Kansas Jayhawks History

With 16 varsity teams and a spot in the one of the elite conferences in the country, the Big 12, the Kansas Jayhawks have an unbelievable array of athletic events that go down on campus from year to year, making them a mainstay of Kansas University in the process. Of course, a lot of the prestige of the campus comes from the football and basketball teams, which are both loaded with superstars on a regular basis and consistently are near the top of the standings.

The history of football at the University of Kansas dates back to when it was an intercollegiate football team in 1890 and 1891, making it one of the oldest college football programs around. On the gridiron, the Jayhawks have been one of the toughest teams in the country for a very long time, with one of the oldest programs in the nation, and on the court, the Jayhawks (both men's and women's) have been major players in the conference both historically and in recent seasons. With plenty of titles and prominent players heading into the next level from one year to the next, you're likely to see some rising stars whenever the Jayhawks take to the floor.

University of Kansas University Info

Over the years, the University of Kansas has become one of the major staples of Lawrence, Kansas, which isn't something likely to change anytime in the near future. Kansas was actually established all the way back in 1865. With more than two centuries of development, the University of Kansas has built an incredible reputation both in the classroom and on the sports field. Alumni like Bob Dole, Paul Rudd, Bud Adams and many more have studied at Kansas before a major mark on their respective fields. With as many famous academics as athletes, this is a rare school that has the perfect balance between classroom and athletic prominence.

Of course, the list of major athletes who have dominated for Kansas is every bit as impressive. Gale Sayers and John Riggins were two of the best college football players. And on the court guys like Larry Brown, Wilt Chamberlain, Nick Collison and Mario Chalmers are just a few of those who contributed to the basketball program. There have been plenty of amazing women who dominated on the court as well, including Lynette Woodard, Tamecka Dixon, Danielle McCray and many more.

Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas is a place that really springs to life when the Jayhawks are looking to do their thing on an athletic field, as you won't find a town that supports a college sports program with any more passion than you will around Jayhawks country. Founded all the way back before the Civil War, in 1854, Lawrence, Kansas has long been an integral part of the state, and the Jayhawks continue to have one of the best reputations of anywhere in the Midwest for athletics. On the path of the Oregon Trail, Lawrence sprung up as one of the prototypical Kansas cities, and these days it remains a cultural hub of the entire state – particularly when the Jayhawks are on the court of the gridiron. With their long tradition of excellence in a variety of aspects, the University of Kansas has become somewhat of an icon of the city.

Kansas Jayhawks Trivia

Did you know that Gale Sayers was once called The Kansas Comet?

Sayers would eventually go on to become a legend in Chicago as one of the best running backs in the history of the NFL, but first he came through campus and was an absolutely dominant force. From 1962-1964, he put up 3,917 all-purpose yards, making him one of the most dynamic players ever and giving nightmares to linebackers and defensive backs a like.

Kansas Jayhawks Fan Experience

When it comes to seeing a big game, it doesn't get much better than college football, though that's something that you need to see for yourself. The NFL is one great way to see a ballgame, but there's something special about watching the best amateur athletes in the country battle it out on the gridiron. If you've never been out to a prominent game featuring two of the better teams in college football, you simply have no idea what you've been missing. At Memorial Stadium, more than 50,000 different fans can come to the stands at the same time, making for a rip-roaring atmosphere every time out for the 'Hawks. Of course, the Allen Fieldhouse is also a great backdrop for the biggest hoops games of the season for the Jayhawks, and you'll see loud and clear why the college basketball experience is known to get taken to a completely different level when you get a chance to see it for yourself. When the game is on the line and the 'Hawks are digging in, there will be nothing else like it.