Originally published April 5, 2008 at 10:53p.m., updated April 5, 2008 at 11:36p.m.

KU fans are celebrating in the streets

By Erin Castaneda, Jonathan Kealing

Jayhawk fans hug one-another in celebration on Mass. St. on Saturday, April 5, 2008 after KU defeated UNC in the Final Four.

Photo by John Henry

Jayhawk fans hug one-another in celebration on Mass. St. on Saturday, April 5, 2008 after KU defeated UNC in the Final Four.

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Fireworks were crackling over the Saturday night sky as fans celebrated in the streets, on the sidewalks, inside cars and everywhere else in Lawrence.

They were toasting Kansas University's 84-66 victory over North Carolina.

"Oh my God, this is awesome," said KU graduate Matt Unger, watching the game at Quinton's on Massachusetts Street.

Many fans who watched the game at Allen Fieldhouse walked up to Wescoe Beach on the KU campus and straight to Massachusetts Street to join the festive crowds.

"They didn't even slow down," said Capt. Schuyler Bailey of the KU Public Safety Office.

"They were determined," said Carissa Orth, 20, a KU junior who was among the approximately 1,600 fans at Allen Fieldhouse watching the game on the scoreboard screens. Doors opened at 7 p.m. and hundreds of fan filed in. The sound was deafening as people cheered with the KU band, even booing North Carolina just as loudly.

"It was intense, it was just like being at a game," said Laurie Gallagher, 19, a KU freshman.

Fred Plank, 88, who has been working at Allen Fieldhouse for 50 years, said the turnout surprised him.

"I expected some, but I didn't expect this many," he said.

Fans showed up far earlier downtown, some as early as 6:15 a.m. The wait was worth it as businesses were packed with fans keeping downtown lively all day and into Sunday morning.

You'd have thought KU had won it all when North Carolina called a time-out with 7:32 to go in the first half, the way the crowd inside Quinton's reacted.

"Roy never calls time-out," yelled Jimmy Chavez as he made the time-out gesture to no one in particular.

Ardy Vanderpol, a KU fan who can recall the Wilt Chamberlain years, wanted to thank the police officers patrolling the downtown streets Saturday night.

"I think they do a good job," she said as she gave hugs to five different officers on the corner of Seventh and Massachusetts street.

Vanderpol said she felt she could take just a little bit of credit for KU's victory because of the Jayhawk bracelets she makes and wears.

"I rubbed these bracelets all night," she said. "I probably rubbed them 20 times."

For some fans, the game was sweet revenge against Roy Williams, the former KU coach.

But come Monday, it's on to bigger and better things: Memphis.

"It's been a long time coming," said Grant Kaufman, 38, and a 1992 KU graduate. "Twenty years has been way too long, I'm glad to be back in the championship game."

Comments

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Callin' out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat?
The Final's here and the time is right for dancin' in the street.
Dancin' in Topeka (dancin' in the street)
Down in Wichita (dancin' in the street)
In Kansas City

All we need is music, sweet music,
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swingin' swayin', and records playin,
Dancin' in the street

Oh it doesn't matter what you wear, just as long as you are there.
So come on every guy, grab a girl,
Everywhere, around the world

There'll be ballin', they're dancin' in the street.
This is an invitation, across the nation,
A chance for folks to meet.
There'll be laughin' singin', and music swingin'
Dancin' in the street

Massachusetts Street,
Kellogg and Rock now,
Can't forget Lawrence, Kansas,
All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swingin' swayin', and records playin,
Dancin' in the street

Oh it doesn't matter what you wear, just as long as you are there.
So come on every guy, grab a girl,
Everywhere, around the world

They're dancin', dancin' in the street
Way west there in Goodland., every day they're dancin' in the street
Lets form a big strong line, and get in time,
We're dancin' in the street.
Across the ocean blue, me and you
We're dancin n the street

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KsQKBSAg-uk

April 5, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mcrozb (anonymous) says...

Roy made us cry, now we made Roy cry, for all you Roy bashers, now we're even and maybe we can all respect the 15 years of tradition he helped to contribute.

Rock Chalk !!

April 5, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

MOJHawk (anonymous) says...

This Championship is in the stars:
1] In the first 4 rounds, a number of high seeds lose and KU survives a scare by a lower seed
2]KU loses a popular senior to injury
3]In Semi's, KU beats favored ACC opponent with star big man with early and late scoring blitzs
4] Danny Manning is on the bench.
5] Larry Brown is in the house.
6] KU is a decided underdog against one of the leading scoring teams in the nation for the finals.
7] Billy Packer picks KU's opponent to win.

Is this list of occurences from the Championship season of 1988 or is it for the current season of 2008...........actually, it is for both!!!

April 6, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

lance1jhawk (anonymous) says...

jross- wow I have a really bad mental image of you singing that song... Haunting really

Just kidding- i love it

April 6, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

susyajhawk (anonymous) says...

holy crap...middleschool 1972, that was amazing ;) !!!

callin' out, around the world...yes!!! a brand new beat!!!

gotta make some fun...we rock!

Good win KU!!! We'll take it all the way!!!

April 6, 2008 at 12:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

Dear North Carolina,

NOW, we're even ...

Sincerely,
Kansas

April 6, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawker_97 (anonymous) says...

hats off to coach Self & men's team! we believe you all will bring home the trophy!
what a tremendous show!

i don't care what will happen to ol' coach Roy, great if he cheers for us.
good to see coach Brown on our side!

April 6, 2008 at 1:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Dr_Hawkenstein (anonymous) says...

that was just as good a fist half as the 50-50 '88 first half. honestly, i still can't believe we ran over them so bad. it make me realize that roy's KU teams were choke artists and Self is a much better coach already. looking forward to UNC's chokes for the next 20 years and three National Championships for Bill. Rock Chalk!!! (btw. i hope vitale picks memphis).

April 6, 2008 at 1:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

Official CBS highlights courtesy of YouTube at:

http://www.beakem.org

April 6, 2008 at 1:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )