Profiles In K-State Fandom – Tracey Faulkner

August 29, 2024 Joe Mathieu Comments 0 Comment

The 18th installment of “Profiles in K-State Fandom” features Tracey Faulkner. Tracey and I met through a mutual friend of ours, Scott Thomas, who unfortunately, died of lung cancer a few years ago. I went to school with Scott and Scott met Tracey via one of the K-State message boards. I had different friend that never met Tracey in person, but saw his many posts in a K-State sports Facebook group on social media, who commented “at first, I didn’t know if he is psychotic or if he’s just hilarious. I found out quickly that he’s just hilarious.”

Well, that’s one way to introduce Tracey. We met in person during halftime of a K-State basketball game after corresponding online for quite a while, and I found out that Tracey is quite different than his online persona. We instantly became friends and now we tailgate together before each football game. Tracey is a guy who seems to know everybody at K-State, and when you read his profile you’ll see why. The Faulkner family has been involved in K-State athletics for a long time and he’s got a lot of great stories. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one.

JM: Tell me a little bit about your background. Where were you born/where did you grow up and how did you become such a huge K-State fan?

TF: I was born in Wichita, KS light years ago and moved to Manhattan, KS in June, 1970, the Vince Gibson Era, “We Gonna Win.” I was introduced to KSU athletics in the Fall of 1970 as I attended a KSU Football Game. Now remember, I lived in Wichita previously so I was somewhat taken back by this Purple Pride Mania, but did I ever buy into it. Growing up in Manhattan, the purple became infested and it something that you never let go of. I was even one of those kids who walked up and down the isles selling “Ice Cold Pop” or “Popcorn.”

JM: What sports did you play at K-State?

TF: I was a 2 year Letterman for the KSU golf team as a walk-on. They kept promising me a scholarship, but yet it never materialized. Of course, the golf team didn’t have much of a budget so funding was limited. I also was a part of the Jim Dickey Era football team, as I spent a few years on the sideline running game balls and assisting Jim “Shorty” Klineau in the equipment department. I remember the Independence Bowl that I attended and Shorty finding me and asking if I could find a few others to run the sidelines during the game. It was a cold, bitter night, but we all had enough antifreeze in us to stay warm. Even got to tackle the San Diego Chicken in the mud, which didn’t make him to happy.

KSU also had an annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser that was established back in the early 80’s. It was the Jim Colbert Celebrity Golf Tournament. I was selected to caddy for Jim Colbert each year and even had my picture on the brochure for one of the years. He brought in some outstanding celebrities, such as Peter Jacobsen, Fuzzy Zoeller, Craig Stadler, Andy Bean, Gil Brandt, Jan Stenerud and the list goes on. Jim now has a golf course in Manhattan, KS, as many know.

JM: You have a unique story about you and your parents adopting K-State basketball great Mike Evans. Tell me how that came to be and how you and Mike are very close to this day.

Back in the 70’s, prior to the 1974 basketball season, KSU had established a Foster Parent Program for those out of state athletes that lived in the athletic dorm, better known as Edwards Hall, to be assigned to local familes to have dinner with on Sundays, since they there were no meals served at the athletic dorm on that day. Coach Jack Hartman approached my parents about participating in the the program. Jack had informed my parents of a young man out of Goldsboro, NC and Laurinburg Prep. It just so happens it was Mike Evans.

Mike was a little hesitant at first as I remember his first visit. So, my parents went back to the dorm along with Mike and got his roommate, Ron Henry. It eased the situation and we ended up playing basketball until dark. From that day forward, Michael and my family began the adventure of becoming one family which holds true, still to this day. I talk to him almost weekly. Keep in mind, Michael brought several former players to our house. Chuckie Williams, Rolando Blackman, Daryl Winston, Curt Redding and Keith Frazier, to name a few. We all stay in touch as well. This is a true meaning of what K-State Family is all about.

Throughout Michael’s KSU Career, I was right down there at the end of the bench, as Jack had asked me to be a floor scorekeeper and a ball boy for the basketball games, so life was pretty good for a kid that was only 16 years old. I made a lot of long lasting friendships that have held strong for almost 50 years. I was in Michael’s wedding along with many of the Denver Nuggets players. I was blessed to meet some NBA Legends as well: George “The Iceman” Gervin, Jo Jo White, Alex English, Dan Issel, T.R. Dunn and many others. Michael now resides in Denver with his wife Kim. He is a grandfather of two.

Many don’t know that Michael almost left his freshman season. I won’t provide any details about it since it is a moot point now. The same thing almost occurred with another player years later, and that was DJ Johnson. I remember sitting in Buffalo Wild Wings and having a long talk with him during his freshman season and shared Michael’s story.

Unfortunately, there is not enough time or space for all the stories I could tell. All I can say is it is true about the “Kansas State Family” saying.

JM: What do you do for a living?

TF: I am a Director of Human Resources for North America with Aero Metals Alliance. I oversee 5 states from the West to East Coasts. I have been in HR Management for over 30 years.

JM: What’s your favorite restaurant or hangout in Manhattan when you’re in town? Other than the ones that you ran, that is?

TF: Meet Your Friends at Kite’s or Tanner’s.

Yes, I was the GM at Buffalo Wild Wings in Aggieville back in 2012-2014. The basketball team was there frequently and we also had a big Pep Rally for the football team as they played Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.

JM: Do you have a favorite sport? Favorite K-State team?

Of course when the opportunity rises, you can always find me on a golf course when possible. As for KSU sports, football and basketball.

JM: Do you travel to K-State away games?

It’s been a while since I have gone to an away game. I have been to several bowl games.

JM: Do you have a favorite bowl game story to tell?

It would have to be the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA and being on the sidelines running game balls. We actually were on TV during the game. It’s great being a fan in the stands and watching, but being on the field and actually part of the game was a lifetime experience.

JM: Any negative experiences?

TF: Ron Prince.

JM: What is your favorite K-State sports memory?

TF: Being court-side when Michael surpassed Bob Boozer as the all-time leading scorer. (Too bad they didn’t have a 3 point line).
March 14, 1981, my birthday, Rolando’s shot against Oregon State.

JM: Who is your favorite K-State player(s), past or present?

TF: Micheal, RO, Chuckie, DJ Johnson, Colbert and the list goes on. Can I list my own name?

JM: Who is your favorite K-State coach(es), past or present?

Jack Hartman, Lon Kruger, Bob Huggins, Frank Martin, Jerome Tang, Jim Dickey, Chris Klieman and God himself, Bill Snyder.

JM: If you had to guess, what percentage of your wardrobe is purple?

TF: I’m color blind and can only see purple. I’d say 54.8% unless I cut myself. Then 100%.

JM: What does the “K-State Family” mean to you?

TF: Hell Joe, if it wasn’t for “K-State Family,” where would our friendship, along with Scott’s, have come from. We bleed purple, we live purple, we die purple. 54 years of K-State Family for me.

JM: Anything else you’d like to add?

TF: I can remember many years ago I traveled to Corpus Christi in the month of March for my Godfather’s 50th birthday celebration back in the early 80’s. As I am walking around, my Godfather introduced me to a man that needed no introduction: it was former OU football coach Barry Switzer. I had a nice discussion with him and told him I would see him in the fall. I explained to him that I was in charge of the game balls during home football games. Sure enough, we played OU that fall and when I saw him he came up to me, called me by my name, and shook my hand and chatted a bit.