Life of Fitz | A Cancer Warrior's Conversations about Life

Tim Weiser served as the Director of Athletics at Kansas State University from 2001 to 2008. During his tenure, K-State became the first Big 12 institution to win conference championships in three top-tier sports in a single year (2003-04; football, volleyball, women's basketball). The athletic department generated record revenues in the areas of fundraising and corporate sponsorships under Weiser's direction. Weiser then joined the Big 12 as Deputy Commissioner in 2008. He serves as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) in the day-to-day functions of the Conference office and is also the primary liaison to the board of directors in conjunction with the Big 12 legal counsel. Weiser served as Athletics Director at Colorado State University from 1997 to 2001. He began his career in collegiate athletics administration in 1983 at Wichita State. In 1988, he was named athletics director at Austin Peay before taking the same post at Eastern Michigan in 1993. The Great Bend, Kansas native is a graduate of Emporia State with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in counseling. Weiser has been active on the national level, where he was president of the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association, in addition to serving on the NCAA's Championships/Competition Cabinet and Division I Baseball Committee. He was inducted into the Emporia State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.

Tim Weiser served as the Director of Athletics at Kansas State University from 2001 to 2008. During his tenure, K-State became the first Big 12 institution to win conference championships in three top-tier sports in a single year (2003-04; football, volleyball, women's basketball). The athletic department generated record revenues in the areas of fundraising and corporate sponsorships under Weiser's direction. Weiser then joined the Big 12 as Deputy Commissioner in 2008. He serves as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) in the day-to-day functions of the Conference office and is also the primary liaison to the board of directors in conjunction with the Big 12 legal counsel. Weiser served as Athletics Director at Colorado State University from 1997 to 2001. He began his career in collegiate athletics administration in 1983 at Wichita State. In 1988, he was named athletics director at Austin Peay before taking the same post at Eastern Michigan in 1993. The Great Bend, Kansas native is a graduate of Emporia State with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in counseling. Weiser has been active on the national level, where he was president of the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association, in addition to serving on the NCAA's Championships/Competition Cabinet and Division I Baseball Committee. He was inducted into the Emporia State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.

The National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) will soon be in operation in Manhattan, Kansas. Its construction, which took more than 10 years, was recently completed. The facility was turned over to the USDA, which will operate NBAF.  NBAF enhances the U.S. government's research, development, testing, and evaluation countermeasure capabilities by establishing a modern, integrated foreign animal and zoonotic disease research, development, and testing facility.

Overseeing the construction was a Kansas State graduate who returned to Manhattan to continue his work for the Department of Homeland Security. Tim Barr was eventually given the title of program manager to lead the facility through the construction process and into the handoff to the USDA. Barr and his wife, Cathy, also happen to be Tim and Becky Fitzgerald's neighbors. When the two couples gather, talk usually surrounds family, music, and their shared interest in landscaping, but Barr's work was rarely brought up because of its nature. Now that his job is complete — the project returned more than $10 million to the state of Kansas after coming in under budget — Barr received permission to discuss the project in depth.

Designed and built in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the new facility provides modern, safe, and secure biocontainment laboratories for licensing animal vaccines, defending against high-consequence diseases in livestock, and providing the essential infrastructure for threat characterization, forensics, and detection. NBAF sits on a forty-eight-acre lot in close proximity to the KSU Biosecurity Research Institute to allow for shared learning and research and costs $1.25 billion to build. Replacing and expanding upon the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, NBAF enhances the DHS's and USDA's capabilities to meet mandated national biological and agricultural defense mission requirements by creating an integrated and comprehensive system to rapidly recognize and characterize biological agents in animal populations, food, water, agriculture, and the environment.

***

Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.

Sign up for GoPowercat VIP access and get your first month for just $1!

Want the latest Kansas State headlines sent to your inbox? Click to sign up for GoPowercat's daily newsletter! 

Make sure you subscribe to Life of Fitz at your favorite podcast provider, including Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Follow @LifeofFitz

The National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) will soon be in operation in Manhattan, Kansas. Its construction, which took more than 10 years, was recently completed. The facility was turned over to the USDA, which will operate NBAF.  NBAF enhances the U.S. government's research, development, testing, and evaluation countermeasure capabilities by establishing a modern, integrated foreign animal and zoonotic disease research, development, and testing facility.

Overseeing the construction was a Kansas State graduate who returned to Manhattan to continue his work for the Department of Homeland Security. Tim Barr was eventually given the title of program manager to lead the facility through the construction process and into the handoff to the USDA. Barr and his wife, Cathy, also happen to be Tim and Becky Fitzgerald's neighbors. When the two couples gather, talk usually surrounds family, music, and their shared interest in landscaping, but Barr's work was rarely brought up because of its nature. Now that his job is complete — the project returned more than $10 million to the state of Kansas after coming in under budget — Barr received permission to discuss the project in depth.

Designed and built in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the new facility provides modern, safe, and secure biocontainment laboratories for licensing animal vaccines, defending against high-consequence diseases in livestock, and providing the essential infrastructure for threat characterization, forensics, and detection. NBAF sits on a forty-eight-acre lot in close proximity to the KSU Biosecurity Research Institute to allow for shared learning and research and costs $1.25 billion to build. Replacing and expanding upon the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, NBAF enhances the DHS's and USDA's capabilities to meet mandated national biological and agricultural defense mission requirements by creating an integrated and comprehensive system to rapidly recognize and characterize biological agents in animal populations, food, water, agriculture, and the environment.

***

Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.

Sign up for GoPowercat VIP access and get your first month for just $1!

Want the latest Kansas State headlines sent to your inbox? Click to sign up for GoPowercat's daily newsletter! 

Make sure you subscribe to Life of Fitz at your favorite podcast provider, including Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Follow @LifeofFitz

Spearheading a defense that has been one of the best in the Big 12 over the last three seasons, Joe Klanderman enters his sixth season at Kansas State in 2024 and his fifth as the defensive coordinator. In addition to running the defense, Klanderman also tutors the Wildcat safeties as he has done so since arriving in Manhattan in 2019. Leading a dynamic shift in defensive philosophy before the 2021 season, Klanderman implemented a three-man front for the first time in his career, and the returns paid off as the Wildcats have ranked in the top four of the Big 12 in both total yards and points allowed each of the last three seasons, K-State's longest streak since doing so the 2000 through 2003 campaigns. K-State has averaged 21.3 allowed points per game over the last three seasons – a span of 40 games – to rank 20th nationally, 15th among Power 4 teams and second in the Big 12, the latter being just 0.1 points per game behind the leader. K-State has allowed fewer than 22.0 points per game each of the last three seasons, the first time doing so since 1991 through 2003. Turnovers are a key factor in the limited points surrendered. The Wildcats have ranked in the top 20 nationally each of the last two seasons, doing so for the first time since 1999 and 2000. The K-State defense has forced 47 combined turnovers in the last two seasons to rank first among returning Big 12 schools. A 2001 graduate from Minnesota State with a degree in social studies, Klanderman also obtained his master's degree in sports administration from MSU in 2004. Klanderman and his wife, Amanda, are the parents of four children: Elle, Corryn, Jarrett, and James.

***

Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.

Sign up for GoPowercat VIP access and get your first month for just $1!

Want the latest Kansas State headlines sent to your inbox? Click to sign up for GoPowercat's daily newsletter! 

Make sure you subscribe to Life of Fitz at your favorite podcast provider, including Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Follow @LifeofFitz

Spearheading a defense that has been one of the best in the Big 12 over the last three seasons, Joe Klanderman enters his sixth season at Kansas State in 2024 and his fifth as the defensive coordinator. In addition to running the defense, Klanderman also tutors the Wildcat safeties as he has done so since arriving in Manhattan in 2019. Leading a dynamic shift in defensive philosophy before the 2021 season, Klanderman implemented a three-man front for the first time in his career, and the returns paid off as the Wildcats have ranked in the top four of the Big 12 in both total yards and points allowed each of the last three seasons, K-State's longest streak since doing so the 2000 through 2003 campaigns. K-State has averaged 21.3 allowed points per game over the last three seasons – a span of 40 games – to rank 20th nationally, 15th among Power 4 teams and second in the Big 12, the latter being just 0.1 points per game behind the leader. K-State has allowed fewer than 22.0 points per game each of the last three seasons, the first time doing so since 1991 through 2003. Turnovers are a key factor in the limited points surrendered. The Wildcats have ranked in the top 20 nationally each of the last two seasons, doing so for the first time since 1999 and 2000. The K-State defense has forced 47 combined turnovers in the last two seasons to rank first among returning Big 12 schools. A 2001 graduate from Minnesota State with a degree in social studies, Klanderman also obtained his master's degree in sports administration from MSU in 2004. Klanderman and his wife, Amanda, are the parents of four children: Elle, Corryn, Jarrett, and James.

***

Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.

Sign up for GoPowercat VIP access and get your first month for just $1!

Want the latest Kansas State headlines sent to your inbox? Click to sign up for GoPowercat's daily newsletter! 

Make sure you subscribe to Life of Fitz at your favorite podcast provider, including Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Follow @LifeofFitz

Colonel Greg McLean serves in the United States Army as an Armored Cavalrymen. McLean was commissioned as an Armor officer in 2001 at OCS after three years prior service as a 19K Armor Crewman. After attending Kansas State, McLean graduated from the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Cavalry Leaders Course, Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies. Col. McLean most recently attended the U.S. Army War College. Before he arrived at Fort Moore in Georgia, where he oversees the training of all scout and tank personnel for the Army, he was assigned to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, where he served as the Senior Cavalry Trainer for Europe. Colonel McLean holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences degree from the School of Advanced Military Studies. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with 2OLC, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal with 5 OLC, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Commendation Medal with 5 OLC, the Army Achievement Medal with 2 OLC, and the Combat Action Badge. COL McLean has also been awarded the Orders of St. George, St. Maurice, and St. Barbara. McLean has been married to Jacque since 2001 and they have two sons and one daughter: Gunnar, Colt, and Grier. Gunnar is a current Kansas State student who recently suffered serious injuries while working on a vintage car. Both Greg and Gunnar are friends with GoPowercat publisher Tim Fitzgerald.

***

Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.

Sign up for GoPowercat VIP access and get your first month for just $1!

Want the latest Kansas State headlines sent to your inbox? Click to sign up for GoPowercat's daily newsletter! 

Make sure you subscribe to Life of Fitz at your favorite podcast provider, including Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Follow @LifeofFitz

Colonel Greg McLean serves in the United States Army as an Armored Cavalrymen. McLean was commissioned as an Armor officer in 2001 at OCS after three years prior service as a 19K Armor Crewman. After attending Kansas State, McLean graduated from the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Cavalry Leaders Course, Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies. Col. McLean most recently attended the U.S. Army War College. Before he arrived at Fort Moore in Georgia, where he oversees the training of all scout and tank personnel for the Army, he was assigned to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, where he served as the Senior Cavalry Trainer for Europe. Colonel McLean holds a Master of Military Arts and Sciences degree from the School of Advanced Military Studies. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with 2OLC, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal with 5 OLC, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Commendation Medal with 5 OLC, the Army Achievement Medal with 2 OLC, and the Combat Action Badge. COL McLean has also been awarded the Orders of St. George, St. Maurice, and St. Barbara. McLean has been married to Jacque since 2001 and they have two sons and one daughter: Gunnar, Colt, and Grier. Gunnar is a current Kansas State student who recently suffered serious injuries while working on a vintage car. Both Greg and Gunnar are friends with GoPowercat publisher Tim Fitzgerald.

***

Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.

Sign up for GoPowercat VIP access and get your first month for just $1!

Want the latest Kansas State headlines sent to your inbox? Click to sign up for GoPowercat's daily newsletter! 

Make sure you subscribe to Life of Fitz at your favorite podcast provider, including Apple, Spotify or Amazon.

Follow @LifeofFitz

One of the top offensive line coaches in the country, Conor Riley, is in his sixth season at K-State in 2024, tutoring the Wildcats' offensive front and first serving as the program's offensive coordinator. He was the interim coordinator for Kansas State's victory over NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl before being elevated to the full-time role in early January. A 2003 University of Nebraska Omaha graduate, Riley began his collegiate coaching career at UNO as a student and graduate assistant from 2003 to 2005. He left his alma mater to become the offensive line coach at Concordia University-St. Paul in 2006. The Omaha native enjoyed a standout high school career at Creighton Prep. He began his collegiate playing career at the U.S. Air Force Academy, then transferred to Kansas before heading to UNO in 1999. After redshirting his first season, Riley was named the North Central Conference's outstanding lineman twice in his three-year career. Following his senior year, he earned 2002 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Daktronics All-America first-team honors. Riley was a second-team Division II All-American as a junior in 2001. He and his wife, Christy, are the parents of two daughters, Cate and Claire.

***

Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.

One of the top offensive line coaches in the country, Conor Riley, is in his sixth season at K-State in 2024, tutoring the Wildcats' offensive front and first serving as the program's offensive coordinator. He was the interim coordinator for Kansas State's victory over NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl before being elevated to the full-time role in early January. A 2003 University of Nebraska Omaha graduate, Riley began his collegiate coaching career at UNO as a student and graduate assistant from 2003 to 2005. He left his alma mater to become the offensive line coach at Concordia University-St. Paul in 2006. The Omaha native enjoyed a standout high school career at Creighton Prep. He began his collegiate playing career at the U.S. Air Force Academy, then transferred to Kansas before heading to UNO in 1999. After redshirting his first season, Riley was named the North Central Conference's outstanding lineman twice in his three-year career. Following his senior year, he earned 2002 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Daktronics All-America first-team honors. Riley was a second-team Division II All-American as a junior in 2001. He and his wife, Christy, are the parents of two daughters, Cate and Claire.

***

Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.