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KU billboard painted, second defacing since August

Published: Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 03:11

CATS

Nathaniel LaRue

A billboard owned by the Topeka Jayhawk Club, near Exit 335 on Interstate 70, was defaced Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

On Monday night, the Topeka Jayhawk Club's billboard located outside of Paxico, Kan., on Interstate 70 was struck by vandalism for the second time this semester.

The billboard, which was still covered in purple streaks from a defacing in August, now also features the letters "E-M-A-W," short for the popular slogan "Every Man A Wildcat,."

Gerry McGuire, vice president of the Topeka Jayhawk Club, expressed his disappointment with the ongoing vandalism, but also acknowledged things like this are expected to happen, especially with the Sunflower Showdown just around the corner.

"I think it's inappropriate with what we've got going on, but I guess kids will be kids and people will be people," McGuire said. "I know this is KU/K-State week, and this stuff is going to happen, but I wish people would find better things to do with their time."

A year ago, the K-State Alumni Association paid to have the billboard replaced when "EMAW" was painted in large purple letters. Prior to Monday's incident, McGuire said the organization had not made any plans to replace the billboard, but because the recent vandalism is more significant than the original, their plans might change.

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36 comments

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WildcatinNYC
Mon Dec 7 2009 19:21
Glad to see the petty, classless KU/K-State banter continues - on both sides, apparently, judging by the comments. Obviously it's not a behavior unique to either school's student population. K-State may have a few more gun-totin' pickup-drivin' country kids, and KU may have more latte-sippin', hipster-dressin' smarties from the city, but we all sink to the same level of class (in this case, very little) when we argue over this crap.
Purple Fan
Tue Nov 10 2009 12:26
Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!!!!
Bring the Pain
Tue Nov 10 2009 12:25
I say we have the mascots fight it out at the stadium. If the chicken hawk wins K-State will replace the billboard. If the wildcat wins all the fans get to deliver one fresh back hand to the chicken hawk.
prplefan
Tue Nov 10 2009 10:19
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the vandalism on the KSU sign west of Manhattan, on the way to Hays. This gets marked up as much as the one by Paxico.

Turn about is fair play.

Speaking of which, how'd that painting KSU stadium thing work out for motivating ur football players?!?!? Worked pretty decent for us, thanks!!

J
Mon Nov 9 2009 16:37
The comment "Thats almost as stupid as standing up on the top of a moving bus." is totally uncalled for. I personally knew the man who was killed in that accident. He would have been the last person to make rude or snide comments on this website or about KU. He enjoyed K-State AND Big 12 sports. I would request that the Collegian remove that comment before someone in his family reads such a rude, personal statement!
1kansaninva
Sun Nov 8 2009 09:59
As a K-Stater who lives on the east coast and who visits K-State once a semester, I was actually impressed by the boldness of the KU billboard the first time I saw it. Once I drive west of Topeka, I expect it to be Wildcat Country. I am also not surprised that a group of K-State fans didn't feel a bit compelled to add their editorial opinion to the billboard.

However, K-Staters have planted a similar billboard along I-70 not far from Lawrence. I don't recall it ever being vandalized. And I cannot imagine that K-Staters would have any different reaction to their billboard being vandalized.

If you feel like you have to make your statement, don't make it destructive.

As far as the "hicks" comment: I'd like to remind all of you learned Jayhawks that on the east coast, K-State and KU are lumped together as schools from Kansas and they consider us all hicks! So be nice.

ME
Sat Nov 7 2009 01:24
I hate that billboard. Its like having a sign on the Lawrence side of Topeka saying: Go Cats! I will continue to cheer on the KSU artists until all you crazy KU fans grow a pair and get over yourselves. Highly unlikely seeing as your idea of class is slashing KSU fans car tires... Thanks for that by the way. Karma's a bi*ch.
Your name
Fri Nov 6 2009 14:16
I see there is alot of chickenhawks commenting on here... I would rather carry a gun in my truck then be "classy" because they are a bunch of pruids
real ksu alum
Fri Nov 6 2009 12:07
It's amusing that KU people comment about having better things to do and how they're so classy. Seriously? Talk about calling the kettle black. Nice Chad May reference, although I don't believe "INBRED" is technically an acronym.

GO CATS!!

the KHAN!
Thu Nov 5 2009 23:15
Cowboys go to Oklahoma State. We're Wildcats, silly Hawker.
embarrassed alum
Thu Nov 5 2009 17:48
Hey....take off the blinders DA...there are Jayhawk fans right here on campus....actually living in Manhattan....OMG right in the middle of "wildcat country" Kiss my _ _ _ _ !!!! Get a life - put things in perspective and take the guns out of the back of your truck cowboy!
ksu parent
Thu Nov 5 2009 17:44
I bet the people that did the vandalism had big ol pickemup trucks with guns in the back...way to show your ignorance KSU....and Wabaunsee County IS NOT wildcat country....get a clue!
Your name
Thu Nov 5 2009 11:42
I guess women aren't included in your defacing letters. Does KSU discriminate too?
wildcat08
Thu Nov 5 2009 11:39
I don't know what the Topeka Jayhawk Club expects when they put a billboard in wildcat country. It's going to happen soon or later.
Your name
Thu Nov 5 2009 10:27
Love all the KU donkeys trolling on this site. Give yourself a pat on the back for being a complete loser.
Your name
Thu Nov 5 2009 03:49
I like how all the squaks come over and read the K-state student newspaper cause their football team sucks
Your name
Thu Nov 5 2009 02:02
k-state must be behind it. we are so good at it, aren't we.
Your name
Wed Nov 4 2009 23:20
Why won't we move it? A: Because you guys pay to have it replaced B: BECAUSE THEN THE TERRORISTS WIN DAMNIT
Your name
Wed Nov 4 2009 22:47
"Thats almost as stupid as standing up on the top of a moving bus."

That's below the belt and uncalled for.

Defacing teacher
Wed Nov 4 2009 20:00
KU people come on I thought we told you this already. When you can pass your spelling test, then you can deface the KSU boards in Chicken-land.
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