KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the spirit of March Madness, Jayhawks fans rallied at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, Sunday night to welcome the Final Four bound men’s basketball team home.
Doors opened at 8 p.m. KSHB 41 News reporter McKenzie Nelson witnessed the first fans sprinting into the fieldhouse to find the best spots in the stands.
It’s that time‼️ pic.twitter.com/XiZb5EenlX
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) March 28, 2022
While waiting for the team to arrive, the rally kicked off with a replay of the game.
Rally at Allen Fieldhouse begins with replay of the game.
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) March 28, 2022
I wonder who wins.. pic.twitter.com/5kh7NfEB1R
Stands were starting to fill up around 9 p.m. as the band played to hype up the crowd.
HAPPENING NOW : Jayhawk fans are FILLING IN at Allen Fieldhouse getting ready to welcome the back the team after an amazing Elite 8 win! @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/fmQyfS2xW3
— Leslie DelasBour KSHB 41 (@ldelasbourtv) March 28, 2022
Further building anticipation, the team tweeted at 8:53 p.m. that the plane had landed, and by 9:09 p.m., KU's Senior Associate Athletic Director Dan Beckler tweeted a photo of the team's warm welcome at the airport.
What a welcome at the airport! #rockchalk pic.twitter.com/pApjpNScjX
— Dan Beckler (@DanBeckler) March 28, 2022
After almost 2 hours, the team arrived just before 10:20 p.m. to exuberant cheers from the fieldhouse.
The boys are back in town pic.twitter.com/vF7oMsKRAl
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) March 28, 2022
Coach Bill Self swiftly took to a microphone to thank fans for being the team's motivation and greatest supporters.
While the team was on the court for less than 10 minutes, Self wrapped up the event by telling fans to celebrate the evening.
"Let’s pretend Sunday night is a Saturday night. Have fun, be safe,” he said.
