[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 3, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        REMEMBERING MR. K-STATE

 Mr. MARSHALL. Madam President, I rise today to honor and 
celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Ernie Barrett, synonymously known 
as Mr. K-State.
  Ernie was born in Pratt, KS, on August 27, 1929. He is a proud 
graduate of Wellington High School, where he led his basketball team to 
their first State championship in 1947. He was recruited by the likes 
of the University of Kansas and Oklahoma State, but chose to attend 
Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, beginning a lifelong 
affiliation with the school and town.
  During his 3-year collegiate career, K-State won two Big Seven 
Conference titles in 1950 and 1951. As a First Team All-American for 
the 1951 season, Ernie led the team to the school's first and only NCAA 
National Championship game appearance. Ernie earned two degrees from K-
State, a bachelor's in physical education and a master's degree in 
journalism.
  He would go on to be selected by the Boston Celtics with the seventh 
overall pick in the 1951 NBA draft. However, he would not join the 
Celtics for another 2 years, as he proudly served his Nation in the 
U.S. Air Force from 1951-53. Despite a yearlong hiatus from 
professional basketball, Ernie played under legendary head coach Red 
Auerbach for the 1953-54 and 1955-56 seasons. He was a key contributor 
to two Celtics teams that reached the Eastern Division finals in both 
of his professional seasons.
  Following his professional basketball career, Ernie came back to K-
State as an assistant basketball coach where he helped lead the school 
to five Big Eight regular season titles in his 6 years as a coach. His 
service to K-State was not limited to the basketball court, as he would 
go on to serve as assistant athletics director, director of athletics, 
university consultant, and director of development throughout his 
career as a university administrator. A legendary fundraiser and 
promoter for K-State, his efforts contributed to the development of 
Bill Snyder Family Stadium, R.V. Christian Track and Field Complex, 
Bramlage Coliseum, Tointon Family Stadium, Colbert Hills Golf Course, 
as well as many other projects that have greatly impacted the students 
of K-State and the residents of Manhattan, KS.
  After 75 years of service to K-State, Ernie passed away on April 21, 
2023. His list of accomplishments are endless, and his impact on K-
State, and Manhattan, KS, is timeless. There will certainly never be 
another Mr. K-State.
  I now ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of 
Mr. Ernie Barrett, as well as celebrate his tremendous impact on Kansas 
State University.

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