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K-State Today

October 11, 2018

Carl's Cause tailgate to celebrate life of K-State alumnus

Submitted by Hannah Ens

Join Union Program Council, Counseling Services, PAWS, Wildcat Wellness Coalition and Carl's Cause as they raise awareness about mental health in memory of Carl Specht at a tailgate before the K-State football game against Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 13.

The tailgate will begin at 9 a.m., two hours before kickoff, on the east side of the Bill Snyder Family Stadium parking lot in the grassy area adjacent to the Chester E. Peters Recreation Complex.

Specht was a 2013 K-State graduate from Overland Park and received his degree in industrial engineering. He was intelligent, outgoing and athletic, as well as an active member of the ATO fraternity. He showed no symptoms of mental illness until he became ill and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in college; after trying to overcome his illness he died by suicide in 2017. His family wants this tailgate to be an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health and serve as a celebration of his life, since Oct. 13 would have been his 29th birthday.

The tailgate will feature free snacks and Pepsi products, fun games and a donation to Katie's Way in Carl's name. University resources about mental health awareness also will be available. 

For more details, visit kstateupc.com or call 785-532-6571.