It was an early start Friday for a group of Kansas University students who wanted to ensure good seats at former President Clinton’s speech at Allen Fieldhouse.

Led by Jimmie Manning, a KU graduate student in communications, the group arrived at 1 a.m. to secure one of the first spots in line.

“He’s always been a hero of mine,” Manning said of the former president. “He’s such a charismatic and refined speaker. I study rhetoric, so I want to make sure I get up close so I can see the master in action.”

Manning arrived at 1 a.m. with fellow students Sarah Colteryahn, Shannon Reid and Jonathan Pryor. At 4:30 a.m., Karen Strauss and Michael Dunbar came with doughnuts.

More friends joined the group later in the day underneath a makeshift tent outside the west entrance. They had food but planned to discard it when the doors opened at 12:30 p.m. Nothing could get in the way of a sprint to the best seats.

“I’ve minimized everything I have so I won’t be searched,” Manning said. “I ran track in high school, so I hope to get as close as I can.”

The group of friends were not the only early arrivals.

Though Al Terry had a ticket for a seat on the fieldhouse floor, he still arrived about 8 a.m.

Terry, from St. Paul, Minn., was in Kansas researching his father, a Kansas City native, when he learned Clinton would give a speech at KU. After driving back to Minnesota, he came to Lawrence last week to camp out for a ticket at the Lied Center.

“He’s the first president I’ve wanted to see since Kennedy,” Terry said. “He is from my generation, came from a humble background and became president. I’m excited to experience him as a co-equal human being.”

KU students Renita Norman and Kriston Guillot arrived at 7:45 a.m. with Guillot’s parents, Kirby and Joyce.

They were hoping to get seats beside the KU bench.

“Clinton is really down-to-earth, like you could know him,” Kriston Guillot said. “A lot of people have strong memories after hearing presidents speak, like JFK and LBJ. They say it changed their lives.

“I don’t know what Clinton will talk about, but it could affect what we do and how we vote in the future.”

Norman went to Topeka to see President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry speak Monday at events surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

The inaugural Dole Lecture featuring President Clinton drew a crowd to Allen Fieldhouse. Some arrived as early as 1 a.m. Friday in order to get prime seats.

“It’s not too often you get to see two presidents and two presidential nominees in one week,” Norman said.

On Friday, former Kansas senator and 1996 presidential candidate Bob Dole introduced Clinton.

“I saw Clinton when I was in fourth grade,” Norman said. “I jumped at the chance to see him again. A lot of people pay thousands of dollars to hear him speak, so getting to see him for free like this is special.”

KU senior Paul Kramer arrived at the Fieldhouse at 5 a.m. and by 11 a.m. was protecting himself from the sun with a towel.

“It’ll be worth it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear a former president speak,” Kramer said. “Especially one as intellectually gifted as Clinton.”

Marianne Giles and her grandmother Lucille Murray arrived about 10:15 a.m.

“He’s just about the best speaker alive right now,” Giles said.

Murray, 85, lost a brother in World War II and said she was impressed with how Clinton ran the country.

“He had a chance to get us into a war but didn’t,” Murray said. “I would absolutely vote for him again if I could.”

Janice Kohley drove from Pittsburg to hear the lecture.

“I’ve always admired Clinton,” Kohley said. “I’ve seen him a few times and wanted to see him again. He’s a great speaker.”

Few people were complaining about lining up in the upper-80-degree heat.

“This is such a nicer day than when I stood in line for the ticket,” said Linda Tuttle, who waited in the rain to get a reserved Lied Center ticket.

“He’s a bright, articulate politician,” she said. “I haven’t seen many of those in my day.”

Lawrence High School student Chris Orlando came by himself but saw several of his classmates waiting in line.

“It’s important for young people to become involved,” Orlando said. “If we don’t, we’ll be ignored.”

Even though he may not be on the same side of the political fence as Clinton, pastor James Bush wanted to hear the speech.

“I think you can disagree with someone and still want to hear what he has to say,” Bush said.

Clinton calls for civility in speech Clinton calls for civility For those attending, awe overcomes heat Clinton fans show up early to get prime seats Fund-raiser energizes Democrats Visit’s costs add up for KU Other politicians have made stops at Mount Oread Clinton visits with Jayhawks Hopes high for lecture Other politicians have made stops at Mount Oread Pardoned drug dealer gets chance to meet Clinton Former Sen. Bob Dole introduces Clinton 6News video: Clinton’s lecture, part 1 6News video: Clinton’s lecture, part 2 6News video: Clinton’s lecture, part 3 6News video: Clinton’s lecture, part 4 6News video: Clinton answers question on partisanship 6News video: Clinton discusses youth involvement in politics 6News video: Clinton answers question on racial equality Photo gallery: Clinton delivers Dole Lecture Dole’s introduction of Clinton Clinton on his Jayhawk welcome (speech part 1) Clinton on the scholarship fund for 9-11 victims (speech part 2) Clinton on the purpose of disagreeing with leaders (speech part 3) Clinton on the U.S. making more friends and fewer enemies (speech part 4) Clinton on political cooperation in the U.S. government (question 1) Clinton on bringing young Americans into the political process (question 2) Clinton on race relations in the U.S. (question 3) 360-degree panorama view: Allen Fieldhouse during Clinton’s speech