4B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005
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Beery good time on 'The Hill'
BY MATT WILSON
mwilson@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
WICHITA — The University of Kansas has many great atmospheres for its sporting events. None, however, are quite the same as the one that Wichita State fans enjoy on baseball game day.
There is nothing like a night of cheap entertainment to a col-
Located just beyond the outfield wall is an area affectionately known by Shockers fans as "The Hill." There you'll find Shockers fans of all kinds, from small children to twenty-something students to men and women who, over the years, have seen their fair share of baseball.
the tradition is nothing new. Before there was a fence between the parking lot and outfield wall, people would back their pickup trucks up to the fence and enjoy the game while tailgating. Now, a manned gate provides the entrance to the grassy area. The rules, however, have remained mostly the same: bring your own beer, just as long as it's not in a glass bottle.
lege student. The Hill has provided such an opportunity for the past three springs for Wichita State junior Josh Kinnevan. He and his cronies sit on a rock ledge, drink beer and heckle opposing outfielders. To them, it's one of the things that keeps them coming back to Eck Stadium.
"It's a great deal," Kinnevan said. "It's free with your student ID, so all it costs you is the price of your beer."
Kinnevan said he'd seen some crazy things on The Hill.
"There was a game once where somebody brought a keg in," he said. "That was pretty funny."
Young and old alike take part in the fun. Les Howard, who has been attending Shocker games regularly since 1992, is one of the mainstays of The Hill. He and a group of his fellow fans decided to take their support to another level three years ago when the started a club called the "Captain Morgan Marauders." They started with three members and now have nine or 10, depending on whom you talk to.
"Everyone out here knows us," Howard said before greeting a teenage Wichita State supporter with a handshake. "Nobody can walk past us without slapping my hand and saying 'Shocker fan, Shocker fan!'"
For KU fans that live in the Wichita area, games like Wednesday's provide a rare opportunity to see their Jayhawks in action. Marcus Jauregui, 1999 KU graduate, takes advantage of the outstanding atmosphere by attending nearly every Wichita State home game, no matter whom the Shockers are playing.
"It's a great place to hang out and meet people you wouldn't get a chance to talk to otherwise," Jauregui said. "It adds a lot to the game."
He said he usually cheers for the Shockers, but he enjoys getting a chance to support the Jayhawks.
"I wear my KU stuff whenever I can," Jauregui said. "I get some crap out here, but it's fun."
The possibility of seeing a setup similar to Wichita's in Lawrence is unlikely. Current University of Kansas policy prohibits the sale of alcohol on campus, including at sporting events. The proposal to be considered Saturday by the University's Memorial
Corporation Board would allow beer sales only at the Jaybowl.
There is also no place adjacent to the stadium that lends itself to a scene like The Hill. Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price, however, said that he would be open to the idea of beer at Hoglund Ballpark if it helped the program.
"If it would increase attendance, I think it would be worth exploring." Price said.
Jauregui said that it would entice him to visit Lawrence more often for baseball games
"That would be great," he said. "I used to enjoy the games when I was there, but it would create a more fun environment for the fans for sure."
Price's main worry would be crowd control if patrons were irresponsible.
in response.
"The only problem would be security if fans had too much to drink and got obnoxious."
Howard said The Hill was a place where parents can bring their families and not worry about things getting out of control.
"It's a family out here," he said. "Everybody just has a good time."
Edited by Jesse Truesdale
NBA
Wizards defeat Bulls at buzzer
BY RICK GANO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO — Gilbert Arenas foiled a remarkable comeback by the Chicago Bulls and pushed the Washington Wizards within one victory of the second round of the playoffs.
Arenas hit a 14-foot jumper at the buzzer last night, sending Washington to a dramatic 112-110 victory and a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 is tomorrow at the MCI
Center.
Chicago's Jannero Pargo hit a three-point shot, his third of the fourth quarter, to tie the game with 5.2 seconds remaining.
But after a time-out, Arenas took the ball out front, moved left with former Kansas guard Kirk Hinrich guarding him and hit one of the biggest shots of his career.
his career. Larry Hughes scored a career playoff-high 33 points for the Wizards, who had a 10-point
lead with 41 seconds to go.
The Wizards have beaten the Bulls 10 straight times on their home floor, and another victory would make Washington just the ninth team to come back from a 0-2 deficit in a sevengame series.
game series.
A pair of three-pointers by Pargo and another by Hinrich with 11.6 seconds left cut the lead to 109-107.
Hughes then sank the second of two free throws with 11.4 seconds to go to put Washington up by three. The Wizards then foiled Hinrich before he could get off a 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left.
Hinrich missed both, but scrambled for the ball and somehow flipped it to Pargo, who hit a 5-pointer from the left side to tie it.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2005!
But Arenas, who finished with 16 points on just 5-for-14 shooting, put an end to the celebration.
Our graduation gift to you...a free Alumni Association membership!
You'll receive a six-month complimentary membership in the Kansas Alumni Association from June to November 2005, which includes:
November 2005, which includes:
- E-mail forwarding. Go to our Web site for all the details. Messages will be forwarded to any e-mail address you specify. E-mail forwarding will be available to the Class of 2005 after June 1, 2005.
- Three issues of Kansas Alumni magazine. Stay up to date with what's happening on campus and what your classmat
- Invitations to alumni chapter events, professional society events with your school, and access to chapters across the country and worldwide.
SEND-OFF PARTIES FOR THE CLASS OF 2005
- Color calendar. Our 2006 calendar with wonderful campus scenes will keep Mount Oread as close as your home or office wall
- Guide to Jayhawk Basketball. Our hoops guide will ensure you'll never miss a KU game, watch party, or place to hang out with other Jayhawks wherever you are!
Grad Grill Luau
Wednesday, May 11
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Adams Alumni Center
Join us for your first official alumni event at the Adams Alumni Center sponsored by the Student Alumni Association. Don't miss out on all the great door prizes, free food and drinks. (Catered by Biggs BBQ, Vegetarian option available.) This is your chance to pick up lots of information about alumni activities and services. Campus offices will be on hand to share information about their services to you...a proud KU graduate! Get a free KU gift when you complete an application for the INTRUST Jayhawk bankcard. Please RSVP to saa@ku.edu by May 9.
Commencement Lunch
Sunday, May 22, 10:30 a.m. - I p.m.
The Outlook, Chancellor's Residence
Before the big walk down the Hill, graduates and their guests can celebrate at the Chancellor's residence. Chancellor Robert and Leah Hemenway will provide free box lunches for all who request tickets for the luncheon. The Kansas Alumni Association will welcome you into alumni status and the Senior Class officers will announce the class gift and banner. Pick up your requested tickets at the Alumni Association's headquarters on the third floor of the Adams Alumni Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. May 2 - 18. A reservation card is in your Commencement packet; go to the Registrar's office if you did not receive this mailing.
Kansas Alumni Association
Questions? Call your Alumni Association at 864-4760,
e-mail kualumni@kualumni.org or go to www.kualumni.org
Log on to www.kualumni.org