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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
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PAGE 6B
ANGELA HAWKINS
editor@kansan.com
PHOTOS COURTESY SPENCER RESEARCH LIBRARY
This story originally ran in the homecoming special section on Sept. 26.
As this is the University's 99th homecoming celebration, many traditions have developed in time.
Erin Rossiter, a senior from Omaha, Neb., said she thinks this is part of what makes the University great.
"KU is more than just a place where people teach and go to school," Rossiter said. "The traditions stay alive because without them wed just be any other school."
However, for better or worse, some traditions have faded to oblivion.
Here's a look back at some of the University's failed homecoming traditions.
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Doc Yak's Medicine Show
Students gather for Doc Yak's medicine show in 1946:
Back in the 1940s, homecoming week featured an event called "Doc Yak's Medicine Show." For it, an actor dressed as an old-fashioned doctor handed out sugar pills that he claimed would boost the school spirit in KU students and ensure a win in the homecoming football game.
Hobo Dav
In 1922 the first annual Hobo Day was celebrated. For it, students dressed in clothes resembling those of a hobo. Students also brought along old clothes to sell or exchange.
In a 1928 Hobo Days celebration, students in two vegetable trucks on campus had a vegetable fight.
The event was most popular in the 1920s and 1930s, but eventually faded away.
Duck Race
In 1935, students tried to orchestrate duck race on Potter Lake. Reports show that there was a good student turnout at the event, but the morning was pretty chilly and the ducks just huddled in the middle of the lake.
Eventually, the marching band's duck crossed the finish line — but it wasn't enough to save the tradition.
Concerts in the Fieldhouse
There used to be massive concerts in Allen Fieldhouse for students to enjoy the week of the big game. In 1971, Student Union Activities brought Bob Hope to perform in Allen Fieldhouse.
RIGHT: Bob and Delores Hope talk with students at Allen Fieldhouse in 1971.
A candidate for homecoming queen rides into Memorial Stadium in 1965.
Homecoming Queen
The University crowned its first homecoming queen in 1925. The tradition continued on an annual basis between 1933 and 1969. However, by the early 1970s, anti-Vietman War sentiments overshadowed the tradition and the University stopped crowning homecoming queens. At the same time, sororities and fraternities were encouraged not to decorate their houses for homecoming.
Eventually, sororities and fraternities got back into decorating their houses, but homecoming queens have not been crowned since. Now, the University celebrates two students' leadership, service and academic efforts with the Ex.C.E.L. Award.
final sense.
Clearinghouse has had ample time to dig around and make a ruling.
I'm not arguing for the eligibility or non-eligibility of the remaining two players.
In the weeks leading up to tax day on April 1, places like H&R Block hire hundreds of part-time employees to lighten the heavy load pushed upon them in tax season. It makes sense. I'm no math major, but the number of incoming freshmen this time of year — in every sport, not just football and basketball — is a pretty significant number. And if I'm not mistaken, most high schools graduate around the same time of the year. Why not hire a truckload of extra help in the summer so guys like Justin Hunter and the Kansas duo can get an answer before they turn 30?
I'm arguing for a ruling.
Maybe H&R Block can show the Clearinghouse how to handle a rush. They deal with the IRS; it can't be much worse.
Henderson ran up the middle and didn't stop until he reached the end zone for a 70-yard go-ahead touchdown run. Texas Tech took a 31-30 lead with which they would eventually win.
Edited by Jonathan Shorman
remaining on the game clock and the game on the line. On third and six from their own 30-yard line, Texas Tech stunned everyone — including the Kansas defense — by running a draw play to their running back Taurean Henderson.
The loss was an epic collapse and an embarrassment to the program. The Jayhawks have not been able to shake the loss against Texas Tech, as they've gone on to lose four consecutive games to the Red Raiders.
The losses haven't been ordinary, either. Kansas has allowed 30 points or more in
VIC SHEALY
Defensive coordinator
back to get him out of the rhythm."
pact on this ball game" Gill said. "We're looking at their team and what they're doing in 2011 and we're looking at what we're doing here in 2011."
What's happened thus far in 2011 does not bode well for the layhawks.
Texas Tech's offensive numbers, while not quite what they used to be, are still very daunting, as the Red Raiders average 523.3 yards of offense per game.
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Kansas defensive coordinator Vic Shealy said that, although he doesn't have the same running capabilities, Red Raiders' quarterback junior
to be ominous when taking a glance at what the Kansas defense has done in 2011, ranking last in the nation by allowing an average of 550 yards per game.
So when the Jayhawks take the field Saturday against Texas Tech, the odds will be against them to break the four-game losing skid. To overcome those odds, they'll have to have a defensive game plan that has not yet been seen in the previous matchups against the Red Raiders.
Edited by Jennifer DiDonato
"You've got to be able to pressure the quarterback to get him out of rhythm," Shealy said. "In three ball games, they've had 21 passes for over 20 yards. You've got to limit that big play, and no one's done it. Hopefully we can do it."
Facing a threatening offense, Kansas will need a new defensive strategy to beat Texas Tech. The Jayhawks have lost the last four games against the Red Raiders.