Posted
by Keith Campbell
January 31, 2006 at 11:29 a.m.
An open letter to the KU basketball student section
Dear KU Basketball Student Section,Nothing beats the atmosphere in Allen Fieldhouse. To be honest, you are the reason why. You generate the energy and excitement, and you are the reason why Allen Fieldhouse is the best place in the country to see a basketball game. Heck shucks howdy, even Ol' Coach Williams recently said that we have the best home court advantage in the country. It wasn't too long ago that I was one of you. I camped out. I never missed a home game, and I have my undergraduate GPA to prove it. I would stand and cheer for the entire game, and I never- not one single time- left early.It is still a thrill for me to go to the games. I love reminiscing about all the great times I had in the student section. It is true that I no longer stand throughout the games. You don't understand the pressure to stay seated in the general public. You would be surprised at the looks that can be given to you. The pressure that can be applied is intense. A few years ago a lady hit me with her cane. It seems I was standing up too much. To her credit she apologized each time she hit me. I got the message.I promise that as I sat in my wood-backed chairs that I applauded loudly, and occasionally raised my voice to give encouragement. I really can't yell too loudly, it would be uncouth in my section, and those canes hurt.Students, I understand why you started chanting "game's not over" at me when I got up to leave. Technically there were still four minutes left, but do you realize how late the game tipped-off? I am normally taking my pre-bed nap on the couch when the game started last night. When I got up to leave we were up by thirty points and it was almost ten o'clock. Are you aware of how late that is? I had a long day at work. I am normally in bed at ten. I still had to hike to my car and fight the traffic to get home. There are still four workdays in front of me, and in case you weren't paying attention- I missed my nap. I can't overstate this, my evening naps are important. It is tough getting old. I think I should mention that my boss is a K-State fan. Basketball is not a word in her vocabulary. She will not be very forgiving if I am out of it while I am at work. Well, more than I normally am. I promise that I cheered in the stairwell when you cheered for some unknown good thing, and as I was leaving the building I was singing the Rock Chalk chant. I heard you, and I was there with you, even if I wasn't there<.i>. I gave a high five to someone as I was walking to my car. Obviously I still have copious amounts of KU spirit. _Just not too late at night.I understand that you probably don't respect me. I remember what I thought of the Alumnus when I was a student. I swore I would never become one of _them. Today- as you read this-you swear that you will not become what I have become. I am not going to hold your opinion of me against you. I am not mad at you for chanting at me. Why? I know in a few years you will be sitting right next to me, avoiding the cane.Rock Chalk, Keith
Comments
Lawrence.com does not necessarily agree with comments posted below - responsibility lies with the relevant user alone. Read our full policy.
Todd (anonymous) says…
I've been trying to get myself to a BBall game for the last 3 seasons. Each and everytime I get up to buying tickets I get sticker shock. Are there any tickets available for less than $100 each? Somedays I find tickets for $70 but then laugh when I read that it's a parking voucher/pass ;)
Do scalpers have better prices than ticket jockeys?
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
Given that my writing often contains an error or two, I'm not normally one to play grammar police, but I'd want someone to point this one out if I had made it. "Alumni" is the plural of "alumnus" (or alumna if you are female). You seem to have them reversed.
beatle919 (Marcy McGuffie) says…
In the eighteen years I've lived in Lawrence, I have not attended one KU game. I am not a true Lawrencian; I have failed miserably...
Todd: are you joking about the parking pass cost???
Joel (Joel Mathis) says…
Keith --
booooooooooooooo! booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
c'mon! Are you a fan or what? Leaving the game early?
booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
zigzagwanderer (Kyle Carter) says…
as a ku student i forgive you with one condition; you must promise that, a few years down the road when i am an alumnus myself standing to cheer from time to time, you will not hit me with a cane or any other brute object.
that_guy (anonymous) says…
Todd....
Yes the scalpers are cheaper, you have to talk 'em down though. Typically when we go we'll offer ten or twenty over face, and if they don't go for it, we'll start to walk off and typically they'll decide to take it. If not, come back closer to tip. Also you could try to call Ace Sports, i'm pretty sure during football season, you can get Chiefs tickets one hour prior to gametime for face price. Could be the same for basketball games, just a thought.
That guy.
lostblend (Keith Campbell) says…
Joel-
I am old and sleep is that important... I hate getting old...
Todd-
I am lucky, I have rich friends that take me to the game...When I have paid in the past I wait till the winter break when the students are gone. I can normally find tickets at face value.
lostblend (Keith Campbell) says…
Zigzagwander- I will welcome you to the dark side, sans the use of a cane...
Liz- You are right. Normally I notice my mistakes the second after my posts go live, this one I just missed.
ytf23 (anonymous) says…
Keith,
As an alum (class of '02) who loves the team, I found your story touching, poignant... and disappointing. As a resident physician (one of the ones with a 'limit' of an 80 hour work week), there was only one answer when my buddy called me up on Monday to let me know an attending (docs who are done with their residency and thereby get *paid* AND have more free time) couldn't use his tickets: "Get your work done. We gotta leave town early for the game."
At the game, we had the same experience you mentioned - people hated us standing up so much, didn't seem to care for us being the loudest in the section, and so on. You know what? That's too bad. We sat for some of the other teams' possessions every once in a while, but we felt NO shame for being good fans. Want to see the game while sitting on your duff the whole time? Stay home and save the ticket money for a plasma. Want to experience Allen Fieldhouse? Be prepared for the WHOLE experience. Don't come whining to *me* because it's loud... it's allen fieldhouse.
i remember as an undergrad and later as a med student that we always felt the general public didn't do much for the home court advantage. One way to change the culture and mindset of that? As newer alums begin to filter in, they *need* to keep the spirit and enthusiasm that made them great fans as students.
I feel for you, but not much. My carcass was up at 6 am that morning, we watched the *whole* game, chanted the Rock Chalk chant with everyone else, and then drove the 2 1/2 hours back to Wichita. *After* stopping back at Pizza Shuttle (still love that walk-in special). Knowing I'd get up at 5:30 the next morning to give 100% to my patients in the hospital (which I did). Was it tough? Of *course*. Would I do it again? Let me go finish my work. I'd have to leave town early for the game.
lovenhaight (anonymous) says…
Rock Chalk, Dr. Jayhawk!!!!
rednekbuddha (Kelly Powell) says…
Who wouldnt leave a game when they are over 30 points ahead? Unless you like watching puppies being kicked or emo kids being gang raped by frat boys.