Kansas opens season at Children’s Mercy Park

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas Jayhawks opened their football season Thursday night with the first of what will be a full season of games away from “The Booth.”

It’s getting a $300 million renovation as part of the Gateway District project.

There’s a lot of excitement for Jayhawks Football this year after back to back bowl appearances and a top 25 preseason ranking. But the team will have to do it playing all of their games away from David Booth KU Memorial Stadium.

Thursday, supporters were ready to see them arrive by bus to a home game, played at Children’s Mercy Park, usually a soccer stadium converted for football in less than 48 hours.

“We’ll play on anything. It’s the play on the field as long as they win I don’t care what we play in we can play at Lawrence High School,” parent Tommy Dunn Sr. said.

Because of some afternoon storms they weren’t able to create as much of a similar experience to campus as they were hoping. The planned “Hawk Walk” had to be canceled.

The team wasn’t the only one arriving by bus, students could reserve rides on yellow school buses while spots were available.

“It was hot really hot but it was fun and we’re so excited,” a group of female students said exiting the bus.

“I’m excited, especially for the Arrowhead games more opportunity for us students to have a better student life,” nursing student Benjamin Dunn said.

After non conference games against Lindenwood and UNLV at Children’s Mercy the team will finish out the season at Arrowhead Stadium.

“It would be kind of nice if they were all over at Arrowhead because there’s a lot more parking over there. But you deal with what they give you,” KU alumnus Kelly Harmon said.

Those stadium renovations created an intimate setting to watch college football and a cozy hour round trip ride from Lawrence for students dreaming of Big 12 Championships in multiple sports.

“It was packed I think the ride back will be even better especially if we win, when we win,” students said.

KU’s opening opponent was Lindenwood, a FCS school from the St. Louis area that only recently moved up to Division 1. KU defeated Lindenwood 48-3.

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