Posted on Aug 10, 2018
in News and Sports
The inaugural KU Kickoff event in downtown Topeka took place Aug. 9 outside the Celtic Fox at 8th Street and Kansas Avenue. The celebration featured food, music, promotional items and the opportunity to win tickets and more.
Brian Hanni, the Voice of the Jayhawks, hosted the event. Featured speakers included Chancellor Doug Girod, football head coach David Beaty and women’s soccer head coach Mark Francis.
Check out some of the event’s highlights below in our compilation of social media posts! Future events will be held in Wichita, Prairie Village and Lawrence.
Social media highlights from KU Kickoff in Topeka
Tags: Football, KU Kickoff, Sports, Topeka
Posted on Aug 29, 2016
in News and Sports
The threat of stormy weather didn’t deter nearly 4,000 Jayhawks from packing Corinth Square in Prairie Village Aug. 26 for the 11th-annual KU Kickoff, hosted by the Alumni Association and Kansas Athletics. The evening began with DJ Carl spinning tunes while the crowd enjoyed food and drink tents, a fun zone for children, a sesquicentennial display by KU Libraries, Jayhawk merchandise giveaways, and Big Jay and Baby Jay, who kept the atmosphere lively with the help of the KU spirit squad and marching band.
Jayhawk Radio Network broadcaster David Lawrence, d’83, introduced Heath Peterson, d’04, g’09, president of the Alumni Association, who thanked Kansas City area alumni and volunteers for their support and detailed several of the University’s recent accomplishments, including the Far Above campaign, which raised more than $1.6 billion for KU. “I don’t know about you,” he said, “but I’m fired up to be a Jayhawk right now.”
Sheahon Zenger, PhD’96, KU athletics director, spoke of the new construction on campus, including McCarthy Hall, the DeBruce Center and Capitol Federal Hall, and encouraged alumni to visit KU’s ever-changing landscape. After giving a shout-out to the No. 5-ranked KU women’s volleyball team, which opened the season with a win against Mississippi State that evening, Zenger turned his attention to head football coach David Beaty and said, “If there’s anything fun at KU right now, it’s being around coach Beaty and his team.”
Joined by football players LaQuvionte Gonzalez, Dorance Armstrong Jr., Daylon Charlot and Fish Smithson, Beaty summoned fans to fill the Hill and Memorial Stadium Sept. 3 for the opening game against Rhode Island. “It’s going to take a great fan base like all of you Jayhawks to get it done,” he said. “We thank you for your unwavering support and staying with us through all the rough times. You’ll have something to be proud of real soon.”
–Heather Biele
Watch the slideshow below to see pictures from KU Kickoff, or click here to view the photos on Flickr. Photos are available to be downloaded for personal use. All photos by Dan Storey.
Tags: David Beaty, David Lawrence, Football, Heath Peterson, Heather Biele, Kansas City, KU Kickoff, Sheahon Zenger, Sports, Women's Volleyball
Posted on Aug 25, 2016
in News and Sports
See you at the KU Kickoff
Kansas City alumni and fans of KU will gather again at the KU Kickoff at Corinth Square this Friday, August 26, from 6-9 p.m.
The KU Alumni Association, in partnership with Kansas Athletics, will welcome our largest annual gathering of alumni in Kansas City. Jayhawks will hear from David Beaty, head football coach; Heath Peterson, president of the KU Alumni Association; and other KU speakers who will provide updates and pep talks to get the crowd pumped for another great year at KU. Like last year, there will be inflatable games for the kids, food, drinks, KU giveaways and entertainment from the KU Band, Spirit Squad and Big Jay and Baby Jay. Association members are encouraged to stop by the KU Alumni Association table to receive a free member appreciation gift (so don’t forget your membership card!). The KU Kickoff is sponsored by Shawnee Mission Health. Learn more here.
Speaking of pep talks
We’ve found a sure-fire way to get you fired up for fall. Coach Bill Self was a special guest at KU Football Training Camp this week where he addressed the team. Coach Self’s talk will get you ready to head to Memorial Stadium to support the Jayhawks this fall. It might even make you want to suit up and hit the field! See what we mean in the video below, shared on Twitter by our friends at Time Warner Cable Sports Channel in Kansas City, @TWCsportsKC.
See you at the KU Kickoff. Rock Chalk!
Tags: Athletics, Bill Self, David Beaty, Heath Peterson, Kansas City, KU Kickoff
