Kansas State Wildcats basketball legend Ernie Barrett dies at age 93
One of the most legendary figures in Kansas State basketball history has died.
Ernie Barrett, who did so much for the Wildcats throughout his life that he earned the nickname “Mr. K-State,” died at the age of 93 on Friday morning in Manhattan.
A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. on Thursday inside Bramlage Coliseum with a reception to follow in the Shamrock Zone. Both events will be open to the public.
Barrett is survived by his wife of 72 years, Bonnie, as well as his son Brad and a grandson Ryan.
“Today is a sad day for Kansas State University,” athletic director Gene Taylor said. “Ernie Barrett poured his heart and soul into K-State for an amazing 75-plus years, and we would not be where we are today as an institution and athletics program without him.”
Indeed, Barrett leaves behind an impressive legacy that will always be remembered by K-State fans.
Barrett did a little bit of everything for the Wildcats throughout his life. He was born in Pratt and grew up in Wellington, but Manhattan became his home when he agreed to play basketball for Jack Gardner in the 1950s.
As a player, Barrett helped the Wildcats reach the NCAA championship game in 1951 but he was unable to play in the contest after suffering an injured shoulder in a previous game. Many fans still wonder what might have happened that day with a healthy Barrett on the floor.
He then went to the NBA and played for the Boston Celtics. He also spent some time with the Harlem Globetrotters.
His K-State legend really began to grow after his playing days came to an end. That’s when he returned to his alma mater and began working as an athletic staffer. His familiar style and incredibly firm handshake made him one of the most popular men around and an effective fundraiser. Barrett went on to become athletic director and then an ambassador for the university.
Fans now walk past his statue, which depicts Barrett extending extending his right arm for a hand shake, on their way into Bramlage Coliseum for every home basketball game.
Anyone who shook hands with Barrett remembered him, because he made sure you felt it and then often followed it up with a head lock or a bear hug.
“Known for his firm handshakes and his neck hugs, Ernie enjoyed an incredibly well-lived life that I was blessed to be part of as the men’s basketball coach at his alma mater,” Jerome Tang said. “He might be the greatest Wildcat of all-time. In his near 75-year association with this great school, he accomplished nearly everything you can imagine from playing Final Fours to hiring Hall of Fame coaches to helping build the very building our teams play in today.”
Barrett was also known as a character. He drank his favorite cocktail (rum and coke) every week even after he turned 90 and drove around with a personalized license plate that read “Mr KST.” He also regularly dined at a Manhattan restaurant that was named after him — Mr. K’s.
K-State folks from across the globe expressed their gratitude for Barrett as news began to spread of his death.
Bill Snyder: “Ernie was the dearest of friends, one of the greatest K-Staters in the world, and a special, special man.”
Lon Kruger: “The tag ‘Mr. K-State’ sums up Ernie Barrett perfectly. There is no one in the history of Kansas State University that had a genuine love and devotion to the institution like Ernie.”
Bruce Weber: “All of us will remember Ernie for his bone crushing handshakes and enormous hugs.”
Brad Underwood: “He celebrated every single win, no matter the sport, for K-State. He left no doubt to wear his heart was. There has never been a better representative of our University than Ernie.”
