By Jenni Carlson
Kansan sportswriter
Like many students adjusting to new homework loads,it looks as if Nikki Reed is preparing to enjoy a quiet evening studying.
The Kansas City, Mo., senior opens a textbook, kicks off her shoes and reclines
into a plump, blue pillow.
But unlike other students who study in their residence halls and apartments, tonight, basketball fan Nikki Reed is camping at Allen Fieldhouse as part of a tradition.
Because student seating is open, a growing number of Jayhawk fans such as Reed are willing to camp out to get seats close to the court, and they are a continuing part of the history of Kansas men's basketball.
For 16 hours a day, these fans spread out in the northwest corner of the field house on sleeping bags, pillows and books, just as they have done for the last three years.
Brian Hott / KANSAN
The reason that students devote countless hours at the fieldhouse in the days prior to home games is simple.
all times.
"KU basketball; enough said," explained Reed, who camps with about 20 other members of the group Campus Crusade.
Esther Leek, Lawrence senior, and Jim Alpiser, Lenexa sophomore, first started camping out for basketball games last year with about 15 other residents of Ellsworth Hall.
Although group members have spread out, and the group's name has changed from the Hawk Heads to Big Fans, they still
Fans camp out in groups so that one representative is in line at the field house at
Trey Jatzen, Houston, sophomore, camps out in Allen Field House prior to the men's game against Oklahoma. Sleeping and studying pass the time while students wait for the best seats
camp and sit together at games. The group even pooled its money to buy a crimson sleeping bag and a blue bean bag.
These items stay with the group, and they enable other members to spot the group's campsite when it's time to ch ange representatives.
2Even if you don't know the person you're taking over for on the team, you can find them." Leek said.
Not knowing other people in his group is a problem for Danny Burns, Shawnee senior. "I could see half of them, and I wouldn't know them." Burns said.
His group, Threevo has been around for at
Because of graduation and decreasing group size, Threevo combined with two other groups, Fubar and BC, last year. Members combine forces to camp each time but then sit in different places for the games.
least five years but has undergone some changes in that time, Burns said.
Students could begin camping for it as early as 6 a.m. on Jan.16, the day after the St. Peter's game.
Campers used to sit at the field house longer than they do now. In the last five years, campers have been allowed to move inside.
When a member of the group isn't present for roll call, all the groups move up a slot.
Instead of only staying in line for part of every day, groups used to pitch tents on the field house lawn and remain there around the clock — no matter what the weather.
"Someone would stay if no one else stayed," said Threevo group member
New groups are allowed to sign at the bottom of the list.
Take the Oklahoma game on Jan. 22, for example.
Camping is serious business for most campers, and it requires them to be on time.
Any groups that showed up at that time were entered in a lottery to determine their places in line.
Jordan Crane, Parsons junior. "It's worth staying here as long as I have to."
Kansas is somewhat unique among Division-I schools in that students who camp out already have a ticket.
Most high-profile basketball schools have some camping, whether it be to buy singlegame tickets or to secure reserved seats.
But few KU students would change the way things are done here.
"Yeah, it sucks at times, but I'd just as soon camp out," Burns said.
Because only dedicated people are willing to camp out, Burns said the biggest fans get the seats closest to the court.
Every group seems to have its own unique story and dynamic, but all have helped Kansas to a 23-game winning streak at home, which is the fifth-longest in Division-I men's basketball.
That fact is not lost on Kansas men's basketball coach Roy Williams.
"One big positive we have at Kansas is that we have basketball tradition," he said.
January 1996 The Hill
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