No Sweat
Football game stands test of time as popular homecoming tradition
TRADITIONALLY, THE FOOTBALL GAME IS ALWAYS one of the most entertaining events during the homecoming weekend.
The Jayhawks' homecoming record since 1912 is 33-44-5, and the team this year will try to win its sixth consecutive homecoming game.
During the years,homecoming games have been played against a back drop of unusual events and changing tastes.
In 1918, the homecoming game against the Missouri Tigers was canceled because of a flu epidemic. It also had been tradition that the Jayhawks play Missouri for homecoming every year.
Because of the epidemic, Kansas played the Kansas Aggies on Thanksgiving Day. The Kansas team added another homecoming game victory to the record books.
"It was fortunate for the Tigers that they had the flu," a 1918 University Daily Kansan reporter wrote. "As Kansas would have beaten any team the way they were going after the 1st quarter."
In the 1970s, people often were drawn
to homecoming weekend by the performances of popular music groups. The Beach Boys, the Righteous Brothers, and Sonny and Cher are a few of the musical acts that have performed for homecoming.
The school still has bands perform during the weekend, but they aren't the big name attractions that once drew huge crowds.
In 1977, more than 440 alumni members returned to Lawrence and went to the Hill for the game.
Now the game takes center stage during homecoming weekend. Last year, the Jayhawks defeated Oklahoma State University 24-14. It was one of the Jayhawks' three home victories in a 6-5 year.
But football game attendance has declined. Last year, the homecoming game had the lowest attendance of all games. Only 31,000 people attended.
Although the game remains a big event for alumni, it doesn't attract some students.
This year Kansas will play the Iowa State Cyclones. The Jayhawks have a
HOMECOMING STREAK
Kansas has not lost a homecoming game in the past 5 years. A look at previous homecoming contests:
□ 1990 Kansas 27, Kansas State 24
□ 1991 Kansas 41, Iowa State 0
□ 1992 Kansas 27, Oklahoma 10
□ 1993 Kansas 35, Iowa State 20
□ 1994 Kansas 24, Oklahoma State 14
record of 5-6 against Iowa State at past homecoming games.
The last two homecoming games, in 1993 and in 1991, in which Kansas played Iowa State, were blow outs. Kansas won both of them by more than two touchdowns.
This year, the Cyclones after four games are in second-to-last place with a record of 2-2.
But the Jayhawks must take the game seriously. Iowa State has the No. 2 rushing offense in the Big Eight Conference.
However, Kansas has started off to a good year. Not since 1981 have the Jayhawks started the season with a 4-0 record. The team also has broken in to the top 25 polls again.
— BY BRETT PAULSEN
THE HARBOUR LIGHTS 1031 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Ks 841-1960
Homecoming Specials
1st 1/2 Gallon Jug of HONEY BROWN $8.00
Refills of HONEY BROWN only $6.00
And you get to take the jug home!
Monday
$1.00 Draws/$1.25 Premium Draws
Tuesday
$2.50 Premium Jam Jars/$1.50 Premium Draw
Wednesday
LIVE JAZZ
$1.50 Wells
Thursday
$1.75 Jam Jars/ $.75 Draws
Friday
$1.50 Miller Highlife bottles
$3.00 "Import of the Week"
Saturday
$3.00 Big Import bottles
$3.00 Premium Jam Jars
Sunday
$5.50 Pitchers of Premium Beer
LIVE MUSIC Wednesdays and Sundays
50¢ Games of Pool Everyday
10
Homecoming
> Hill October 11, 1995