KANSAN
1, 2007
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007
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Beattie
Field supervisor brings pride, school spirit to humble profession
BY EMILY SOENER editor@kansan.com
on the wall of George
Hanging on Barnes' office is a painting that serves as a steadfast reminder that he and his crew are doing more than mowing grass and laying fertilizer.
forming their job's tasks, Barnes and his crew are very involved in Homecoming.
Barnes is the
Four or five years ago, Barnes and his crew were cleaning around Memorial
"He brings a lot of knowledge on events and day-to-day operations. I rely on George a lot."
George Barnes, KU Athletics Department field supervisor, has been with the University of Kansas for eight years. With a father who graduated from the University, Barnes has been a lifelong KU fan, and he instills this school spirit in his full-time crew every year when he prepares Memorial Stadium for the Homecoming name.
JAY ELLIS Athletic facilities director
and blue that is sprinkled with varying depictions of the mythical Jayhawk. Amidst this sea was a painting the crew thought was exceptional. They discarded the rest, but chose to hang this particular painting in their office.
Stadium after a Homecoming football game. There they came across the paintings that the fraternities and sororites create each year. The paintings create a sea of crimson
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
e University of Kansas' official field supervisor. He and a crew of three full-time members maintain all athletic fields. Barnes and his crew mow, apply fertilizers and pesticides and in general prepare all of the fields campus for
both practices and games.
Barnes said he truly enjoyed his job at the University because he loved being a part of the many traditions. His dad was a KU student
"George is working with the coaching staff, the players and the students. He's just great."
By appreciating traditions such as the paintings in addition to per-
JAY ELLIS Athletic facilities director
who graduated from the School of Pharmacy.
"I have been a KU fan my whole life because of him." Barnes said.
able to reap the benefits both professionally and personally. He is able to encounter new challenges on the professional field and as a life-long
Barnes has worked as the field supervisor for eight years and has been
fan, his encounters with players and coaches give him personal enjoyment. The work Barnes does for the University differs from his previous 20-year career as a factory worker. He was laid off and then started doing landscaping.
new career just sort of evolved."
"I worked at a golf course in Topeka before I came to KU," Barnes said. "My job now is not exactly landscaping, but it is similar. This
Barnes's extensive experience has put him in high standing with his colleagues.
"He brings a lot of knowledge on events and day-to-day operations," Jay Ellis, KU athletic facilities director, said. "I rely on Georgia a lot."
Barnes' job allows many opportunities for personal contact with members of the Athletics Department.
"George is great working with the coaching staffs, the players and the students. He's just great," Ellis said.
Barnes and his staff enjoy the atmosphere of the Homecoming game, but as far as their work is concerned, it will be business as usual.
"From our perspective, there really is not too much special preparation for homecoming," he said. "We prepare the same for homecoming
as we do with Band Day or anything like that."
Barnes, admittedly reserved in nature, said he was proud to work for the University. He, and many others, work hard behind the scenes so the players can take a playable field.
—Edited by Chris Beattie
What do you think? BY ALEXANDRA GARRY
BY ALEXANDRA GARRY
MARCUS POLSEN Elwood sophomore
"My senior year in high school I came to a basketball game; I liked the atmosphere so much I decided to come to stay."
ASHLEE LUND
Sioux Falls, S.D., junior
WHY DID YOU COME TO KU?
"The Jayhawks made me want to come here. The campus is great and, when I transferred, I liked the range of majors available."
SCOTT MONTANA Leawood freshman
WINT COOK
Paola freshman
"I've always thought of KU as the place to go to college. I didn't apply anywhere else; I just knew this was the place for me."
"It was far enough from home I could move out, but close enough I could go back if I needed to."
KAYLEIGH PETERSON
Overland Park freshmar
PAUL BURMAN Kansas City freshman "I like basketball, I kind of liked the school, and it was close."
NICK MANCINI Los Angeles sophomore
Overland Park freshman "For the way awesome basketball and for the foreign language and international studies programs."
NATHAN HERGOTT
Overland Park freshman
"I lived in O.P., it was close and it's a good party school."
VALERIE SKUBAL
Shawnee sophomore
"I like Lawrence a lot. It's beautiful; I love the trees. I was freaking out a lot the first time snow fell, but that's okay – I'm happy I came."
ALLIE KRUKOWSKI Chicago sophomore
"I knew Lawrence pretty well and it's far enough away that I can be free, but close enough so I can visit my parents whenever I want."
ALLIE KRUKOWSKI
chicago sophomore
"I liked the environment here,
everybody was really friendly and I
wanted to get far away from home."
MOHITINDERVIR SANDHU Overland Park junior "It's cheaper than many universities - and closer to home."
Use daily clues to find hints that lead to the medallion. The First to find the medallion and turn it into the table at Wescoe wins. Organizations receive 75 points and a single winner gets a prize pack.