Jayhawk fans seeing Orange

Agencies set up ticket packages for travelers

Kansas University senior defensive lineman James McClinton, of Garland, Texas, raises his orange in recognition to the Jayhawks' receiving an Orange Bowl bid at during a press conference Hadl Auditorium in this file photo. McClinton bit into the orange, saying that was his reaction to learning they got an Orange Bowl bid. It is the first time in KU history that the football team has been selected to participate in a Bowl Championship Series game.

Hey, Mizzou … how’s that No. 1 ranking?

Oh wait. The University of Missouri football team ended the season ranked sixth in the Bowl Championship Series, one spot ahead of Kansas University’s team.

And the Tigers didn’t even get a BCS bid.

It’s sweet redemption for the BCS-bound Jayhawks, as they accepted a bid to play in the Orange Bowl on Sunday, while their archrivals in Columbia are stuck playing in the non-BCS Cotton Bowl.

Even before KU agreed to play Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3, travel agencies in Lawrence and around the country were preparing for the onslaught of Jayhawk fans looking to make their way to destinations, until last night, unknown.

Walt Houk, president of Travellers Inc., 831 Mass., said KU fans started inquiring about bowl travel packages a month ago. He said his company was busy Sunday night wrapping up package plans with airlines and hotels in Miami.

“We don’t have all that finalized yet, but we will have three- and probably four-night packages to Miami,” which will include airfare and hotel accommodations, as well as tickets to the game, Houk said. He said former KU football star Gale Sayers and former KU football coach Don Fambrough will act as hosts for the tour.

Houk said arrangements should be finalized late Sunday night. Fans can find information on the packages at Travellers’ Web site, www.travellers.vacation.com. He declined to speculate on pricing but said information will be available by 10 a.m. today.

Ken Bruce, executive vice president of Dodds Athletic Tours in Champaign, Ill., said he expected a busy day today as thousands of college football fans nationwide flock to his company’s Web site to reserve trips to their bowl destinations.

“Everybody and their brother is calling Monday morning,” Bruce said. He urged fans to be patient.

“Keep trying. We’re not going to run out Monday morning. Online’s the way to go,” he said, directing fans to a KU-specific Web site, www.doddsathletictours.com/ kansas.

Bruce said his company will offer packages that include airfare from Kansas City, hotel accommodations, tickets to the game and souvenirs, such as the official Orange Bowl patch worn by KU players. Dodds Athletic Tours will also offer packages sans airfare for fans who choose to arrive on their own.

He estimated air packages would average about $1,600 per person and land packages would cost about $850 per person.

Bruce said all the tickets his company provided came from the KU ticket block; he thought about 16,000 tickets would be allocated to the KU ticket office.

Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony said the bowl game has been a hot ticket for several weeks.

“We’ve already sent out feelers to our Williams Fund members, and so there are several thousand tickets that are already spoken for,” he said. “We have also reserved 3,000 tickets for our students. We are giving them discounted tickets.”

Marchiony said student tickets could cost around $50. Ticketmaster listed prices ranging from $110 to $210 on its Web site. Marchiony said the best way to reserve tickets is by calling the KU ticket office at (800) 34-HAWKS. But fans should pick up the phone soon.

“We’ve been active on this for the last couple of weeks, so people have already started acting early,” he said. “But if fans want tickets, the should contact the ticket office early next week.”

The push for tickets means there will be plenty of Jayhawks descending upon Miami.

“They should be ready to have a lot of fun and see some great football,” Marchiony said.

Ashlee Brosh, of Fairway, a 2004 KU graduate, already was trying to book a flight online Sunday night. She said she planned on making the trip, no matter which bowl the team played in. She was happy with an Orange Bowl bid.

“I was surprised, obviously, in a good way,” she said. “I know it upset a lot of Missouri fans, so that’s always an added bonus.”

Fan support is an added bonus for the players on the field, too.

“I thank the Lord for the fans that will go down to Miami,” defensive end James McClinton said. “We’ve had good fan support this year. It’s the best since I’ve been here.”

But Bruce, of Dodds Athletic Tours, said Virginia Tech will represent as well.

“Virginia Tech fans are known for traveling,” he said. “I hope KU will show them.”