THURSDAY, MARCH 2. 2006
KU 75-CU 54
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 5B
egan True/KANSAN
David Noffsinger/KANSAN:
A banner in honor of Max Falkenstien is unveiled during a halftime presentation in Allen Fieldhouse on Wednsday night. Falkenstien has been the voice of KU basketball for 60 years.
One last 'Thank you Max' celebrated during halftime
BY ERIC JORGENSEN
ejorgensen@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Max Falkenstien could barely get to his headset. After stepping on the floor at 6:25 last night, it took him three minutes to walk 25 feet to his chair.
Fans did not want to let him go, in what was Falkenstien's last game in Allen Fieldhouse. Knowing they had to, they simply made "Thank you Max" the theme of the night.
The fans gave Falkenstein a 40—second ovation when he first entered the court, which led to a "Thank you Max" chant.
first entered the court, which led to a "Thank you Max" chant. Thousands held "Thanks, Max" signs and others wore
Thousands held "Thanks, Max" signs and others wrote "Thank you Max" shirts. He also had his own video montage during halftime with the words "Thank you Max" below the video board.
Everyone wanted one last glance, 'thank you' or touch by the 81-year-old announcer.
This kind of charm and effect earned Falkenstien a retired jersey hanging in the rafters, an area reserved for legendary players. The number 60 was retired to honor his 60 years on the sideline.
Thanking and publicly recognizing his friends, he gave the crowd a little motto on basketball and the value of friendship.
Joined by his family and former players at half, he received a bronze jayhawk statue along with the retired number. Only a few fans left before the ceremony, leaving most of the 13,600 fans on their feet. As Falkenstien's broadcast partner of 22 years, Bob Davis, put it, Falkenstien was KU's "true senior" honored on senior night. Falkenstien held his composeure during the ceremony. His 5-foot-8 frame stood straight up as he never shed a tear.
He did admit though. "As my good friend Larry Brown taught me to say, 'Gosh, this sure is special.'"
Max Falkenstien waves to fans during a half time presentation in his honor in Allen Fieldhouse Wednesday night.
"Statistics are for the record books, but friendships are for
David Noffsinger/KANSAN
life," Falkenstien said.
"As I bid my swan song, go 'Hawks."
He ended his speech with something he said he cannot say on air, only to the Jayhawk nation.
Falkenstien autographed shirts and pictures and even donned a fan's KU robe for a picture.
Their sign said, "On the eighth day God created Max. And he's been on KU radio ever since." The trio felt it was the least they could do for their favorite radio personality.
Three fans even spelled "Max" out in body paint.
"Anyone who's been here 60 years deserves a painting," Erickson said.
David Schutter, Great Bend freshman, Jason Daley and Jim Frickson, Overland Park sophomores, were those die-hards.
Daley said Falkenstein deserved nothing less than a plaque. Perhaps a retired jersey hanging in the fieldhouse will do.
- Edited by Meghan Miller
Sophomore guard Russell Robinson drives past Colorado's Dominique Coleman as sophomore center CJ Giles sets a pick during the first half of Wednesday night's game in Allen Fieldhouse. Robinson had seven assists, 10 points and two steals in the Jayhawks' 75-54 victory.
David Noflsinner/KANSAN
COLORADO BUFFALOES (18-8, 8-7 Big 12 Conference)
PTS REB AST
Copeland, Chris 5 7 4
Ashby, Julius 7 3 0
Obaziuaye, Jayson 3 3 0
Hall, Marcus 2 3 3
Roby, Richard 10 5 4
Eddy, Glean 2 4 0
Osborn, Andy 6 8 1
Senger, Scott 6 2 0
Coleman, Dominique 0 0
Freeman, Martane 3 4 1
King-Stockton, Marcus 0 5 0
McGee, Antoine 0 0 1
TOTALS 54 45 14
KANSAS JAYHAWKS (21-7, 12-3 Big 12 Conference)
| | PTS | REB | AST |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Kaun, Sasha | 6 | 8 | 0 |
| Moody, Christian | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Hawkins, Jeff | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Vinson, Stephen | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Rush, Brandon | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Robinson, Russell | 10 | 2 | 7 |
| Stewart, Rodrick | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Case, Jeremy | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Chalmers, Mario | 14 | 2 | 2 |
| Wright, Julian | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Giles, CJ | 11 | 8 | 1 |
| Kleinmann, Matt | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TOTALS 75 38 20
Megan True/KANSAN
Senior guard Stephen Vinson defends Colorado junior guard Marcus Hall Wednesday night in Allen Fieldhouse. Last night was Vinson's final home game as a Jayhawk and he was honored at Senior Night along with fellow seniors Christian Moody, Jeff Hawkins and Moulaye Niang.
Manan True/KANRAN
Kris Powell, Tegeka junior, holds up a sign thanking Max Falkenstien for his 60 years of radio broadcasting for the Jayhawks. Falkenstien was honored Wednesday night in Allen Fieldhouse during halftime.
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