Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Rock Chalk Jayhwak

Today, we took the afternoon off and headed to Lawrence, Kansas home of the Kansas Jayhawks.  It's our 8th of the ten Big XII campuses to visit (only have Oklahoma State and Iowa State on the list).


Town was about the size we figured, but seemed much older in the residential area.  The campus was very hilly, and very understated.  Not many tall buildings, pretty spread out.


Our first stop was Memorial Stadium.  The stadium is dedicated to the University of Kansas students who fought and died in World War I.  It opened in 1921 and you can still tell the original bowl shell that's been added to over the years with the pressbox and extensions of the bowls in the 60's.  Other than the new field turf and new jumbotron, she really shows her age.  We're figuring it would be a tough sell for a recruit seeing those facilities.  


Not much history to KU Football, especially recently.  The names of Gayle Sayers (the "Kansas Comet"), John Riggins, and John Hadl (later of AFL's San Diego Chargers) helped a little.  But looking through the 2011 Media Guide, the history pickings are rather thin.


Of course, that isn't what makes you think of KU.  That would be basketball, and the legendary Phogg Allen Fieldhouse.  Got lucky to get in.  Was going to hold the door for a woman entering and it was locked.  "Don't worry, I have a code" and in we went with our own personal tour guide!  "I love showing this place off!"  


She showed us an alumni donor section that was walled off during games, and also had a private viewing area into the practice facility.  Would hope that the big buck alumni have something, because inside the area there's nothing upscale at all.  No suites, no cushy seats, naughta.  Just some old time chairs at midcourt on both sides and bleachers.  


We got kicked off the floor before I got any pictures, but from the first level it was steaming hot in there.  Empty and with just work lights on.  Can't imagine the heat with 17,000 and TV lights in there.  Have to think it's very Fenway, Wrigley-ish that we're not going to change this place.  Ever.


All that being said, it was wonderful to see this legendary place.  Wilt Chamberlain, Danny Manning, Paul Pierce, the list of great ballers to play here is long.  The Booth Family Hall of Athletics is fantastic.  They have a great housing of memorabilia, and are not afraid to boast of their 5 National Championships.  Would love to put it on the list of places to see a basketball game here, but just seeing it empty was fantastic.


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