Koster Family Leadership Gift to Enhance Football Stadium Lighting
May 20, 2026 | Football, Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kan. - K-State Football fans will be greeted with a new LED lighting system in Bill Snyder Family Stadium this fall, thanks to a leadership gift from the Koster Family of Garden City, Kansas. This gift will also aid in the daily operation of the athletics department.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Klein back to K-State and for him to lead our football program," Kathy Koster said. "Our grandchildren have seen other football stadiums with lighting systems that change color and add to the gameday excitement. We visited as a family; we wanted the football team and Wildcat fans to have the same experience and are proud to make this gift to support this project."
The installation of the new lighting system, which has various color options including purple, will begin in the coming weeks and will wrap up in July in time for proper testing and the season-opening football game against Nicholls.
"I am extremely grateful to Kathy and the Koster family – tremendous K-Staters – for this impactful gift," added Head Coach Collin Klein. "The new lighting system will be a first-class addition to the stadium, not only elevating the gameday experience but also impacting recruiting efforts in a positive way. I can't wait to see the stadium lit up in purple this fall."
"Kathy, her late husband Duane, and the entire Koster family have been loyal supporters to K-State Athletics," Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. "I want to thank Kathy and her family for such an impactful gift. This has been a project we've explored for a couple years, and I'm grateful to the Koster family for making this a reality. Our team and fans will absolutely love this new addition to the gameday environment at Bill Snyder Family Stadium."
In recognition of the Koster's gift, the athletics department and Ahearn Fund have also named the football outdoor turf practice field the "Duane and Kathy Koster Family Field."
Stay tuned to k-statesports.com and the department's social media accounts for updates on the lighting system installation.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Klein back to K-State and for him to lead our football program," Kathy Koster said. "Our grandchildren have seen other football stadiums with lighting systems that change color and add to the gameday excitement. We visited as a family; we wanted the football team and Wildcat fans to have the same experience and are proud to make this gift to support this project."
The installation of the new lighting system, which has various color options including purple, will begin in the coming weeks and will wrap up in July in time for proper testing and the season-opening football game against Nicholls.
"I am extremely grateful to Kathy and the Koster family – tremendous K-Staters – for this impactful gift," added Head Coach Collin Klein. "The new lighting system will be a first-class addition to the stadium, not only elevating the gameday experience but also impacting recruiting efforts in a positive way. I can't wait to see the stadium lit up in purple this fall."
"Kathy, her late husband Duane, and the entire Koster family have been loyal supporters to K-State Athletics," Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. "I want to thank Kathy and her family for such an impactful gift. This has been a project we've explored for a couple years, and I'm grateful to the Koster family for making this a reality. Our team and fans will absolutely love this new addition to the gameday environment at Bill Snyder Family Stadium."
In recognition of the Koster's gift, the athletics department and Ahearn Fund have also named the football outdoor turf practice field the "Duane and Kathy Koster Family Field."
Stay tuned to k-statesports.com and the department's social media accounts for updates on the lighting system installation.
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