Did head football coach Bill Snyder send K-State football fans a message during halftime today’s 24-21 win over Texas?
At halftime of today’s homecoming game against Texas, the Pride of Wildcat Land marching band played its “K-State Celebrities” show. Snyder’s selection was “My Way.”
The lyrics of the Frank Sinatra version describe a man looking back fondly on a life he lived on his own terms. If this is Snyder’s way of hinting that the end of his coaching career is near, we should all be proud of what he did for the K-State Family.
“My Way,” by Frank Sinatra
“The Wildcat 16 Goals for Success,” by Bill Snyder
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
Goal 10: Never Give Up … never…never…never
A second Snyder retirement is not giving up. It would be trusting that there will be a new generation of Wildcats ready to lead the Family, on and off the field. But selfishly, we fans are not ready if coach decides this is the last year of his Hall of Fame career.
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
Goal 3: Unity … come together as never before
We are not just friends—we’re Family—at K-State. And there is no bond stronger than purple blood.
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Goal 15: Leadership … everyone can set the example
Snyder is a bastion of leadership, and it’s his way or the highway, and the highway at Exit 313 is still Snyder’s way.
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
Goal 9: Eliminate Mistakes … don’t beat yourself
We all make mistakes, and we all have our regrets. But Coach knows better than to dwell on regrets.
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Goal No. 13: Expect to Win …and truly believe we will
Coach drew up his plans to win football games, and they worked his way a lot of the time. Before the Homecoming game today, Snyder needed four more wins to reach 200. But Snyder’s career has also molded football players into better humans.
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
Goal 4: Improve … every day as a player, person and student
Coach knew there was room for improvement at Futility U, and he took on a tough task. But we all know what he said: “The opportunity for the greatest turnaround in college football exists here today, and it’s not one to be taken lightly.”
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
Goal 5: Be Tough … mentally and physically
What is a better metaphor for toughness than “I ate it up and spit it out?”
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
Goal 16: Responsibility … You are responsible for your own performance
Snyder is responsible for his performance, and his Hall of Fame career coaching performance speaks for itself. I trust that he knows what he’s doing. And he is doing it his way.
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
Goal 11: Don’t Accept Losing … If you do so one time, it will be easy to do so for the rest of your life
What football coach hasn’t lost a game? Because of Snyder, K-State and its fans do not accept losing, unlike some schools.
Goal 12: No Self-Limitations … expect more of yourself
Never expect a loss, don’t limit yourself to that. Always expect to do your best, then do it.
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
Goal 8: Enthusiasm
It is important to be enthusiastic and find fun in all things. And even more important to build good memories with your Family.
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way
Goal 14: Consistency … your very, very best every time
Coach gave his job his very, very best. That’s the Snyder way.
Goal 7: Great Effort
Don’t be shy, be excited and give your best effort. That is the acceptable way.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
Goal No. 2: Unselfishness … there is no ‘I’ in TEAM
K-State football is a team, but it would not be the same without Snyder.
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way
Goal 6: Self-Discipline … do it right, don’t accept less
Coach took the blows, but he and his team had the self-discipline to play the game, both the game of football and the more important game of life, the right way.
Yes, it was my way
Goal 1: Commitment … to common goals and to being successful
Coach’s way was a commitment to his 16 goals, and that made him and K-State successful.
