‘Hawk Talk’ programs attract restaurant customers
Live radio programs feature coaches Self, Henrickson and Mangino
Hosts benefit from increased attendance and advertising on program nights.
By Luke Morris (Contact)
Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
Radio programs with Jayhawk coaches have given three Lawrence restaurants a way to draw in customers and support the University of Kansas athletics teams. At the same time, successful seasons increase program attendance.
Paddy O’Quigley’s, 200 McDonald Drive, Henry T’s Bar and Grill, 3520 W. Sixth St., and Salty Iguana, 4931 W. Sixth St., all play host to “Hawk Talk” radio programs featuring coaches from Jayhawk sports teams. During the program, coaches will talk about previous games, upcoming games and player progress and sometimes answer fans’ questions.
Photo by Weston White
Kansas head coach Bill Self answers a callers question during the Hawk Talk radio show. The show runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Monday.
Monday night more than 115 people were at the Salty Iguana as men’s basketball coach Bill Self recorded his “Hawk Talk” program live in the restaurant. Customers seated out of view of Self lined up against a wall, drinking from glasses with a portrait of an iguana-like Self on them. One employee said that attendance was increasing with every victory.
Chris Atkins, hospitality manager at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe, 707 W. 23rd St., said that when his restaurant played host to “Hawk Talk” with Self two seasons ago, 75 to 100 customers showed up for the program. He said that many regulars would attend “Hawk Talk” every week.
“There were quite a few people who came in week after week to listen to what Coach had to say,” Atkins said.
Carlos O’Kelly’s did not renew its contract to play host to the show. Salty Iguana signed a three-year contract to play host to Self’s program beginning last season.
The allures of hosting the programs are customer attraction and advertising, according to Jason Booker, general manager of Jayhawk Sport Marketing.
“We give hosts plenty of advertising benefits,” Booker said. “They’re on the video board at games and in the programs.”
Henry T’s plays host to women’s basketball “Hawk Talk” with coach Bonnie Henrickson. Manager Sean Gerrity said that plenty of customers came in on “Hawk Talk” nights to listen to Henrickson.
“We just wanted to get more business and more people in here."
—Matthew Rudy, Patty O'Quigley's food and beverage manager
“We typically get around 40 to 80 customers on those nights, but it’s been around 100 before,” Gerrity said. “That’s about 30 to 50 percent more customers than other nights.”
Paddy O’Quigley’s food and beverage manager Matthew Rudy said that his restaurant picked up “Hawk Talk” with football coach Mark Mangino for the customer attraction.
“We just wanted to get more business and more people in here,” Rudy said. “We’re a sports bar, so having him here was a great fit.”
Booker said that most often Jayhawk Sports Marketing approached venues about playing host for the programs, but that there was still competition to play host.
“They love having that tie with being a part of KU athletics,” Booker said. “It’s an integral part of the community. It is a branding of ‘Hey we’re involved with KU.’”
Neither Jayhawk Sports Marketing nor any restaurant would reveal what was paid to play host, but Gerrity said that Henry T’s had previously quit playing host to Henrickson’s program for a few years because the rights were “too expensive.” He also said that Henry T’s couldn’t afford “Hawk Talk” with Self or Mangino.
“Hawk Talk” programs air on two stations in Lawrence, KLWN 1320 AM and KLZR 105.9 FM.
— Edited by Katherine Loeck
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Who knew there was a Paddy's in Lawrence???
In the Holidome.
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