To the editor:

Free State High School has had the good fortune to play four varsity football games at Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium during the last three years. There has not been a single negative comment from our opponents, fans, coaches, patrons or KU personnel about our use of the stadium. Everyone has applauded KU’s generosity and willingness to provide a facility for our games.

The Lawrence school district and Free State High have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the KU athletic department. We have opened our gyms to summer basketball camps, assisted with the Jayhawk Cross Country Invitational and the KU Relays, allowed KU soccer, track and baseball use of our facilities and equipment at no cost and welcomed the expertise of the KU athletic training staff. The school district and the university also have worked together in a variety of other programs including fine arts, continuing education and teacher education. Both the university and the public schools have benefited from these relationships.

As Chuck Woodling’s Aug. 28 article reported, Free State High School has been informed that after the 2003 season we may no longer be able to play at Memorial Stadium. We have not had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Perkins, but we would welcome the chance to share our concerns and listen to his.

We truly appreciate the fact that for the past three years KU has been a gracious host. We sincerely hope that we can continue to work with KU and will be invited to play at Memorial Stadium in future seasons.

Steve Grant, athletic director,

Bob Lisher, head football coach,

Free State High School