Auburn football fans have long been mentioned in the discussion of friendliest and most welcoming fans in college football.

Well, Auburn director of athletics Jay Jacobs felt his program’s recent trip to Manhattan, Kan. – its first ever – was a first-class experience. As such, he wrote a letter to the Wildcat faithful.

“Dear Editor,

I wanted to thank K-State Athletic Director John Currie, K-State’s spirited student body and its first-class fans for making our recent trip to Manhattan a memorable one.

We like to boast that we have the best game day experience in the nation in the Southeastern Conference, but the environment at K-State is as good as I have ever seen. In the days since our trip to Manhattan, many of our fans have told me it was the best they have ever been treated on a road trip. Considering how many road games some of our fans attend, that is saying a lot. 

The hospitality was outstanding. I can understand the courteousness prior to the game, but the way we were treated after the game was such a pleasant surprise. You are all first class.

You should also be proud of your beautiful campus and its outstanding athletic facilities. The football facilities are especially impressive, and our fans enjoyed seeing them.

Thank you again for the hospitality. We thoroughly enjoyed a hard-fought game and a wonderful environment. In years to come, we will have forgotten the score, but we will always remember how well we were treated.

We wish you the very best of luck for the remainder of the season.

Best regards,

Jay Jacobs
Director of Athletics 
Auburn University”

Isn’t that refreshing to read in major college football? Lately, the sport has been all about player compensation, conference realignment, newly-launched television networks and enormous coaching contracts.

Jacobs is a class act, even when he’s been highly criticized during his tenure heading up the Tigers’ athletic department.

Sportsmanship … it’s a lost art.