2B
CHRISTIAN S. HARDY
@ByHardy
LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG
KANSAN.COM
SKYLAR ROLSTAD
@SkyRolSports
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LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG TIMELINE
University Archives
1985
This is the beginning, the start of what has become "Late Night in the Phog," but was originally called "Late Night with Larry Brown," playing off "Late Night with David Letterman." At this time, Late Night was nothing more than just a scrimmage, drawing a small group of fans. Allen Fieldhouse was mostly empty — one-third full at most — for Brown's open practice of sorts. It started at 12:01 a.m., when practice for the 1985-86 season was finally allowed to start.
1999
The Lawrence Journal-World wrote that there was a "touching tribute" to Wilt Chamberlain, just four days after his death, before the scrimmage and dunks. One year after visiting, Collision sang while Eric Chenowith and Jeff Carey played guitar to Limp Bizkit songs. "That had to be the lowlight of the night, even more than my dancing." Williams told the Journal-World. It was also a hot one in Allen Fieldhouse, which does not have any form of air conditioning.
1986
In just its second year, Late Night began growing, still under the "Late Night with Larry Brown" moniker. About 6,000 attended as Larry Bud Melman was the guest of honor and signed autographs.
1988
This year was called "Later with Roy Williams" and drew about 10,000 fans, according to the Lawrence Journal-World. The high-light of this year was junior college transfer Alonzo Jamison pulling down the backboard's support post in warm ups. "I've been in a lot of gyms," Roy Williams said in his first year as head coach. "But I've never seen anything like that." Williams also gave a speech to the student body and said: "There are certain times that you'll always remember and tonight — the reception I got from the student body — is something I'll always remember."
University Archives
1989
This is the first year that Late Night made it on the front page of the Kansan, although it was called "Midnight Court Saturday." Two bands, The Nace Brothers and Shooting Star, performed with "the distinct smell of marijuana in the Fieldhouse," the Lawrence Journal-World wrote. That said, Doug Vance, the director of sports and information and coordinator for the event, said, "I thought it got louder in Allen Fieldhouse tonight than I've ever seen it for a game."
1990
Late Night was now named "Late Night with Roy Williams," and went back to the free format after students paid to get in in 1989. "We'll never change again," said Jill Godfrey, assistant director of marketing. Comic David Naster was the entertainment, filling time before Homestead Grays, a local band, performed. Macolm Nash lip-synched "Can't Touch This," and four recruits took a visit.
1991
Adonis Jordan scored 25 points in the game to lead the way for Kansas in one of the best Late Night performances of all-time. "The shot was going in so I just kept pumping 'em up," Jordan said to the Journal-World. "But that's just my normal game." 7-foot-2 center Greg Ostertag sung Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places." Three recruits visited from across the U.S. Virginia, Salt Lake City and Garden City Community College.
1998
For the singing and dancing, the team put on an award show similar to the Oscars, but, instead, the players got "Naismiths" for their acting performances on the court. The crowd was 15,800, according to the Lawrence Journal-World. Williams and women's coach Marian Washington danced on the court. The Journal-World also ran a picture of recruit Kirk Hinrich, who was at the Fieldhouse to take in the event along with Nick Collison.
University Archives
This year was all about Scot Pollard. Still dressed in costume from an earlier skit, Pollard proposed to his then-girlfriend Mindy Camp in front of a packed house. "Egotistically speaking, I don't think that can be topped," Pollard told the Lawrence Journal-World. She, of course, said yes.
1996
1995
This, from all accounts, is the first time people were turned away at Late Night, with 2,000 or so not making it in, according to the Lawrence Journal-World. The Lawrence Journal-World wrote that Williams was, "literally amazed" with the entertainment at the event, including former Kansas football coach Glen Mason introducing the event by announcing, "Live from Allen Fieldhouse, it's Late Night With Roy Williams."
1994
This year featured four celebrity coaches: Hall-of-Famer George Brett and golf legend Tom Watson on one team, with Royals' outfielder Brian McRae and six-time Pro Bowl safety Deron Cherry. All of which are Kansas fans. 15,000 fans attended for the Roy Williams event. "George is my kind of guy." Williams told the Lawrence Journal-World. "I was trying to get the officials to call a technical on Watson, but they wouldn't do it."
2002
The final Late Night with Roy Williams was this one. According to the Journal-World, Jeff Hawkins imitated Dick Vitale as part of an "American Idol" skit, while Collison played Bob Knight and Jeff Graves played Stuart Scott. Williams was also happy with the addition of video boards that hung in the corners of the Fieldhouse. Williams called this day "the most fun I ever had (as as coach)," according to the Journal-World.
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