Jayhawk Fans Roll Out for KU KickOff at Corinth Square

Aug. 17, 2012

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. – Approximately 6,000 Kansas faithful rolled out for the annual KU Kickoff at Corinth Square Friday evening. Event officials said it was the largest crowd for the KU Kickoff in its seven-year history.

Kansas Athletics and the KU Alumni Association joined forces to host the KU KickOff. Kansas football head coach Charlie Weis, men’s basketball coach Bill Self, women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson, Athletics Director Dr. Sheahon Zenger and Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little each addressed the crowd in Prairie Village. KU’s band and cheerleaders entertained, while inflatable games, multiple vendors and various KU giveaways were also available. Following the aforementioned individually addressing the crowd, live music was provided by SELLOUT.

“Coming here is exciting to see so many people. We have such a great fan base.” Weis said. “I think that everyone wants the same thing. I want the same thing as the fans. We want to get football to where it is fun to go to the games again.”

Each coach signed autographs, posed for photos and met with the media prior to addressing the crowd. Self said he was excited about his 2012-13 Jayhawks which just came back from a four-game exhibition trip to Switzerland and France but he then turned the focus on football.

“I think it is going to be a fun football season and nothing gets the school year off better than good football,” Self said. “I’m very excited about the prospect of our athletic department moving in the right direction.”

Like Self, Henrickson discussed with the media coming off a 2012 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run and KU’s senior All-America candidate tandem of guard Angel Goodrich and forward Carolyn Davis but also turned the talk to the gridiron.

“School’s starting and football’s starting and there’s not a better time of the year, other than when basketball starts,” Henrickson said. “I’m excited for Charlie and his team and what a great way to start off the school year for all of us.”

Kansas will open the 2012 football season by hosting South Dakota State on Saturday, Sept. 1 in Memorial Stadium. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by contacting the Kansas Ticket Office at 1-800-34-HAWKS or via the web at KUAthletics.com.