WICHITA — The University of Kansas has many great atmospheres for its sporting events. None, however, are quite the same as the one that Wichita State fans enjoy on baseball game day.

Located just beyond the outfield wall is an area affectionately known by Shockers fans as “The Hill.” There you’ll find Shockers fans of all kinds, from small children to twenty-something students to men and women who, over the years, have seen their fair share of baseball.

The tradition is nothing new. Before there was a fence between the parking lot and outfield wall, people would back their pickup trucks up to the fence and enjoy the game while tailgating. Now, a manned gate provides the entrance to the grassy area. The rules, however, have remained mostly the same: bring your own beer, just as long as it’s not in a glass bottle.

There is nothing like a night of cheap entertainment to a college student. The Hill has provided such an opportunity for the past three springs for Wichita State junior Josh Kinnevan. He and his cronies sit on a rock ledge, drink beer and heckle opposing outfielders. To them, it’s one of the things that keeps them coming back to Eck Stadium.

“It’s a great deal,” Kinnevan said. “It’s free with your student ID, so all it costs you is the price of your beer.”

Kinnevan said he’d seen some crazy things on The Hill.

“There was a game once where somebody brought a keg in,” he said. “That was pretty funny.”

Young and old alike take part in the fun. Les Howard, who has been attending Shocker games regularly since 1992, is one of the mainstays of The Hill. He and a group of his fellow fans decided to take their support to another level three years ago when the started a club called the “Captain Morgan Marauders.” They started with three members and now have nine or 10, depending on whom you talk to.

“Everyone out here knows us,” Howard said before greeting a teenage Wichita State supporter with a handshake. “Nobody can walk past us without slapping my hand and saying ‘Shocker fan, Shocker fan!’”

For KU fans that live in the Wichita area, games like Wednesday’s provide a rare opportunity to see their Jayhawks in action. Marcus Jauregui, 1999 KU graduate, takes advantage of the outstanding atmosphere by attending nearly every Wichita State home game, no matter whom the Shockers are playing.

“It’s a great place to hang out and meet people you wouldn’t get a chance to talk to otherwise,” Jauregui said. “It adds a lot to the game.

He said he usually cheers for the Shockers, but he enjoys getting a chance to support the Jayhawks.

“I wear my KU stuff whenever I can,” Jauregui said. “I get some crap out here, but it’s fun.

The possibility of seeing a setup similar to Wichita’s in Lawrence is unlikely. Current University of Kansas policy prohibits the sale of alcohol on campus, including at sporting events. The proposal to be considered Saturday by the University’s Memorial Corporation Board would allow beer sales only at the Jaybowl.

There is also no place adjacent to the stadium that lends itself to a scene like The Hill. Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price, however, said that he would be open to the idea of beer at Hoglund Ballpark if it helped the program.

“If it would increase attendance, I think it would be worth exploring,” Price said.

Jauregui said that it would entice him to visit Lawrence more often for baseball games.

“That would be great,” he said. “I used to enjoy the games when I was there, but it would create a more fun environment for the fans for sure.”

Price’s main worry would be crowd control if patrons were irresponsible.

“The only problem would be security if fans had too much to drink and got obnoxious.”

Howard said The Hill was a place where parents can bring their families and not worry about things getting out of control.

“It’s a family out here,” he said. “Everybody just has a good time.”