Monday, October 20, 2008
The University Daily Kansan, in conjunction with Student Senate and University Relations, is promoting an effort to replace the chant that has become associated with kickoffs at Jayhawk football games in recent seasons.
The chant, “rip his f*cking head off,” which was taken from dialogue in the 1998 Adam Sandler movie “The Waterboy,” has been criticized for its vulgarity and lack of class. Shouted by Kansas fans as a kicker sends the ball downfield, the chant has come to be a primary complaint for those wanting a family-friendly atmosphere at Memorial Stadium.
Adam McGonigle, Wichita junior and student body president, said the current chant didn’t accurately reflect the sentiment of the majority of Jayhawk fans.
“I don’t think the chant that’s being echoed is very original, and I think it’s very offensive to some people in the crowd,” McGonigle said. “I think a lot of students are interested in being more respectful.”
Several days before the Jayhawks’ game against Colorado last week, University Relations distributed an e-mail to students featuring a video in which Kansas football coach Mark Mangino addressed Jayhawk football fans, requesting them to stop saying the chant.
“There are mixed reports as to how well it went at the last game, but I think it has improved,” McGonigle said. “Students who did it were in the minority.”
Matt Erickson, editor in chief of The Kansan, said the paper would have a selection of alternatives posted on Kansan.com today. Fans will have the opportunity to vote online for a new chant, which may be introduced during Saturday’s game against Texas Tech.
“I want it to be something uniquely suited to KU,” Erickson said. “Our other traditions are unique to the school, like the Jayhawk mascot. The current chant is better suited to a more generic school with a generic mascot, like a Tiger or Wildcat.”
Voting for the new chant will conclude on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
— — Edited by Rachel Burchfield
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Comments
Kansan, Senate encourage students to vote online for new chant
These options are horrible. At least the RHFO chant is distinctive - offensive, but distinctive. These options are just too white bread. Why copy the Irish and why bastardize the Rock Chalk?
I am in favor of an alternative chant, but people will only change if they are given a suitable replacement. I don't think that these cut the mustard. They lack a certain sentiment (violence maybe?) that is inherent in the RHFO chant.
Beak 'em Hawks.
Kansan, Senate encourage students to vote online for new chant
I agree completely- much like the replacements for the "Muck Fizzou" t-shirts last year, these chants lack the "bite" and sentiment for violence that football fans love. It sounds like a bunch of people who never went to football games got together and thought of the lamest ideas.
I wanted to vote for "Rip his f**king head off" but there wasn't an option for that...
Kansan, Senate encourage students to vote online for new chant
How about RIP (Rest in Peace) - just without the obsenities. Does that work for anyone?
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