Ernie Barrett, a member of the boston celtics in the mid-1950s and a fixture in Kansas state history, he died Friday morning at age 93.
«Mr. K-State,» as he was adoringly called after a 75-year commitment to kansas State, passed away in Manhattan, Kansas, the university confirmed in a news release Friday.
Ernie Barrett statue outside the Bramlage Coliseum prior to a college basketball game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Kansas State Wildcats on December 8, 2021, in Manhattan, Kansas. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
«He came to visit me before every home game and was incredibly welcoming to me and my staff our first year,» men’s basketball coach Jerome Tang told The Associated Press. «No one loved this university and his basketball team more than him.»
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TO Kansas native, Barrett never strayed from his roots.
Born in Wellington on August 27, 1929, Barrett began his successful basketball career at Wellington High School, where he led the school to its only state championship in 1947.
He then went on to play at Kansas State where he led the Wildcats to the national championship game in 1951, the program’s only show. NCAA Championship game appearance.
Kansas State legend Ernie Barrett waves to the crowd at the K-State peal rally on Tuesday, December 27, 2016, before the Texas Bowl in Houston against Texas A&M at BVAA Compass Stadium. (Bo Rader/Wichita Eagle/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
After three seasons and 675 career points, Barrett was selected by the Celtics with the seventh pick in the 1951 draft. He would serve two years in the Air Force before making his NBA debut.
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He played just two seasons with the Celtics, reaching the Eastern Division finals both times, before returning to Kansas State.
Barrett served in many roles at the university during its 75-year membership, including as a player, coach, and administrator.
«Ernie was the dearest of friends, one of the greatest K-Staters in the world,» veteran Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder told The Associated Press.
Ernie Barrett celebrates Mike McGuirl, #00 of the Kansas State Wildcats, and Brian Patrick, #11. (Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
«Never in my 40+ years here have I met someone who meant more or did more for a university than Ernie. He sought out opportunities to promote Kansas State University and the athletic program everywhere he went.»
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The university will hold a memorial for «Mr. K-State» at Bramlage Coliseum on Thursday.
Barrett is survived by his wife of 72 years, Bonnie, along with their son Brad and grandson Ryan.
Associated Press contributed to this report.