Thus began the unique, annual tradition at Pittsburg State of the teachers bringing apples for their students.
== Notable people ==
Fira Basuki, novelist
John Brown, wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills
Gary Busey, film actor (attended; did not graduate)
Terry Calloway, former Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives
Eldon Danenhauer, offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos
Ralph Earhart, former NFL halfback, Green Bay Packers
Dennis Franchione, former head football coach of Texas A&M University (and former coach of Pittsburg State)
Eugene Maxwell Frank, bishop of the United Methodist Church
Willie Fritz, current head football coach at the University of Houston
Kendall Gammon, former NFL longsnapper, Kansas City Chiefs and current Chiefs radio analyst (currently employed by Pittsburg State)
Don Gutteridge, Major League Baseball player and manager (Chicago White Sox)
Jay W. Hood, major general, U.S. Army, Commander of 1st U.S. Army East, Ft. Meade, Maryland, former commanding general of JTF Guantánamo …
