Exhibition to air on MegaVision

KU men's basketball game will be broadcast exclusively at Memorial Stadium before football opener

Kansas University’s exhibition basketball opener against the University of British Columbia will be shown on TV.

Make that one special TV — the big-screen MegaVision video board at Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium.

KU officials announced Tuesday that the Jayhawks’ 2 p.m. exhibition Sept. 4 against UBC would be shown live on the football video board — four hours before KU’s football opener against Tulsa.

The telecast from Vancouver, British Columbia, will not air anywhere but the stadium. Fans must purchase football tickets to be admitted to the stadium to watch the basketball exhibition.

“We think it will be a tremendous atmosphere,” KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said. “It’s opening day of the football season, which needs no hype. But this makes it even better. We thought it’d be a great way to give an added value to our ticket holders and create a full day of enjoyment for our fans.”

Gates will open at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 4. After the game, fans will be allowed to exit, tailgate, and then return for the 6 p.m. kickoff. Fans in the stadium suites also will be able to access the basketball game on television sets in those suites.

“I think it’s great. It shows the interest level of Kansas basketball to do that,” KU coach Bill Self said. “I think more importantly, that Saturday afternoon should be for our football team. Hopefully, fans will support our football team full force and get there early enough to watch us play the preliminary game to the main event that day.”

The KU-UBC game will be the only game to be televised on KU’s four-game tour of Canada. KU will produce the telecast and use the radio feed. KLWN-AM’s Brian Hanni will work play-by-play, and KU administrative assistant Brett Ballard will provide the color.

“With it being Labor Day weekend and so much going on, there was not a whole lot of time to set up the network,” Marchiony said, “so this will be the one game on TV.”

Single-game tickets for the KU-Tulsa game are available at the Allen Fieldhouse ticket office, online at www.kuathletics.com or by calling 785-864-3141.

“I don’t know how this could affect (football) attendance. I hope it’s positive,” Self said. “In my opinion, people should want to come support the football team regardless of our situation, but if this adds fans, that’s great.”

KU announced several football promotions Tuesday.

KU has designated the September 11 game vs. Toledo as Armed Forces Appreciation Day. Members of the armed forces and veterans may purchase $10 tickets for themselves and their families. The day will be highlighted by a flyover by the United States Air Force.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience will be on hand for the Oct. 9 game against Kansas State and Nov. 6 game versus Colorado. KU’s 1975 Sun Bowl team will be recognized at the Sept. 25 game versus Texas Tech.

Sept. 4 vs. Tulsa: Men’s basketball exhibition game telecast on video board; Youth Day; Cingular Wireless Promotion.Sept. 11 vs. Toledo: Armed Forces Appreciation Day (includes a flyover by U.S. Air Force); Band Day; Spirit Day; Family Weekend.Sept. 25 vs. Texas Tech: TIAA-Cref Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day; 1975 Sun Bowl Team Recognition.Oct. 9 vs. Kansas State: Homecoming; Richard Petty Driving Experience; Parachute Presentation by the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights.Nov. 6 vs. Colorado: Richard Petty Driving Experience; Hot Air Balloon; Cingular Wireless Promotion.Nov. 13 vs. Texas: Hot Air Balloon on the Hill; Cingular Wireless Promotion.

“We’re working extremely hard to put a winning football team on the field,” KU football coach Mark Mangino said. “We’ve got a terrific home schedule and these promotions are a way to give our fans even more value, and a way for us to show our appreciation for all they mean to us.”

¢

Hansbrough’s choice: Tyler Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound power forward from Poplar Bluff, Mo., will announce his college choice at 6 p.m. Monday, at his high school. Various recruiting analysts believe Hansbrough will choose North Carolina over Kansas, Kentucky and Missouri.

¢

Open practice: KU will begin basketball practice Thursday evening, the first day of the fall semester. The Jayhawks are allowed to practice 10 times in accordance with NCAA foreign tour rules. All practices will be closed to the public, with the possibility of Self opening one practice or scrimmage to fans.

Self said all players were ticketed to practice, even J.R. Giddens, who is coming off offseason knee and foot surgery and a nasty ankle sprain in early July.

“Everybody will practice,” Self said. “J.R. may move a little bit slow to begin with, but I’ve been told he has a clean bill of health.”