Thursday, August 25, 2005
Memorial Stadium looked ready for the season opener last night. An inflatable Jayhawk greeted a few thousand fans as they entered the stadium. Meanwhile, the band was playing fight songs, the cheerleaders were leading the crowd and the football team played on the field.
But last night wasn’t the season opener; it was the team’s annual fan appreciation night. Fans were first treated to end of the team’s football practice and then were granted access to the field, where they mingled with players and received autographs.
Senior Matt Berkey roamed the field after the practice looking for more players and coaches to sign his already-cluttered Kansas jersey. Senior quarterback Brian Luke signed his jersey with a silver pen. By the time Berkey was finished yesterday, he had 18 signatures.
Berkey began getting signatures from players and coaches last year when coach Mark Mangino signed it at a team pep rally.
Berkey said he was excited for the upcoming season and that he was not going to listen to the media pundits, many of whom are picking the Jayhawks to finish last in the Big 12 North division.
“I am hoping for seven wins this year and get us to a bowl,” Berkey said. “That is a good place to be.”
Lawrence resident Doug Green brought his daughter Kaysha and his 2-year-old twins, John and Karson, to receive autographs from their favorite Jayhawks. Green has been a season ticket holder for seven years and has high expectations for coach Mark Mangino’s team this season.
“There has always been a steady improvement since coach Mangino has been here, and I think he has got his players where he wants them,” Green said.
Dozens of young children, including Green’s, ran onto the field with footballs and pretended they were playing in a Kansas football game.
Junior quarterback Adam Barmann posed for pictures in the end zone with young children after practice while other Jayhawk players gave autographs and pictures to lines of fans.
Before fans were able to enter the field, Mangino and the team’s five captains spoke to the fans.
“We have been busting our butts since last season ended so we can make this the best season in KU history,” senior linebacker Nick Reid said, after which the fans responded with excitement.
The theme was consistant as the captains and Mangino spoke. They said they will be ready for a successful season, which begins Sept. 3 against Florida Atlantic, and they thanked the fans for their support.
“It is going to be a great season,” Mangino said. “We are going to sneak up on a few teams.”
As the rain began to fall after practice closed, Mangino made reference to the season opener in 2003 when Kansas lost to Northwestern. The game was played in a constant downpour.
“You are all probably the same fans who were here for the Northwestern game a few years ago,” Mangino said. “There is no fair weather in any of you folks.”
— Edited by Tricia MasenthinFans meet players at appreciation event
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