Know Your Knight: Austin

KC Kingdom is growing at a rapid pace and our goal is to be the best Kansas City area sports site on the internet. Ben and I are pleased to announce we have added another new staff member, Austin Earl. Austin will be helping in our effort to expand our Kansas State Wildcat coverage. We are excited to have him writing for KC Kingdom.

Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Austin has already published his first article with us, taking another look at the Wildcats’ football season, four games in.  You can read that excellent piece here.

Like all of the new writers to KC Kingdom, Austin took a few minutes to answer eight questions so we can get to know him just a little better. Here are his answers to those 8 questions:

How did you become a fan of the team you’re covering? My first sports memories come from when I was around three years old. That was the year 1998, when K-State football was dominant. I cheered for them even though I wasn’t old enough to know why, and I’ve just stuck with the Wildcats ever since.

Where did you grow up and where do you currently live? I grew up in Mound City, Kansas. Mound City is a small town of 700 people that is 60 miles south of Kansas City. I now live in Manhattan, Kansas.

What is your college/educational background? I graduated from Jayhawk-Linn High School in May of 2013. I’m now a freshman at K-State. I’m majoring in journalism with a minor in Spanish.

What do you do for a living? I am a full-time student, so I just do whatever I can to make a little bit of money. Writing for The K-State Collegian is my most steady form of income. I also do some farm work when I’m at home in Mound City.

Do you have a family (wife, kids etc.)? I have a mom and dad, Dan and Amy. I also have a sister named Mikaela. Mikaela is married and has a child. I have no kids or wife, and I don’t plan on adding those until I graduate. I do have a beautiful girlfriend, Shyla.

Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

What do you like to do for fun (sports related or otherwise)? I watch sports in my spare time, for the most part. But I also enjoy playing music, spending time with my family, and hanging out with friends. School and sports take up most of my time, but when I’m free enjoy relaxing.

What is your favorite sports moment or memory? My favorite sports memory is K-State defeating Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game in 2003. Darren Sproles is my childhood hero. So seeing him and Ell Roberson go off against a team many thought would easily win will always hold a special place in my heart.

What are your least favorite team(s) and why? Missouri. I grew up in a home that loved both K-State and KU–sorry. I was brainwashed from a young age that Mizzou was the enemy. The unforgivable moment for Mizzou was the “No Mom Tom” incident that was a reference to Thomas Robinson‘s terrible personal tragedies when that played against KU. I know all fan bases have their share of people that , but when it’s your rival, it’s hard to overlook those few people.