Nick KrugKansas basketball fans wanting to send off the Jayhawks to San Antonio with good wishes and loud cheers will have two opportunities to do so today.
The first will come at Allen Fieldhouse, where the team bus is expected to depart for Topeka at 2 p.m., after KU finishes its early practice.
After down days on Sunday and Monday in the aftermath of their Elite Eight win over Duke, KU coach Bill Self said Tuesday that the team would practice hard on Wednesday before heading down to San Antonio.
From there, KU fans will be able to say bon voyage, good luck, Rock Chalk and whatever else they might think up at Topeka Regional Airport, where the Jayhawks’ flight to San Antonio is expected to take off at 3 p.m.
Col. J.T. O’Grady, at Topeka Regional Airport, said KU fans are welcome to come to the airport to send off the Jayhawks at no cost and whenever they like.
O’Grady said the best time to arrive at the airport was between 2:00-2:30 and that fans can park in the airport terminal parking lot off of Airport Drive.
“Absolutely,” said O’Grady, “It’s a public building. It’s free. It’s a public building. And once they’re inside they can pretty much stand anywhere they want except for the aisle where the team walks.”
O’Grady said airport officials would be on hand to direct fans where to stand and that roped off areas would make the entire process clear and easy.
The Jayhawks, who will play Villanova at approximately 7:49 p.m. central time on Saturday night at San Antonio’s Alamodome, are expected to arrive at their hotel on the River Walk between 5:30-6 p.m. on Wednesday evening.
From there, the festivities and final preparations for the Final Four will be in full swing.
Stay tuned to KUsports.com throughout the day and week for all of the KU/Final Four coverage you could possibly want, including tonight’s arrival.
