Bill Self praises Memorial Stadium renderings. They’re ‘unbelievably good, fantastic’
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self shares the enthusiasm of football coach Lance Leipold and athletic director Travis Goff when it comes to the renderings for the university’s proposed Gateway District — drawings released to the public on Aug. 15.
“Honestly, I thought they were unbelievably good,” Self said of the renderings. He was speaking Tuesday afternoon during a promotion at Parsons Xtreme Golf in Overland Park.
“If we are able to do what we believe we can, which I think will occur, I mean that place will have a totally different facelift and it’ll create an image for the university that is far different than what it is right now. I think it’s fantastic.”
The Gateway District is to feature a renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Also, according to a KU release, it will include, “a new conference center and multi-use facilities that will enable year-round use and drive economic development in Lawrence. Plans for the district also include a combination of new retail, dining and other amenities that will drive student recruitment and enhance the campus experience for KU students and employees.”
The Jayhawks have made significant progress thus far raising money for the project.
Self said Tuesday, “with the Gateway renovations, it will be generational (change) for our university. It will pay for itself from (increased) enrollment and a lot of different things moving forward. Certainly we need help (raising money) now, but I’m so excited for what it can be. I think we are doing a good job moving it in that direction.”
The KU football team will open its season against Missouri State on Sept. 1. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
“We’re going to be good,” Self said of the football Jayhawks. “I don’t know football, but I’ve watched them practice. We are bigger. We are faster. We are stronger and we’ve got a first-team potential All-America quarterback. If you have those things and a guy that good handling the ball every snap I think you have a chance to have a pretty good year.
“I wouldn’t bet we’d have a good year, I guarantee we’ll have a good year.”
