Wildcat fans across the globe will certainly yell a familiar four-letter battle cry when Kansas State takes the field against Iowa State for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. While “EMAW” is now shorthand for Kansas State athletics, there is more to this acronym than meets the eye.
The acronym “EMAW” stands for “Every Man A Wildcat,” but other than that, it is the original battle cry for Kansas State supporters across sports. It is a simple phrase carrying the spirit of being part of a Wildcat community.
While the origins of such a popular slogan are somewhat unclear. There is no specific date associated with the start of the slogan. One thing is for sure: “EMAW” is much more than a cheer. It can be found on official Kansas State items, in conversations on campus, and also used as a greeting between fellow Wildcat faithful, wherever they might be in the world.
Unlike many university slogans, which center on students or alumni, “Every Man A Wildcat” is intentionally inclusive of anyone who supports the purple and white.
As Kansas State gears up for its international exhibition in Dublin, “EMAW” will surely echo from the stands in Ireland. The battle between Kansas State and Iowa State is sure to be a cracking affair.
How EMAW Became Kansas State’s Rallying Cry?
The relationship between “EMAW” and Kansas State athletics runs deep through the history of Ahearn Field House, a place opened in 1950, and it was the spiritual home of “Every Man A Wildcat.”
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An enormous “Every Man A Wildcat” banner used to hang in the press box at Ahearn Field House, serving as a daily reminder of the Wildcat identity, eventually became an iconic representation of K-State.
But in Apr. 1971, the banner disappeared overnight. According to university records, Kansas State baseball players made off with the banner, allegedly tearing it down as a group in the dark of night, cutting it up into pieces, and keeping small pieces for souvenirs.
Then, in 2024, a man contacted Kansas State about a piece of the original banner that had been in his basement for years.
He contemplated selling the piece of Kansas State history. But after hearing about the banner’s significance to the K-State community, he returned it to its rightful home.
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