Lawrence merchants are hoping for an invasion of free-spending football fans when the Kansas University Jayhawks play their first home game today.
But considering the Jayhawks are already 0-2 and coming off a season where they won just three games some merchants say that the return of Band Day after a one-year hiatus may be just as helpful to their sales. More than 50 bands are expected to participate today in a downtown parade and during the game.
“I know that people really love the Band Day parade,” said Chuck Magerl, owner of Free State Brewing Co., 636 Mass. “I know the opportunity to have that in the community again this year will help as long as the weather cooperates.”
Throughout town Friday, hotels reported greater-than-usual occupancy rates, and retail merchants prepared to hawk their wares. Today’s game against Southwest Missouri State University is the first of six home games this season.
“We’re doing all right,” said Garrett Stults, a desk clerk at Ramada Inn, 2222 W. Sixth St. “We’re more than half-full for the game that’s better than we have been. We’re sold out for the other home games, so we’re doing OK there.”
Doug Dobbins, manager of Jock’s Nitch Sporting Goods, 837 Mass., is ready to sell more Jayhawk memorabilia.
“People want to buy hats and shirts to wear to the game,” Dobbins said. “We definitely see an increase in traffic. It does get that game-day spirit going.”
Store owners hope new head football coach Mark Mangino can turn around KU’s fortunes. Bigger crowds at Memorial Stadium would likely mean bigger sales for their businesses.
One thing the KU football program has going for it is room for growth. Kansas home football games averaged a crowd of about 40,000 people per game last season in a stadium with seating for 50,250.
Dobbins is optimistic.
“There’s a new interest in Mangino, and even though they’re 0-2, there seems to be a good attitude,” Dobbins said.
Even if the Jayhawks don’t start winning, Magerl knows he can expect plenty of fans to invade Lawrence for games against schools with large football followings, like the University of Nebraska and Kansas State University. Parents Day Sept. 21 this year also brings lots of customers to town.
“We know that people are attracted to the festive atmosphere that comes with games, whether they park themselves in the stands or not,” Magerl said.
Lawrence merchants are hoping for an invasion of free-spending football fans when the Kansas University Jayhawks play their first home game today.
But considering the Jayhawks are already 0-2 and coming off a season where they won just three games some merchants say that the return of Band Day after a one-year hiatus may be just as helpful to their sales. More than 50 bands are expected to participate today in a downtown parade and during the game.
“I know that people really love the Band Day parade,” said Chuck Magerl, owner of Free State Brewing Co., 636 Mass. “I know the opportunity to have that in the community again this year will help as long as the weather cooperates.”
Throughout town Friday, hotels reported greater-than-usual occupancy rates, and retail merchants prepared to hawk their wares. Today’s game against Southwest Missouri State University is the first of six home games this season.
“We’re doing all right,” said Garrett Stults, a desk clerk at Ramada Inn, 2222 W. Sixth St. “We’re more than half-full for the game that’s better than we have been. We’re sold out for the other home games, so we’re doing OK there.”
Doug Dobbins, manager of Jock’s Nitch Sporting Goods, 837 Mass., is ready to sell more Jayhawk memorabilia.
“People want to buy hats and shirts to wear to the game,” Dobbins said. “We definitely see an increase in traffic. It does get that game-day spirit going.”
Store owners hope new head football coach Mark Mangino can turn around KU’s fortunes. Bigger crowds at Memorial Stadium would likely mean bigger sales for their businesses.
One thing the KU football program has going for it is room for growth. Kansas home football games averaged a crowd of about 40,000 people per game last season in a stadium with seating for 50,250.
Dobbins is optimistic.
“There’s a new interest in Mangino, and even though they’re 0-2, there seems to be a good attitude,” Dobbins said.
Even if the Jayhawks don’t start winning, Magerl knows he can expect plenty of fans to invade Lawrence for games against schools with large football followings, like the University of Nebraska and Kansas State University. Parents Day Sept. 21 this year also brings lots of customers to town.
“We know that people are attracted to the festive atmosphere that comes with games, whether they park themselves in the stands or not,” Magerl said.
Lawrence merchants are hoping for an invasion of free-spending football fans when the Kansas University Jayhawks play their first home game today.
But considering the Jayhawks are already 0-2 and coming off a season where they won just three games some merchants say that the return of Band Day after a one-year hiatus may be just as helpful to their sales. More than 50 bands are expected to participate today in a downtown parade and during the game.
“I know that people really love the Band Day parade,” said Chuck Magerl, owner of Free State Brewing Co., 636 Mass. “I know the opportunity to have that in the community again this year will help as long as the weather cooperates.”
Throughout town Friday, hotels reported greater-than-usual occupancy rates, and retail merchants prepared to hawk their wares. Today’s game against Southwest Missouri State University is the first of six home games this season.
“We’re doing all right,” said Garrett Stults, a desk clerk at Ramada Inn, 2222 W. Sixth St. “We’re more than half-full for the game that’s better than we have been. We’re sold out for the other home games, so we’re doing OK there.”
Doug Dobbins, manager of Jock’s Nitch Sporting Goods, 837 Mass., is ready to sell more Jayhawk memorabilia.
“People want to buy hats and shirts to wear to the game,” Dobbins said. “We definitely see an increase in traffic. It does get that game-day spirit going.”
Store owners hope new head football coach Mark Mangino can turn around KU’s fortunes. Bigger crowds at Memorial Stadium would likely mean bigger sales for their businesses.
One thing the KU football program has going for it is room for growth. Kansas home football games averaged a crowd of about 40,000 people per game last season in a stadium with seating for 50,250.
Dobbins is optimistic.
“There’s a new interest in Mangino, and even though they’re 0-2, there seems to be a good attitude,” Dobbins said.
Even if the Jayhawks don’t start winning, Magerl knows he can expect plenty of fans to invade Lawrence for games against schools with large football followings, like the University of Nebraska and Kansas State University. Parents Day Sept. 21 this year also brings lots of customers to town.
“We know that people are attracted to the festive atmosphere that comes with games, whether they park themselves in the stands or not,” Magerl said.
Lawrence merchants are hoping for an invasion of free-spending football fans when the Kansas University Jayhawks play their first home game today.
But considering the Jayhawks are already 0-2 and coming off a season where they won just three games some merchants say that the return of Band Day after a one-year hiatus may be just as helpful to their sales. More than 50 bands are expected to participate today in a downtown parade and during the game.
“I know that people really love the Band Day parade,” said Chuck Magerl, owner of Free State Brewing Co., 636 Mass. “I know the opportunity to have that in the community again this year will help as long as the weather cooperates.”
Throughout town Friday, hotels reported greater-than-usual occupancy rates, and retail merchants prepared to hawk their wares. Today’s game against Southwest Missouri State University is the first of six home games this season.
“We’re doing all right,” said Garrett Stults, a desk clerk at Ramada Inn, 2222 W. Sixth St. “We’re more than half-full for the game that’s better than we have been. We’re sold out for the other home games, so we’re doing OK there.”
Doug Dobbins, manager of Jock’s Nitch Sporting Goods, 837 Mass., is ready to sell more Jayhawk memorabilia.
“People want to buy hats and shirts to wear to the game,” Dobbins said. “We definitely see an increase in traffic. It does get that game-day spirit going.”
Store owners hope new head football coach Mark Mangino can turn around KU’s fortunes. Bigger crowds at Memorial Stadium would likely mean bigger sales for their businesses.
One thing the KU football program has going for it is room for growth. Kansas home football games averaged a crowd of about 40,000 people per game last season in a stadium with seating for 50,250.
Dobbins is optimistic.
“There’s a new interest in Mangino, and even though they’re 0-2, there seems to be a good attitude,” Dobbins said.
Even if the Jayhawks don’t start winning, Magerl knows he can expect plenty of fans to invade Lawrence for games against schools with large football followings, like the University of Nebraska and Kansas State University. Parents Day Sept. 21 this year also brings lots of customers to town.
“We know that people are attracted to the festive atmosphere that comes with games, whether they park themselves in the stands or not,” Magerl said.
