Kansas State’s longtime chronicler D. Scott Fritchen is getting a wave of support after undergoing emergency heart surgery.
Fritchen, who has covered the Wildcats for more than 30 years, recently revealed that he was dealing with a heart issue that required surgery. Once that news became public, support started pouring in from K-State fans and from media members across the Big 12.
He was diagnosed with aortic dissection, a cardiovascular disease that results in a tear in the layer of the heart. The surgery was successful, but Fritchen now faces a long recovery. A GoFundMe page set up for him had already brought in more than $9,300 to help cover medical expenses.
There is no timetable for when Fritchen will return to covering Kansas State, and that remains far less important than his recovery. Before the surgery, he was still on the job at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas, where he was telling the stories of Collin Klein as he prepared for his first season as head coach and Avery Johnson as he headed into his senior year at quarterback.
Fritchen’s connection to Kansas State runs deep. He also built a strong relationship with Bill Snyder, the legendary coach at the center of so much of the program’s history. That bond was strong enough that Fritchen wrote a book, Bill Snyder: My Football Life and the Rest of the Story,” about the school’s most beloved figure.
For K-State fans, Fritchen has been one of the most familiar voices around the program for decades. Now, the hope is that he gets the time and care he needs before eventually getting back to the press box.
In Other News...
Brennan Marion Just Raised The Stakes For Colorados Offensive Line
Brennan Marions arrival as Colorados offensive coordinator has already put a spotlight on the Buffaloes front, and for good reason. He comes with experience from both the Group of Five and the Texas Longhorns, and he sees a 2026 offensive line that looks different from the kind of unit Colorado has rolled out in recent years, one built to be bigger and more physical than the group he coached in Austin.
That matters because the Buffaloes have spent the offseason trying to fix a historically weak spot, adding linemen with very different resumes, from former high-profile recruits to players who were overlooked coming out of high school. Marions confidence in the room is notable, especially with the one major comparison point still hanging over the conversation, and Colorados line now has the kind of expectations that come with a coach who believes the foundation is finally in place. [Read more 🡒]
Brennan Marion Just Put Huge Expectations On Colorado's Julian Lewis
Brennan Marion has wasted no time putting a spotlight on Julian Lewis, and the new Colorado offensive coordinator is framing the young quarterback as much more than a promising name on the roster. Marions comparison to former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was telling, because it was not just about arm talent. It was also about the kind of developmental arc and presence Lewis brings into a program that is clearly trying to build its next offense around him.
For Colorado, the bigger takeaway is how Marion wants to use him. The 2026 offense is being described as physical and built to create one-on-one chances for Lewis, with the line expected to do more to keep him comfortable and upright. If that plan comes together, Lewis could become the centerpiece of a scheme that is designed to let his talent show up early and often, even if the full picture of his role is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Ian Inman Could Decide How Real Colorados 2026 Backcourt Is
Ian Inmans next step could tell Colorado a lot about how sturdy its 2026 backcourt really is. The Buffaloes guard is expected to see a bigger slice of the rotation next season, and the path to that role runs through a more demanding two-way job. He has already pointed to the areas he wants to sharpen, from conditioning to defensive range to making himself useful in more ways than spotting up behind the arc.
Tad Boyle has been just as direct about what the staff needs from him, stressing that Inman has to get bigger and stronger in the weight room if he is going to handle the added responsibility. For Colorado, the appeal is obvious: a guard who can stay on the floor longer, defend more spots and give the offense another layer. The question now is whether Inman can turn that offseason checklist into the kind of all-around jump that makes the backcourt look real, not just promising. [Read more 🡒]