It’s still unclear what Roy Williams is going to do concerning his future as Kansas University’s head basketball coach.

But the lead organizer of a parade for the team says that celebration is still on.

“Whether Roy decides he’s staying or going, we’re planning for a parade,” Peggy Johnson, the lead organizer of the parade, said Friday afternoon.

“Of course, like many others, I hope Roy will stay,” Johnson said.

The parade is planned for 4 p.m. next Thursday in downtown Lawrence.

“There’s lots of interest in the parade and many people hope the parade will continue as planned,” Johnson said. “. . . We’re still getting our ducks in a row.”

Richard Konzem, senior associate athletic director at KU, said there has been discussion about waiting to make a decision on the parade.

Konzem added that if Williams were to be offered and accept the UNC coaching job, the KU athletic department would confer with staff and players before making a decision on whether to go through with the parade.

“Let’s give it until Monday or Tuesday and see what happens,” Konzem said.

Should a parade go forward, as earlier planned, for the KU men’s basketball team? Yes. But only if Roy Williams stays as KU’s head coach. Yes, even if Williams decides to go to the University of North Carolina. No, not if Williams decides to go to UNC. No, even if Williams decides to stay. They were already honored at Allen Fieldhouse. Undecided. Other. ¢See the results »Note: This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.¢Related stories:Parade to honor team ‘on hold’ as Roy makes decision

As planned, the parade is to feature Williams, his players and KU coaches in convertibles, accompanied by floats, a firetruck the KU Pep Band and the KU Alumni Band.

In the meantime, Johnson said she has had “a ton of people” call to try to be part of the parade.

Among the dignitaries who have asked to participate are Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., and Lawrence Mayor David Dunfield.

Several radio stations and a television station in the area have asked to be part of the parade, she said.

“We have just a variety of entries,” she said.

Johnson, who has been organizing similar parades since 1986 for the chamber, didn’t know if this year’s parade would be bigger than last year.

“We had a lot of interest in it last year, then it rained cats and dogs the day of,” she said.

She is having one small problem.

“We have more people with convertibles who would like to drive people,” she said. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to accommodate all of them. We’ll see.”

For more information, contact Johnson at (785) 841-2985 or Meredithe McCormick at (785) 865-4421.

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Roy, friends take swings at Alvamar: Williams, several current and former assistant coaches and staff members, and friends played a round Friday at Alvamar Golf and Country Club.

Four foursomes, including former KU assistant Jerry Green, current assistants Joe Holladay,
Steve Robinson and Ben Miller, administrative assitant Jerod Haase and radio announcer Max Falkenstien, teed off at about 12:30 p.m. on the course.

Williams and Nick Collison leave Friday evening for Los Angeles, where Saturday the two will attend the Wooden Award ceremonies. Collison is one of five finalist for the player of the year award, and Williams will receive the Wooden Legends of Coaching Award.

Online sports editor Levi Chronister contributed to this story.