Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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flirting with fame by Lesley Moss While singing, Valerie Michaelis, sophomore in kinesiology, and Scott Walker, graduate student in accounting, receive help from a zealot member of audience. Above: Chris and Suzanne Hartson, Fort Riley residents, discuss which song to sing. (Photo by Todd Feeback) Michaelis and Adriene McGuire, KQLA-FM 103.9 substitute disc jockey, dance at Bombers while waiting for their next lines to be cued up on the TV monitor. (Photo by Darren Whitley) taking advantage of a moment in the spotlight, students flocked to karaoke stages at local bars. Through singing and mimicking popular songs from recent decades, students alleviated stress and flirted with fame. Although some who did karaoke were talented singers, the nature of karaoke gave others the chance to shine. I ' m terrible, but no one expects you to do well, especially in a bar, said Robin Hartman, junior in human development and family studies and pre-law. Valerie Michaelis, sophomore in kinesiology, did karaoke just to have fun. Half the time, the fun part is not being a good singer, she said. On occasion, it took a little prodding to get singers on stage, Hartman said. Some people will do it only if they get dared — others just live it up, she said. Some students preferred to sing in groups. I ' d never sing by myself, nor would I do it to impress a girl, Jarrod Fish, senior in finance and management, said. Although karaoke was a game for some, it was a business for others. Four students, who called themselves Grand Central Station, became regulars at karaoke events during the past three years. Doug Walsh, junior in agricultural economics, said Grand Central Station formed when the four were freshmen in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. The biggest attraction to karaoke, Walsh said, was being the center of attention and getting to perform. A friend of ours asked us to sing for a bachelorette party, and we took her up on her offer. Ever since, the word has been out, Casey Niemann, junior in agricultural business and milling science, said. They said they stayed away from slow songs and believed dance moves and costumes also improved their performances. One of our craziest performances was when we came out on the stage as the Jackson Five and stripped down to the Bee Gees gear to the music we had dubbed, Chris Mullinix, junior in animal sciences and industry, said. Doug Roney, junior in mechanical engineering and milling science and management, said the group did not do karaoke just to win prizes. We just like to have fun, and we ' re not afraid to take the limelight, he said. Even though the group members were outgoing, Roney said, they still got nervous. I get nervous when we don ' t have as much practice or if we are performing for an older crowd, he said. Hartman said she believed karaoke would continue to be a popular form of entertainment for college students. The first time I saw karaoke was when we got to college, she said, and I think it has evolved from a formal thing to a more casual, social thing. One of our craziest performances was when we came out on the stage as the Jackson Five and stripped down to the Bee Gees gear to the music we had dubbed. — Chris Mullinix, junior in animal sciences and industry karaoke 11

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Belting out his chosen tune, John Hill, senior in psychology, sings to the crowd. Bombers offered karaoke to attract more students. (Photo by Todd Feeback) 10 karaoke

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fans feed the frenzy by Wade Sisson fans with great expectations came in swarms to KSU Stadium in a preseason Fan Appreciation Day. The football feeding frenzy following K-State ' s 1993 Copper Bowl victory brought about 3,500 Cat fans to the Aug. 25 event. If you ' d had one of these 10 years ago, you ' d have had 20 people here, John Havlin, associate professor of agronomy, said. It ' s been remarkable watching the transition. Coach Bill Snyder, introduced as the man who ' s rewriting the history of K-State football, spoke of that transition as he introduced his coaching staff to the fans. There ' s more people here today than when we first played ball here, Snyder said. Russ Ewy, graduate student in regional and community planning said he was surprised Snyder hosted such an event. He was a secretive person when he first got here, Ewy said. When he first came here, he installed the green mesh on the fence to avoid attention. There was no escaping attention for Snyder and the players, who were inundated with fans. Autograph seekers engulfed senior quarterback Chad May in a circle of outstretched arms holding T-shirts, notebooks, footballs, posters and K-State license plates. For May, the day was a way for the team to give thanks. It was great for the kids, May said. We wanted to give our thanks to the fans. It was something I felt we needed to do. It was great for the players, too. This is perfect, senior offensive tackle Barrett Brooks said. There ' s nothing like playing for people who like you. This is wonderful. I haven ' t written my name this many times in the four years I ' ve been in college. Fan support could decide a season, Mo Latimore, defensive line coach, said. It sets the pace for the season. It gets the team motivated to play hard. That ' s what college football is all about — hearing the fans screaming for the team. One former K-State football player said he was overwhelmed by the crowd ' s enthusiasm. There ' s more people here today than there were for our last game against Colorado my freshman year, David Reynolds, running back from 1974 to 1979, said. The interest is incredible now Five-year-old Ashley Bonjour waits for her mother to take a picture of her next to sophomore wide receiver Kevin Lockett. About 3,500 Wildcat fans descended on KSU stadium Aug. 25 for Fan Appreciation Day. (Photo by Cary Conover) Senior quarterback Chad May is swamped by fans as they wait for autographs. Fans brought footballs and other memorabilia for players to sign. Above: Manhattan resident John Wertin watches the end of the Cats ' practice. (Photos by Craig Hacker and Darren Whitley) 12 fan appreciation day