Football, beer, burgers and a bunch of dirt.
Tailgating just isn’t quite the same this season at Kansas University.
Construction of the Anderson Family Football Complex and practice fields has changed the landscape and tailgating experience.
The $31 million complex is being built adjacent to the southwest side of Memorial Stadium. The practice fields will occupy parking spaces on the west side of the stadium. Hundreds of tailgating lots and space are lost to the construction, which began in April and is expected to continue through the season.
Don Roberts and his family lost their traditional spot, but he’s supportive of the complex. Roberts, who has attended games since 1941, donated money to the Williams Educational Fund, which supports Kansas athletics. As a donor, he was able to select a new temporary spot, which was on a grassy section right next to the east side of the stadium.
“I think the building will be wonderful,” he said. “It will make KU competitive and attract new recruits.”
Other fans felt differently about losing their spots on Campanile Hill and around the stadium.
For the past five years, a group of students has tailgated on the hill for every home game. At 10 a.m. Saturday, they set up their grills and chairs in the parking lot near Robinson Center, which is across campus from the stadium.
“It’s just not right,” said Keaton Krell, a senior from Lyndon.
He and his friends said they were angry because they missed the game-day atmosphere of being close to their peers and other fans.
He said he read last week that Jim Marchiony, associate athletic director, had said, “I haven’t heard any complaints about it yet.”
“That’s because he doesn’t talk to any of the students, anybody that makes up the university atmosphere for game days. He only talks to the donors. Of course they aren’t going to complain because they have the best parking spots.”
For those who were on the hill, they had to find just the right spot to see the football field. Dan Mullins, a freshman from St. Louis, found one of the best spots under shade at the top of the hill.
Kathie Hahn, a Lawrence nurse, was further down on the west side of the hill, situated between tents blocking her view.
“This stinks,” she said. “It’s inconvenient.”
Construction hasn’t changed the game day chaos that always fills the surrounding neighborhoods. Michelle Haider, who has lived at her residence in the 700 block of Maine Street for 10 years, said the streets become congested at 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sharon Lodesak said she doesn’t mind the cars, but the loud speakers are “intrusive” in her home, even though she said she’s hard of hearing.
“Imagine what it’s doing to the ears of kids in the stands if it’s blasting me out of my recliner,” she said.
Traffic near the stadium was directed by KU Public Safety with help from the school’s parking department.
Lance Meneley, KU senior and parking department employee, was directing traffic into the east lot near the intersection of 11th and Mississippi streets. He said people were confused about where to park.
Capt. Schuyler Bailey said they had to make minor adjustments to help with traffic flow, but it was “business as usual.” He said the free shuttles transporting people from near Allen Fieldhouse to the stadium “seems to be moving people, but it can take longer because of construction.”
63Total offensive plays run by each team
75Total offensive yards by SE Louisiana (1.2 yards per play)
501Total offensive yards by Kansas (8.0 yards per play)
2000Year Kansas last threw a football shutout
221Rushing yards by the Jayhawks
-31Rushing yards by the Lions (yes, that’s a minus)
2Punts by the Jayhawks (on their first two possessions)
11Seconds between the Jayhawks’ first two scores
