend, our terrific football crowd made a difference in the outcome of the game against Baylor, and Coach Snyder and our student-athletes appreciate your support. Our home attendance average so far this year is 50,058, and we are currently one of just 21 schools in the nation to operate at full capacity for multiple games and just one of 13 to do so for three or more games!