SE: Kruger Shares Favorite K-State Memories
Jan 14, 2022 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
One of only two Kansas State players ever to be named Big Eight Player of the Year twice, Lon Kruger led the Wildcats to a pair of Big Eight Championships and two Elite Eight appearances during his three seasons playing for head coach Jack Hartman.
Kruger was one of many former K-State players expected to attend the Legends Weekend festivities this weekend, which unfortunately were cancelled due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns.
That didn't stop K-State Sports Extra's D. Scott Fritchen from speaking with Kruger about his favorite K-State experiences as a player and as a coach:
D. Scott Fritchen: What are your fondest memories of K-State?
Lon Kruger: We had the great home crowd. It was always impactful. The advantage having the game in Ahearn was unbelievable every night out. Coach Hartman was outstanding. The culture of competing hard and being prepared and organized, Coach Hartman didn't leave any detail unattended. He was terrific. And we just had guys that really just fought like crazy for each other and really enjoyed our time as teammates. Still today we stay in touch, about 12 or 13 of those teammates, and we e-mail and text and every birthday and anniversary. And that's from 50 years ago. Really, it's all of them, quite frankly. There are the other guys in my same class — Danny Beard, Gene McVey, Larry Williams. Then there are guys a year older — Bob Chipman, Ernie Kusnyer, and Dennis Lull. Then there are the younger guys — Carl Gerlach, and Bobby Noland, and all those guys. We talk on a regular basis. We had a great group of guys that fought like crazy for each other and were very prideful of what we were representing and the Wildcats. It was just a great time. It was unbelievable.
Fritchen: Being a Silver Lake native, what was the sense of pride in representing the state of Kansas and wearing that K-State jersey? Did you grow up a K-State fan?
Kruger: I grew up a K-State fan. I grew up and when either KU or K-State played I always pulled for both to win and when they played each other I always pulled for K-State. Growing up, I wanted to see both teams go undefeated and then play each other. But, yes, I was a Kansas State fan growing up. It was just 45 minutes down the road at Silver Lake. One of my best memories were the fact that parents and folks had the opportunity to share that college experience when we were in school there. And they travelled down Highway-24 there to Manhattan for every game. We had a good, fun experience with the family and Silver Lake fans.
Fritchen: What does Legends Weekend mean to you?
Lon Kruger: Legends Weekend is a special time and but probably when we were coaching there in 1989-90 was the last time that we were able to be a part of it. It was always great to see people who've played and it's great for the current players to see players from the past come back and share feelings of loyalty and allegiance and pride. The Kansas State tradition is unbelievably great. There've been so many great players. To see them back and having a good time and sharing those memories and stories with their teammates, it's just a great time to see people get together and share all those stories.
It's always about people. You get a chance to share those memories with your teammates and recall your moments on campus as a student and interaction with the fans and boosters — all those things. College is really arguably the greatest time of a person's life. Often times in that moment you don't realize that, but you look back years later and realize those college years, you're doing what you love with people you love, and the Kansas State fans are the best — the old Ahearn days and then the transition to Bramlage. College is a great time in peoples' lives. Getting back is an excuse to come back and share those memories with teammates and the people you love being around. It's pretty special.
Fritchen: Last March, you announced your retirement after an incredible career that began as an assistant coach at Pittsburg State in 1976. What did you learn most about yourself over the course of your coaching career? What were your keys to continued success for so many years?
Kruger: There's so much that goes on over 45 or 50 years. I think the thing that most stands out is the value of my foundation from my parents. They were all about integrity and they were all about others and being positive and upbeat. I just think that value of that from the time you can walk, being around that every day in your home, it's so impactful. We strived to never venture too far from those basics. I think it was that as much as anything. We stayed pretty consistent with our parents' values.
Fritchen: You're one of three coaches to lead five programs to the NCAA Tournament. When you take a step back, from a big-picture perspective, just how impressive was this feat and what's the sense of pride you have in that achievement?
Kruger: Didn't think too much about it. As we changed programs and traveled around, we never planned on doing that. It was one thing or another that led to it. Again, it's striving to impact upon those values that we learn from our parents and do it every day. There isn't anything natural about that. It's just getting up every day and working to become a little bit better and being consistent and most importantly that it's all about others. Whatever you can do to help those around you have a good day and make a little progress that was our goal each and every day.
Fritchen: How special was that 1988 season at K-State?
Kruger: Absolutely special. That was a special group of guys going to the Elite Eight and getting one game from the Final Four. It was a group of guys that trusted each other, took care of each other, accepted responsibilities, and expected others to do that. Of course, when you had Mitch Richmond and Steve Henson leading the way and then other guys were really good players around them. It was a special time and a special group.
One thing I'll miss most are those spontaneous celebrations after a win like we had against Purdue. You get a few of those each year and there's no way to place a value on that, to see the expression on the players' faces when you walk into the locker room. It's unbelievably great. It's like watching kids open packages at Christmas. That's the most enjoyment from those celebrations, seeing those expressions on their faces and the happiness and joy. I'll always miss those moments. That win over Purdue was one of those special ones. To come back and beat a very, very good Purdue team was very, very special. It was a great celebration. Those are great memories.
Fritchen: Jack Hartman coached the 1983 Pan American Team, you and Bob Chipman served as assistant coaches, and Michael Jordan and that team practiced at Ahearn Field House. What stood out about those practices?
Kruger: That was a great team. The one thing, a unique memory, we were doing one-on-one drills from the wing where offensive guy takes the ball and the defensive guy tosses the ball to the wing, and the offensive guy attacks. Literally, after that drill was over, what Michael did in that drill, literally the ball-handler couldn't go forward. As a coach, you appreciate it when someone is very good defensively, but Michael so stood out with his ability to guard the ball and slide his feet and be physical. That got everyone's attention on day one, and from then on it was Michael's team, and understandably so.
Fritchen: What comes to mind when you see the famous photo of you posed with Jack Gardner, Tex Winter, Cotton Fitzsimmons, and Jack Gardner in Ahearn Field House.
Kruger: Terrific pride. Great pride and great tradition. I was honored to be a part of all of that. Kansas State is so special to so many people and certainly Barb and I being graduates certainly feel that way without question. Anytime Kansas State is playing we're always checking the score. That goes back a lot of years. I followed Kansas State all those years growing up to being around all of those coaches, to think we had the opportunity to be a part of that tradition, we're honored, appreciative, and there are no better memories.
Kruger was one of many former K-State players expected to attend the Legends Weekend festivities this weekend, which unfortunately were cancelled due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns.
That didn't stop K-State Sports Extra's D. Scott Fritchen from speaking with Kruger about his favorite K-State experiences as a player and as a coach:
D. Scott Fritchen: What are your fondest memories of K-State?
Lon Kruger: We had the great home crowd. It was always impactful. The advantage having the game in Ahearn was unbelievable every night out. Coach Hartman was outstanding. The culture of competing hard and being prepared and organized, Coach Hartman didn't leave any detail unattended. He was terrific. And we just had guys that really just fought like crazy for each other and really enjoyed our time as teammates. Still today we stay in touch, about 12 or 13 of those teammates, and we e-mail and text and every birthday and anniversary. And that's from 50 years ago. Really, it's all of them, quite frankly. There are the other guys in my same class — Danny Beard, Gene McVey, Larry Williams. Then there are guys a year older — Bob Chipman, Ernie Kusnyer, and Dennis Lull. Then there are the younger guys — Carl Gerlach, and Bobby Noland, and all those guys. We talk on a regular basis. We had a great group of guys that fought like crazy for each other and were very prideful of what we were representing and the Wildcats. It was just a great time. It was unbelievable.
Fritchen: Being a Silver Lake native, what was the sense of pride in representing the state of Kansas and wearing that K-State jersey? Did you grow up a K-State fan?
Kruger: I grew up a K-State fan. I grew up and when either KU or K-State played I always pulled for both to win and when they played each other I always pulled for K-State. Growing up, I wanted to see both teams go undefeated and then play each other. But, yes, I was a Kansas State fan growing up. It was just 45 minutes down the road at Silver Lake. One of my best memories were the fact that parents and folks had the opportunity to share that college experience when we were in school there. And they travelled down Highway-24 there to Manhattan for every game. We had a good, fun experience with the family and Silver Lake fans.
Fritchen: What does Legends Weekend mean to you?
Lon Kruger: Legends Weekend is a special time and but probably when we were coaching there in 1989-90 was the last time that we were able to be a part of it. It was always great to see people who've played and it's great for the current players to see players from the past come back and share feelings of loyalty and allegiance and pride. The Kansas State tradition is unbelievably great. There've been so many great players. To see them back and having a good time and sharing those memories and stories with their teammates, it's just a great time to see people get together and share all those stories.
It's always about people. You get a chance to share those memories with your teammates and recall your moments on campus as a student and interaction with the fans and boosters — all those things. College is really arguably the greatest time of a person's life. Often times in that moment you don't realize that, but you look back years later and realize those college years, you're doing what you love with people you love, and the Kansas State fans are the best — the old Ahearn days and then the transition to Bramlage. College is a great time in peoples' lives. Getting back is an excuse to come back and share those memories with teammates and the people you love being around. It's pretty special.
Fritchen: Last March, you announced your retirement after an incredible career that began as an assistant coach at Pittsburg State in 1976. What did you learn most about yourself over the course of your coaching career? What were your keys to continued success for so many years?
Kruger: There's so much that goes on over 45 or 50 years. I think the thing that most stands out is the value of my foundation from my parents. They were all about integrity and they were all about others and being positive and upbeat. I just think that value of that from the time you can walk, being around that every day in your home, it's so impactful. We strived to never venture too far from those basics. I think it was that as much as anything. We stayed pretty consistent with our parents' values.
Fritchen: You're one of three coaches to lead five programs to the NCAA Tournament. When you take a step back, from a big-picture perspective, just how impressive was this feat and what's the sense of pride you have in that achievement?
Kruger: Didn't think too much about it. As we changed programs and traveled around, we never planned on doing that. It was one thing or another that led to it. Again, it's striving to impact upon those values that we learn from our parents and do it every day. There isn't anything natural about that. It's just getting up every day and working to become a little bit better and being consistent and most importantly that it's all about others. Whatever you can do to help those around you have a good day and make a little progress that was our goal each and every day.
Fritchen: How special was that 1988 season at K-State?
Kruger: Absolutely special. That was a special group of guys going to the Elite Eight and getting one game from the Final Four. It was a group of guys that trusted each other, took care of each other, accepted responsibilities, and expected others to do that. Of course, when you had Mitch Richmond and Steve Henson leading the way and then other guys were really good players around them. It was a special time and a special group.
One thing I'll miss most are those spontaneous celebrations after a win like we had against Purdue. You get a few of those each year and there's no way to place a value on that, to see the expression on the players' faces when you walk into the locker room. It's unbelievably great. It's like watching kids open packages at Christmas. That's the most enjoyment from those celebrations, seeing those expressions on their faces and the happiness and joy. I'll always miss those moments. That win over Purdue was one of those special ones. To come back and beat a very, very good Purdue team was very, very special. It was a great celebration. Those are great memories.
Fritchen: Jack Hartman coached the 1983 Pan American Team, you and Bob Chipman served as assistant coaches, and Michael Jordan and that team practiced at Ahearn Field House. What stood out about those practices?
Kruger: That was a great team. The one thing, a unique memory, we were doing one-on-one drills from the wing where offensive guy takes the ball and the defensive guy tosses the ball to the wing, and the offensive guy attacks. Literally, after that drill was over, what Michael did in that drill, literally the ball-handler couldn't go forward. As a coach, you appreciate it when someone is very good defensively, but Michael so stood out with his ability to guard the ball and slide his feet and be physical. That got everyone's attention on day one, and from then on it was Michael's team, and understandably so.
Fritchen: What comes to mind when you see the famous photo of you posed with Jack Gardner, Tex Winter, Cotton Fitzsimmons, and Jack Gardner in Ahearn Field House.
Kruger: Terrific pride. Great pride and great tradition. I was honored to be a part of all of that. Kansas State is so special to so many people and certainly Barb and I being graduates certainly feel that way without question. Anytime Kansas State is playing we're always checking the score. That goes back a lot of years. I followed Kansas State all those years growing up to being around all of those coaches, to think we had the opportunity to be a part of that tradition, we're honored, appreciative, and there are no better memories.
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