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Quick parade will focus on team
This weekend's Jayhawk championship parade will have a different feel than the one in 1988.
Past Event
Celebration parade for KU men's basketball team
- Sunday, April 13, 2008, 3 p.m.
- Downtown Lawrence, Lawrence
- All ages / Free
NCAA Champion Jayhawks
Kansas University's hoops heroes will be joined by the KU pep band and Spirit Squad in riding, marching and cheering down Massachusetts Street for a victory parade at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Anyone and everyone else interested in soaking up the atmosphere of the Jayhawks' national basketball championship will find themselves crowding onto the sidewalks and side streets of downtown Lawrence for yet another chance to say thanks.
"I can't think of a better way to cap the season," said Jim Marchiony, an associate athletics director.
The parade route - at least for now - will stretch from Seventh Street to the north side of South Park, lining up a little more than a half-mile of happiness for connecting the NCAA champions with their faithful fans.
But Sgt. Paul Fellers, a Lawrence police spokesman, said that the ending point for the parade remained "under consideration" as of Thursday evening. There is talk of extending the length of the parade.
"The parade route is not set in stone as of yet," Fellers said.
No matter where the parade ends, folks with Kansas Athletics Inc. are making plans for a joyful celebration.
"The reason I came to Kansas was to be involved in an event like this," said Marchiony, who has been working on plans for the parade and other recognition events in the wake of KU's 75-68 overtime victory over Memphis in Monday's title game. "I'm just glad it's here, and our fans are glad it's here. We're just looking forward to a great day."
The parade is scheduled 20 years to the day after another parade - one complete with floats, community groups and, yes, even a real Cinderella from Disneyland - traveled south on downtown's main street to celebrate KU's first NCAA title in 36 years.
But on parade day back in 1988, the featured attraction still was the team: Danny and the Miracles, the Danny Manning-led squad that rolled through the tournament as an underdog to win the title against Oklahoma, 83-79, at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo.
This Sunday, Manning should be back on Massachusetts once again, only this time drawing cheers as a KU assistant coach. Manning and other coaches, players, managers and others affiliated with the team will be lined up to ride in convertibles; members of the pep band and Spirit Squad also are scheduled to participate.
Once the parade ends - wherever that ends up being - the players, coaches and others affiliated with the team are scheduled to attend a 6 p.m. awards ceremony at Allen Fieldhouse.
The fieldhouse ceremony is open to the public, Marchiony said. Doors will open there at 5 p.m.
Fellers, the police spokesman, said that the public parking lot south of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St., would be closed to the public. All of the other more than 2,500 public parking spaces in downtown Lawrence - and including those lining Massachusetts Street - will be open and available for people on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fellers' advice: show up early.
"Folks can't just come down at the last minute," he said.
And unlike the party atmosphere that filled downtown Lawrence on Monday night - an estimated 40,000 people crowding the streets, many with plastic cups filled with beer - Sunday's parade will be conducted with different guidance from police.
The parade, Fellers said, would be conducted much like a traditional Band Day parade. Translation: Expect more of a family atmosphere.
"Alcohol is not allowed on the sidewalks or streets," Fellers said. "It's meant to be a parade to recognize the accomplishments of the team and coach Bill Self. If somebody has an idea that they're going to have alcohol and drink it during the parade, that's not something that's going to be allowed."
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Jayhawks up for ESPY honors July 1, 2008
Bill Self at the White House June 3, 2008
KU Jayhawks honored at the White House June 3, 2008
Comments
KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says...
Marchiony is excited? Heck, the other day he was downplaying doing such thing as a parade. Now, he says that is why he comes to Kansas! What a idiotic putz and we fans see right through his shallow words.
April 11, 2008 at 4:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mace221 (anonymous) says...
Anyone know if the basketball team will be signing autographs after the awards ceremony like the football team did after theirs?
April 11, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
overseashawk (anonymous) says...
Keith Miles I agree. Two days ago there adamantly wasn't going to be a parade. Now he's excited? BS if I ever heard it. I'm glad there'll be a parade unfortunately I won't get to be there though :-(
April 11, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wats211 (anonymous) says...
this jim marchiony guy is not a good fit...his arrogance and lack of foresight is mind boggling to be perfectly honest...... this parade should be more inclusive ...but he just doesnt get it..im glad that we were exposed to his true nature....this guy doesnt belong at kansas...he may be good in certain areas of his work and im sure he is...but to shut out the public ...all of us have been here light years longer than he has and to be unaware of the traditions that truly exist..no just the surface stuff....is unexceptable...lets all make the phone calls necessary to get marchiony another job ...somewhere else...we need someone else here..but lets help him get another job...norfolk state or somewhere
April 11, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JJHAWK (anonymous) says...
A bit of fan fiction:
Bill: I want a parade for my team. They are deserving!
Lew: We will have a parade for KU's bb ncaa Champions. They are deserving!
Marchiony:"The reason I came to Kansas was to be involved in an event like this."
jjhawk:It is really wonderful when great minds work together for a common goal.
April 11, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wats211 (anonymous) says...
the parade should include everyone who wants to join in.
April 11, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wats211 (anonymous) says...
ive never been more disappointed than i am with jim marchiony......very disturbed by arrogance displayed....when he said ..we will celebrate how we want to...was the most unbelievable comment ever made...jim..this is our team....not yours..remember that....and by the way..everyone get out their checkbook and support the williams fund and make sure you are at the spring game monday night...i want to see 50,000 there on monday...bring the whole neighborhood with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 11, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sanusak (anonymous) says...
The parade should also include the Football Team, bad weather back in January scuttled the recognition they deserve! What a year to be a Kansas Fan!!
April 11, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says...
Whats with the Marchiony bashing did I miss something he said or did?
April 11, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUMatt2001 (anonymous) says...
What can they do when thousands of people decide to join the parade?
April 11, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WilburNether (anonymous) says...
What's with this nonsense about including the football team in the parade? Helllloooooo....... This event is for the basketball team, and is being held because they won the national championship. Last time I checked, the football team did NOT win the national championship.
End of discussion.
April 11, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
deepind (anonymous) says...
Anyone confused about why the flip-flopper Marchiony is getting bashed here, read this article -
http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/ap...
April 11, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ohioburg (anonymous) says...
jhawkdan42 - go back and read Marchiony's comments at http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/ap...
The bashing is well deserved.
April 11, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wcormode (anonymous) says...
wats211 - Is your keyboard broken? You do know that you can take the Caps Lock off right?
April 11, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rhino11 (anonymous) says...
Turn off your freaking caps lock.
April 11, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wats211 (anonymous) says...
caps are on always and will continue to be..deal with it
April 11, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kevbo (anonymous) says...
Wow, cut down on the coffee people. Marchiony is a bit of a weasel, but he generally does a good job.
Chillllllllllllllllll out.
April 11, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
klineisanazi (anonymous) says...
When the football team wins a NC, have a parade. Until then, no.
April 11, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JJHAWK (anonymous) says...
wats211
"caps are on always and will continue to be..deal with it"
And you're the one complaining about arrogance from someone else?
WOW
April 11, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shelleysue (anonymous) says...
Everyone have a great time at the spring game. I planned to come up on Saturday, but being over two hours away just doesn't work during the week. I'm disappointed!! Can't wait to hear all about it. Be sure to post some good stuff here - who looks good, things to be excited about etc. Thanks!!
It IS a great year to be Jayhawk!! BCS Orange Bowl and now the national basketball championship. WOW!!
April 11, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wats211 (anonymous) says...
i like to use caps...im sorry if some dont like it...to point it out is ridiculious
April 11, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momusicman (anonymous) says...
Hey wats211 - go somewhere else
April 11, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JJHAWK (anonymous) says...
Do not considered pointing out bad manners as ridiculous.
Perhaps you are not aware that posting in all Caps is considered an electronic form of rudness. If you weren't aware of that fact, now you are.
April 11, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lance1jhawk (anonymous) says...
wats211- I think what everyone is saying, is that its pretty damn annoying looking at all those CAPS! It diminishes your point.
It is interresting thought that your handle is in lower case, but you feel the need to type everything in CAPS.
April 11, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bringheatwavewheat (anonymous) says...
I can't believe I just wasted part of my life reading the retardation above and replying to it.
April 11, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cwag (anonymous) says...
I do not read posts in all caps - it's considered 'shouting', and has been since the 80s. Of course, if you want everyone to disregard you as an a$$ not worthy of attention, be our guest .....
April 11, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUGreenMachine (anonymous) says...
all I have to say is that there is a good chance that Mangino was the one that didn't want a parade for his team. I could see Mangino wanting his team (which is young and almost all coming back next year) to stay focused and unsatisfied. I think he wouldn't want them to have a parade so they knew in their heads that they wanted to achieve a bigger goal and to keep them hungry for more than just an Orange Bowl. So, I'm not so sure that it was soley this Jim Marchiony character that didn't want a parade for KU football. I'd believe that Mangino gets what he wants after that season, and if Mangino wanted a parade for his players, he would have gotten one. Now, if KU wins the NC in football, they would be crazy not to have a parade....anyway, just a thought...
April 11, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wats211 (anonymous) says...
I apologize about the caps...I didnt know about the electronic media etiquette.....I'm new to computers..it was easier for me to type in caps and to see the posts...but i again apologize!
April 12, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )