Jayhawk Football at Memorial Stadium

Official Review by Jack Winter, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

Located at the bottom of a sloping hill north of campus and overlooked by a towering campanile, Memorial Stadium at the University of Kansas paints one of the most idyllic settings in all of college football.

The stadium was built in 1920 and dedicated to KU students that were lost fighting in World War I. Originally housing bleachers on just the east and west sides of the field, Memorial has undergone several major renovations to get its current capacity 50,071.

Though hardly one of the most updated or modernized venues in the Big XII, KU's Memorial Stadium nonetheless serves as one of the more unique places to watch a game in the midwest.

Food & Beverage    2

The concessions at Memorial Stadium align perfectly with the stadium's aesthetics "" there's just nothing special here. Traditional fare such as hot dogs, burgers, popcorn and the like are readily available and reasonably priced. Local options are pretty limited, too, though the influence of nearby Kansas City is felt with the offering of real barbecue.

Instead of eating inside the stadium, venture a few blocks east to downtown Lawrence or simply join one of the many big tailgates surrounding Memorial.

Atmosphere    2

KU football has fallen on hard times since its 2008 Orange Bowl victory and the ouster of head coach Mark Mangino following the 2009 season. As a result, the in-stadium atmosphere is lacking.

Boo-birds come out in full force following poor play, students are mostly disengaged, and the crowd has a tendency to leave the game well before the clock hits all zeros. Also, noise levels and fan passion in general "" even in the Mangino-era "" were hampered by a track that surrounds the playing surface and keeps fans far away from the action.

The redeeming aspect of the Kansas football fan experience lies in the pre-game party around the stadium. Large tents replete with high class food and drink are set up on the hill south of the stadium, and smaller tailgates are abundant in grass on Memorial's other sides and front lawns of the surrounding neighborhood.

Neighborhood    5

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more beloved and quintessential college town in the country than Lawrence, KS. Here, it's all Jayhawks all the time, just the way they like it.

Though campus sits uphill and past the campanile to the south, the rest of the stadium is flanked by student housing. Seemingly there since the University's inception, this is a real neighborhood that is what one should conjure up when thinking of "off-campus living." Students and alumni alike host booze-infested pre-game parties on their front lawns and decks, then make the short walk to Memorial just in time for kick-off.

Only a few blocks east of Memorial is historic downtown Lawrence and Massachusetts Street, the city's social and cultural center. Known to locals as simply "Mass," it's littered with local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and retail stores. If looking for a true taste of Lawrence, this is where you need to be.

Take the kids for ice cream at Sylas and Maddy's, grab an award-winning beer at Free State Brewing Company, have a quick brunch at local favorite Milton's, or visit a local retailer like Weaver's. You can do it all on Mass, and you'll enjoy every second of it.

It'd be remiss not to mention two KU institutions "" The Wheel and The Hawk, two bars located on 14th Street just east of campus that have served students for well over 50 years. The former, in particular, deserves special mention. It's as awesomely "college bar" as a college bar gets.

Fans    2

Again, though certainly much better during successful times several years ago, the Jayhawk football faithful clearly aren't a dedicated bunch. Attendance is shoddy most every game, and fans' tendencies to boo and leave the game early are hardly an indicator of respect for the amateur athletes on the field.

KU football fans aren't awful "" far from it, in fact "" they just don't follow their program with the love and fervor of their western counterparts in Manhattan at Kansas State. Few do, of course, but many more still do better than Kansas. If you want to see Jayhawk fans at their finest, Phog Allen Fieldhouse is a must see.

Access    3

Moving about Memorial Stadium is easy. Concourses and aisles are wide, concessions and bathrooms are clearly marked, and there are multiple points of entry. Parking, though, is another story.

The lots immediately east of the stadium are small and most spots are reserved. In addition, most spaces on the street are taken by residents. However, finding available parking isn't difficult if looking in the right place. Drive through the neighborhoods surrounding Memorial and you'll see students holding signs offering parking and bathrooms for nominal fees. It's not most convenient, obviously, but still one of the telling aspects and sentiments of Lawrence and the University that help make it so beloved.

Return on Investment    3

Single game tickets to KU football games are reasonably priced with most seats coming in under the $40 mark. Still, in terms of bang for your buck and whether or not you'll be inclined to come back, there's neither a positive nor negative feeling gleaned from taking in a game at Memorial. To the point, the KU football experience "" in its current state, at least "" isn't exceptional by any means, and hardly must-see.

Extras    1

Special mention goes to the bell campanile overlooking Memorial Stadium. During afternoon games as the sun slowly sets, it helps to create a setting unlike any in the Big XII.