Final Four game to be aired at Fieldhouse

Fans get opportunity to mingle, create semifinal atmosphere

Students and faculty will be able to view Saturday's game at the Fieldhouse. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission and parking is free.

By Luke Morris (Contact)

Friday, April 4th, 2008

The Final Four is coming to Allen Fieldhouse — sort of.

Jayhawk fans who can’t make it to San Antonio will be able to watch Kansas’ Final Four game(s) from the video board in Allen Fieldhouse. Associate athletics director Jim Marchiony said that mascots and the pep band were scheduled to attend.

“We’re trying to create an atmosphere like San Antonio,” Marchiony said. “The atmosphere in Allen will probably be better because the Alamodome is so large.”

The event is open to the public.

Annie Booton, Leawood junior, said she thought watching the games in the Fieldhouse would be a great alternate plan for those who couldn’t miss class or afford to get to San Antonio.

“That’d be the perfect place for everyone to all be together,” Booton said. “It’s one thing for everyone to be on Mass Street but it’s another for everyone to be in the Phog.”

Colleen Standefer, Overland Park senior, said she would likely be a part of the crowd at Allen Fieldhouse. She said that the only downside that she could see to it was that those who wanted to drink couldn’t do so.

Marchiony said that Kansas Athletics played host to Final Four watch parties in previous years in which Kansas was in the Final Four. This will be the first time that the game will be broadcast on the video board, which was added to the Fieldhouse in 2005. Marchiony said in previous years screens were brought in for fans to watch the game on.

CBS may broadcast live shots from Allen Fieldhouse during the games. Marchiony said he alerted CBS that Kansas Athletics would be opening the Fieldhouse for the games.

Tip-off for Kansas’ semifinal game against North Carolina is scheduled for 7:47 Saturday night. Doors to the Fieldhouse will open at 7 p.m.

Should Kansas advance to the National Championship game on Monday night, tip-off is scheduled for 8:15, and doors will open at 7:30.

Admission and parking will be free for fans. Concessions and souvenir stands will also be open.

— Edited by Daniel Reyes

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