Bonding and Barbecue

Aug. 19, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas student-athletes kicked off the 2010 school year by joining together in a welcome back barbecue at Memorial Stadium Thursday, August 19. The purpose of the barbecue was to give student-athletes a chance to come together as a Jayhawk family, as well as to get acquainted with other student-athletes from different sports.

“It’s nice to bring all the freshmen in and get them introduced to all the other sports teams,” Casey Lytle, senior baseball outfielder said. “They’ve been doing that a lot at the beginning with traditions night and other freshmen events, but it’s nice to get everyone from the team together with all the rest of the student-athletes.”

While this is one of the biggest events that bring student-athletes together to kick off the school year, squads make it a point support all Jayhawk sports throughout the year.

“We all support each other by going to other sporting events and we see each other at the Burge Union,” Karina Garlington, senior volleyball outside hitter said. “This is a nice event that they put on for us to give us the opportunity to see each other again. Especially because everyone just got back and they are excited to start a new year. It’s nice to see all of the other student-athletes and the new faces of Kansas athletics.”

With the start of the school year come the hopes of a promising new seasons and Kansas student-athletes are looking forward to setting new goals and accomplishing new feats.

“We have a lot of new freshmen and we have made a lot of progress since last season,” Amanda Maez senior swimmer said. “I’m looking forward to the whole season because it is my senior year.”

Go to KUathletics.com for the latest news and result updates.