13 February 2024
MANHATTAN (KSNT) – A Manhattan man and longtime pillar of the Kansas State University community is asking for help after finding himself the victim of a brazen burglary. He said someone came into his home and stole university memorabilia that can never be replaced. He hopes after hearing this story, those responsible will do the right thing.
C. Clyde Jones has been a Manhattan resident since 1960. During his time in the Little Apple, the World War II veteran made a lasting impact on Kansas State. He was the first and emeritus dean of the KSU College of Business Administration. When he retired in the 1980s, Jones used that business background to support university athletes.
“Coach Bill Snyder asked me to organize a program where I would bring in business and professional people to meet with the athletes and their field of interest,” Jones said.
Jones ran that program for the next 30 years. One perk of the job was that the university outfitted him with K-State athletic gear. But as an even bigger thank you, Coach Snyder gifted him several bowl game and Big 12 championship rings.
“I feel like I belong to the program and the program belongs to me. And those rings were a good symbol of that relationship,” Jones said.
Jones has cherished those mementos for decades. But last week, he noticed the rings had disappeared from their usual place of honor in a display cabinet in his home. He reported the theft to police and now hopes someone from the community will come forward.
“It would, I think, bolster my faith in society a little bit if somebody somewhere could find out about this and help me recover those rings,” Jones said.
Jones said the monetary value of the rings probably isn’t worth much, but the memories and connections the rings hold are priceless.
If you have any information that might help Riley County Police solve this crime, you can contact Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777 or submit a tip online.