Kevin Harlan hypes up Kansas' planned Gateway District, Memorial Stadium transformation in video
The University of Kansas showed off some renderings for a planned renovation of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and a new Gateway District on Tuesday as the school sinks a major investment into the football program. And they didn’t stop with just some photo renderings.
When you have an alumni like Kevin Harlan, why not get him to lend his voice to a promotional video? That’s just what the Jayhawks did, and the iconic television announcer tracked a passionate narration for his alma mater’s project.
“With an eye for innovation, but with an appreciation for our heritage we launch into a previously unattainable new chapter for the University of Kansas,” Harlan said.
He continued: “We are Jayhawks. Now, 158 years after the university became ‘glorious to view,’ the stars have aligned for a new vision, one that exhibits the highest commitment to excellence and an unbridled ambition to impact our athletics program, institution, community and state at an even greater level: The Gateway District and the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the entry point to our beautiful campus.”
The “glorious to view” line is a direct crib from the school’s alma mater, “The Crimson and The Blue.”
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Harlan didn’t leave it there in his narration.
“A place where Rock Chalk is more than our victory chant — it is a connection to the foundation upon which is was built. From the waving wheat fields across the state to the limestone embedded in our hills, this exceptional project will pay heed to our tradition and heritage while revealing a new KU. It is a transformational new home, fit for a football program that has gone through its own reconstruction. This is an audacious new era for the University of Kansas,” Harlan said.
“Join us, ever onward, to the stars,” he said, pulling from the lyrics of “Cheers for Kansas,” the state march.
Construction on the new Kansas facilities will be a long run, though
While the renovations are thrilling, the university does not want to impede on Kansas football. Thus, the construction will be done around the program’s needs, never forcing the Jayhawks to temporarily relocate.
“Construction on the first phase will begin at the conclusion of the 2023 football season, and will be completed by the beginning of the 2025 season,” per Kansas’ website. “Kansas Football will continue to play at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium during construction and will have reduced capacity for the 2024 season. Fans are encouraged to purchase season tickets for the 2023 season to have the opportunity to be in the stadium for the 2024 season.”