No ink is needed to lace the pages of any history book to provide proper perspective of the generational changing of the guard that was this year. For University of Kansas students, 2008 will stoke many memories and reflections in the years to come for the remainder of their lives.

From the sports desk in Lawrence, 2008 was dense with history, and I can think of no better place to sit and take it all in.

Fifty-five days remain, yet the implications of this year’s events have been widely documented and analyzed by every blog entry and round the clock news coverage that has occurred preceding and succeeding each moment.

Two centuries of history were addressed Tuesday when Sen. Barack Obama became president elect of the United States and the first black man to reach our nation’s highest office. More importantly, 2008 introduced a new generation. One willing to come out like none before and emphatically vote and take a chance on a candidate with no military experience, yet with broad goals in improving our standing on this planet and a drive to guide us in the dark days of war and economic turmoil.

The year began two days before the Jayhawk football team capped an unprecedented 12-1 season with an equally memorable Orange Bowl victory — laying to rest recent memories of laughable futility.

At that moment, the men’s basketball team was 13-0 and off to its usual strong start before conference play. And despite a few hiccups that would be addressed in time, when attention refocused on Allen Field House the rest was history...

And so witnessing the aftermath of Tuesday’s election ­— a near-worldwide celebration that parallels no other outcome in American politics in my lifetime — it can be both easy and difficult not to group this election with the year’s accomplishments of University sports.

To dismiss the events as separate occurrences during a given calendar year can be simply done. While watch parties were staged at the Kansas Union and at Abe & Jake’s, thousands filled Allen Field House to witness a 98-79 exhibition squash over Washburn.

Some in attendance were fueled by apathy toward a lengthy election cycle coupled with the anticipation accompanying a storied hoops franchise defending the national title. Some raced from the field house to the nearest radio, television set or computer to track the election results. Others actually chose not to attend the game in favor of following the election.

That is the most obvious and easiest parallel to draw between 2008 University sports and this outcome and implications of this election. But further reflection renders it impossible not to see this as the most unique year of our time thus far — more so from the perspective of anyone on this campus.

Never forget where you were when Aqib Talib picked off Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon and returned it for a 60-yard score, setting the tone for an Orange Bowl victory.

Never forget who you were with when Mario Chalmers sank his miraculous three-point shot and delivered our version of the Miracles.

Never forget what you saw and how you felt — regardless of party affiliation — when Obama became president.

And again, while urging bipartisanship, I ask you to never forget the inspirational aspect of this election and the goals you have set for the years ahead.

Our nation is entrenched in two crucial wars and has a laundry list of tough tasks ahead. Remember how it feels to taste history and don’t forget what it takes to achieve those milestones.

Bill Self’s crop of newcomers were far from impressive Tuesday. Freshman center Markieff Morris turned the ball over three times. His twin, freshman forward Marcus Morris, fouled out after seven minutes of play. Freshman guard Tyshawn Taylor led the team in turnovers with five and freshman guard Travis Releford had just three points and three rebounds.

It is growing pains like these that can produce tournament debacles like previous first round losses to Bradley and Bucknell. It is those same mistakes that can mold a team capable of reaching the sport’s pinnacle, as the 2008 Jayhawks did.

2008 will forever be a topic of discussion for us and those after. Immediate reactions to the year’s big events are abundant, but the lasting impression has yet to be shaped. It is our generation that will both decide how we will be remembered and it is our generation that will write the book on 2008 and the years after.

Lawrence editions of that text will have a notable crimson and blue tint to them.

From the sports desk: Good night, and good luck.