K-State Homecoming 2026: A week of Wildcat pride

Kristina Bonner

By Kristina Bonner

Division of Communications and Marketing

Monday, Oct. 19, 2026

Purple pride took center stage at Kansas State University as Wildcats came together to celebrate Homecoming Week.

From campus traditions and student activities to alumni gatherings and spirited displays of Wildcat pride, the week brought the K-State community together to celebrate what makes the university special.

Take a look back at the moments, memories and people that made K-State's Homecoming Week memorable, captured through photos from across campus.

Willie the Wildcat posing before the race.

Groups of individuals run in front of a limestone academic building.

Two female students running on a scenic route.

A group of guys posing for a photo at the beginning of the race.

Willie the Wildcat running and cheering on a student to the finish line.

Two female students painting on a local business window.

A group of female student painting a stadium onto a window.

A group of sorority girls posing in front of their painting. The painint on the window is Willie the Wildcat flinging with an umbrella, with text that says ‘A spoonful of K State Pride’ inside of a moon.

A female student finishing painting of KU Jayhawk with X’s in his eyes.

A female student painting the Wildcat logo into a window of Rally House.

Two female student finishing the last touches of painting Willie onto a golden trophie with the American Flag behind him.

Two student ambassadors sitting in the back of a convertable car and waving at the crowd.

Clarinet section of the band performing.

A group of sorority girls singing and dancing with each other.

Frank Tracz sitting on the back of a convertable car waving at the crowd.

Track & Field athlete holding the NCAA trophy.

Wyatt Thompson announcing on the stage.

Gage Gardiner performing on stage afront of a crowd.

A group of K-STate alumni posing for a photo outside of Bill Snyder Stadium.

Olivia Franco directing the band during the football game.

A male student yelling as he holds up the Wildcat hand sign.

Willie the Wildcat posing after doing pushups.

Avery Johnson running in line, while high fiving student.

Campus life