THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2007
BASKETBALL PREVIEW
》 SPIRIT
15C
Members of the KU band play during a football game this season. A smaller band travels with the men's basketball team throughout the season, including trips during the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Band adds to atmosphere
BY BRANDON SAYERS
bsayers@kansan.com
Jeremy Vitt closed his eyes, took one deep breath and blew that first note through his saxophone. This could only mean one thing for Vitt: It's officially basketball season.
Vitt, Hiawatha sophomore, is a saxophone player for the KU basketball band, which plays at all home basketball games and travels to the postseason tournaments. The season officially began for the band at this years "Late Night in the Phog," the same event that marked the beginning of the Jayhawk basketball team's season.
"It was a very long night, but a lot of fun," Vitt said. "The team looked a lot more together this 'Late Night' than a year ago. Last year everyone was beating the hell out of one another, and this year we
actually looked alright."
Many students know little about the basketball band besides the songs that it plays, but there are plenty of meaningful customs and traditions within the program. One basketball band tradition is its superstitious grooming procedures come tournament time.
"We do have the ritual that once we begin the Big 12 Tournament, we don't shave or cut our hair until we've lost. It's a fun thing we do that shows our commitment to the team," Vitt said.
Another interesting tradition the band has kept up by a generous fan known as "The Coke Lady"
"We play a song for her at every game and she buys everyone in the band a coke." Vitt said.
The song the band plays for her drink donation? Frank Sinatras "It Had To Be You"
who has passed," Vitt said. "So it's pretty cool."
It is usually basketball season in Lawrence by this time of the year, but with the football team's success this season, the hype surrounding the basketball team seems to be a little less noticeable.
"It reminds her of her husband
"It's funny because we have one of the best basketball teams in the nation," Vitt said. "But right now, no one cares. Everyone's still talking about this football team."
But Vitt still classifies the basketball band as one of the most unique and enjoyable experiences of his life.
"It's just an awesome experience," Vitt said. "You get to go to all the games and you get to travel with all the players. That's the coolest thing about it."
Edited by Eric Jorgensen
TRADITION
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Kate D'Avanzo, Oceanside, Calif., sophomore, colors in a Little Mermaid coloring book as she camps at Allen Fieldhouse last season. D'Avanzo and five friends camped for almost a week. "I got here at 6 a.m., and I'll be here until noon. That's what happens when you have a small camping group," D'Avanzo said. Camping group sizes can be as large as 30 people.
Loyal fans camp for seats
BY ARIELLE HERNANDEZ
editor@kansan.com
With basketball season officially underway, anxious students will pack the lobby in Allen Fieldhouse, waiting for hours, and even days, just to have the chance to pick perfect seats along the篮球 court.
Camp outs for prestigious seats in Allen Fieldhouse are organized and operated by students and are a longstanding tradition at the University of Kansas. The tradition consists of unofficial rules that are strictly followed by the student groups that participate.
"Camping out is an unforgettable experience and the waiting is always worth it," said Nathan Mack, Lawrence junior. "It's exciting to be part of a KU tradition and have the possibility of getting a really good seat."
five to six days before each home basketball game, students gather their groups and partake in a lottery. Five members from the group
must be present at the lottery, where they draw a number establishing their ranking from one to how ever many groups participate. The lottery is completely random to ensure that each group has a fair chance at a low number. The group who pulls the lowest number will be the first to enter the stadium two hours prior to game time, the group who pulls the next lowest number will be second to enter, and so on, down the list.
In the days leading up the game, attendance of the groups is called, which requires at least one member from each group to be present from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Students usually plan shifts to be sure a member is always present in case attendance is taken. Attendance can be called arbitrarily, ranging from every half hour to once a day, and can be called by any student. If a student group is not represented when attendance is called, the entire group will be knocked off the list, allowing for other groups to move up a spot.
games. In addition, restaurants and food venues sometimes offer free food to keep the students occupied and happy.
"The purpose is to get students pumped for the game," said Brianna Saunders, Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada junior. "While waiting, we get to see some of the athletic staff pass by, and players even come and hang out."
To pass the time, campers play
Freshmen are able to experience the basketball tradition of camping out as University students for the first time as the upcoming season approaches, and some have already experienced a minor version of it during Late Night at the Phog.
Matt Ransom, O'Fallon Mo., freshman, is looking forward to participating in camp outs as a new student this year.
"I am really excited to gather my group and to get good seats for the games," he said. "The rules are still a little confusing to me, but they will just take some getting used to."
What do you think? BY ALEX DUEEK
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PAUL PIERCE AND THE CELTICS' CHANCES FOR SUCCESS THIS SEASON WITH THE ADDITION OF KEVIN GARNETT AND RAY ALLEN?
MAX FREED Highland Park, Ill. sonhomore
"I think when they go out and get some high profile veteran superstars it should help them immediately in terms of competing in the east. You're only as strong as the weakest link in the chain so having some all- stars around should definitely help him."
BRETT BAUER Clay Center freshman
"They will make it to the playoffs but with the addition of Garnett and Allen they traded away all their young players and won't have the depth to make a deep run."
KELLY GAYNOR
Darien. Ill., senior
"I think this is a very beneficial move on the Celtics part and hopefully they win the championship."
PATRICK HAWEKOTTE Overland Park junior "I think they will be a great addition to the team, although I don't follow basketball too closely."
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