THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007
NEWS
FOOTBALL
3A
Jayhawks break attendance record
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
First four nonconference games attract average of 45,200 fans
This year the first four nonconference games attracted an average of 45,200 fans, about 2,000 more fans per game than the season average in 2006. Still, some fans choose to leave early at halftime.
BY THOR NYSTROM
tnystrom@kansan.com
A nonconference schedule rated the weakest among all Division I-A programs was not enough to prevent Kansas from breaking their single season attendance record in nonconference games. The Jayhawks attracted about 45,200 fans per game to their four nonconference contests.
The number is about 2,000 more fans per game than the second highest season — in 2006 the team averaged 43,000.
Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony said the Athletics Department, in tracking ticket sales over the winter, had been expecting the record.
"I think it shows, going against mediocre opponents and coming off a non-bowl season, that people really understand this football team has a chance to be special," Marchiony said.
Tricia West, Kansas City, Mo., senior and KU Color Guard member, said she had noticed a more packed stadium this year but that she hadn't sensed the same excitement amongst the crowd. She blamed the lethargy on a "weak schedule."
"It's kind of hard to tell because the games haven't been close," West said.
The two Mid-American Conference games attracted the most fans, with an announced attendance of 46,815 in the opener against Central Michigan, last year's MAC champion, and 48,112 against Toledo.
Announced attendance is based on the number of tickets sold, not the number of people in the stadium.
The nonconference slate featured four blowouts and a stadium that was rapidly thinning after the halftime of each game. Marchiony said he didn't think this reflected poorly
on the fans.
"We wish they would stay until the end, but we understand all the factors that go into that decision," Marchiony said. "In a close contest, I don't think those people would leave."
West, who must stay for the duration of the game, said students leave early because "people just want to go drinking." She expected more body painters and a full stadium in the fourth quarter during conference play.
With Big 12 bottom feeders Baylor and Iowa State making the trek to Lawrence this year, the Nebraska game might offer local fans the only opportunity to see a tight game. The fourth scheduled home conference game against Missouri was moved to Arrowhead Stadium the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Marchiony said the attendance record, along with the team's current 5-0 mark and No.20 National Ranking would help conference attendance.
The layhawks conference attendance mark was set in 2005, with an average of 45,382 per game. That year, the team played three true home games, against Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa State, with the fourth, Oklahoma, being played at Arrowhead. The Oklahoma game was not figured into home attendance figures.
Marchiony said this year's Nebraska game would sell out, and the administration hoped for "good weather" during the other two games. Capacity at Memorial Stadium is 51,000.
Kansas was forced to return 275 allotted tickets to Kansas State for last weekend's game after the team couldn't sell the 3,800 they were given. Still, Marchiony said that was the fewest number ever returned.
"As we get better, we will become a much better traveling fan base," Marchiony said. "I definitely think that our fans really made themselves heard. I had no doubt that the team noticed that as well. That means a lot when you are on the road."
West said it was important for traveling Kansas fans to be heard because of the importance of the game.
"I think we were just as loud as the whole K-State stadium," West said.
Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
BUSINESS
BY LAUREN SHEPHERD ASSOCIATED PRESS
MillerCoors combo to brew competition
NEW YORK - The makers of Coors and Miller Lite plan to combine their U.S. brewing operations in an effort to compete better against industry leader Anheuser-Busch.
The joint venture announced Tuesday will be known as MillerCoors and will have responsibility for selling brands including Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Coors, Coors Light and Molson Canadian in the U.S.
Anheuser-Busch Cos. accounts for about half of the U.S. market with brands such as Budweiser, Michelob and Bud Light.
SABMiller PLC will have a 58 percent economic interest in the venture and MolsonCoors Brewing Co. will own 42 percent of the new company. They will have equal voting interests, however.
Precise financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"It is clear Miller and Coors will be a stronger, more competitive U.S. brewer than either company can be on its own," said Molson Coors Chief Executive Leo Kiely, who will be the new CEO of the joint venture.
The joint venture will also result in cost savings of $500 million, the companies said. That savings will mainly come from reducing shipping distances, finding economies of scale in brewing operations, optimizing production and eliminating duplicate corporate and marketing services.
London-based SABMiller, which brews Miller Lite as well as a slew of European beers, and Coloradobased Molson Coors, the brewer of Coors Light and the craft beer Blue Moon, will each have five representatives on its board of directors.
Pete Coors, vice chairman of Molson Coors, will serve as chairman of the new company and Kiely
will be the new CEO. Tom Long, CEO of Miller, will be appointed president and chief commercial officer.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies said they will conduct all of their U.S. business exclusively through the venture.
The companies project MillerCoors will have combined annual beer sales of 69 million U.S. barrels with revenue of about $6.6 billion.
Coors said the joint venture will allow both companies to compete for U.S. consumers who are "looking for greater choice and differentiation," as wine and spirits continue to entice beer drinkers and imports and craft beers garner a larger share of the market.
The companies said by combining their U.S. operations, the venture will be able to invest more in marketing its brands to consumers and compete more effectively with larger brewers like Anheuser-Busch and InBev NV S.A., which imports a large number of global beers into the U.S. and is the world's largest brewer by volume.
"Given the highly complementary nature of our U.S. assets, operations and geographic footprint, this is a logical and compelling combination that we expect will create significant value for shareholders while benefiting distributors, consumers, retailers and the market overall," said SABMiller Chief Executive Graham Mackay.
Mackay said on a conference call with analysts the two companies will complement each other geographically, because Miller is strong in the central region down through Texas, while Coors has a strong reach in the West and parts of the Northeast. Coors' two breweries and Miller's six will remain open, executives said. A final agreement is expected to be signed by the end of 2007 with the deal closing in mid-2008, the companies said.
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
First Annual Campus Wide Capture the Flag Tournament
October 10,2007
6:00pm
Located behind
Wescoe Beach
Hosted by KU Young Democrats
Come support the students, meet new people,and enjoy Veggie Lunch!
Join the ECM for a Bake Sale supporting Alternative Winter Breaks to El Salvador and the Juarez Border during Veggie Lunch every Thursday in October at the ECM.
October 10,2007
Making A Difference:
A Gathering of Student Organizations
Join the Commission on the Status of Women for a discussion of gender in student organizations and planning a service project for Women's History Month!
October 16th, 6:30pm English Room-Kansas Union
Refreshments served!
PAID FOR BY KU
funded by:
SENATE
ROCK CHALK SHABBAT OCTOBER 19, 2007
Services, Dinner, Raffle and More Sponsored by KU Hillel
Contact Matt Lehrman (mlehrman@kuhillel.org)
**Look for us on Facebook** Visit us at www.kuhillel.org
This is what Friday is made for.
Rythem of Sri Lanka
Wednesday, October 10th, 7.30-9.30pm
Woodruff Auditorium Kansas Union Entrance Free