Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Kansas State coach Bill Snyder has lived with a recruiting disadvantage throughout his career with the lack of transportation access to Manhattan.

That trend appears to be changing as American Eagle Airlines started a direct flight from Manhattan, Kan., to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport this August.

Kansas State at one time flew players directly into the city on private airplanes. But when the NCAA cut back on that recruiting element, they were forced to fly to Kansas City or Topeka for an inconvenience of major proportions.

But the direct flight has Snyder excited about the possibilities.

Snyder said the creation of the flight should boost the Wildcats' recruiting connection in the talent-rich Dallas-Fort Worth area that serves as the recruiting backbone of the Big 12. The new flight will enable Kansas State coaches to attend games there on a regular basis, he said.

“In the past, it’s been difficult to get youngsters in here without a great deal of travel time,” Snyder said. “It’s a major plus for us. Hope we hang onto it.”