Court in session

By Claudia Alterman - Journal-World Teen Advisory Board Member Mar 16, 2004

Thad Allender/Journal-World Photo

Championship banners and sellout crowds are common at Kansas University's Allen Fieldhouse. In the photo above, KU takes on Oklahoma in Big 12 men's basketball. The Jayhawks won, 79-58, on Feb. 29.

Kansas University men’s basketball team, preparing for its NCAA Tournament opener Friday against Illinois-Chicago at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., consistently signs the top high school recruits in the country.

What makes the prep standouts interested in KU? The tradition of Allen Fieldhouse has a lot to do with their decisions to come to Lawrence.

“We have all of these fans — young and old — here supporting us through the wins and the losses, home and while we are playing away,” said KU reserve guard Jeff Hawkins, a sophomore from Kansas City, Kan., while signing autographs outside the Jayhawk locker room after a 78-46 romp of Binghamton in December.

Allen Fieldhouse, where the Jayhawks are 551-101 all time, including a 13-1 record for the 2003-2004 season, is one of the toughest places for opponents to play because of KU’s boisterous and loyal fans; ESPN analyst Dick Vitale has said KU was possibly the best place for college basketball. Sellouts are common in the 16,300-seat fieldhouse.

If you have been into Allen Fieldhouse, which was dedicated March 1, 1955, with KU’s 77-66 victory over Kansas State University, you would notice the tradition seeping from every wall throughout the building. The loyal fans come in all ages.

Thad Allender/Journal-World Photo

Kansas fans Nick Andrews, left, 9 and Drake Hofer, 9, check out the basketball action during the KU-Nebraska game on March 3. The Jayhawks won their home finale against NU, 78-67. Andrews and Hofer are from Lawrence.

Jayhawk fans remain even as the players come and go, but the players never leave without the assurance the fans love them. Fans honor the seniors after the final home game every season.

“It’s unbelievable,” said David Padgett, a freshman center from Reno, Nev., awed by the fans. “We’re on Christmas break; every seat in the fieldhouse is taken. We have the best fans. There is no comparison to other teams. We have the best.”

Taylor Renfro, a freshman at McLouth High School, enjoys attending games at Allen Fieldhouse.

“Just walking into Allen Fieldhouse gives me chills,” Renfro said. “It is the greatest place in all of college basketball with the greatest fans anywhere. When the Rock Chalk chant begins, I get an indescribable feeling I cannot experience anywhere else.”

— Claudia Alterman is a sophomore at McLouth High School.

Dedicated: March 1, 1955, with a 77-66 victory over Kansas State.Capacity: 16,300.KU’s all-time record at Allen: 551-101.KU’s 2003-2004 record at Allen: 13-1.

Thad Allender/Journal-World Photo

Kansas fan Cole Moreano, 8, cheers on the Jayhawks during the KU-Nebraska game on March 3. Moreano, a Lawrence resident, is wearing a No. 5 jersey in honor of his favorite player, Keith Langford.