K-State Athletics announced Monday morning that Bill Snyder was diagnosed with throat cancer. Following the announcement, Twitter users offered words of support to the Hall of Fame coach, who said he would continue coaching.
The Pride of Wildcat Land marching band shared two of Snyder’s 16 Goals for Success, accompanied by a photo of the band forming “beat cancer” on the field at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
@CoachBillSnyder
No. 5 Be Tough. Mentally and physically.
No. 10 Never Give Up. Never. Never. Never. pic.twitter.com/bZHN1MppWa— KState Marching Band (@KStatePride) February 13, 2017
Twitter user Mike Stanley added another one of Snyder’s goals.
Rule #13: Expect to win and truly believe we will. You've got this, Bill. #BillSnyder #EMAW #Family
— Mike Stanley (@Stanimal032) February 13, 2017
The Manhattan area community rallied behind the coach, including Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley. The 2016 football season marked the 10th year of the formal partnership between Fort Riley and the K-State football program.
The @FortRiley community sends our thoughts to #Kstate coach #BillSnyder & his family. The #BigRedOne team supports you all the way Coach! pic.twitter.com/B4Ftivjsj1
— Danger 6 (@Danger6_1ID) February 13, 2017
The sports world joined in the support of Snyder, including Big 12 Conference foe West Virginia.
Get well soon @CoachBillSnyder! We will see you this fall in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/u8UlhAJi8L
— WVU Football (@WVUfootball) February 13, 2017
The Kansas City Chiefs joined in wishing Snyder a speedy recovery.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Snyder for a speedy recovery from throat cancer. #EMAW pic.twitter.com/RTGjVCu9cy
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 13, 2017
Holly Rowe, an ESPN sideline reporter who has covered K-State football and basketball, is a cancer survivor.
So many prayers for someone I admire greatly. @KStateFB Bill Snyder announced he has been undergoing treatment for throat cancer. ?
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) February 13, 2017
Among the many journalists who tweeted their support for Snyder was Zaldy Doyungan, a K-State graduate and KSNT News sports reporter.
Dear Cancer,
You're messing with the architect of the greatest turnaround in college football history… You won't win. #BillSnyder
— Zaldy Doyungan (@ZaldyKSNT) February 13, 2017
Snyder won his 200th game as the head coach of K-State on Nov. 26, 2016, against KU. The 201st came against TCU and the 202nd was the Texas Bowl victory over Texas A&M, after which several K-State fans proclaimed that Snyder owned Texas due to five victories over Texas schools in one season.
Coach #BillSnyder is going to pick up his 203 win once he kicks throat cancer in the mouth!! Good luck Coach!! #KSU #Family #KStateFB
— Mr. Exum (@C_Exum) February 13, 2017
Steve Brisendine, a sports reporter covering the professional soccer team Sporting KC, tweeted that Coach will send one of his trademark notes to cancer once he beats it.
Bill Snyder is going to beat throat cancer and then send it a classy handwritten letter.
— Steve Brisendine (@SteveBrisendine) February 13, 2017
Ross Jensby, a K-State graduate, tweeted that Snyder, who is known for providing little information on his teams to the media, would now have an excuse to avoid press conferences.
1.) Coach Snyder is going to fight this and win. 2.) He will use this strategically and not hold a press conference for the next 50 seasons. https://t.co/qheMlWflyv
— Ross Jensby (@rdjensby) February 13, 2017
Another Twitter user pointed out Snyder’s unorthodox approach to recruiting players and filling positions, which includes turning overlooked recruits into NFL stars. Do you think that pharmacy school recruit came from KU?
Bill Snyder could beat cancer with a walk-on Oncologist, a JUCO surgeon, and an X-Ray tech he converted over from a Pharmacy School
— Jon Wren (@jon_wren) February 13, 2017
Damon Amendolara, a CBS Sports Radio host, called Snyder “tough” for continuing to coach while fighting cancer.
Bill Snyder, 77, beating throat cancer & not missing any time is the most Bill Snyder thing ever. That guy is the toughest SOB ever. #KState
— Damon Amendolara (@DAonCBS) February 13, 2017
Others pointed out that Snyder apologized in the press releases for not telling family and friends personally.
Only a man as incredible as Bill Snyder publicly apologizes to friends in a news release for not disclosing a major health concern. Amazing.
— Trenton Miller (@_TrentonMiller_) February 13, 2017
Our coach got throat cancer, didn't stop coaching, and then apologized for not telling us sooner. What did we do to deserve #BillSnyder
— egg (@gldsby) February 13, 2017
Shea Roy, senior in kinesiology, tweeted that Snyder’s fight with cancer gave her newfound Monday motivation to attend class.
If Bill Snyder has throat cancer and can still make it to the spring game I can make it to my 8:30
— Shea Roy (@thatssoclishea) February 13, 2017
The Johnson Cancer Research Center at K-State tweeted its own support for Snyder.
Coach #BillSnyder does so much to help #KState fight #cancer. Thinking of him & fam now as he beats throat cancer. https://t.co/4YOqa7Bh4b pic.twitter.com/GZBE6SuxJD
— K-State Cancer Rsrch (@KStateCancerRes) February 13, 2017
The following tweet includes a link to more information on how to donate to the center’s cancer research.
Here is a link to donate to K-State's Johnson Cancer Research Center: https://t.co/oQkBACEnUl @KStateCancerRes #HelpKStateFightCancer
— Ross Jensby (@rdjensby) February 13, 2017
Those wishing to send support and well-wishes to Coach Snyder may do so at the address in the following tweet. They may also fill out the Collegian’s get-well card in today’s print edition.
Am told people wishing to send Bill Snyder letters of support can address them to:
Vanier Complex
2201 Kimball Ave.
Manhattan, KS 66502— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) February 13, 2017
You decide if the heart on the cover is for Valentine's Day or Bill Snyder. Fill out the card and take it to the OSAS desk in the Union. pic.twitter.com/WuwHf9r5aN
— K-State Collegian (@kstatecollegian) February 14, 2017
