4B
April 8, 1988/University Daily Kansan
CHAMPS!
Forrest MacDonald/KAN:
KU students celebrate the Jayhawks' victory in the Crystal Room of the Eldridge House Hotel.
Images of wild party still vivid for students
By Elaine Woodford
Kansan staff writer
Forlorn scraps of toilet paper dangled from tree branches above Jayhawk Boulevard on Wednesday as students walked to classes.
But the echoes of exuberant fans celebrating the Jawayhs 'NCAA chukka championship'
And students at the University of
Michigan remember than
last the group itself.
The images of about 17,000 KU students dancing in the street in front of Strong Hall; 30,000 students, alumni and Lawrence residents flocking to Memorial Stadium to welcome Larry Brown and the Kansas basketball team; the sheer enthusiasm and spirit of the student body for more than 24 hours will never be forgotten.
Seconds after the Jayhawks' 83-79 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners, a dull roar could be heard from one of the other. The celebration had begun.
Thousands of screaming students rushed to campus and rallied on Jayhawk Boulevard, between Strong and Wescoe Hall, beneath the blue glow of the Memorial Campanile.
Car horns blew, fireworks exploded and masses of swaying bodies chanted "We're No. 1!" Choruses of "The Crimson and the Blue" rose above the din. Students were bursting with Jayhawk pride.
The celebration was even sweeter because Judith A. Ramaley, executive vice chancellor, canceled Tuesday classes.
"What I remember most was being there," said Bobby Jann, Northbrook, Ill., junior. Jann attended the championship game in Kansas City, Mo., and returned to Lawrence early Tuesday morning.
"It was unbelievable coming back to Lawrence at 2:30 a.m. and not being able to drive down Jayhawk where they were dancing in the street," he said.
Ralph Oliver, assistant director of KU police, estimated the number of students on Jayhawk Boulevard at 12,000 to 17,000, with an additional 5,000 students attending a celebration to Burbank University sponsored by Student Union Activities.
Sharon Alexander, Overland Park senior, watched the game with friends at Gammons, 1601 W. 23rd St., but went to campus shortly after the game.
"It was something you'd never expect to see on campus," she said. "Everyone was together, everyone had something in common with everyone else."
But the party wasn't limited to Lawrence. In the Westport area of Kansas City, Mo., thousands of KU students and alumni had gathered to watch the game and drink a few beers. After the victory, the crowd jumped into the streets. City cleanup crews couldn't start to work until 4 a.m.
All around Lawrence, the jubilation continued into the early morning hours. A pop rally scheduled for 10am saw more than 3000 people was moved to Memorial Stadium.
At noon, cars began to park along the West Lawrence entrance of the Kansas Turnpike to catch a glimpse of the team bus. Meanwhile, students, alumni and Lawrence residents started the trek to Memorial Stadium to get a good seat for the afternoon's festivities.
"Everyone felt the enthusiasm," said Shelley Hoover, "Topeka sophomore." "It unified everyone. Our outcast is big, but everyone pulled together."
Coach Larry Brown and the Kan-
sas队 entered the stadium to a deafening welcome. The scoreboard flashed, "1, Kansas Jayhawk Basketball-NCAA Champs," with :90 on the clock and the unforgettable score, 83-79.
After the pep rally, students once again took to Jayhawk Boulevard to honk their horns, high-five everyone in sight and just bask in the glory of attending the same University as the national champions.
Life slowly returned to normal on the KU campus, but from Wescoe Beach to the Kansas Union, students couldn't talk talking about the game.
Alexander said it didn't matter where you were, in the hallways or in the classroom, all everyone was talking about was the game.
Hoover said. "I'm still excited!"
Jayhawk Boulevard will once again be filled with joggers, skateboarders and students bound for Watson Library. The Campanile will return to its normal white light.
But in the back of most students' minds are the memories of the NCAA championship game — Danny Manning's last free throw and thousands of students drew together sharing the joy of victory.
**Forest Mac Donald KANAS**
Students flooded Jayhawk Boulevard after KU's victories against Duke Saturday and Oklahoma Monday night.
Forrest MacDonald/KANSAI
NAISMITH HALL
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Congratulations
To the Jayhawks for a great season
Kansas' Most Prestigious Private Residence Hall Proudly Serving Students Attending the University of Kansas
A Class Move For Students & Parents
Living on your own without actually living alone
Involved in university life while experiencing independence that awaits after graduation
Being in the center of activity while maintaining individuality
Amenities
All you can eat meal plans Academic year leases with individual liability
All you can eat meal plans
Free from the hassle of day to day chores & additional hidden expenses in alternate housing
Planned social events
- 24-hour reception desk
- All utilities paid
- Laundry facilities
- Excellent campus location
- Priced equivalent to or less than sharing an apartment & without shared financial or personal liability
- Opportunity for a well-rounded education & sense of involvement
Fitness center
Quiet study areas
Weekly maid service
Air conditioning
Front door bus service to class
Computer center
COME JOIN US
Applications for: Fall '88 Semester Now Being Accepted * Minimum Rooms Available
For Information & Appointment call 913-833-8559
3