With 40 days left before Kansas University opens its football season against Northwestern, KU has sold nearly as many season tickets as it did in 2001 and remains ahead of last year’s pace, when the Jayhawks had their second-highest total ever.

Kansas sold 19,418 season tickets in 2001, the Jayhawks’ final season under coach Terry Allen. Buoyed by the arrival of current coach Mark Mangino, KU sold 26,500 tickets last season — its highest total in 30 years.

KU director of marketing Lee Johnson said Kansas had sold about 19,000 season tickets so far — 500 ahead of last year’s pace.

“I’m still confident we’re going to go above and beyond what we did last year,” Johnson said. “We’re going to be doing a pretty big marketing push the next three weeks in print, radio and television.”

That push will include television and newspaper ads in the Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita markets, as well as statewide advertising on the Jayhawk Radio Network.

KU already has billboards in Kansas City, Wichita and on Interstate 70, and advertising began earlier this month in area movie theaters.

Johnson said about 1,500 student combo (football and basketball) packages still were available.

KU also has 100 Family Zone packages remaining. That option includes two adult and two youth season tickets for $125.

Kansas begins preseason practices Aug. 4.

Johnson’s department has two events for fans scheduled during preseason camp. Kids Day is Aug. 10 at the practice fields. Children accompanied by an adult can attend the final 30 minutes of practice. Gates open to the public at 4:15 p.m., and KU players will sign autographs after practice.

Fan Appreciation Day is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20. After practice, Mangino will address fans and introduce team captains. Players will sign autographs for 30 minutes beginning at 7:30 p.m.

KU will play the first of seven home games at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 against Northwestern.

For more information call 864-3141, or go to www.kuathletics.com/tickets/fbtickets.