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University Daily Kansan, September 16, 1980
Muscle-stretching exercises are just part of the exhausting routine during the Jayhawks' daily football practice.
Countdown to kickoff
Behind-the-scenes activities a part of KU's game plan
Melissa Miller and Brad Hall, KU Spirit Squad members, work to perfect an acrobatic stunt for the first home football game.
Halftime wouldn't be the same without the Jayhawk Marching Band. It takes the band two hours a day, four days a week to prepare the halftime shows for every home game.
The stands at Memorial Stadium are empty now, but the work goes on.
On the field the football team runs its plays. Around the stadium the maintenance crew and concession workers add the final touches. On the practice fields around Allen Field House the marching band and cheerleaders perfect their routines.
"We start right after the KU relays in the spring," said Floyd Temple, supervisor of maintenance and stadium preparation. "We move the baseball bleachers over to the south end zone, then check the seats to see if any repairs are needed."
Although the University of Kansas does not open its home football season until Saturday, preparations have been under way for some time.
DURING THE SUMMER, general maintenance work continues under the direction of Norm Stuart, maintenance foreman, and his seven-man crew. In the spring, Stuart and his group make sure numbers are clearly painted on all the seats.
As game day approaches, the maintenance crew is faced with some less conventional problems.
First, a jayhawk must be painted at midfield and letters, stripes and numbers must be painted on the field.
Next, crews have to go into the stands to take care of the pigeon problem. Pigeons like to roost near the press box on the west side of the stadium.
Under the stands in the north end of the stadium, people also are setting up. Since March, Kevin Remick, who is in charge of concessions at the stadium, has been busy ordering food supplies for the stadium's 60 strategically-placed concession stands. For the first game, he must have 20 tons of ice on hand.
IN JULY, REMICK moved his office to the stadium to supervise the proceedings. By game day, he has to have things ready to go for the 350 to 400 people hired to work in the concession stands and sell drinks throughout the stadium.
"I am much like the football coach," Remick said. "I have to have a game plan."
As Remick works on his game plan and Don Fambricht tries to convey his to the football team on the field, the cheerleading squad is getting its act together at Allen Field House.
Under the direction of Tom Johnson, the 10 men and 10 women have been working together since they were chosen in April.
After practicing two hours a day in the spring, they worked together for three weeks during the summer.
"There may be much more glory in athletics, but a lot of people still think it's neat to be a cheerleader or yell-leader at the University of Kansas," he said. "We do have a certain reputation to unhold."
THE SQUAD is now back to working three to five hours a day, Johnson said.
Another group with a good reputation
practices outdoors next to Allen. The marching band, about 270 strong, has been practicing together since orientation week.
Now the group practices four afternoons a week for an hour and a half, said Tom Stidham, assistant director of bands.
The band, which is directed by Robert Foster, already has gained some game experience. Sunday the group traveled to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., to play at the Chiefs game. The show Saturday at KU should be similar, said Stidham.
WHILE THE PRINCIPAL groups near completion of their work, many details are being worked out clear up until game day.
The University of Kansas Athletic Association must set up a shuttle bus service to take fans to and from the stadium; Nancy Welsh, athletic ticket manager, has to oversee the eleven ticket sellers hired to work the game; Stuart must hire six to eight extras to help with game-day maintenance and another 15 to help with the clean-up.
The list goes on and on
At 10 a.m. the day of the game, Temple and Stuart make a final check to make sure everything is ready.
Two hours later the stands will begin to fill up. The field will be brightly painted; concession stands will be doing big business, and the band and the football team will be ready to take the field amid the cheers of the fans and the cheerleaders.
Only then can the game begin.
Story by ARNE GREEN
Norm Stewart, KUAC maintenance supervisor, and KUAC employees Keith Noland and Terry Lynch wet down the artificial turf in Memorial Stadium before an afternoon practice. The team can get accustomed to playing on a rain-sacked toilet.
Photos by DAVE KRAUS