Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Massachusetts Street was once again a sea of blue Monday night as an army of Jayhawk fans poured out of downtown bars and nearby neighborhoods. They sang the Rock Chalk Chant and ripped their shirts off after Kansas came back and beat Memphis in overtime to become the 2008 NCAA Champions.
nutgraf
Andy Kroeker, owner of Fatso’s, said he had to go into work early to do an emergency inventory before his bar opened.
It’s Brothers Bar and Grill, 1105 Massachusetts St., erupted into mass hysteria as Mario Chalmers sank the three-pointer that brought the Jayhawks into overtime before winning their third NCAA Tournament championship in the University’s history.
Joe Hall, Independence senior, said it was the most amazing moment he’d ever felt in his entire life.
“I don’t even have the words to explain how I feel,” he said through tear-filled eyes, minutes after the game ended. “I want this feeling to last forever.”
Ricki Baker, Aimes, Iowa, junior, called it a once in a lifetime experience.
“I’m so happy to be in college right now to experience this,” she said.
Kristi Wiesner, a Missouri fan from UMKC at Quinton’s Bar and Deli, 615 Massachusetts St., even tipped her hat to the Jayhawks during the game.
“I want to root for them tonight because I love the Big 12,” she said.
The only quiet point throughout the night at Quintons was during Bill Self’s pregame speech, which ended with an eruption of cheers as the Jayhawks ran onto the court.
Kevin Kunde, Chicago senior, praised former Kansas coach Roy Williams for standing behind the KU bench, sporting a Jayhawk on his shirt.
“Roy Williams is an absolute class act,” he said. “We beat him two days ago, and the fact that he sat behind our bench during the National Championship makes him a true legend.”
Blue T-shirts littered Massachusetts Street all day long as Jayhawk fans from all over the country flocked to downtown Lawrence.
KU alumnus Kevin Peterson said he and his friend drove eight hours from Chicago to watch the Final Four game on Saturday.
“We asked off for Monday and Tuesday in advance in case we beat North Carolina and we did, so here we are,” Peterson said.
KU alumnus Tyler Brook even styled his hair into a red and blue Mohawk Monday morning before coming to Lawrence to watch the game at Fatso’s, 1016 Massachusetts St.
Some fans arrived at their favorite bars extra early with hopes of finding the best seat in the house.
Darcy Stefanik, Chicago junior, and three of her friends had been saving the first spot in line at Quinton’s since 7 a.m. before it opened its doors at 4 p.m.
“We wanted an awesome table at a bar on Massachusetts Street because the game against North Carolina was absolutely phenomenal,” Stefanik said.
As the day progressed, a steady stream of fans trickled into bars along Massachusetts Street until they filled to capacity.
John Bergwell, bartender at Harbor Lights, 1031 Massachusetts St., said this year’s NCAA Tournament brought in a extraordinary amount of business to a lot of downtown bars.
“It’s been a record selling for us and a lot of other places have said the same thing,” he said. “Our entire staff is working tonight as well as someone’s brother who doesn’t normally work here.”
Andy Kroeker, manager of Fatso’s, said he had to go into work early to do an emergency inventory before his bar opened.
“We sold out of everything on Saturday as well as last Sunday,” he said.
Joe Aussem, a bouncer at Louise’s Downtown, 1009 Massachusetts St., said the bar had been selling 32-ounce beers in droves.
After the game, Matt Riehemann, KU alumnus, said he never planned on going to bed again.
“I am the happiest person in the world right now,” he shouted after the game. “I am not going to work tomorrow and this celebration does not end until I say it does.”
— Edited by Mandy Earles
Local businesses prepare for Final Four
Jayhawk apparel sales are skyrocketing and bars are preparing for a crowd ...
Downtown businesses benefit from successes of basketball ...
Various establishments along Massachusetts Street have taken advantage of thousands of fans ...
Lawrence offers various venues for nightlife
University of Kansas students voice their opinions on which bars they enjoy ...
Home game hype attracts bar patrons
The 9-0 start for the Kansas football team has increased business as ...
Downtown offers history, food and fun
Students can eat, shop and party all within a five-block area.
Local bars survive without students
Some bars stay vacant over breaks while others tap into loyal customer ...
Businesses get smoking decks
Will golf for beer
It ain’t your grandpa’s game: Plaid shorts and argyle socks are optional ...
Championship parade takes over downtown
Basketball players and coaches, the Marching Band, Chancellor Hemenway and fans from ...
Athletics Department agrees to participate in honorary ...
The parade will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 13 at ...
Fans react to Kansas' defeat in second ...
Students respond to upset with shock, anger, and alcohol.
Lawrence’s luau rivals Manhattan’s Patty’s Day
Seven bars are participating in Lawrence’s first Larryville Luau Saturday.
Mass. Street Mayhem
Fans poured out bars and restaurants on Massachusetts Street on Sunday after ...
Businesses suffer as fans leave disappointed
Massachusetts Street stores and bars see fewer profits following the Kansas men's ...
Pushin' Booze
The Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament sponsored nationally by Bud Light was more ...
Businesses have many customers despite move of ...
With Saturday’s game being held in Kansas City, Mo., Lawrence business owners ...
Lawrence's landlord: a developer's story
Doug Compton, owner of First Management, has helped guide Lawrence's development for ...
Homecoming festivities create extra revenue
Hotels filled and bars ordered more inventory in preparation for influx of ...
Local merchants prepare for sidewalk sale
Annual sidewalk sale begins Thursday.
Amyx suggests jail time to curb violence
Mayor wants there to be a ban on guns not just in ...
Lawrence begins road maintenance project
The repaving of Lawrence’s roads will likely cause inconveniences to drivers.
Larryville Luau sees small turnout
Though 9,000 people said on Facebook they planned to attend, only about ...
Lawrence officers stay busy during madness
Even with the rain fans took the celebration to the streets, where ...
Stolen shot glasses
Schooners, shot glasses, and keg shells are a few of the items ...
Top of the Hill
Students will be able to vote for their favorite places in Lawrence ...
Downtown construction plans take form
Downtown businesses on Massachusetts Street from 11th to Ninth streets prepare for ...
Scene and Heard: College night at Quinton's
New place. New faces.
Move to Arrowhead affects more than fans
Although the fans and players have been affected, Sports Dome has seen ...
Popular burger joint moving to Mass Street
The Burger Stand is leaving Dempsey’s for The Casbah’s former location.
Mass. Street hosts football block party
Fans turned out downtown for the event and Coach Gill’s first episode ...
Students experience distinct living
Students occupy a number of downtown lofts located above businesses, restaurants and ...
Bar-tiquette
Some rules and common sense for the bar
Fans watch game at fieldhouse
For fans who chose to watch the Jayhawks play Tar Heels away ...
KU apparel stores compete in saturated market
With as many as 15 places to buy KU gear in Lawrence, ...
Festivals draw KU students to Manhattan
Despite heckling from K-State fans, Country Stampede and Fake Patty’s Day remain ...
Mass street businesses prepare for annual sale
Downtown events kick off the holiday season
Downtown Lawrence, Inc. hopes performances on Massachusetts street and other festivities will ...
Kansas sports fans wear lucky clothes for ...
Some students think that by wearing lucky shirts, pajamas or other superstitious ...
Downtown retail competes with new restaurants
In the past year, five stores closed and were replaced with eateries ...
Rediscovering the record
Local music stores enjoy an increase in vinyl record sales spurred by ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID