Players aren't the only ones who can change their lives in the crazy spotlight of March.
The McNeese state men's basketball team is the latest Cinderella story coming out of the 2025 NCAA Tournament to hold back the fifth seed Clemson on Thursday, 69-67, with the 12th Seed Cowboys holding back the first NCAA win in the Western Regional opening round.
Amir Khan, the team's student manager, won the spotlight on the pre-match tunnel walk with the players.
Amir Khan's Nir trade
Khan – called “Aura” by the team – names, images and portraits cover Buffalo Wild Wings, insomnia cookies and tickpics.
He is the first student manager in history and has signed a contract with the Buffalo Wild Wings. The restaurant chain gave him a boombox.
song? “No switch” by NBA Young Boy.
McNeese cheerleaders made waves on social media with socks featuring Kern's face, as they watched by the sidelines for a first-round clash in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Cowboys wore the same socks during the game.
Apparel collection featuring current viral socks and retro Khan-centric T-shirts Currently available Purchased at Rock'em Socks.
“It's crazy because I never imagined this had happened before.” Khan told The Associated Press After the match. “I'm grateful for wearing it. I appreciate all the love and support I have and it means a lot to me to see him wearing it.”
Amir Khan shines as Macnese's “Aura”
Khan is called McNeese “celebrity” after his role in the team plunged into the spotlight.
His pre-game routine is an important part of playing a cowboy with the right mindset.
“If they kept manager statistics to wipe away wet areas of the coat and wipe them off, I posted Wilt Chamberlain figures.” Khan said CBS's March Madness Promotion.
That quote is on a T-shirt for sale and is linked to McNeese Basketball website.
“Just before the team goes out on the final court, I put the speaker on my head and do it… that's something I can't explain. I think the aura is the energy you leave behind for others, so I just keep doing my thing and letting others tell them if they have an aura.”
McNeese's head coach called Kahn “a man, a myth, a legend.”
“It excites our peers, it starts our peers fast. If you don't get the start, it's hard to play well,” Wade said.
How did it begin?
Khan, a senior at McNees and Louisiana native of Lake Charles, is in his second season as manager of the Cowboys.
He got a viral feeling when the school's social media director recorded him holding the boombox while leading the team through the tunnel during a game last month.
The Cowboys (27-6) won the Southland Conference in their second coalition season and punched tickets to this year's NCAA men's tournament as 12 seeds.
McNeese made history with his first victory in 2025, when he made the team's fourth overall appearance in the tournament.
“I think that's what makes the moment so special because of what happened last year. We definitely didn't want it to be repeated,” Kahn said. “We've made history. No matter what happens from here, you can't take it.”
McNeece was routed last year in a first round defeat by Georgia.
Their Cinderella run continues on Saturday when they take up No. 4 Purdue.
