For the second time in six days K-State fans have sold out Bill Snyder Family Stadium as department officials announced Thursday that all public tickets to the September 15 matchup with North Texas have been sold.

The feat marked the first time since 1999 that multiple games have been declared a sellout prior to the start of a season, and based on the limited number of tickets remaining for the KU, Oklahoma State and Texas, that number could continue to climb.

The sellout crowd will be the 10th at Bill Snyder Family Stadium since the 2009 season and mark the eighth time since the 1999 stadium expansion that multiple games will be at full capacity in the same season.

“Our fans continue to provide us forward momentum towards our goal of selling out all seven home games this season,” Athletics Director John Currie said. “We are closing in on several additional sellouts and also encourage our fans to reserve their seats now for the Miami game on September 8, which will be among the nation’s best matchups that day.”

Fans still have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the five additional home games and are encouraged to act now. A very limited number of seats remain for the KU, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Texas games, while great seats are still available for the highly-anticipated matchup with Miami on September 8.

To purchase tickets fans can visit the ticket office online at www.kstatesports.com, call the ticket office by phone at (800) 221-CATS, or purchase in person at the Bramlage Coliseum Ticket Office between 8:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Fewer than 300 student combo passes remain available for the season.  Students interested in purchasing the remaining tickets should do so as soon as possible through their iSIS account.

K-State opens the season September 1 against Missouri State. The sold-out contest will kick at 6:10 p.m.

— KSU Sports Information —

For the first time since 2004, Kansas State has a place in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 as the Wildcats checked in at No. 22 in the poll released today. The Wildcats, who were No. 12 in the 2004 preseason survey, are ranked in both the AP and USA Today Coaches’ Poll (No. 21) during the preseason for the first time since the 2004 campaign.

K-State was one of six Big 12 teams in the poll – tied for the most by a single conference – as the Wildcats joined West Virginia (11th), Texas (15th), Oklahoma State (19th) and TCU (20th) in the initial AP survey.

The Wildcats return 17 starters – the most since 2006 – and 42 total lettermen from last year’s 10-3 squad that finished second in the Big 12 and earned a berth into the AT&T Cotton Bowl. Of those 17 starters, eight are on offense and six on defense, while K-State also has its kicker, punter and long snapper back for 2012.

Kansas State will open its doors to the public on Saturday as the Wildcats host Fall Football Kickoff beginning at 5 p.m., at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The public is asked to park on the west side of Bill Snyder Family Stadium and enter through Gates C and D for the event, which is free to the public.

Fans can watch the final hour of practice from seats in Sections 1-9 before head coach Bill Snyder and team captains address the crowd. Fans will then be able to participate in a one-hour autograph session on the field with all players and coaches.

K-State officials announced Friday that the season-opening contest against Missouri State is sold out.

— KSU Sports Information —

After last season’s run to the NCAA Regional Semifinals, the Kansas State volleyball team is poised for another successful year and the Wildcats are ranked heading into the campaign. The AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll was released Monday afternoon and the Wildcats come in at No. 22.

The No. 22 ranking is where the Wildcats finished in the 2011 AVCA Final Poll after a 22-11 season. This marks the first time since 2009 the Wildcats are ranked in the preseason poll when K-State was No. 23.

K-State returns every starter from last year’s team and lost only one player from the roster as backup setter Ashley Kelican graduated a year early to enroll in Kansas State’s veterinary school. The tandem of juniors Kaitlynn Pelger and Lilla Porubek and senior Caitlyn Donahue were selected as Preseason All-Big 12 by the league’s coaches and make up half the starting rotation for the Wildcats.

Seniors Kathleen Ludwig, Alex Muff and Kuulei Kabalis also are back and ready for their final season for the Wildcats. Ludwig could crack the 1,000 kill list for her career this season, and Muff already ranks among the best blockers in K-State history. Kabalis had one of the best seasons in school history for a libero as well.

Junior outside hitter Courtney Traxson came on strong and played a big role in K-State’s late-season success. Junior defensive specialist Tristan McCarty was one of the team’s top servers and played a key defensive role on the back row. McCarty has significant starting experience as well, starting often in place of Muff depending on K-State’s opening rotation.

K-State’s schedule is challenging this year as most every year with three opponents ranked in the preseason poll. Four others are receiving votes from the coaches. Defending Big 12 champion Texas comes in at No. 2 in the poll and received one first place vote. Iowa State is the other Big 12 team ranked along with the Longhorns and Wildcats as the Cyclones enter the year ranked No. 10. Also for the Big 12, Oklahoma received four points in the poll.

The Wildcats have one nonconference opponent ranked as well as three receiving votes. Minnesota is No. 16 in the preseason poll and has a new head coach this year in Hugh McCutcheon, who recently finished his stint as head coach of the USA Women’s National Team. K-State will face the Golden Gophers on September 14 at a tournament hosted by Tulsa. All three opponents at the Tulsa tournament are among the top teams with the hosting Golden Hurricane and Dayton Fliers both receiving votes in the poll. Saint Mary’s also is receiving votes in the poll and will travel to Manhattan to play the Wildcats on September 6.

K-State opens its season at home against UC Irvine at 7:30 p.m. on August 24. Season tickets and single game tickets remain on sale through the K-State Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased online at kstatesports.com or by calling 888-221-CATS. Fans can also visit the ticket office in Bramlage Coliseum Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fans can get a look at the 2012 Wildcats at the annual Purple/White Scrimmage at 7 p.m. Saturday at Ahearn Field House.

— KSU Sports Information —

Kansas State was one of six Big 12 football teams ranked in the 2012 USA Today Sports Coaches Poll released today as the Cats checked in at No. 21 in the preseason survey.

The ranking marked the first time since 2004 that a K-State team has been ranked in the preseason coaches’ poll as the Cats checked in at No. 13 that season. K-State’s inclusion in this year’s preseason poll marks the ninth time since the formation of the Big 12 in 1996 that the Wildcats have been ranked in the survey’s top 25.

Other Big 12 programs joining the Cats in the preseason poll were Oklahoma (4th), West Virginia (11th), Texas (15th), TCU (17th) and Oklahoma State (19th).

The Wildcats return 17 starters – the most since 2006 – and 42 total lettermen from last year’s squad. Of the 17 starters back, eight are on offense and six are on defense, while K-State also sees its kicker, punter and long snapper all return for 2012.

Kansas State will hold its annual media day on Friday, while the K-State Fall Football Kickoff is set for Saturday, August 18, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Coach Snyder and selected players will address the fans at approximately 6 p.m., with an hour-long autograph session to follow. Complete details of the K-State Fall Football Kickoff will be announced at a later date.

K-State opens the 2012 season at 6 p.m., September 1 against Missouri State. A very limited number of seats remain for the Missouri State, North Texas, KU, Oklahoma State and Texas games, while great seats are still available for the highly-anticipated matchup with Miami on September 8 and the October 27 Homecoming game with Texas Tech.

— KSU Sports Information —

Kansas State sophomore center BJ Finney was one of 51 players nationally and just one of four from the Big 12 named to the 2012 Rimington Award watch list, which recognizes the nation’s premiere center, the Boomer Esiason Foundation announced Tuesday.

Finney, who was on the spring watch list for the award, is the fourth Wildcat to be recognized by the committee and the third in the last five years. Nick Leckey was a finalist in 2003, while Jordan Bedore (2008) and Wade Weibert (2010) were both preseason candidates.

As a redshirt freshman in 2011, Finney started all 13 games – including the final 12 at center – as he helped the Wildcats average 193.7 yards rushing. The Andale, Kan., product also paved the way for Collin Klein’s FBS quarterback record 27 rushing touchdowns.

A candidate for the 2011 Burlsworth Trophy honoring the nation’s top walk-on, Finney was named a 2011 First Team Freshman All-American and All-Big 12 selection by Rivals.com. The redshirt freshman also earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors from the Kansas City Star and honorable mention All-Big 12 accolades from the Associated Press.

The winner will be unveiled during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on December 6, before being honored at the Rimington Trophy Presentation banquet on January 12, 2013, in Lincoln, Neb.

Kansas State will open the 2012 season with the Fourth Annual K-State Family Reunion on Saturday, September 1, against Missouri State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

— KSU Sports Information —