Once upon a time, Mike Clark built Kansas State’s baseball program. Now, Clark represents the university as senior director of development.
Clark’s primary job is fundraising for the Ahearn Fund, which helps pay for the operations of Kansas State’s athletic department.
An invitation from Great Bend Kiwanis member Terry Turner Wednesday gave Clark an opportunity to speak about the $75 million West Stadium Center expansion at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, which will be completed in 2013.
Construction is under way and will remove about 1,000 bleacher seats on the west side in 2012.
Clark said $55 million has been raised for an expansion that will eventually trade the loss of about 70 stadium seats for $3 million in annual revenue for the Ahearn Fund through sales of suites and club level and loge seating. Suites are sold to capacity. Half of the club level and loge seating has been sold.
“What we have right now is pretty impressive, but the new press box will be three times bigger. The sight lines to watch football games will be among the best in college football,” Clark said. “We are right on target to have 70 percent of the funding in place. We are very thankful for the support from K-State fans and very excited about this project.”
Clark said football season-ticket sales have increased by 3,000, but individual game tickets are available for all home games. Miami visits Manhattan on Sept. 8, and the Wildcats play Oklahoma State and Kansas at home.
“It you want to see a really good football game, very good seats are still available for the Miami, Fla., game,” Clark said.
The West Stadium Center will triple the restrooms and handicapped seating, double the concessions and offer new ticket offices. A new fan store and KSU Hall of Honor will be included on the main concourse level.
The terrace level will feature a dining hall to serve the daily dietary needs of more than 440 K-State athletes in 16 sports. The tailgate terrace will offer a tailgate atmosphere for football games. The second, third and fourth levels will feature outdoor suite, club and loge seating and all-inclusive food and beverage services.
The fifth level of the West Stadium Center will be designated for media and coaches and will be the new permanent home for K-State’s media relations.
The construction managers are G.E. Johnson and Mortenson Construction. AECOM is providing architecture, interior design, structural engineering and cost estimating services in association with design architect Heery International.
He said the West Stadium Center will make a statement to the Big 12 Conference, the nation and prospective student-athletes that K-State is committed to competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. A new Kansas State indoor basketball practice facility has been constructed and is paid for.
“We’ve seen virtually every conference member improve their facilities,” Clark said. “Schools like Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, TCU and Iowa State have updated their football facilities.”
Clark said facility improvement is one of the major components of staying competitive in the Big 12. Schools are investing millions in their athletic department infrastructure. Kansas State has managed its resources wisely with a net profit of $20 million during the past fiscal year.
“There won’t be an end to this until we’re done with conference realignment,” Clark said. “As long as conference realignment stays fluid, every school is scared to death that they will get left out.”