KU and KSU fans kick off college football season

DERBY, Kan. (KSNW) — Dave Kersting is a Kansas State University alumnus who has been a season ticket holder and tailgater for over 15 years. He loves being around his friends, and they wait for football season to come after the prior season ends.

Kersting is a part of the Wildcat West 43 tailgate, and they tailgate regardless of the weather. They don’t do hamburgers and hot dogs, but instead ribs and steaks. They will make those as the Wildcats take on UT Martin on Saturday. On Thursday night, fans traveled to Kansas City to watch the Jayhawks beat Lindenwood.

KU plays in KC this year instead of Lawrence, while Kansas Memorial Stadium is redone. Jason Booker, the deputy athletic director for external affairs and revenue and generation at KU, says they are excited about the unique opportunity.

“Our student-athletes are really excited to get to play in these really cool venues, and obviously, a venue where super reigning Super Bowl champs are playing,” Booker said. “So to just be in that environment, I think it’s really exciting. We have a great fan base and following in Kansas City. A lot of season ticket holders from that area. Obviously, we’re only 30 minutes away, so it’s always been kind of a home away from home in Lawrence.”

Booker says they have been working on their partnership with Children’s Mercy Park and Arrowhead Stadium to ensure a good fan experience and that season ticket holders are rewarded this season.

There are fewer seats at Children’s Mercy Park than in Lawrence, and Arrowhead can hold more. The two non-conference games are at Children’s Mercy Park, and the four conference games are at Arrowhead Stadium. Booker anticipates good crowds, with at least two of the games exceeding the number of fans they would have been able to hold in Lawrence. There is a bus program for students.

The parking lots at Children’s Mercy Park are opening five hours before the game rather than Sporting KC’s typical three. They are duplicating the Fan Fest experience in the Mazuma Plaza next to the stadium with inflatables, face painting, the team walk, and other activities they typically do on the hill in Lawrence.

“We’ve tried to replicate a little bit of that college feel, but bringing in kind of a new, different twist to it,” Booker said.

He says he believes this will become a special memory for fans.

“Ten years from now, our fans will look back and say, hey, do you remember that time when we played at Sporting or when we played at Arrowhead? Wasn’t that really cool when we were building our new stadium? Which is exciting because people know what’s ahead too. We know we’re opening revitalized David Booth Memorial Stadium in 25,” Booker said.

He says it also gives season ticket holders and donors new opportunities to have club areas and suites KU hasn’t had before.

“They’ve done a lot of upgrades over the years, so they’re going to get to feel kind of a premium environment, what concessions look like and feel like, different than we’ve been able to provide, so ya, it’ll be a fun year,” Booker said.

There is a parking discount at Arrowhead for season ticket holders. Parking that is normally $50 will be $37. They are selling four-game season ticket plans before single-game tickets. Booker says the new stadium is still on track to be complete before the 2025 football season.

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