Fund-raising, tailgating part of home football season that begins Sept. 14

As the Jayhawks prepare for their first home game Sept. 14, plans are in place for six festive football Saturdays on the Hill, featuring special events and a fund-raising campaign that will include responsible tailgating.

On Sept. 14, as part of KU's remembrance of Sept. 11, a gigantic Stars and Stripes, sculpted in the shape of the United States, will be unfurled on the field. The program also will salute military veterans.

The tribute to veterans dovetails with the first segment of the "Proud to Be a Jayhawk' fund-raising promotion during the 2002 football season. As part of the campaign, responsible tailgating will be permitted in designated lots around Memorial Stadium, and fund-raising will benefit four KU activities, the first of which is KU's Korean War Memorial Fund.

KU is restarting a drive to create a memorial honoring the service and sacrifice of Jayhawk students and alumni in the Korean War (1950-53). It is believed that more than 60 KU students and alumni lost their lives in this war. A permanent structure will be placed along Memorial Drive. The funds will help cover the costs of constructing the memorial.

To raise funds, $1 from every KU football program sold will go to assist the memorial and three other activities: the KU Marching Band, the KU/K-State Phi Gamma Delta Run for Leukemia, and KU Sports Clubs. A page in each home football game program will spotlight the beneficiaries.

"We're so pleased to have responsible tailgating as part of the great atmosphere around Memorial Stadium," said Al Bohl, KU athletics director. "I hope that even those fans who don't tailgate will consider buying a KU football program to lend support to the worthwhile activities promoted by our 'Proud to Be a Jayhawk' initiative."

Fans are invited to picnic and tailgate in the designated areas around the stadium. Program sellers will be in the designated tailgating areas, at a booth in the Fun Zone, located at the former tennis court east of the stadium, and inside the stadium.

Football programs, on sale for $5, will include a page spotlighting the fund-raising effort in addition to detailed information about the Jayhawks, the visiting team and KU athletics.

Along with helping to construct the Korean War Memorial on campus, proceeds from the fund-raising will also benefit the following programs:
The KU Marching Band: The band has been a KU tradition for more than 100 years, adding color and pageantry to football games. Open to any student, regardless of major, the band performs in front of more people a year than any other ensemble on campus. The band regularly marches at a Kansas City Chiefs game and the Heart of America Marching Festival, furnishes pep bands for a wide variety of events and hosts high school bands from throughout the state each year for KU Band Day. The funds will help cover travel costs.
Phi Gamma Delta Run for Leukemia: For 29 years the brothers of the KU and K-State Phi Gamma Delta chapters have worked together to raise money to fight Leukemia. Fiji chapter members of KU and K-State will take turns running the game-day football from Manhattan to Lawrence the day of the KU vs. K-State game. The Fijis will donate the money they raise to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
KU Sports Clubs: More than 750 male and female students participate in 23 sports clubs. They include badminton, crew, cycling, fencing, lacrosse, rock climbing and more. During the past academic year, KU sports clubs made 100 trips to competitions as far away as Vermont and Florida. Funds raised will be used for such expenses as competition entry fees, equipment and uniforms.

'PROUD TO BE A JAYHAWK' TAILGATING GUIDELINES

These tailgating guidelines are for Jayhawk fans of all ages, so that all football fans at KU home games have a great and safe time.

Parking lots and nearby grassy areas are marked clearly as "Proud to Be a Jayhawk" fund-raising activity tailgating areas. Consistent with Board of Regents and University policies, alcohol may be consumed at University-sponsored fund raising events.
Alcohol may be consumed only during a three-hour period before kickoff in the designated tailgating area. Underage drinking, disorderly conduct or other unlawful conduct will not be tolerated.
No kegs or other containers with a capacity greater than 1 gallon may be brought into this area, and fans are strongly encouraged not to use or bring glass containers.
Alcohol may not be brought into Memorial Stadium.
In accordance with NCAA recommendations for responsible tailgating, a "no re-entry policy" will be in effect at Memorial Stadium. Exceptions will be granted for personal emergencies and for access to concession areas. Otherwise, fans are asked not to leave and re-enter the stadium after the game has started.

#top#