SAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012
PAGE 7
UNIVERSITY
NICK SMITH/KANSAN
A KU drum major taking stries down Jayhawk Boulevard. Before signaling a musical selection during the 2011 "From Lawrence with Love" homecoming parade in Lawrence.
KU band marches on
lhavens@kansan.com
LYNDSEY HAVENS
Regardless of victory or defeat, there is one group of dedicated students who manage to keep spirits high: The Marching lawhaws.
Cody Janousek, a senior from Lawrence, has been a band member all four years of his college experience.
Janousek said although a normal half-time show includes only current band members, the Homecoming half-time show includes visiting alumni.
"It's a little stressful to prepare for because we just play one song with the alumni where normally we would be playing two movements," he said. "So I guess the Alumni Band is different in that we need to let them have their fun too. They get their chance to go out
there too and play something that everyone is going to like"
Janousek said he appreciated the Alumni Band and said he would consider joining once he has graduated.
"I just feel like you play the instrument so much that it becomes a part of your college experience, so to be able to play it again would be like Cole Aldrich coming to play in our basketball game," he said. "It's just fun to get back in."
Jeff Underwood, vice president of the Alumni Band Chapter, is a Lawrence native and graduated in 1980. Underwood has played with the Alumni Band for about 30 years.
"Some of my fondest memories are in the marching band, especially the people you meet," Underwood said. "A marching band is a shared personal experience. I wanted to
maintain that. It's great to come back and see guys whom I haven't seen in a long time."
Underwood said there are many differences between a band member versus an Alumni Band member.
PARADE
"Generally our shows are pretty simple which is good because a lot of the guys haven't marched in a while or march once a year, like me," he said.
Differences aside, Underwood said the reunion and collaboration is a good time.
—Edited by Allison Kohn
The band marches in its 99th annual homecoming. This year, the KU band is head of the homecoming parade Friday on Jayhawk Boulevard.
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
New parade route to celebrate 100th homecoming
ERICA STAAB
estaab@kansan.com
"Century Long, Tradition Strong." In celebration of this theme, next week's centennial homecoming will bring back a homecoming tradition. The homecoming parade, held on Saturdays for the past 10 years, is scheduled for Friday this year.
"This year we wanted to do the parade on Friday," said Kayla Boal, parade committee chair. "It was held on Fridays about ten years ago, and we thought we would bring back the old tradition since it is the 100th year of homecoming."
The committee members also
The date change wasn't the only alteration the committee made to this year's parade.
hoped that holding the event on Friday would encourage more students and community members to participate. It is scheduled for 6 p.m.
"We flipped the route," Boal said. "It now starts at the Chi Omega Fountain and ends at the Alumni Association."
the route.
With the new route, parade spectators will follow the floats to the Alumni Association parking lot where a pep rally is scheduled directly after the parade. The committee also added food vendors, that will be stationed throughout
"We just want it to be fun for the people," Boal said.
Boal said any student group or organization can participate by making a float or walking in the parade. Groups can enter their floats in either the competitive or non-competitive category.
The Marching Jayhawks perform in the homecoming parade every year. Band member Collin Fassold, a senior from Oathe, will be marching in the parade for the fourth time at this year's homecoming.
"The parade is a lot of fun as a marching band member," Fassold said. "We get to march with the alumni members. To be able to
hear the stories of the ones who came before us is a great experience."
The KU Alumni Band, community members and students participating in the parade are all a part of the homecoming tradition.
"I would say that to truly appreciate KU, you must immerse yourself in the tradition." Boal said. "The parade is something you have to see to believe. It's just such a special tradition."
Fassold agrees. He said traditions such as homecoming and the parade are what unite and connect the University.
"I think everyone should be just as excited as the committee," Baol said. "We need to take advantage of
Various organizations got together to participate in last year's homecoming parade on Javahk Boulevard.
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
— Edited by Joanna Hlavacek
being here as students during the 100th homecoming*
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