University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

Page 16 text:

Celebrating 135 years of KU tradition, Homecom- ing 2002 was a display of pride and support by students and alumni. The annual Homecoming parade was the culmina- tion ofa week-long event. The Marching layhawks and the KU spirit squads led a line of floats and campus organizations down layhawk Boulevard on Saturday, Oct. l2. Cheers and applause for each announced participant broke the stillness of the early morning. Fraternities and sororities paired up to build floats from chicken wire and plywood. Members spent many hours during the week preparing their floats, only to be disappointed by the early morning drizzle that threatened to ruin their pomping. l had a really good time working with Chi Omega on our float. Kurt Eaton, Tulsa, Okla. sophomore, said. We spent a lot of time and l thought our float turned out really well. The parking lots around Memorial Stadium quickly filled up with eager tailgaters who brought every- thing from snazzy new grills to bottles of wine. People walked around the tents and stadium enjoying the sights and sounds of the morning. Many families came, bringing both grandparents and grandchildren, past and future Jayhawks. Old classmates visited with each other and old friends reunited. The wind, scattered rain and dropping tempera- tures did not dampen the lively mood of the day The gray clouds stood in contrast to the bright blue and crimson of KU sweatshirts and jackets worn by football fans. Because of the steering committee's efforts to spread the focus of Homecoming to events throughout the week, the 29-53 loss at Memorial Stadium did not impact students and alumni as they enjoyed the rest of the weekend at their home away from home. IZ homecoming

Page 18 text:

The KU band marked each home football game with their traditional march down Campanile Hill and pre-game run- in. A drum cadence announced the arrival of the Marching layhawks in the stadium as the band members rushed the field from the north endzone steps. Band members then took their place on the field in a sunflower formation before moving into a large block K . During the Home on the Range March , the Kansas state song, band members formed KU and then fliped the letters during l'm a layhawk . We came to games when I was little and l always used to like how they walked down the hill before the game and then run onto the field, Paul Dreher, Lenexa sophomore, said. The marching band appeared in smaller numbers during home basketball games. Band members also participated in exhibition shows for state band competitions and other University events. Band membership had been declining across the nation and KU felt the blow of these numbers. The band had 275 members 15 years ago. For the fall, marching band membership had dropped to 148. lohn Lynch, director of bands, said he hoped to have the band membership up to 300 in the next three years. Stipends were suggested as a way to compensate band members for the time spent practicing and performing. Dr Timothy Oliver, who has directed the Marching layhawks for three years, attributed the declining number of band numbers to a variety of issues. He said that the idea of people leaving solely because of this year's budget is just not true. Of the 148 marching band members, 75 percent are non-music majors. Although marching band members practiced three days a week and performed on an almost weekly basis, these students were simply participating for the love of the music. Alex Hoffman, trumpet player, said he joined the Marching layhawks because he had a passion for music. Hoffman had been a lflarcing layhawk for three years. I really enjoy the activity There's just something about it as a whole, Hoffman said. lt's really exciting to hear the final product. The Marching Jayhawks brought paqeantry and tradition to fall football qames and other University events. text. monica delora photos. brandon qillette