2026 Annual Catbackers Banquet and Auction

January 30, 2026 at the K-State Alumni Center

Join us for an evening of fun and celebration in a Winter Wildcatland!

Buy Tickets

Event Details

The evening is going to be hosted by Voice of Wildcats, Wyatt Thompson, and he will have Q&A time with former K-State football player Nick Leckey and retiring Pride of Wildcatland Director Frank Tracz.

This year’s event is back at the K-State Alumni Center and everything will kick off at 5:30 with registration, a happy hour, viewing of the silent auction and live auction items and fun surprises. The program will start at 6:30 p.m.

We will also have a live painting that will be auctioned off by the end of the evening by K-State alumna and artist, Niki Baker. Check out Niki's K-State work and beautiful landscapes! https://www.nikibakerart.com/

This is an event you won't want to miss! The event is open to Manhattan Catbacker members only, but don't worry, your 2026 membership is added in with your tickets. So you'll get a great evening of fun, plus a year's worth of expanded membership discounts perks, ability to join our quarterly meetings with wonderful coaches and guest speakers and more.

The theme is Winter Wildcatland, we encourage you to dress up in purple, white and add in whatever sparkles you wish! All are welcome, so don’t let the dress code stop you from joining.

Have questions about the event? Reach out to us at manhattankscatbackers@gmail.com.

If you would like to donate to the auction, you can complete this form or reach out to us at manhattankscatbackers@gmail.com

To ensure our fundraising efforts meet the goal of supporting all students involved in K-State athletics and organization activities, we are working to recruit businesses and organizations as sponsors. We have four sponsor levels and will have additional opportunities to support auction donations. You can also compare all the options with our sponsorship handout here.

Have sponsorship questions? Feel free to reach out Jeff Oliphant, jlstgo5@gmail.com.

Sponsor Today!

2 reserved tables for 8 ($1,000 value as it includes1 bottle of wine per table)
8 comp annual 2026 memberships to the Manhattan Catbackers ($320 value)
Listed as the presenting sponsors*
Large logo presence on event materials*
Thanked on stage and with a large logo presence in the event slideshow
Large logo on Manhattan Catbackers website with link to your website
Level recognition on sponsor signs-Large Logo
Social media recognition
1 bottle of wine for each table, 2 bottles total
1 reserved table for 8 ($500 value as it includes1 bottle of wine)
4 comp annual 2026 memberships to the Manhattan Catbackers ($160 value)
Medium logo presence on event materials*
Thanked on stage and with a medium logo presence in event slideshow
Medium logo on Manhattan Catbackers website with link to your website
Level recognition on sponsor signs-Medium Logo
Social media recognition
1 bottle of wine for the table
6 tickets to the event ($300 value) at a reserved table
3 comp annual 2026 memberships to the Manhattan Catbackers ($120 value)
Medium logo presence on event materials*
Thanked on stage and with a medium logo presence in event slideshow
Medium logo on Manhattan Catbackers website with link to your website
Level recognition on sponsor signs-Medium Logo
Social media recognition
1 bottle of wine for the attendees to share
4 tickets to the event ($200 value)
2 comp 2026 annual memberships to the Manhattan Catbackers ($80 value)
Medium name listed presence on event materials*
Thanked on stage and with a name-listing presence in the event slideshow
Medium name listed on Manhattan Catbackers website with link to your website
Level recognition on sponsor signs- Name listed
Social media recognition
2 tickets to the event ($100 value)
1 comp 2026 annual membership to the Manhattan Catbackers ($40 value)
Medium name listed presence on event materials*
Thanked on stage and with a name-listing presence in the event slideshow
Medium name listed on Manhattan Catbackers website with link to your website
Level recognition on sponsor signs- Name listed
Social media recognition
2 tickets to the event ($100 value)
1 comp 2026 annual membership to the Manhattan Catbackers ($40 value)
Small name listed presence on event materials*
Thanked on stage and with a name-listing presence in the event slideshow
Small name listed on Manhattan Catbackers website with link to your website
Level recognition on sponsor signs- Name listed small
Social media recognition
1 ticket to the event ($50 value)
1 comp 2026 annual membership to the Manhattan Catbackers ($40 value)
Small name listed presence on event materials*
Thanked on stage and with a name-listing presence in the event slideshow
Small name listed on Manhattan Catbackers website with link to your website
Social media recognition