Spirited fans paint town crimson, blue

By Jesse Fray     Oct 8, 2006

A lack of fan support can’t be to blame for Kansas University’s 21-18 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday.

Thousands of students and alumni, invigorated with school spirit, flooded the campus for the homecoming football game hours before it began. And it wasn’t your typical tailgate.

“It’s a very, very proud day for me,” said Larry Hickey, a 1943 KU graduate dressed in a blue suit with a crimson pocket silk.

He posed for a picture with his grandchildren, also KU graduates.

“Glorious feeling!” he said.

“Coming back for homecoming and being here all as a family is a special event for us,” said Tyler Jattaud, Hickey’s grandson and 2002 graduate. “It’s definitely more exciting than most game days.”

Homecoming has been a KU tradition since 1912, when 9,000 football fans rooted KU to victory against the University of Missouri.

With an 11 a.m. kickoff this year, things got off to an early start.

Students and alumni lined Jayhawk Boulevard at 9 a.m. for a parade.

Huge floats, dozens of student groups and loud bands marched by, including the alumni band.

“For most of us, it’s been awhile since we’ve played our instrument,” laughed 1990 alumnus Tom Barrow, York, Pa.

“I only had to play it about two times, and it was all memorized again,” said Annette Dix, Barrow’s classmate.

“I cry every time they play ‘I’m a Jayhawk,'” 1951 graduate Don Blachly said.

Blachly watched the parade with his wife, son and daughter-in-law, all from Milwaukee.

“Loaded up the van and came down,” said Clark Blachly, a third-generation Jayhawk.

Students and alumni roamed the campus and shared memories with one another.

Nearly 500 stopped at a pancake feed in front of Stauffer-Flint Hall.

“I’m all flipped out, literally,” said Erica Price, after flinging the last pancake across the hot grill to a student. “It’s been a little busy.”

As current and former students flooded into Memorial Stadium for the game, music blared outside the Adams Alumni Center, 1266 Oread Ave.

“I think the game day experience is getting continually better over the years,” yelled Jattaud, while waiting for his grandfather to catch up. “It’s definitely more exciting than most game days.”

While fans were disappointed KU lost the game, most remained positive.

“We love our team, so we keep coming back for more, no matter what the season’s like,” said alumna Shannon Toburen.

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