Despite the rain, despite the cold and despite a party that did not end until 2 or 3 a.m., about 25,000 Jayhawk fans poured into Memorial Stadium this afternoon to fete their national champion basketball team.

After watching a replay of the title game, Coach Bill Self and his Jayhawk team – fresh off the plane from San Antonio and with national championship trophy in tow – came onto a stage at the center of the football team to a rousing round of applause. All the players and coaches were introduced with the loudest, most sustained applause for Monday night’s hero: Mario Chalmers.

“Over the years, these moments become mythic and legendary,” KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway said to the crowd. “2008 means Super Mario and the overtime.”

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Athletic Director Lew Perkins also spoke. Perkins said the national title represented the end of the restoration of Kansas Athletics.

“Back in 2003, I said we needed to do some things and we needed to do them with a swagger,” Perkins said. “In January 2008, I said we were almost there. Well last night, we got our swagger back.”

While former Jayhawk radio voice Max Falkenstien emceed the beginning of the festivities, Self took over the end and lavished praise on his players and the fans.

“I think I speak for our team that this is totally overwhelming,” he said. “You are the most loyal, best fans. I can’t imagine there’s any place that’s better to coach or play at than right here.”