KU vs. SMU
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
Game begins at 1 p.m.
Memorial Stadium
Kansan
Homecoming 1999
Friday October 1,1999 Section: B
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Booed, beaten and battered
Kansas football looks to regain respect, confidence from fans
During halftime of the San Diego State game, Kansas was booed by 34,000 fans who were displeased with the 31-0 score.
was one of the
was one of the worst moments of coach Terry Allen's career
"If we've ever been deserving of being booed, it was at the end of the first half," he said. The Jayhawks must play better tomorrow, it could be
a twenty thing. Allen said after the Colorado game, that was the lowest he'd felt in his career.
14 Southern Methodist, 0-3 on the season and one of the worst defensive and offensive teams in the country, beats Kansas, more of the same could happen.
The Mustangs rank 98th nationally in offense and have scored a total of 19 points in three games this season. "I'm glad we're playing SMU!" Allen said.
Though that sounds like a statement that could be put up in the Mustang locker room, but Allen has a point. Not only does Southern Methodist have offensive woes, but its defense is ranked 99th.
Not that Kansas is much better, 86th in offense and 109th in defense, but it has played traditional powerhouses such as Notre Dame and Colorado, while Southern Methodist has
HOMECOMING GAME
Southern Methodist Mustangs (0-3) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (1-3)
When: 1 p.m. tomorrow
(USPS-650-640)
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Memorial Stadium
WHERE: Memorial Stadium
Radio/TV: 105.9 FM and 1320 AM
History: SMU leads series 3-1, including a 33-14 victory in the teams' last meeting in 1955.
plaved Hawaii and Tulane.
Kansas is desperate for a win, which could play to their favor too.
Kansas is desperate for a player which could play to their favor too. "We have to have a win on Saturday," right tackle Justin Hartwig said. "We have eight games left. A win is obviously going to be big for us."
A win could accompany the changes Allen wants to make.
He hasn't disclosed the exact changes, but he has indicated they might include personnel and scheme changes. The biggest change might be at quarterback where back-up Dylen Smith has taken most of the snaps during the last three games. Zac Wegner has started all four games, but Smith's performance and increased playing time might indicate a change.
"More or less we're simplifying our offense," left tackle John Oddonetto said.
That's because a plethora of things have gone wrong — what Allen called a debacle across the board.
The defense has been shredded the last two weeks, allowing more than 500 yards of total offense. The soft zone Kansas played last week will be gone, and an emphasis on run defense will be in place because Allen doesn't want the Jayhawks to get behind early.
"Guys are trying to limit mistakes they've made," fullback Tyrus Fontenot said.
Turnovers by the offense have stopped the Jayhawks from the taking the lead first in all their losses, which is what Allen wants to change.
"We have to make something good happen early," he said.
"Let's take the ball first and see if we can make something happen early."
Beyond that, tomorrow will be a surprise. Allen has been mum on his changes this week in order to surprise the Mustangs.
Some question if homecoming glory is thing of the past
Band director says '70s were the peak
By Loni O'Reilly
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
By Lori O'Toole
It was his first year as the University of Kansas band director, and Bob Foster led the marching band onto the field in front of more than 51,000 fans that packed into Memorial Stadium's bleachers and saw the Jayhawks defeat the Kansas State University Wildcats 39-13.
During halftime, Baby Jay hatched from a large blue egg, forever changing the University's mascot culture.
It was Homecoming 1971, and the celebration served as a successful revival of traditions.
"Homecoming-types of festivities weren't in vogue and weren't popular," he said. "The question was, was there going to be a homecoming?"
be a homecoming Foster said it was a low point for the University's homecoming traditions — a time which was followed by a period of energized homecomings with strong support and involvement.
And he said the low has come full circle with a lack of student,
staff and community events and interest.
This year, there are two University-wide events scheduled to celebrate Homecoming: a parade on this afternoon and the football game tomorrow afternoon.
"It needs to be reenergized," he said. "It could be as big or grand or wonderful as anyone has imagined."
Foster remembers strong homecoming years when as many as 10,000 students filed into the Allen Fieldhouse during homecoming weekends to see big acts such as Sonny and Cher, Bob Hope or Roy Clark perform.
Kelly Jo Karnes, assistant director of Greek programs, said no traditional events were scheduled by any chapter houses.
There are no University-wide alumni events scheduled.
Donna Neuner, Alumni Association director of membership services, said her most memorable University Homecoming was in 1983.
"It was a rainy day, and the sun came out right when we started to do well," she said. "There was so much camaraderie among the fans."
HOMECOMING TRADITIONS
Past bonfires and pep rally also brought students, alumni
Although there were only two campuswides events scheduled for Homecoming Day this weekend, the University has a couple of other homecoming traditions. They include:
The EXCEL Award for Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership, which Student Union Activities and the Board of Class Officers awards to two students. The recipients are honored at the parade
The ExCEL Award for
Each year, the Black Student Union names a Homecoming king and queen based on $1 donations collected by the nominees. This year's royalty are Layd Kline, St. Louis senior, and Keena McClendon, Kansas City, Mo., senior.
and the community together.
and during pregame ceremonies. This year's winners were Brenda Chung, Hong Kong senior, and Eric Rush, Topeka junior.
and the community together. Although some recall past homecomings, others look to successful festivities at other state universities, particularly Kansas State University, which has a week of activities each year.
Jason Heinrich, Kansas State student body president, said the band played in the student union on Monday of homecoming week each year to kick off the festivities.
That pep rally is followed by university-wide banner and enchant contests, a bonfire, a parade and the game.
"There's an increased level of
excitement all week long," he said. "The campus is buzzing, and there so many things going on."
Jonathan Alt, Winnetka, Ill., senior, said he had overheard students wishing homecoming could be more like Kansas State's.
Stacy Chain, Garden City senior and Homecoming promotions chairwoman, said that many University students did not even know that the Homecoming Weekend was this weekend.
She said the University should assign to a homecoming more
like Hawk Week.
"It would be awesome," she said. "It would be difficult, but it would be good."
Foster said that the popularity of homecoming activities could be cyclical and that future homecomings could be stronger, just as they were in the years following the revival celebration of 1971.
This year's homecoming is set apart by an attempt to revive an old tradition.
For example, this year's planning committee came close to scheduling a University-wide bonfire.
However, disputes about its location prevented the event from being scheduled.
Chain said there were also 30 floats registered to be in this afternoon's parade — one of the highest numbers yet. She said some floats represented community organizations, such as the Boy Scouts.
Foster said that there needs to be a lot of work to make homecoming traditions a bigger deal.
"The part we are involved in works pretty well," Foster said. "For more to happen, a bigger cross-section of the University and community needs to commit to the changes."
Rock Chalk Jayhawk
Mascots share what it's like to frolic inside the mythical creature.
See page 16B
Got your reservation?
See page 4B
If not, you are probably out of luck. Most Lawrence hotels are booked nearly a year in advance.
An American tradition
International students experience their first homecoming celebration here.
See page 12B
These crowded streets
Campus, city police offer advice on how to survive game-day traffic.
.
See page 3B