From Lawrence to the Little Apple: Rivalry Week Hits Home for a K-State Student

Alyssa holding up a powercat hand sign next to her friend from KU.

Alyssa on the left and her friend from KU on the right in front of a brick wall.

Listen to the Full Audio Feature StoryBy. Sophie Smith

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Rivalry week means something different for everyone — but for Kansas State student

Alyssa, it’s personal. Growing up just five minutes from the University of Kansas campus,

Alyssa was surrounded by Jayhawk pride her entire life. She grew up a KU basketball fan

and still cheers for them on the court — but when it comes to football, she’s all in on K-

State and the Wildcats.

Now living in Manhattan, she gets friendly flak from both sides. Her friends back home

can’t believe she wears purple, while her friends in Manhattan never let her forget her

Lawrence roots. But to Alyssa, that mix of loyalties makes rivalry week more special.

When K-State traveled to Lawrence for this year’s Sunflower Showdown, it wasn’t just

another road game — it was a homecoming. Cheering on the Cats in the same place she

grew up watching KU games, Alyssa watched as the Wildcats kept their 17-game winning

streak against the Jayhawks alive right in her hometown.

For her, it was more than a win. It was a full-circle moment — one that reminded her just

how deep the pride and passion of Kansas football runs, no matter which side you’re on.