KU cancels classes Tuesday to celebrate victory

NCAA Championship Game

No classes will be held at Kansas University’s Lawrence campus Tuesday in recognition of the Jayhawks’ victory tonight in the NCAA national championship game, Chancellor Robert Hemenway has announced.

The team will be welcomed back to Lawrence at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday for a celebration at Kivisto Field at Memorial Stadium, rain or shine. Gates will open at 1:30 p.m. Shuttle buses will begin running from the Park and Ride lot off of Clinton Parkway starting at 12:30 p.m. Parking lots and garage will be open to public parking.

A U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter may fly over Memorial Stadium as part of the celebration.

Faculty are encouraged to communicate with their students about ongoing class projects and assignments. The last time classes were canceled for a nonweather event was April 5, 1988, the day after KU won the NCAA men’s basketball championship game. A celebration at Memorial Stadium that day drew more than 30,000 people.

Though classes are canceled, university offices will be open and employees are expected to report to work as usual. The unions will be open for regular business operations.

“This is a proud moment for Jayhawks everywhere,” Hemenway said. “Not only has the team dazzled the nation on the court, but our fans have demonstrated through their safe but boisterous celebrations and support that KU is truly a great place to be. Now the nation has been reminded that KU is the home of champions in academics, teaching and research as well as basketball.”