Ahearn Field was the first on-campus athletic field for Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. It was utilized from 1911 to 1922 by the football team, baseball team, and track team. The field was named in honor of former coach Mike Ahearn.

The field was inaugurated with a high school track competition on April 15, 1911.

Prior to the establishment of Ahearn Field, Kansas State's athletic teams played in an open public square in Manhattan at Bluemont Avenue and 8th Street, informally known as Athletic Park. In 1906, a covered wooden grandstand and a small locker room were constructed at Athletic Park. These structures were relocated to Ahearn Field in 1911. The grandstand was situated at the south end of the field, facing north, approximately where the K-State Alumni Center currently stands.

In 1922, Memorial Stadium was opened at the same location, prompting a reorientation of the football field from east–west to north–south and the removal of the old grandstand. As late as 1938, Memorial Stadium was still referred to as Ahearn Field at Memorial Stadium.

The pronunciation of "Ahearn" as "a-HEARN" is based on the family's preference for a short "a" sound.

Expansion of Ahearn Field's Role in Athletics

Ahearn Field served as the home for multiple athletic programs at Kansas State University, including football, baseball, and track and field. The track surrounding the football field hosted numerous regional high school and college track meets. Additionally, the venue was used for community gatherings, making it a central location for both athletic and social events in Manhattan.

Facilities and Features at Ahearn Field

The relocated grandstand from Athletic Park accommodated approximately 1,500 spectators. A modest wooden locker room was available for the football team. These facilities represented Kansas State University's initial efforts to provide dedicated athletic infrastructure, laying the foundation for future developments.

Kansas State Wildcats Football Record at Ahearn Field (1911–1921)

Below is a table of the Kansas State Wildcats’ home game results while they played at Ahearn Field.

Year Date Opponent Final Score 1911 Sep 30 (Sat) Southwestern W, 6-6Kansas State 1911 Schedule 1911 Oct 7 (Sat) Emporia State L, 0-3 1911 Oct 14 (Sat) Kansas L, 0-59 1911 Oct 21 (Sat) Kansas L, 0-6 1911 Oct 28 (Sat) Wichita W, 9-5 1911 Nov 4 (Sat) Creighton W, 12-0 1911 Nov 11 (Sat) Arkansas W, 3-0 1911 Nov 18 (Sat) Oklahoma State W, 11-0 1911 Nov 24 (Fri) Washburn W, 6-5 1912 Sep 28 (Sat) Haskell Institute W, 19-7Kansas State 1912 Schedule 1912 Oct 9 (Wed) Haskell Institute W, 21-14 1912 Oct 19 (Sat) Emporia State L, 6-30 1912 Oct 26 (Sat) Wichita W, 54-0 1912 Nov 2 (Sat) College of Emporia W, 28-7 1912 Nov 8 (Fri) Colorado W, 14-6 1912 Nov 16 (Sat) Texas A&M W, 13-10 1912 Nov 20 (Wed) Washburn W, 21-3 1913 Oct 3 (Fri) Nebraska L, 10-13Kansas State 1913 Schedule 1913 Oct 10 (Fri) Nebraska L, 6-24 1913 Oct 18 (Sat) Kansas L, 0-26 1913 Oct 25 (Sat) Wichita W, 30-7 1913 Nov 1 (Sat) Texas A&M W, 12-0 1913 Nov 8 (Sat) Texas L, 0-46 1913 Nov 18 (Tue) Washburn T, 6-6 1914 Oct 3 (Sat) Emporia State W, 15-0Kansas State 1914 Schedule 1914 Oct 10 (Sat) Nebraska L, 0-31 1914 Oct 17 (Sat) Kansas L, 0-28 1914 Oct 24 (Sat) Missouri L, 3-13 1914 Oct 31 (Sat) Oklahoma L, 10-52 1914 Nov 13 (Fri) Washburn L, 16-26 1915 Oct 1 (Fri) Nebraska L, 0-31Kansas State 1915 Schedule 1915 Oct 9 (Sat) Emporia State L, 0-13 1915 Oct 16 (Sat) Kansas L, 7-19 1915 Oct 30 (Sat) Friends W, 14-0 1915 Nov 6 (Sat) Washburn W, 6-0 1915 Nov 13 (Sat) Oklahoma L, 7-21 1916 Sep 30 (Sat) Baker W, 20-0Kansas State 1916 Schedule 1916 Oct 6 (Fri) Southwestern College (Kan.) W, 53-0 1916 Oct 11 (Wed) Emporia State W, 13-3 1916 Oct 28 (Sat) Missouri W, 7-6 1916 Nov 11 (Sat) Washburn W, 47-0 1917 Sep 28 (Fri) Baker W, 28-0Kansas State 1917 Schedule 1917 Oct 6 (Sat) Missouri W, 7-6 1917 Oct 13 (Sat) Washington (St. Louis) W, 61-0 1917 Oct 20 (Sat) Kansas L, 0-9 1917 Nov 10 (Sat) Emporia State W, 51-0 1917 Nov 22 (Thu) Washburn W, 38-0 1918 Sep 28 (Sat) Baker W, 22-0Kansas State 1918 Schedule 1918 Oct 5 (Sat) Washburn W, 28-9 1918 Nov 9 (Sat) Iowa State W, 11-0 1918 Nov 28 (Thu) Washburn W, 6-5 1919 Sep 28 (Sun) Baker W, 16-0Kansas State 1919 Schedule 1919 Oct 3 (Fri) Missouri T, 6-6 1919 Oct 18 (Sat) Fort Hays State W, 12-0 1919 Oct 25 (Sat) Kansas L, 3-16 1919 Nov 1 (Sat) Haskell Institute L, 3-7 1919 Nov 19 (Fri) Washburn T, 0-0 1920 Oct 1 (Fri) Camp Funston W, 55-0Kansas State 1920 Schedule 1920 Oct 8 (Fri) Emporia State T, 7-7 1920 Oct 22 (Sat) Kansas L, 0-14 1921 Oct 1 (Sat) Washington (St. Louis) W, 21-0Kansas State 1921 Schedule 1921 Oct 15 (Sat) Missouri W, 7-5 1921 Oct 29 (Sat) Grinnell W, 21-7 1921 Nov 11 (Fri) Oklahoma W, 14-7

Transition to Memorial Stadium

By 1922, Kansas State University sought a more modern and expansive athletic facility, leading to the construction of Memorial Stadium at the Ahearn Field site. Memorial Stadium was established to honor Kansas State students who served in World War I. The transition involved reorienting the football field from an east–west alignment to a north–south alignment to enhance spectator viewing and seating arrangements. Memorial Stadium became the new home for the Kansas State Wildcats football team, while references to Ahearn Field persisted in university publications until the late 1930s.

Legacy and Significance

Ahearn Field played a pivotal role in the development of collegiate athletics at Kansas State University. Transitioning from informal athletic spaces to a dedicated facility, it facilitated improved recruitment, organized athletic schedules, and enhanced training for athletes. The field's dedication to Mike Ahearn reflected his significant contributions to the university's athletic and student life.

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