This past Saturday Geogal and I went to Bramlage Coliseum to enjoy another K-State women's basketball game.
I've been to all but two this season. Toward the end of last summer Geogal had a great idea: "Let's buy season tickets for the Lady Wildcat games."
Made sense. We enjoyed at least three of the women's games last winter. And the games are affordable and plenty of fun to watch. (While the K-State men aren't perennial contenders for the Big 12 title, as are the guys at that school in Lawrence, their games still have a great turnout and don't always come cheap.)
So our tickets (and parking passes) arrived sometime in October, together with a printed guide with useful information.
One page got my attention.
Titled "NCAA Rules and Regulations," it listed what actions are not permitted by boosters.
At first I was tempted to skim the page then turn to something more interesting. However...
Under the section heading Are You a Representative of Athletics Interests (booster)? I was in for a surprise. Have I bought or received season tickets?
Yes.
Have I made financial contributions to the athletic department or to an athletic booster organization of K-State?
Yes. Buying season tickets requires you make a contribution to the Ahearn Fund.
So...guess what? I'm a booster!
Never expected that moniker. Like most folks, I envision a "booster" as someone who a) graduated from the institution, b) has very deep pockets and c) would do nearly anything to see their alma mater do well on the gridiron, hardwood or any other sports setting.
I don't fit any of those criteria. Yet here I am.
If you think I read the section then expunged the info from my noggin, you're wrong.
Just recently I talked with a high school student, only a casual conversation. He enjoys basketball and certainly wouldn't object to playing at the college level. I shared that I was now a K-State booster, therefore I have to watch both my spoken words and interactions with him. I also let him know I wasn't joking.
Here's the school's web page explaining the same things in my printed guide. I especially like the item in the sidebar that once I am a booster I retain that title indefinitely.
Gonna have a hard time explaining one that to my New Mexico State Aggie brethren.
