As a little boy, I attended KState games with my Pops watching the Wildcats take the court and the field. And my fondest memories are of listening to the sweetest man I ever knew talk about the Kansas State games he loved listening to over the radio.
Johnny, a short dapper-looking Irishman, quiet in his demeanor spoke little while he patiently listened during his life. The sweetest man I ever knew lived his life doing what he loved most. And he lived with a short list of those things. Johnny loved being with his family, lived a Godly life around others, worked endlessly on his groomed yard, and loved being a Kansas State fan.
     We watched as Bill Snyder brought a new era to Kansas State. Snyder brought forth what Johnny held close. He admired Bill's relentless work ethic and his devotion to the kids he worked with on the field. Still to this day, Snyder loves the program he was charged with and everyone around him in his pursuit to make them a part of something great. Snyder has brought admiration and faith; turning kids into not simple athletes, but guiding student athletes that leave with Snyder's challenge into the world as Grandpa saw it. Athletes go on understanding what it means to be devoted to a cause and believing anything is possible with hard work. It’s a part of honoring yourself and your family. 
http://www.effectofawhisper.com    
     As quiet as Grandpa lived his life, he relished Bill Snyder and spoke with admiration about the kids he looked over. He did so with his usual low chuckle filled smile when his favorite subject came up. Johnny never met Bill. I know he would have liked to. Seeing Bill on the sidelines and even watching him inconspicuously sitting amongst the crowd on Frank Martin’s court seemed to be enough though with his easy accessibility to every Wildcat fan.

     My last fond visit with the dapper young man was again after Pops and I attended another KState game last year as Johnny listened over the radio from his hospital bed just across from Bramlage. We sat with Johnny afterwards talking about the Wildcats, and little of his illness as his spirits lifted talking over what lie ahead for the Cats.