Mass. Street hosts football block party

Originally published September 2, 2010 at 9:56 p.m., updated September 2, 2010 at 9:57 p.m.

The rain pouring down on Kansas football fans at the downtown block party to kick off the 2010-2011 season yesterday didn’t dampen their spirits at all. Instead the scene turned from a block party to a bar party.

The 1000 block of Massachusetts Street was closed off for the commencement of a new season of football and the new season of the Hawk Talk radio show at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1012 Mass. St.

The main ceremonies ended at 6 p.m. due to the rain, but inside Buffalo Wild Wings it was another story.

“It’s great to see people excited for the season,” Gill said after his radio show.

Gill said the enthusiasm he saw in the crowd made him more thrilled for tomorrow’s season opener against North Dakota State. He said meeting the community that supported his football team meant a lot to him because Kansas football needed its passion.

Laura Porter, a University graduate, said she was pleased to see the diehard fans come out despite the rain. She said she was looking forward to see a new season and new coach.

“I think he is a real positive coach and gets the best out of his players,” Porter said.

Porter’s son got to shake Gill’s hand on his way out of the restaurant. She was impressed with Gill’s desire to meet people and said that experience was worth braving the rain.

There were plenty of people there to meet. According to Jonathan Lee, a graduate student from San Francisco, there was no sitting room anywhere in Buffalo Wild Wings leading up to or during the radio show.

“Considering the weather, this place was surprisingly full,” Lee said while wearing his Jayhawk attire.

Lee has seen Gill coach before, and he was interested in seeing him again at this time at KU. Lee saw Gill coach at the University of Buffalo two years ago and has liked him since then. Like Porter, Lee thought his positive persona is good for the team, and he was glad to see people come out and support the Jayhawks.

The rain clouds parted at around the same time Gill ended his first episode of Hawk Talk. Gill walked out of the restaurant and greeted a crowd of rain-resilient fans. The five captains for the 2010 season were also outside, and senior Angus Quigley commiserated with the fans.

“I know it wasn’t easy to be out here, but we appreciate it,” Quigley said.

After a quick word of gratitude from the other captains, Gill took back the microphone and gave one final message through the speakers, projecting his voice down the block.

“We are going to show you some great things this year.”

— Edited by Abby Davenport

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