About the Ahearn Fund
Founded in 1863, Kansas State was the first college in America to be officially designated a Land Grant Institution and is the oldest public institution of higher learning in Kansas. With a University steeped in tradition, Wildcat athletics boasts an equally impressive heritage and spirit in its program. With over a century of athletics history, K-State has enjoyed one of the most successful programs in the country. Through the history of the program, Ahearn Fund members have provided support for the thousands of student-athletes who have proudly worn the Purple and White.
The Mike Ahearn Scholarship Fund was founded in 1964 with the primary objective of raising money from the private sector to assist with scholarship costs. While raising funds for scholarships continues to be one of the main objectives, the Ahearn Fund has evolved into an Excellence Fund to support the overall student-athlete experience including academic services, sports medicine, equipment, and team travel; as well as a competitive advantage in supporting capital improvements, attracting and retaining great coaches, and supporting recruiting efforts with a national reach. In 2009, the name of the Mike Ahearn Scholarship Fund was officially changed to the National Ahearn Fund to more accurately reflect its current mission.
A gift to the Ahearn Fund is a tribute to the most legendary figure in K-State Athletics history. Over the course of 44 years, Mike Ahearn coached every sport K-State offered and served as the athletic director from 1920-46. During this time, he also held a full-time position in the horticulture department.
As the head football coach from 1905-10, Ahearn led the Aggies to a 39-12 record in six years and remained the school’s winningest football coach until he was eclipsed by current head Coach Bill Snyder in 1995. In 1910, Ahearn had built such a powerful squad that archrival KU refused to play the Aggies, which is the only year since the series began in 1902 that the two teams have not played. Ahearn also coached basketball (1906-11), baseball (1904-10), track, tennis and golf.
Some of the highlights of Ahearn’s tenure at K-State included the building of Nichols Gymnasium in 1911, and later the push for the new indoor facility (Ahearn Field House) which would be named after him in 1950. He was also largely responsible for the building of Memorial Stadium in 1924.
By becoming a member of the National Ahearn Fund, you will not only associate your name with one of the true Wildcat legends, but you will join with thousands of other K-Staters, both past and present, in supporting K-State Athletics and its student-athletes. Be part of the Excellence by becoming a member today.
Donor Calendar
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Headlines- K-State Set to Close Out Regular Season March 11, 2010
- Clemente Named Fourth Team All-American March 11, 2010
- Wildcats Earn District Honors From USBWA March 11, 2010
- Pullen Named Third Team All-American March 11, 2010
- Wildcats Struggle in Spring Debut March 11, 2010
