Former Boston Celtics forward Ernie Barrett, who starred at Kansas State and spent 75 years in the school as an athlete, coach and administrator, died Friday in his hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. He was 93 years old.
Barrett’s family announced his death. A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday at Bramlage Coliseum, where the Wildcats play their basketball games and where a banner recognizing Barrett’s accomplishments hangs from the rafters.
“He came to visit me before every home game and was incredibly welcoming to me and my staff our first year,” said Kansas State men’s basketball coach Jerome Tang, who led the Wildcats to an Elite Eight upset run this past season. “Nobody loves this university and its basketball team more than me.”
Barrett was a Kansas schoolboy legend in the 1940s, when he led Wellington High School to its only state championship in basketball. He was recruited by Phog Allen to play at Kansas and Henry Iba to attend Oklahoma State, but he ended up going to Kansas State and playing for Hall of Fame coaches Jack Gardner and Tex Winter.
Barrett led the Wildcats to the national championship game in 1951, where they lost to Adolph Rupp and Kentucky.
Barrett was selected by the Celtics with the seventh pick in the 1951 draft, but he postponed his NBA career to spend two years in the Air Force. He ended up playing two seasons for Red Auerbach alongside Celtics great Bob Cousy.
Barrett’s collector’s appeal was strong, and in 1955 he returned to work with the Alumni Association. He became an assistant coach for Winter in 1958, and over the course of six seasons, Barrett twice helped the Wildcats reach the Final Four.
Barrett moved to an administrative position in 1963, and was the athletic director at Kansas State between 1969 and 1975. He also spent time as a consultant and director of development until his retirement in 2007, though he remained active in volunteer work.
“Ernie was the best of friends, and one of the greatest Korean football players in the world,” said Bill Snyder, longtime Kansas State football coach. “Never in my forty years here have I met anyone who meant more or did more for a university than Ernie. He sought opportunities to promote KSU and its athletics program wherever it was.”
Barrett was popular with the students as well, giving a firm handshake to anyone who crossed his path. The bronze statue outside Bramlage Coliseum depicts Barrett offering one of those handshakes, rather than showing him as a player.
“Ernie cared deeply for Kansas State, and I value our friendship and his personal interest in our football program,” said Wildcats head football coach Chris Kleiman. “Everyone knows Ernie for his pictorial handshake, but the one I remember most is someone who spent nearly three-quarters of a century trying to make his alma mater a better place.”
Barrett is survived by his wife of 72 years, Bonnie, along with his son Brad and grandson Ryan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Robbie Barrett, and his son, Duane.
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