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Thursday, December 7, 1995 U N I V E R S I T Y D A I L Y K A N S A N — S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
Groups to pep up Aloha Bowl atmosphere
By Dan Gelston
Kansas sportswriter
Kansas football coach Glen Mason has said that the Jeep-Eagle Aloha Bowl is a great reward for a great season. He also said he couldn't think of a more beautiful setting.
There won't be any disagreement from members of the Kansas pep band or spirit squad. Their reward for great seasons also will be a trip to the Aloha Bowl in picturesque Honolulu.
But unlike the football team which will allow every player to go, some decisions had to made on attending members for both the band and spirit squad.
Robert Foster, director of music and dance for Kansas, said that only 77 of the 245 band members could go. He had two qualifications for a band member to go.
"Every good player who's been in the band for four years or more will go," Foster said. "And the strongest and best players who can provide a musical balance."
But the band finds itself in a very unique situation. The Aloha Bowl does not allow the two participating school's bands participate in pregame or halftime festivities. Foster said that three years ago, the last time the Jayhawks were in the Aloha Bowl, Brigham Young did not send a band, and last year Kansas State did take a band when they were selected.
Foster said that results in a very expensive
The band was able to get 47 seats on the team charter, but the other 30 had to take a commercial plane for the Dec. 19-26 trip.
A round-trip ticket costs $224, something many students could not afford on such short notice.
situation.
"Pull out the plastic and hope for a big credit limit." Foster said.
The spirit squad is sending representatives from the varsity cheerleading squad and the Crimson Girls. Four cheerleading couples out of nine and four of 12 Crimson Girls will ride the team charter to Hawaii.
But while uncertainty about what to do and where to go in Hawaii as well as spending the holidays away from home has been a hindrance to some, two cheerleaders have found ways around them.
Jolene Moore, Kansas City, Kan., Junior, went to the 1992 Aloha Bowl as a high school cheerleading All-American.
"I've told the other girls there will be lots of sunshine, time to have some fun and tons of high school cheerleaders," she said. "We're definitely very excited about this."
Both of Britny Fox's parents attended Kansas. The three of them will attend the Aloha Bowltogether.
"My parents are flying to Hawaii to go to the game and be with me," the Lawrence junior said. "I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas to be with my family in Hawaii."
Matt Flickner / KANSAN
Some members of the Kansas band will travel to the Jeep-Eagle Aloha Bowl during winter break. Despite the $824 cost for each members' airplane ticket, the group will not be allowed to perform a pregame or halftime show.
No disappointments in Kansas' trip to Hawaii
Jenni Carlson
Sports
Editor
Amid the unseasonably wonderful weather, our discussion focused on the winter days of December or maybe even January.
It was a warm, sunny day as a friend and I strolled past Watson Library on our way to class.
"I really think the Jayhawks could go to the Copper Bowl or Aloha Bowl." I said.
"Yeah, I think I heard something about the Holiday Bowl, too," my friend said.
"Oh, I hadn't really heard that," I admitted. "If they win a couple more, they might even go to one of the big bowls — Orange or Cotton or something. But I would go to any bowl — just as long as it's not the Aloha Bowl."
It almost sounds crazy, picking and choosing which bowls would be acceptable. At the beginning of the season, I would have done cart-
wheels down the hall next to the Kansan newsroom if someone had told me Kansan would go to a bowl.
You've heard the story. College football followers said Kansas would finish sixth, maybe fifth, in the Big Eight Conference. Like I've humbly admitted before, I agreed with them. Losses to graduation and preseason injuries had me believing six wins would constitute a successful season.
But days before the conversation with my friend, the Jayhawks had won their seventh game of the season. They had no losses accompanying those victories, which included road wins against Colorado and Oklahoma.
At that point, visions of a bowl game in some winter haven away from the Kansas snow and sleet began to run rampant through my head. And from all indications, it
looked like the Jeep-Eagle Aloha Bowl was one of the more distant possibilities.
That was fine with me. When the team traveled to Honolulu in 1992, the University lost big bucks. We're talking to the tune of $34,000. Sure, the trip was great for the team, but very few fans had the opportunity to attend the game.
After watching Kansas State football fans flock to Tucson, Ariz., when the Wildcats played in the 1993 Copper Bowl, I felt that if Kansas could land in a bowl in the continental United States, the University would profit, the players still would have a great time and a ton of fans could afford the trip.
Additionally, I saw a return trip to the Aloha Bowl almost like a step backward. The 1995 Jayhawks are better and much more successful than the 1992 team that made the
trip. In my mind, this year's team deserved a better bowl.
As the season progressed, though, a trip back to the islands became more and more likely. When it became official a few weeks ago, I was not a happy camper.
Since that time, though, I've had a chance to put things into perspective.
Granted, the Aloha Bowl is not the ideal situation for fans, unless of course Hawaii and Chaminade are invited. I haven't changed my mind about that. But at least Kansas athletic department officials believe they might break even on this trip.
One opinion I have changed, though, is that returning to the Aloha Bowl is a step backward. Yeah, Kansas fans cursed K-State at first for losing to Colorado and bumping the Jayhawks from Holiday Bowl consideration. I did, too,
but then I take every opportunity to curse K-State.
But think about it: Kansas is playing UCLA, a respected and consistent team from the traditionally powerful Pacific-10 conference. K-State will face Colorado State. I had to search the vast reaches of my mind to remember that the Rams are members of the Western Athletic Conference.
I think we all know who got the better matchup out of the deal.
So while you're veggin' during the break, remember to watch the Aloha Bowl at 2:30 p.m. Christmas Day on ABC. I predict a 24-14 Jayhawk victory.
And don't forget to say a little "thank you" to K-State. The Jayhawks are going bowling in paradise.
Aloha.
Whew, it's over.
Congrats to you lucky graduates! To those you moving on - good luck - we hope to see you again. For those in for another semester - The Daily Kansan will return on January 16, 1996.
Be safe, happy holidays and peace.
Special thanks for the opportunity to be part of a winning team to - Tom, Jay, Pat, Julie, Justin, Willie, Mary, Heather N., Matt, Konan, Nancy, Colleen, David Ashley, Krista, Tom D., Meredith, Heather B., and Heather V. - S
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