Originally published April 14, 2008 at midnight, updated April 14, 2008 at midnight
A wave of screaming praise followed the KU men’s basketball team down Massachusetts Street Sunday as an estimated 40,000 fans from all over the country showed up at a parade to honor the 2008 NCAA National Champions.
The basketball players threw up countless high fives as the train of convertibles they rode in inched its way through the crowded sea of blue shirts that came to commemorate the Jayhawks for their terrific season.
The Marching Jayhawks and Spirit Squad led the parade. The basketball coaches followed, then the players. Junior guard Mario Chalmers, whose final shot in regulation against Memphis tied the championship game, received the loudest ovation from fans. Senior guard Russell Robinson lifted the NCAA Championship plaque high above his head as he passed by the cheering masses.
Jayhawks of all ages gathered in crowds of tens of thousands on Massachussetts Street for a parade celebrating the Jayhawks' victory in the 2008 NCAA Championship. The float included the the Haskell Color Guard, the University Band, Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Athletics Director Lew Perkins and the coaches and players of the men's basketball team.
It took more than 22 minutes for them to travel just three blocks from Seventh to 10th Street. The parade ultimately ended at 19th and Naismith Streets.
Chalmers said it was a great feeling to see all the fans.
“We really appreciate all the support,” he said.
It was assistant basketball coach Danny Manning’s second time in 20 years being in a Jayhawk championship parade.
When asked how it felt, he said, “Are you serious? You can’t be serious. It’s great. It’s awesome. It’s whatever you want to insert to make me sound like the happiest man alive.”
Downtown Lawrence was a constant pep rally all day long as Rock Chalk chants and songs periodically erupted throughout the day. Most fans in the crowd wore Jayhawk apparel. Even a few dogs sported Kansas jerseys.
Aaron Schuster, Andover junior, said the atmosphere was a lot different from Monday when the Jayhawks beat Memphis for the championship.
“It’s definitely a lot more family-oriented,” he said. “It was a lot more planned out, so it’s not quite as nuts.”
Paul Schapker, Prairie Village junior who played the snare drum in the KU band, said he couldn’t be happier to march in the parade.
“It’s like a dream come true playing in the championship parade,” he said. “I’m proud of the team and coach Bill, and I’m glad he’s sticking around. And if he ever wants his own private parade to get from his car to the fieldhouse or wherever he might be headed, we’ll be there.”
The parade also gave business owners on Massachusetts Street another reason to celebrate. Many fans filled stores along the street that sold Jayhawk merchandise. Jock’s Nitch, 837 Massachusetts Street, was filled with fans waiting to buy Jayhawk gear, even during the parade.
“Today has been insanely busy,” said Ryan Owens, Jock’s Nitch manager. “For the first time ever, we had to limit the number of people coming into the store.”
Owens said that employees from the store’s seven other locations came to Massachusetts Street to help out. He said the rush at the store started around 10 a.m.
“We’re in the perfect location for something like this,” Owens said. “So many people are here from out of town, and they’re checking out the store.”
Deputy Sheriff Jay Armbrister said the atmosphere brought back memories from when the Jayhawks won the championship in 1988 when he was 12 years old. He said that people causing trouble were the last thing on his mind.
“We’re KU fans; we don’t cause trouble,” he said. “We’re used to winning.”
KU alumni traveled from all over the country to celebrate the 2008 championship.
Josh Talbott, 1953 graduate, came to watch the parade with his grandson, who he said attended the University of Kansas. Talbott said he’d been a KU fan since 1948.
“That was when we got beat by Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl because we fumbled the ball on the one-yard-line with one minute to go,” he said. “For all the close losses we’ve had over the years, this year was our time to win.”
Jason and Katie Gorman, both 2001 KU alumni, said they thought it was the Jayhawks’ destiny to win.
“I was here in ‘88, so it’s really cool to be back here again,” Katie Gorman said.
Lawrence resident Gary Grob said that this year’s parade was better than the championship parade in 1988.
“It was the greatest thing to ever happen to Lawrence, Kansas,” Grob said. “I wish it would’ve been bigger, but that’s okay.”
Grob and his family sat in the back of his truck, which was parked on Massachusetts Street. Grob said his family parked the truck there at 4 p.m. Saturday to get the prime spot.
— Edited by Jessica Sain-Baird
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jayhawkfan929 (anonymous) says...
Just wondering if anyone else witnessed the dad being beat up in front of Ingredient during the parade? I only saw the guy run off but I'd like something done about it.
April 14, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )