Marching Jayhawks to lead KU pep rally Sept. 13 at Kansas State Fair

LAWRENCE -- The trill of the drum major's whistle and rhythmic thumps of the bass drum will signal 152 members of the Marching Jayhawks, the University of Kansas marching band, to step onto the stage of the Farm Bureau Arena at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson for a KU pep rally at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.

Under the direction of James G. Hudson, the KU Marching Jayhawks are making their first appearance in recent years at the state fair, performing "American Salute," "Sing Sing Sing," "Home on the Range" and other favorites in addition to traditional KU songs.

Janet Murguia, KU executive vice chancellor for university relations, will emcee the pep rally that will feature more KU staff and drawings for prizes. Richard Johnson, KU dean of students, will join the KU Spirit Squad and mascot, KU softball coach Tracy Bunge, Kansas Alumni Association representative Carolyn Barnes and six KU admissions counselors in leading the pep rally. The state fair pep rally is the final stop for the six admission counselors who are visiting schools in central and western Kansas Sept. 7 through 13.

Prizes will include two footballs, signed by Coach Mark Mangino, two basketballs signed by Coach Bill Self and two Jayhawks on Parade coffee table books. Only those attending the rally will be eligible to win.

Throughout the Kansas State Fair, Sept. 5 through 14, KU will have an expanded booth in the Meadowlark Building that will include "Cyber Jay," a computer-animated Jayhawk projected onto a big screen. Cyber Jay can "talk" to passers-by as well as boogie, do back flips, and flap his wings and fly.

KU faculty, staff and alumni will be at the booth to apply Jayhawk face tattoos and offer KU flying discs, magnets, pencils, football posters and "I'm a Jayhawk" fans as well as answer questions. A KU video also will be shown on a big-screen TV in the booth.

Daily drawings at the booth will feature five Rock Chalk Jayhawk T-shirts and a Jayhawks on Parade poster. During the 10 days of the fair, more than 100 KU faculty, staff and alumni will take turns working in the booth, handing out materials and answering questions about KU programs and events.

Approximately 300,000 people annually attend the Kansas State Fair.