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Big 12 logo in Kansas' colors

Key Information

The Kansas Jayhawks, commonly referred to as simply KU or Kansas, are the athletic teams that represent the University of Kansas. KU is one of three schools in the state of Kansas that participate in NCAA Division I. The Jayhawks are also a member of the Big 12 Conference. KU athletic teams have won fifteen national championships all-time, with twelve of those being NCAA Division I championships: four in men's basketball, one in men's cross country, three in men's indoor track and field, three in men's outdoor track and field, and one in women's outdoor track and field. Kansas basketball also won two Helms Foundation National Titles in 1922 and 1923, and KU Bowling won the USBC National Title in 2004.

Mascot

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Origins of "Jayhawk"

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Main article: Jayhawker

The name "Jayhawk" comes from the Kansas Jayhawker militias during the Bleeding Kansas era of the American Civil War. The term became part of the lexicon of the Missouri-Kansas border in about 1858, during the Kansas territorial period, as these militia groups began to grow in Kansas.

Another historian of the territorial period described the Jayhawkers as bands of men that were willing to fight, kill, and rob for a variety of motives, including defense against pro-slavery "Border Ruffians", abolition of slavery, driving pro-slavery settlers from Kansas Territory and their claims of land, Christianity, revenge, or plunder and personal profit.[2]

In September 1861, the town of Osceola, Missouri, was burned to the ground by Jayhawkers during the Sacking of Osceola.[3] On the 150th anniversary of that event in 2011, the town asked the University of Kansas to remove the Jayhawk as its mascot;[4] although, the university refused.

Over time, proud of their state's contributions to the end of slavery and the preservation of the Union, Kansans embraced the "Jayhawker" term. The term came to be applied to people or items related to Kansas. When the University of Kansas fielded their first football team in 1890, like many universities at that time, they had no official mascot. They used many different independent mascots, including a pig. During the 1890s, the team was referred to as the Jayhawkers by the student body.[5] Over time, the name was gradually supplanted by its shorter variant, and KU's sports teams are now almost exclusively known as the Jayhawks. The Jayhawk appears in several Kansas cheers, most notably, the "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" chant in unison before and during games.[6] In the traditions promoted by KU, the jayhawk is said to be a combination of two birds, "the blue jay, a noisy, quarrelsome thing known to rob other nests; and the sparrow hawk, a stealthy hunter."[7]

The term Jayhawker was made famous in Clint Eastwood’s movie The Outlaw Josey Wales. An older Kansas couple comes into a general store in Texas. The checker says, “The wheat is from Kansas and the molasses comes from Missouri.” Grandma says, “Well sir we'll do without the molasses, anything from Missouri has a taint about it.” Grandpa says, “Now, Grandma, you’ve got to tread lightly now that we’re here in Texas. Lot of nice elements from Missouri coming West.” Grandma responds, “Never heard of nice things from Missouri coming West, and treading lightly is not my way. We’re from Kansas, Jayhawkers and proud of it.”

The link between the term "Jayhawkers" and any specific kind of mythical bird, if it ever existed, had been lost or at least obscured by the time KU's bird mascot was invented in 1912. The originator of the first bird mascot, Henry Maloy, struggled for over two years to create a pictorial symbol for the team, until hitting upon the bird idea. As explained by Mr. Maloy, "the term ‘jayhawk’ in the school yell was a verb and the term ‘jayhawkers’ was the noun."[8] KU's current Jayhawk tradition largely springs from Frank W. Blackmar, a KU professor. In his 1926 address on the origin of the Jayhawk, Blackmar specifically referenced the blue jay and sparrow hawk. Blackmar's address served to soften the link between KU's athletic team moniker and the Jayhawkers of the Kansas territorial period, and helped explain the relatively recently invented Jayhawk pictorial symbol with a myth that appears to have been of even more recent fabrication.[9] More recently, however, the University and KU fans have again embraced the history of the Jayhawker moniker, with the football team, among other Varsity teams, donning civil war themed uniforms.[10]

Costume mascots

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Main articles: Big Jay (mascot) and Baby Jay

Jayhawks Big Jay and Baby Jay are the costume mascots used by the University of Kansas.[11]

Another Jayhawk costume mascot was Centennial Jay, or C Jay.[12][13] C Jay was created by student cartoonist Henry Maloy and featured in the University Daily Kansan in 1912.[14] Maloy's depiction of the Jayhawk helped answer the question of what the mythical bird would look like. When asked why he gave the bird shoes Maloy responded, "Why? For kicking opponents, of course."[14] C Jay was reintroduced as a full-sized mascot on February 25, 2012 in the final Border War against Missouri to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Jayhawk.[15] C Jay was used only in 2012 for the 100-year anniversary of the original Jayhawk design.[15]

Sports sponsored

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Men's sports Women's sports
Baseball Basketball
Basketball Cross country
Cross country Golf
Football Rowing
Golf Soccer
Track and field1 Softball
Swimming and diving
Tennis
Track and field1
Volleyball
1 – includes both indoor and outdoor.

The University of Kansas officially sponsors 16 sports: 6 men's and 10 women's. There are also club-level sports for rugby, ice hockey, and men's volleyball. The school used to sponsor a wrestling team, though the sport was discontinued during the 1960s.[16]

Basketball

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Men's basketball

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Main article: Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball

The Jayhawks men's NCAA basketball program is one of the most successful and prestigious programs in the history of college basketball. The Jayhawks' first coach was the inventor of the game, James Naismith. The program has produced some of the game's greatest professional players (including Clyde Lovellette, Wilt Chamberlain, Joel Embiid, Jo Jo White, and Paul Pierce) and most successful coaches (including Phog Allen, Adolph Rupp, Ralph Miller, Dutch Lonborg, John McLendon, Larry Brown, Dean Smith, Roy Williams, and Bill Self). The program has enjoyed considerable national success, having been retrospectively awarded Helms Foundation titles for the 1922 and 1923 seasons, winning NCAA national championships in 1952, 1988, 2008, and 2022, and playing in 16 Final Fours. The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team is one of only three programs to win more than 2,000 games. KU ranked 4th in Street & Smith's Annual list of 100 greatest college basketball programs of all time in 2005.[17]

Women's basketball

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Main article: Kansas Jayhawks women's basketball

Kansas first fielded a women's team during the 1968–69 season. For thirty-one seasons (1973–2004) the women's team was coached by Marian Washington, who led the team to three Big Eight championships, one Big 12 Championship, six conference tournament championships, eleven NCAA Tournament appearances and four AIAW Tournament appearances. The team's best post-season result was a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1998. Bonnie Henrickson served as head coach from 2004 to 2015, until she was fired in March 2015.[18] Brandon Schneider was hired to replace Henrickson in April 2015.

Football

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Main article: Kansas Jayhawks football
The first phase of the renovation has been completed. The new west and north stands can be seen in this August 2025 photo. The east stands will be torn down and rebuilt in the second phase.

KU began playing football in 1890. The football team has had notable alumni including Gale Sayers, a two-time All-American who later enjoyed an injury-shortened yet Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears; John Riggins, another Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XVII MVP with the Washington Redskins; Pro Football Hall of Famer for the Cleveland Browns, Mike McCormack. Additional notable former Jayhawks John Hadl, Curtis McClinton, Dana Stubblefield, Bobby Douglass, Nolan Cromwell, and former NFL cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. The Jayhawks have appeared three times in the Orange Bowl, 1948, 1969 and 2008, winning in 2008. The team currently plays in Memorial Stadium (capacity 50,071), the seventh oldest college football stadium in the nation, which opened in 1921. Clint Bowen was named interim head coach after Charlie Weis was fired September 28, 2014. On December 5, 2014, David Beaty was announced as the next head football coach.[19]

Baseball

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Main article: Kansas Jayhawks baseball
The Jayhawks playing during the 2025 season at Hoglund Ballpark

Kansas baseball began in 1867, and in 1880 became a varsity sport. It is one of the oldest intercollegiate college baseball programs in the United States. It produced notable players such as Bob Allison and Steve Renko. The team has appeared in five NCAA tournaments (1993, 1994, 2006, 2009, 2014) and one College World Series (1993). As of March 11, 2025 the team holds a 2,071-1,991-18 record.

Softball

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The Jayhawks softball team has appeared in seven Women's College World Series, including five straight from 1973–77, as well as 1979 and 1992.[20]

Golf

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In 1949, Marilynn Smith won the women's individual intercollegiate golf championship (an event conducted by the Division of Girls' and Women's Sports (DGWS) — which later evolved into the current NCAA women's golf championship). In 2025, Kansas won the Columbus Regional, securing an appearance in the NCAA Championship and claiming the first regional championship in program history.[21]

Soccer

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Women's soccer at the University of Kansas got its start in 1995, and they play their games at Rock Chalk Park in northwest Lawrence, Kansas. The stadium holds 2,500 people, making it one of the larger stadiums in the Big 12 for soccer. The team is coached by Mark Francis, who is in his 25th season at KU as of 2023, with a record of 258-192-43. The team's overall record since 1995 is 283-240-46, with two Big 12 conference titles, a divisional title, and 9 appearances in the NCAA tournament.

Notable non-varsity sports

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Rugby

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Founded in 1964, Kansas Jayhawks Rugby Football Club plays college rugby in the Division 1 Heart of America conference against its many of its traditional Big 8 / Big 12 rivals such as Kansas State and Missouri. Kansas finished the 2011 year ranked 24th.[22] Kansas rugby has embarked on international tours since 1977, playing in Europe, New Zealand, South Africa, Belgium, Holland, Scotland, England, Ireland and Argentina.[23] The team plays its matches at the Westwick Rugby Complex, which was funded by $350,000 in alumni donations.[24] Kansas often hosts the annual Heart of America sevens tournament played every September, the winner of which qualifies for the USA Rugby sevens national championship. Notable University of Kansas rugby all-Americans are: Pete Knudsen 1986, Paul King 1989–90, Anthony Rio 1992, Philip Olson 1993 all American, Joel Foster 1993, Collin Gotham 1993. In 2022 the club played in the USA Rugby D1AA spring national championship game, falling to Fresno State, 22–17.

Ice hockey

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Competing in the ACHA, the Kansas Jayhawks Club Ice Hockey team has seen a resurgence in popularity since the team started scheduling games against historical rivals Missouri and Nebraska, starting on an annualized basis in 2013. The team is coached by Andy McConnell.[citation needed]

The team's primary logo is the traditional Kansas Jayhawk logo, with the secondary logo paying homage to the Vancouver Canucks classic logo, with the outline of the state of Kansas having a hockey stick running through the middle of it.[citation needed]

Championships

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Conference championships and titles

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Cheering on the champions.

The Jayhawks have won 177 conference championships across all sports in university history as of December 2024.[citation needed]

Big 12 Conference champions in men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball have the best conference regular season record, and conference tournament titles are awarded to the winner of the postseason championship tournament in men's basketball, baseball, softball, women's basketball, women's soccer, and tennis. Big 12 postseason championship games and matches are played in rowing, track and field, cross country, and football.

Men's basketball[25]

The Jayhawks have won or shared an NCAA record 63 conference championships since they joined their first conference in 1907. The Jayhawks have belonged to the Big 12 Conference since it was formed, before the 1996–97 season, and dominated it, winning 12 straight conference titles dating back to 2005. Before that, the Jayhawks have belonged to the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association from the 1907–08 to 1927–28 seasons, the Big Six Conference from 1928–29 to 1946–47, the Big Seven Conference from 1947–48 to 1957–58, the Big Eight Conference from 1958–59 up until the end of the 1995–96 season. The Big Six and Big Seven conferences were actually the more often used names of the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which existed under that official name until 1964, when it was changed to the Big Eight.[26]

Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (13)

  • 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1914, 1915, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927

Big Six Conference (12)

  • 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946

Big Seven Conference (5)

  • 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957

Big Eight Conference (13)

  • 1960, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996

Big 12 Conference (20)

  • 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023

In addition to the 63 regular season conference championships, the Jayhawks have also won 28 conference tournament championships:

Big 7 Holiday Tournament (4)

  • 1951, 1953, 1956, 1957,

Big 8 Holiday Tournament (9)

  • 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1977, 1978,

Big 8 Postseason Tournament (4)

  • 1981, 1984, 1986, 1992,

Big 12 Postseason Tournament (12)

  • 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2022
Football[27]
1908 - MVIAA champion
1923 - MVIAA champion
1930 - Big 6 champion
1946 - Big 6 champion
1947 - Big 7 champion
1968 - Big 8 champion
Women's basketball[28]
1979 – Big 8 tournament champion
1980 – Big 8 tournament champion
1981 – Big 8 tournament champion
1987 – Big 8 regular season and tournament champion
1988 – Big 8 tournament champion
1992 – Big 8 regular season champion
1993 – Big 8 tournament champion
1996 – Big 8 regular season champion
1997 – Big 12 champion
Baseball[29]
1922 – MVIAA champion
1923 – MVIAA champion
1949 – Big 7 champion
2006 – Big 12 tournament champion
Soccer
2004 – Big 12 regular season co-champion
2019 - Big 12 tournament champion
2024 – Big 12 tournament champion
Softball[30]
2006 – Big 12 tournament champion
Men's indoor track and field
1922, 1923, 1934, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
Women's indoor track and field
2013
Men's outdoor track and field
1910, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1946, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982
Women's outdoor track and field
2013
Men's cross country
1928, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1969
Men's golf
1999
Tennis
1979, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2019
Women's volleyball
2016

National Championships

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Kansas has won 12 NCAA team national championships[31] and 3 non-NCAA National Championships. Eleven of the twelve NCAA Championships have come from men's sports teams. The sole women's National Championship was from the outdoor track team in 2013. The last team National Championship was from the men's basketball team in 2022. Five different sports have won at least one championship.

NCAA team championships

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Non-NCAA team championships

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The Jayhawks have also won three national titles not awarded by the NCAA:

Rivalries

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Kansas State Wildcats (Sunflower Showdown)

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Main article: Sunflower Showdown

Kansas State University is Kansas' in-state rival. The series between Kansas and Kansas State is known as the Sunflower Showdown.

Missouri Tigers (Border War)

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Main article: Border War (Kansas–Missouri rivalry)

The 160-year-old rivalry between Kansas and Missouri began with open violence that up to the American Civil War known as Bleeding Kansas that took place in the Kansas Territory (Sacking of Lawrence) and the western frontier towns of Missouri throughout the 1850s.[32] The incidents were clashes between pro-slavery factions from both states and anti-slavery Kansans to influence whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state. In the opening year of the war, six Missouri towns (the largest being Osceola) and large swaths of the western Missouri country side were plundered and burned by guerrilla "Jayhawkers" from Kansas. The Sacking of Osceola led to a retaliatory raid on Lawrence, Kansas two years later known as the Lawrence Massacre killing between 185 and 200 men and boys, which in turn led to the infamous General Order No. 11 (1863), the forced depopulation of several western Missouri counties.[33] The raid on Lawrence was led by William Quantrill, a Confederate guerrilla born in Ohio who had formed his bushwhacker group at the end of 1861. At the time the Civil War broke out, Quantrill was a resident of Lawrence, Kansas teaching school.[34]

The athletic rivalry began with a football game on October 31, 1891. Currently it is the second longest played series in Division I football and has been described as one of the most intense in the nation.[35] However, no regular season games were scheduled after Missouri accepted an offer to join the Southeastern Conference and Kansas refused Missouri's offer to continue rivalry outside of the conference.[36] In the basketball series Kansas leads by a large margin (172-95 KU), in football Missouri leads by a very small margin (56-55-9 MU) and baseball Missouri leads by a large margin. Regular season games have been scheduled for basketball beginning in 2020 and football in 2025 for the first time since Missouri left for the SEC.

Dormant rivalries

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Nebraska Cornhuskers

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Main article: Kansas-Nebraska football rivalry

Kansas had a rivalry with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, though that rivalry had more to do with who had the better sports program, with Kansas priding itself on its basketball prowess and Nebraska on its football dominance. This rivalry of sports cultures has gone dormant with Nebraska's departure for the Big Ten Conference in 2011. Prior to 2011, the football series between the 2 schools was the 3rd most played rivalry in college football behind Minnesota-Wisconsin and Kansas-Missouri. In basketball, Kansas leads the all-time series 170–71.

Notable athletes

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This list below is for Olympic medalists and Hall of Famers in their respective sport, with a single exception. For a more comprehensive list of notable athletes see List of University of Kansas people § Athletes and coaches.

  • Phog Allen played basketball at KU under James Naismith. He was known as the "Father of Basketball Coaching" as he coached and mentored Hall of Fame coaches Dutch Lonberg, Adolph Rupp, Ralph Miller, and Dean Smith. Allen, Lonberg, Rupp, Miller, and Smith (all KU alumni and basketball players) amassed 3,481 career wins as head coaches. No other five alumni from any other school come close to this figure. When Allen retired he was the leader in all-time wins (746) until passed by Rupp, who held it until passed by Smith. Allen also founded the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) in 1927, which went on to create the NCAA Tournament in 1939. While at Kansas, he coached the football and baseball teams. He is the namesake for the basketball arena at Kansas, Allen Fieldhouse.
  • Bob Dole, known his political career, was a football and basketball player for the Jayhawks, but did not have any major accomplishments as an athlete. He served as senator from Kansas for 27 years, resigning to focus on his presidential campaign. He was the Republican Party nomination for the 1996 presidential election and lost to incumbent Bill Clinton.
  • Wilt Chamberlain, two-time All American, Final Four MVP, National Basketball Hall of Fame, Top 50 All Time Greatest NBA players
  • Jon Cornish, 2006 First Team All-Big 12, second round draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders, Canadian Football Hall of Famer
  • Glenn Cunningham, two-time US Olympic Runner, Silver Medalist 1936 Berlin Olympics, dominant runner of the 1930s
  • Bill "Skinny" Johnson, Basketball player, 2-time All-Big 6. Member basketball Hall of Fame.
  • Clyde Lovellette, Basketball player, led KU to the 1952 NCAA Tournament championship. The only player in NCAA history to lead the nation in scoring and then win the National Championship in the same season. 1952 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Scored a then record 141 points in the 1952 NCAA Tournament. 3-time All-American (twice Consensus All-American) and 1952 Helms College Player of the Year. 1952 Olympic Gold Medalist while earning the Most Outstanding Player and leading the team in scoring. 9th overall pick in the 1952 NBA Draft. 4-time NBA All Star, 3-time NBA champion, and Basketball Hall of Fame member.
  • Danny Manning, Basketball player and former head basketball coach at Wake Forest. Two-time All-American 1988 recipient of the Naismith and Wooden Awards, Big 8 Player of the Decade for the 1980s, 2-time NBA All-Star, National Collegiate Basketball Hall Of Famer.
  • Mike McCormack, Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle. Former NFL head coach and GM.
  • Ralph Miller, Basketball and Football player at KU. All Big-Six conference quarterback on the football team. Assistant under Phog Allen. Went on to become Basketball Hall of Famer as a head coach with 657 wins.
  • Billy Mills, First American to win gold medal in the 10,000 m run, 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games
  • Bill Nieder, Former record holder in High School shot put, first college Athlete to surpass 60 feet with the 16-pound shot, two National championships, Silver Medal 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, Gold Medal 1960 Rome Olympic Games
  • Al Oerter, Olympic gold medal discus thrower in four consecutive Olympiads
  • John Riggins, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, MVP of Super Bowl XVII
  • Adolph Rupp, Basketball Player under Phog Allen. Member of 1922 and 1923 Helms Foundation title teams. Retired as winningest college basketball head coach with 876 wins. Member of Basketball Hall of Fame.
  • Jim Ryun, World record holder in mile, Olympic silver medalist, former Congressman
  • Gale Sayers, 2-time All American, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, Chicago Bears
  • Dean Smith played basketball under Phog Allen. Also played baseball. Played on the 1952 National Championship Basketball Team. Assistant Coach at KU for 1 season. Retired as winningest college basketball head coach with 879 wins Member of Basketball Hall of Fame.
  • Marilynn Smith, 21-time winner on the LPGA Tour. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006
  • Lynette Woodard, 4-time All-American, Major college basketball's career Women's Scoring leader, Gold Medalist 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, First woman ever to play with Harlem Globetrotters, WNBA player, former assistant and interim head coach for the Kansas Jayhawks, National Basketball Hall of Fame, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Athletic directors

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Kansas has had 16 full-time athletic directors and 8 interim athletic directors. W. O. Hamilton was the first official athletic director. Travis Goff has served as the athletic director since 2021. Longtime men's basketball coach Phog Allen also served as athletic director for 18 years.

Athletic department revenue

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Total revenue includes Ticket sales, contributions and donations, rights and licensing, student fees, school funds and all other sources including TV income, camp income, concessions, and novelties.

Total expenses includes coach and staff salaries, scholarships, buildings and grounds, maintenance, utilities and rental fees, recruiting, team travel, equipment and uniforms, conference dues, and insurance.

The following table shows the KU Athletics audit reports to the NCAA for each of the years shown.

Fiscal Year Total Operating Revenue Total Operating Expenses
2017-2018 $106,307,326 [37] $104,108,072 [37]
2018-2019 $121,553,307 [38] $108,881,800 [38]
2019-2020 $102,707,575 [39] $102,693,011 [39]
2020-2021 $92,325,635 [40] $94,140,743 [40]
2021-2022 $118,020,175 [41] $108,696,078 [41]
2022-2023 $128,398,186 [42] $124,210,259 [42]

See also

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References

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Sources

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  • Falkenstien, Max; Vance, Doug (1996). Max and the Jayhawks: 50 Years on and off the Air with KU Sports. Wichita, Kansas: The Wichita Eagle & Beacon Publishing Company.
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kansas Jayhawks

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

The Kansas Jayhawks are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the , competing in 16 varsity sports at the level.
Sponsored by the university in Lawrence, the program fields teams in sports including men's , football, , and , with most competing in the following its expansion and realignment in recent years.
The Jayhawks are particularly distinguished by their men's team, which holds the record for the most wins in history (over 2,300) and has claimed four national championships in 1952, 1988, 2008, and 2022, alongside 16 appearances.
Additional notable successes include NCAA titles in men's cross country, men's indoor , and men's outdoor , contributing to a total of 12 championships across programs.
The Jayhawk mascot, a mythical symbolizing heritage, underscores the program's deep ties to the state's identity, though the teams have faced periodic NCAA scrutiny over recruiting practices, resulting in sanctions such as those in the 1980s and investigations in the 2010s that tested institutional compliance.

History

Founding and early development

The intercollegiate athletic programs at the , later known as the Jayhawks, originated in the fall of 1890 with the organization of the first football team by the KU Athletic Association. This marked the inception of formal varsity competition, positioning Kansas among the earliest programs in the United States. The team adopted the moniker "Jayhawkers," derived from a term emerging in the among Kansas free-state advocates during the territorial struggles preceding statehood, symbolizing aggressive partisanship akin to a hybrid of a and sparrow hawk. In May 1896, the KU Athletic Board formalized and as the official colors for athletic teams, shifting from the university's prior and to evoke the prestige of and . This decision aligned with growing intercollegiate rivalries, including early football contests against regional opponents like the . The basketball program was founded in 1898 by Dr. , the sport's inventor, who arrived at KU as chapel director and instructor seven years after devising the game's original 13 rules in . Naismith assembled the inaugural team that season, which played its first documented intercollegiate contest on February 4, 1899, defeating a Kansas City squad 16-7 in . Under Naismith's nine-year tenure as coach, the team compiled a 55-60 record against local and amateur competition, establishing foundational practices amid the sport's nascent development. Early expansion included events by the mid-1890s and shortly thereafter, fostering a broader athletic culture amid rudimentary facilities and student-led governance. By the early , KU athletes began representing the institution internationally, with track competitor Ray Moulton competing in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics in the 60-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter dashes. These developments laid the groundwork for structured competition, though programs operated without dedicated professional oversight until later appointments.

Conference affiliations and transitions

The athletic programs of the , competing as , affiliated with the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MVIAA) in 1907, alongside institutions including Iowa State, Kansas State, , , and ; this membership encompassed multiple sports and marked the program's entry into organized intercollegiate competition structures. In 1928, amid disputes over athletic subsidies and governance within the MVIAA, the six larger public universities (Iowa State, , Kansas State, , , and ) departed to establish the Big Six Conference, leaving smaller schools to form what became the modern ; thus transitioned to the Big Six, which governed football, basketball, and other sports with a focus on competitive balance among regional powers. The Big Six expanded in 1948 with the addition of Oklahoma A&M (later Oklahoma State), renaming to the Big Seven Conference through 1957, during which Kansas secured multiple titles in basketball and other disciplines under this stable regional alignment. In 1958, the conference admitted the , evolving into the , which persisted until 1996 and emphasized rivalries like the Kansas-Missouri series while adapting to post-World War II enrollment growth and national media interest. The Big Eight effectively transitioned into the Big 12 Conference in 1996 through a merger with Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech from the dissolving Southwest Conference, creating a 12-team footprint spanning the central U.S. with enhanced television revenue and scheduling; Kansas has maintained continuous membership in the Big 12 since its inception, navigating subsequent expansions—including the 2023 additions of BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, and the 2024 inclusions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah—without further realignment, amid broader NCAA shifts driven by media rights and financial incentives.

Key milestones in the modern era

In 1988, the team captured its first national championship in the , defeating 83-79 in the final under head coach Larry Brown, with standout performance from who earned Most Outstanding Player honors. The program added another title in 2008, rallying from a deficit to beat Memphis 75-68 in overtime, led by coach and players like whose game-tying three-pointer became iconic. This success coincided with the football team's 24-21 victory over in the , marking Kansas's first major bowl win since 1969 and capping a 12-1 season under . The Jayhawks transitioned to the in 1996 following the dissolution of the Big Eight, expanding rivalries and competition in a 12-team league that included former members. Under , hired in 2003, men's basketball achieved sustained excellence with 14 Big 12 regular-season titles and appearances in every NCAA Tournament since 1988, including a fourth in 2022 via an 72-69 comeback win over . Football experienced a resurgence under , appointed in 2021, with the team posting its first winning record (9-4) since 2008 in 2023 and securing a 49-36 triumph over UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, the program's first postseason victory in 15 years. These developments highlighted improved recruiting and facilities, including renovations to completed in phases through 2025.

Mascot and Identity

Origins and symbolism of the Jayhawk

The term "Jayhawk" emerged around 1848 during the territorial struggles of , initially denoting anti-slavery settlers and irregular fighters who resisted pro-slavery incursions from , known collectively as Jayhawkers. These Jayhawkers, often operating as guerrillas under leaders like James H. Lane, engaged in raids against slaveholding interests, embodying a combative spirit tied to the Free-State cause amid the violence of from 1854 to 1861. The word carried a dual connotation from its inception: a symbol of principled opposition to for abolitionists, yet also opportunistic or plunder for critics, as evidenced by its application to Unionist bands that confiscated property during the Civil War. At the , the Jayhawk entered institutional lexicon through student cheers by 1886, when chemistry professor E.H.S. Bailey incorporated "Rah, Rah, " into pep routines, linking the term to campus pride without a fixed visual form. The first illustrated Jayhawk appeared in 1912, drawn by student cartoonist Henry Maloy for The University Daily Kansan, depicting a mythical bird as a composite of a blue jay's raucous tenacity and a sparrow hawk's fierce predation to evoke the historical Jayhawker's unyielding resolve. This avian emblem supplanted earlier unofficial mascots like a , solidifying by the 1920s as KU's teams adopted it amid growing athletic identity. Symbolically, the Jayhawk represents Kansas's frontier defiance and , transforming the raw aggression of 19th-century partisans into a herald of progress, strength, and communal nobility—qualities KU historian Frank Blackmar described in 1927 as a "benevolent spirit" fostering greatness through good deeds rather than mere conquest. Its hybrid form underscores causal duality: the blue jay's vocal persistence mirroring abolitionist agitation, paired with the hawk's predatory efficiency akin to guerrilla tactics that secured as a free state in 1861. While rooted in partisan strife, the symbol's adoption by the university reframed it as an aspirational icon, detached from wartime excesses yet grounded in empirical of territorial .

Evolution of mascots and branding

The Jayhawk transitioned from a symbolic term rooted in Kansas Territory conflicts of the 1850s to the University of Kansas's primary mascot emblem in the early 20th century, supplanting an earlier bulldog representation by 1958. The first published illustration appeared on November 21, 1912, in the University Daily Kansan, drawn by student Henry Maloy as a blue bird with yellow legs clad in blue shoes and red accents. Subsequent redesigns refined the figure: in 1923, Jimmy O'Bryon and George Hollingbery depicted a duck-like Jayhawk; around 1929, Forrest O. Calvin introduced a grim-faced version; and in 1941, Gene "Yogi" Williams altered it to feature open eyes and beak for a more aggressive stance amid World War II sentiments. The iconic 1946 design by Harold D. Sandy portrayed a smiling, approachable Jayhawk, which was copyrighted in 1947 and became the enduring template for KU athletics branding. This version emphasized a friendly demeanor, aligning with , and persisted with minor updates; in 2005, KU reintroduced a refined iteration to enhance versatility across merchandise and while preserving core elements like the crimson-and-blue palette established since the university's 1866 founding. The 2006 revision built directly on Sandy's work, incorporating subtle modernizations for trademark protection and uniform application in logos, uniforms, and facilities. Live mascots materialized in the 1960s when the KU Alumni Association commissioned the first Big Jay costume, transforming the 2D symbol into a three-dimensional performer for games and events. Big Jay debuted as a costumed handler to energize crowds, evolving through costume refinements for mobility and visibility. In 1971, during halftime of football game against Kansas State on October 9, Baby Jay emerged from a giant egg, created by student Amy Hurst to complement Big Jay as a youthful counterpart, fostering family-oriented appeal in branding. Together, Big Jay and Baby Jay have anchored mascot performances since, with handlers selected annually from students to maintain tradition amid evolving athletic identities within the .

Basketball Programs

Men's basketball

The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team, representing the , was established in 1898 by , the inventor of , who served as its first . The program has amassed a 2,429–909 all-time record through the 2024–25 season, yielding a .728 winning percentage, ranking among the highest in history. Kansas has qualified for the NCAA Tournament 53 times, advancing to 16 Final Fours and securing four national championships in 1952, 1988, 2008, and 2022. Additionally, the Jayhawks claim two pre-NCAA Helms Foundation national titles from 1922 and 1923. The program's sustained success stems from consistent coaching stability, with only eight head coaches in over 125 years. Forrest , who coached from 1920 to 1956 (excluding military service), compiled a 590–219 record and led the 1952 NCAA title team featuring , the tournament's most outstanding player who scored 141 points across five games. Later eras included Larry Brown's 1988 championship squad, powered by Danny Manning's 54 points in the , and Roy Williams' tenure from 1988 to 2003, which produced the 2008 title under his successor after Williams departed for . Self, hired in 2003, has guided Kansas to two NCAA titles, including the 2022 comeback victory over (72–69), where outscored their opponents 47–29 in the second half after trailing by 15 at halftime. Under Self through 2025, Kansas has won 16 Big 12 regular-season titles and appeared in 20 NCAA Tournaments. Notable recent performances include a dominant 84–63 victory over the previously undefeated No. 2 Iowa State Cyclones on January 13, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse, which handed Iowa State its first loss of the season, with Kansas leading by 21 points at halftime—marking the largest win over a Top 5 opponent since 1995 and the biggest ever against a Top 5 team in Allen Fieldhouse.
NCAA ChampionshipYearHead CoachFinal OpponentScore
First1952Phog AllenSt. John's80–63
Second1988Larry BrownOklahoma83–79
Third2008Bill SelfMemphis75–68 (1OT)
Fourth2022Bill SelfNorth Carolina72–69
Allen Fieldhouse, opened on March 1, 1955, and named for , serves as the program's home arena with a capacity of approximately 16,300. The Jayhawks hold a 724–118 record (.860 winning percentage) there through 2024, reflecting its status as one of college basketball's most formidable venues due to consistent sellout crowds and acoustic design amplifying fan noise. Recent renovations, completed in phases through 2023, modernized seating and amenities while preserving historical elements like raised banners for championships and retired jerseys. Key rivalries include the against , dating to 1907 with Kansas leading the series 180–103 as of 2025, and the historically intense Border War with , played annually from 1907 to 2011 (Kansas ahead 173–69) before Missouri's conference departure, though exhibitions resumed sporadically. Other frequent conference foes like Iowa State and emerging Big 12 matchups, such as with since 2024, contribute to a competitive schedule yielding 64 regular-season conference titles. The program's emphasis on player development has produced 13 NBA lottery picks under Self alone, including one-and-done stars like (2014, No. 1 overall) and (2014, No. 3 overall).

Women's basketball

The program, representing the , competes in as a member of the and plays home games at in . Since the 1981–82 season, the team has compiled a 739–614 overall record (.546 winning percentage). The program has secured four Big Eight/Big 12 regular-season championships (1986, 1987, 1988, 1997) and three conference tournament titles (1979, 1986, 1996). Marian Washington served as the program's inaugural head coach from 1974 to 2004, guiding the Jayhawks through the transition from AIAW to NCAA competition and amassing 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16 runs (1988, 1997). Under Washington, Kansas won multiple Big Eight regular-season and tournament titles, with standout player setting the pre-NCAA women's scoring record at 3,649 points from 1977 to 1981. Bonnie Henrickson succeeded Washington, coaching from 2004 to 2015 and leading the team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths in 2012 and 2013, including a 21–13 record and first-round win in 2012. Brandon Schneider has headed the program since the 2015–16 season, achieving a 239–229 career record across major programs and reaching 500 Division I wins with a 66–57 victory over Houston on February 26, 2023. Schneider earned Big 12 Coach of the Year honors in 2022 after a fifth-place conference finish with 11 league wins, the program's most since 1997. His tenure includes a program-record-tying 25 wins in 2022–23 (25–11 overall, 9–9 Big 12), a Women's NIT championship in 2023, and 20-win seasons in 2021–22 (21–10) and others, marking the first such streaks since 2010–11. The Jayhawks have made 15 NCAA Tournament appearances overall (15–15 record), with no advancement beyond the Sweet 16. Recent seasons under Schneider have emphasized defensive improvements and postseason consistency, though the program has faced challenges in a competitive Big 12, including a first-round exit in the 2025 conference tournament (53–57 loss to Texas Tech).

Football Program

Historical performance and coaching eras

The Kansas Jayhawks football program, established in 1890, experienced its most consistent early success from the program's inception through the mid-20th century, posting four undefeated seasons and a .603 overall winning percentage during that period, though records were sporadic under short-tenured coaches. The inaugural season under "Jack" McCook featured a 2-1-0 record, setting the foundation for intercollegiate competition within the Kansas Intercollegiate Athletic Association. A pivotal early milestone occurred in 1899 under , who guided the team to a perfect 10-0 record, including victories over regional rivals. The 1904–1910 tenure of A.R. "Doc" Kennedy marked the program's first dominant era, yielding a 52-9-4 overall record (.831 winning percentage) and the 1908 Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association co-championship with a 9-0 season. Mid-20th-century performance featured intermittent highs amid growing competition in the Big Six and Big Eight conferences. Under George Sauer in 1947, the Jayhawks achieved an 8-1-2 record, securing a co-conference championship and an berth, though they lost 20-14 to . Pepper Rodgers' 1968 season produced a 9-2 mark, another Big Eight co-title, and a second appearance, ending in a narrow 15-14 defeat to Penn State. Jack Mitchell coached from 1958 to 1966, compiling a 44-42-5 record (.511 ) and one bowl victory in the 1961 . Jules Sikes (1948–1953) posted 35-25-0 (.583), while Don Fambrough's 1971–1982 stint resulted in 36-49-5 (.428), reflecting broader program stagnation with no conference titles after 1968 until the .
CoachYearsRecord (W-L-T)Win %Key Notes
A.R. Kennedy1904–191052-9-4.831Highest program win %; 1908 conf. title
Jules Sikes1948–195335-25-0.583Consistent mid-century performance
Jack Mitchell1958–196644-42-5.511Sun Bowl win (1961)
1988–199647-54-1.466Two bowl wins; late-20th century highs
The modern era began with prolonged struggles, including the program's worst decade from 2009 to 2019, averaging under two wins per season and no . Mark Mangino's 2002–2009 tenure revived the program, amassing 50-48-0 (.510) and culminating in the 2007 season's 12-1 record, a No. 2 national ranking finish, and a 24-21 victory over —the program's only BCS bowl win and sole 10+ win campaign. Post-Mangino, records plummeted under successors like and David Beaty, with combined sub-.200 winning percentages and zero bowl appearances. , hired in 2021, has posted 26-32-0 (.448 through 2024), including a 9-4 mark in 2023 with a Guaranteed Rate Bowl triumph (49-36 over UNLV), signaling a cautious resurgence amid the program's all-time 556-666-54 record (.455) and five conference championships.

Recent developments and challenges

Since Lance Leipold's appointment as in April 2021, the Kansas Jayhawks football program has undergone a notable turnaround from its prior struggles, achieving in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons with 6-7 records each, including a victory over UNLV in the . However, the 2024 season ended with a 5-7 overall record and 4-5 in Big 12 play, missing postseason qualification for the first time under Leipold. Into the 2025 season, the Jayhawks have faced setbacks, including a 4-game losing skid earlier and a recent 31-6 blowout loss to rival Kansas State on October 25, 2025, which extended their losing streak to 17 consecutive games. Key challenges persist in game management, particularly in close contests, where Leipold's conservative late-game strategies have drawn criticism for failing to secure wins despite leads. The team has lost multiple one-possession games in recent years, contributing to a of underachievement relative to talent levels, as evidenced by narrow defeats in 2023 and 2024 Sunflower Showdowns before the lopsided 2025 result. Quarterback ' return for 2025 offered optimism, but ongoing execution issues, including defensive lapses allowing high points in rivalry play, have hindered progress. Roster turnover via the transfer portal has been a double-edged sword, bolstering depth but highlighting retention difficulties in a rebuilding Big 12 landscape. Despite facility upgrades like renovations, the program grapples with sustaining momentum against stiffer conference competition, as recent losses totaling over 50 points in back-to-back games evoke pre-Leipold inconsistencies. Leipold maintains focus on long-term culture building, rejecting panic amid the 2025 skid, though fan frustration mounts over unfulfilled potential in high-stakes matchups.

Other Varsity Sports

Baseball

The Kansas Jayhawks baseball team represents the in competition as part of the . The program plays its home games at Hoglund Ballpark in . Over 28 recorded seasons through 2024, the Jayhawks compiled an overall record of 777 wins, 796 losses, and 3 ties, for a .494 , with a conference mark of 252-450-1 (.359). The team has made six NCAA Tournament appearances, including regionals in 1994, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2014 prior to a resurgence. Ritch Price coached the Jayhawks for 20 seasons from 2003 to 2022, amassing 581 victories and securing the program's lone Big 12 Tournament championship in 2008. Dan Fitzgerald succeeded Price in June 2022 and guided the team to a 43-15 record in 2025, the best in program history, finishing second in the Big 12 with a conference-leading 20 wins. Fitzgerald became the first Kansas baseball coach to earn Big 12 Coach of the Year honors that season. In 2025, outfielders Brady Ballinger and Jackson Hauge earned recognition, marking the first such honors for since 2009. The team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, its first since 2014, but was eliminated in the Fayetteville Regional without a comeback victory after relying on such rallies during the regular season and conference tournament.

Softball

The Kansas Jayhawks softball team competes at the level within the , with home games hosted at Arrocha Ballpark, a 1,100-seat facility completed as part of a multi-sport venue upgrade. The program utilizes an adjacent 11,000-square-foot indoor training facility featuring a turf field, batting cages, cardio areas, and video review rooms to support year-round preparation. Jennifer McFalls serves as head coach, having assumed the role prior to the 2020 season; a former U.S. Olympian and three-time ASA All-American, she entered 2021 with a 28-49 record at Kansas. Under her leadership, the Jayhawks posted a 13-13 mark in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, followed by 22-26 in 2021 (including upsets over No. 10 Oklahoma State and two other ranked foes), 25-27 in 2022 (most wins since 2018 and best Big 12 record since 2007 with 5-13), and continued development with a 100th career win achieved on February 22, 2024. In 2024, the team secured its first ranked Big 12 series victory since 2008 by sweeping No. 13 Baylor 3-2 and 2-0. The program's sole Big 12 Conference championship came in 2006, when pitcher Serena Settlemier earned tournament MVP honors amid a season of regional contention. Kansas has produced multiple NFCA All-Region honorees, Big 12 weekly awards, and academic standouts, including a program-record 14 Academic All-Big 12 selections in 2022, though it has not advanced to super regionals or claimed national titles. Recent seasons emphasize competitive Big 12 play, with 2023 yielding the most wins since 2018 and victories over Texas Tech, alongside consistent scholar-athlete recognition such as 11 NFCA Scholar-Athlete awards in one year.

Golf

The University of Kansas sponsors varsity men's and women's golf teams that compete in the Big 12 Conference. The men's program traces its origins to at least 1891, with documented rosters from that era. Head coach Jamie Bermel, in his tenure, has directed the Jayhawks to seven consecutive NCAA Regional qualifications, 16 tournament championships, and 72 top-five finishes. The team captured the 2018 NCAA Norman Regional title to advance to the NCAA Championship and placed 17th overall at the 2022 NCAA Championship. Notable alumni include Gary Woodland, a 2019 U.S. Open champion and PGA Tour winner who played for Kansas from 2003 to 2007. In the 2025 season, Kansas won the Hawkeye Invitational by 19 strokes, with junior Will King claiming individual medalist honors, and finished third at the Quail Valley Collegiate Invitational, led by sophomore Hartej Grewal's 10-under total. The program has not secured an NCAA team national title. The women's program, under head coach Lindsay Kuhle, achieved its first NCAA Regional championship in May 2025 at the Columbus Regional, earning the program's third NCAA Championship berth overall. During the 2024-25 campaign, recorded four straight tournament victories—a school record—including the Golfweek Red Sky Classic and a defense of the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational title in October 2025 with a 3-over total. Like the men's side, the team lacks an NCAA .

Soccer

The women's soccer program, representing in competition within the , elevated from club status—founded in 1980 by Beth Miller—to varsity in 1995, with Lori Walker as its inaugural . The team plays home matches at Rock Chalk Park in , and has qualified for the NCAA Tournament 10 times, reflecting consistent postseason contention amid the conference's competitive landscape. Achievements include championships in 2004, 2019, and 2024, alongside a program-record undefeated start to the 2025 season through nine matches. Mark Francis coached the Jayhawks from 2000 to 2023, compiling a 262-200-49 record over 24 seasons, including 15 campaigns with at least 10 wins and ranking second among active Big 12 coaches in victories at a single institution during his tenure. Under Francis, Kansas secured its first Big 12 title in 2004 and reached multiple NCAA appearances, though the program historically faced challenges in advancing deep into national brackets. Nate Lie, hired in December 2023 as the fourth in program history after leading Xavier to four straight NCAA Tournaments (2019–2023) with an 82-37-19 record, assumed leadership for the 2024 season onward. In 2024, won the Big 12 Tournament for the second time in program history and claimed the regular-season title, marking Lie's immediate impact. Entering the 2025 season, Kansas achieved a historic nine-game unbeaten streak to open the year, reaching as high as No. 14 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll by September 23. The team finished play at 5-3-1, contributing to an overall 11-3-3 record as of late October, with notable road victories such as a 3-1 win at BYU on , where three first-half goals secured the result. Defensive solidity has been a hallmark, including a 1-0 over on , though losses like a 2-0 defeat at No. 18/13 Tech on highlighted ongoing Big 12 rigor. Individual standouts, such as freshman Caroline Castans earning Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Week honors, underscore emerging talent development under Lie's system. The program's trajectory emphasizes recruiting and tactical discipline to sustain relevance, with no national titles but a foundation for potential postseason breakthroughs.

Non-Varsity Sports

Rugby

The men's rugby club, known as the Kansas Jayhawks Rugby Football Club, was founded in 1964 by law student George Bunting and has fielded both fall and spring teams continuously since its inception, making it the oldest club rugby program in its region alongside the Kansas City RFC. The club competes in Division 1AA of American college rugby within the Heart of America Conference, facing opponents across and the Midwest, and emphasizes player development through practices that integrate newcomers with veterans. It owns its own grass pitches, acquired in 1977, and has conducted international tours starting the same year, supported by the nonprofit Kansas Rugby Foundation. The program has a competitive tradition, qualifying for the National College Rugby playoffs in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022, with the 2021 season playoffs canceled due to the . It captured the Heart of America Conference championship in 2021, defeating 17-14 in the final, and again in the 2021-22 season. In 2022, the Jayhawks reached the Division 1AA national championship game but lost a close final to Fresno State. A separate women's rugby club, founded in 1993, operates independently and focuses on building skills across all levels of play, though it competes at a less prominent intercollegiate level without the same documented national playoff appearances.

Ice hockey

The sponsors a men's club team representing the Kansas Jayhawks, competing in Division III of the (ACHA). The program operates as a non-varsity , drawing student-athletes to compete in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association () conference. Games are hosted at the Sports Park at Bluhawk in , approximately 40 miles from the Lawrence campus. The team traces its origins to the late but faced disbandment in the early due to financial debt. It reformed in the mid- through student-led efforts and gradually rebuilt competitiveness, transitioning from ACHA Division II to Division III by the . By the 2018–2019 season, the Jayhawks achieved a dominant 21–0–1 record, securing a berth in the 16-team ACHA Division III National Championship tournament. Key achievements include MACHA conference championships in 2020 and national tournament qualifications in both 2019 and 2020, highlighting the program's rise to regional prominence. In February 2024, the team participated in the ACHA's Rivalry at the Rink series against the Tigers, finishing the season ranked 22nd nationally in Division III. The club maintains an active roster of approximately 20–25 players, supported by volunteer coaches and funded through student fees, sponsorships, and ticket sales.

Championships and Achievements

National championships

The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team holds four national championships, the only team titles in the program's history recognized by the NCAA across all sports. These victories occurred in 1952, when the team defeated St. John's 80–63 under coach Forrest ; 1988, defeating Oklahoma 83–79 in overtime under Larry Brown; 2008, defeating Memphis 75–68 in overtime under ; and 2022, defeating 72–69 under Self. The basketball program additionally claims two pre-NCAA national titles awarded retroactively by the for the undefeated 1922 (18–1 record) and 1923 (17–1 record) seasons under coach Allen, bringing the program's self-reported total to six. No Kansas football teams have been awarded a consensus or NCAA-recognized , despite occasional claims of pre-1900 undefeated seasons lacking contemporary selectors. Other varsity sports, including , cross country, and , have produced individual NCAA champions but no additional team titles.

Conference titles and postseason appearances

The Kansas Jayhawks athletic program has amassed a significant number of conference championships, with men's basketball leading the way through 64 regular-season titles and 16 conference championships across the program's history in leagues including the Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Big Six, Big Seven, Big Eight, and Big 12. In the Big 12 era since 1996–97, Kansas men's basketball has captured 17 regular-season titles (outright or shared) and 11 crowns as of 2025, including a share of the 2022–23 regular-season title. The team has qualified for the NCAA in 53 of its seasons, compiling a 117–51 record, with 16 appearances and advancements to the championship game on four occasions (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022). In football, Kansas has claimed five conference championships (1905, 1930, 1946, 1947, 1968) during its time in predecessor conferences to the Big 12. The program has made 14 appearances, posting a 5–9 record, with notable victories in the 1947 (defeating 20–14), 2008 Insight Bowl (defeating 42–21), and (defeating UNLV 49–36). Recent postseason success under head coach includes back-to-back bowl berths in 2022 (Liberty Bowl loss to 53–55) and 2023, marking the first such streak since 2007–2008. Other sports have contributed to the program's conference success, including with multiple Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, such as the 2024 regular-season championship. Track and field programs, both men's and women's, have secured numerous Big 12 titles, with the men's team winning the indoor championship in 2007 and outdoor in 2010. has appeared in 12 NCAA Tournaments since 1991, including a Sweet 16 run in 2019, while has made seven appearances. These achievements reflect sustained competitiveness in the Big 12, though football and certain have historically lagged behind basketball's dominance.

Rivalries

Sunflower Showdown with Kansas State

The refers to the athletic rivalry between the Jayhawks and Wildcats, primarily in football and men's , reflecting competition for dominance within the state of . The series originated in football with the first game on October 4, 1902, when Kansas defeated Kansas State 16-0 in Lawrence. Both universities have competed annually in the since its formation in 1996, with the rivalry extending to other sports including women's and , though football and draw the most attention due to their prominence and historical intensity. In football, Kansas holds the all-time series lead at 65 wins to Kansas State's 52, with five ties, as of the conclusion of the 2024 season prior to recent contests. However, Kansas State has dominated recently, securing 17 consecutive victories from 2009 through 2025, including a 42-17 win on October 25, 2025, in , marking the Wildcats' longest streak against any opponent. Kansas State's resurgence under coach beginning in the late 1980s shifted the balance, with the Wildcats posting a 28-5 record against Kansas since 1991. The has featured multiple trophies over time: the inaugural Governor's Trophy in , the Peace Pact Trophy in the 1940s to curb fan violence, and the Governor's Cup since 1969, presented by the to the winning coach. Men's basketball presents a stark contrast, with Kansas maintaining overwhelming superiority, leading the series 205-97 as of early 2025. The Jayhawks' dominance stems from their status as a perennial powerhouse, including multiple national championships, while Kansas State has experienced more variability, though both programs have produced NBA talent. Notable basketball clashes often occur in the Field House or , with Kansas holding strong home-court advantages: 51-81 for Kansas State at home versus Kansas, but Kansas prevailing broadly overall. The rivalry's nickname, , gained official traction around 2010, often sponsored by local entities like grocery, underscoring its cultural significance in agriculture and identity. Memorable games include Kansas State's 59-21 upset in 1969, the first under the Governor's era, and the Jayhawks' 56-0 rout in 2007 before the streak reversal. Despite periodic lulls, the in-state proximity—approximately 50 miles between Lawrence and —fuels ongoing tension, with each school claiming preeminence in recruiting and fan support within .

Border War with Missouri

The Border War rivalry between the University of Kansas Jayhawks and the University of Missouri Tigers originated in the mid-19th-century conflicts over slavery during the period, when pro-slavery Missouri "Border Ruffians" clashed violently with anti-slavery Kansas settlers, contributing to that foreshadowed the Civil War; this animosity extended to the universities' athletic contests, making it the oldest college sports rivalry west of the . The term "Border War" reflects these roots, though it was rebranded as the "Border Showdown" in the early 2000s to soften associations with historical violence. In football, the series began on October 31, 1891, with Kansas defeating Missouri 22-10 in Kansas City, and continued annually (except 1918 due to World War I) through 2011, totaling 120 games with Kansas holding a 57-56-9 edge. Notable moments include the 1911 matchup, a 3-3 tie recognized as college football's first homecoming game, hosted by Missouri; Kansas's 1960 upset of then-No. 1 Missouri (17-13), which derailed the Tigers' national championship aspirations; and Missouri's 24-10 victory in the 2011 finale. The annual series ended after Missouri joined the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 2012, as Kansas declined to schedule non-conference games against the Tigers; a revival occurred on September 6, 2025, with Missouri winning 42-31 in Columbia. Basketball competition started on March 11, 1907, with edging 34-31 in Lawrence, and leads the all-time series 176-96 as of December 2024, including a 104-37 home record. The rivalry produced intense Big Eight and Big 12 matchups, such as 's 102-65 rout of in 2005 and 's 76-67 win over No. 1 in 2024; games often featured physical play and high stakes for conference standings. Post-2012, games continued sporadically outside conference play, with the most recent on , 2024, but without the annual football fixture, the overall diminished until recent football and planned future series.

Other notable rivalries

The Kansas–Nebraska football rivalry, one of the oldest in , began on November 12, 1892, with Kansas securing a 12–0 victory, and continued annually through the Big Eight and Big 12 eras until Nebraska's departure to the Big Ten in 2011, culminating in 117 total meetings, the last on November 13, 2010. Nebraska dominated the all-time series, compiling an 87–18–9 record against Kansas, including a 36-game from 1969 to 2004—the longest consecutive-win streak against a single opponent in FBS history—which Kansas snapped with a 40–15 upset victory on November 5, 2005. The series highlighted regional competition but waned in intensity after conference realignment discontinued regular matchups, with Kansas holding a 2–0 edge in the two games played since 2010. In basketball, Kansas maintains a substantial edge over Iowa State, leading the series 143–55 through February 3, 2025, with dominant home (84–16) and conference (38–13 in relevant eras) records. While not matching the fervor of the or Border War, the matchup has featured competitive Big 12 clashes, including Iowa State's occasional upsets amid Kansas's overall supremacy, contributing to intraconference tension in recent seasons.

Controversies and Sanctions

NCAA investigations in basketball

The NCAA investigation into the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball program originated from a 2017 federal probe by the FBI into and schemes involving apparel companies and elite recruits. The case centered on allegations that Kansas officials, including , facilitated impermissible benefits through ties to Adidas executive Thomas "T.J." Gassn, who arranged $90,000 in payments to secure commitments from prospects like and others. In September 2019, the NCAA issued a notice of allegations citing five Level I violations against the program, including lack of institutional control, responsibility failures by Self, and failures to monitor by assistant coaches. Self faced three Level I charges specifically, accused of knowingly providing false information during the probe and encouraging third-party involvement in recruiting, based on recorded calls and payments linked to recruits from 2016 to 2018. Kansas initially contested the claims as unfounded, asserting no direct knowledge of payments and highlighting evidentiary issues from the federal case. The case transferred to the NCAA's Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP) in 2021, involving hearings and appeals that extended over six years, during which the program self-imposed sanctions including a four-game suspension for Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend at the start of the 2022-23 season, plus recruiting restrictions. In October 2023, an IARP panel resolved the case by downgrading four of the five Level I violations to secondary infractions and reducing Self's primary charge to a single Level III violation for failing to promote compliance, while dismissing head-coach responsibility claims due to insufficient evidence of direct involvement in benefits. The program received three years of probation, vacation of 15 wins from the 2017-18 season (including its appearance), and a minor fine of $5,000 plus 1% of the men's basketball budget annually for five years; no postseason ban or for Self was imposed. The university expended approximately $10 million in legal defense over the period. Self described the probe as having "immensely" damaged his reputation despite the outcome.

Football program issues and vacated records

The Kansas Jayhawks football program has faced multiple NCAA investigations for rules violations, primarily related to recruiting and academic misconduct, though sanctions have typically not included vacated wins or records. In December 1983, the NCAA imposed a two-year following findings of major recruiting irregularities under head coach Mike Gottfried, including offers of cash, cars, employment, and other inducements to prospective student-athletes, as well as improper involvement of boosters in . The penalties encompassed scholarship reductions and monitoring of off-campus recruiting but did not require vacating any games or records. In October 2006, the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions penalized the program for major violations involving academic fraud and failure of institutional control during the tenure of head coach Mark Mangino, where tutors completed coursework for football players and facilitated unauthorized assistance on exams and papers. Sanctions included three fewer scholarships per recruiting class for two years, a one-year ban on off-campus recruiting, and a three-year institutional probation, but no wins were vacated. The committee noted a "lack of commitment" to compliance by athletics staff, contributing to the severity of the findings. More recently, under former head coach David Beaty from 2015 to 2018, the program self-reported and was charged with two Level II violations (involving impermissible communications with recruits via text messages and phone calls before permissible dates) and one Level III violation, leading to a one-year for Beaty in May 2020. These issues arose from over 100 instances of prohibited contacts, though the NCAA did not impose vacated records or postseason bans. In the October 2023 Independent Accountability Resolution (IARP) ruling tied to broader athletics probes, two additional Level III violations were confirmed for football, resulting in no further penalties beyond the program's inclusion in the university's three-year . Across these cases, the absence of vacated wins reflects the NCAA's assessment that violations did not directly impact on-field competition outcomes, prioritizing scholarship and recruiting restrictions instead.

Notable Athletes and Coaches

Standout men's basketball figures

The program has produced several Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame coaches, including Forrest , who led the team from 1919 to 1956, compiling a record of 590 wins against 219 losses, securing 24 conference championships, and winning the 1952 NCAA title. Allen's tenure established Kansas as a powerhouse, mentoring future Hall of Fame coaches such as and during their playing days under him. Larry Brown coached Kansas from 1983 to 1988, guiding the Jayhawks to the 1988 NCAA with a 27-11 record that season, defeating 83-79 in the final; his overall KU record stood at 135-44. Roy Williams, who succeeded Brown and coached Kansas from 1988 to 2003, amassed a 418-101 record, led the team to four appearances (1991, 1993, 1997, 2002, and 2003), and won 14 consecutive Big 8/Big 12 regular-season titles from 1990 to 2003. Current , inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017, has directed Kansas since 2003 to a 624-156 record through the 2023-24 season, including national championships in 2008 (defeating Memphis 75-68 in overtime) and 2022 (defeating 72-69). Self's teams have won 17 Big 12 regular-season titles, with a streak of 14 consecutive from 2005 to 2018, and he surpassed Allen's program wins record with 591 victories as of November 2024. Among players, stands out for his sophomore season in 1957-58, averaging 30.1 points and 17.5 rebounds per game while leading Kansas to the NCAA tournament, where they lost in a playoff to reach the ; he set school single-game records with 52 points and 36 rebounds. , the 1988 NCAA Most Outstanding Player, averaged 20.9 points and 8.4 rebounds as a senior, powering ' championship run under Brown with key performances like 31 points in the semifinal win over . Other notable contributors include , a two-time All-American (1966-68) who averaged 14.9 points and later won two NBA titles, and recent NBA lottery picks like (third overall in 2014) and (first overall in 2014), both under Self.

Football and other sports contributors

In American football, Gale Sayers distinguished himself as a running back for the Kansas Jayhawks from 1962 to 1964, earning All-Big Eight honors each season and rushing for 2,207 yards while scoring 17 touchdowns, before becoming a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in 1977. John Riggins, another Hall of Fame running back, played for Kansas from 1968 to 1970, accumulating 1,475 rushing yards and leading the Jayhawks to a 7-4 record in his senior year, which propelled his NFL career where he rushed for over 11,000 yards. Quarterback John Hadl, active from 1959 to 1961, set school records with 2,757 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, earning All-American status and later achieving the highest approximate value among Kansas alumni in professional play at 106. Offensive lineman Mike McCormack, who competed from 1948 to 1950, contributed to Kansas' offensive line during an era of competitive play and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982 primarily for his professional coaching achievements, though his college tenure laid foundational skills. Notable football coaches include , who from 2002 to 2009 guided to a breakthrough 12-1 season in 2007, culminating in an victory over on January 3, 2008, by a score of 24-21—the program's first major bowl win since 1969. coached Kansas from 1898 to 1902, posting a 46-7-2 record and establishing early program foundations before his storied tenure, with innovations in offensive strategy influencing . Beyond football, standout competed for from 1958 to 1961, securing three NCAA All-America honors in cross-country and placing in the top six at three national meets, which honed his distance-running prowess leading to his historic 1964 Olympic in the 10,000-meter run—the first by an American in that event. In , catcher played for the Jayhawks from 1983 to 1985 before transitioning to coaching, eventually managing the Phillies to a appearance in 2022 and maintaining ties to athletics through professional success. Other sports like and wrestling have produced competitive performers, but lack the same level of national Hall of Fame representation as football or contributors from .

Administration and Facilities

Athletic directors

The athletic directorship at the University of Kansas has evolved significantly since the early 20th century, with leaders overseeing expansions in facilities, competitive successes in and football, and navigation of NCAA compliance issues. Forrest "Phog" , a Hall of Fame basketball coach, held the position from 1919 to 1937, during which the program achieved its first national recognition in the sport while managing multiple athletic disciplines. In the , directors have focused on hiring coaches, for like stadium upgrades, and addressing program performance amid competition. Bob Frederick served from 1987 to 2001, presiding over facility enhancements including the renovation of and successes such as the 1992-93 men's basketball appearance and the football team's victory that year. Lew Perkins led from June 2003 to September 2010, hiring football coach , who guided the team to a berth with a 12-1 record, and supporting basketball under , which secured a 2008 NCAA title. His tenure ended with his resignation following an NCAA investigation into recruiting irregularities that resulted in self-imposed sanctions. Sheahon Zenger directed athletics from February 2011 to May 2018, overseeing construction of nine new facilities but facing criticism for football's 12-72 record under his hires, leading to his dismissal as progress stalled in revenue sports. Jeff Long held the role from 2018 to March 2021, hiring football coach amid ongoing program rebuilding efforts, but departed shortly after amid broader administrative shifts. Travis Goff, a University of Kansas alumnus, has served since April 5, 2021, leading a $450 million renovation of completed in phases by 2025, hiring Leipold who achieved in 2023 and 2024, and supporting men's basketball's 2022 NCAA championship under . Goff signed a seven-year contract extension in May 2024.
NameTenureNotable Actions/Outcomes
Bob Frederick1987–2001Facility upgrades; 1992-93 basketball Final Four, football bowl win
Lew Perkins2003–2010Hired Mangino (2007 Orange Bowl), Self's 2008 title; resigned amid NCAA probe
Sheahon Zenger2011–2018Nine new facilities; football struggles (12-72 record) led to firing
Jeff Long2018–2021Hired Leipold; short tenure with program transition
Travis Goff2021–presentStadium renovation; Leipold's bowl games, 2022 basketball title

Key venues and infrastructure

serves as the primary venue for University of Kansas men's and teams, opening on March 1, 1955, with an initial capacity of 17,000 that was later adjusted to 16,300 before recent renovations reduced it to 15,300 to accommodate upgraded seating and ADA compliance. The arena, named after former coach , has hosted numerous Big 12 championships and remains renowned for its atmosphere, contributing to the ' strong home record under coaches like . David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, dedicated on November 11, 1922, to honor affiliates who died in , is the home of and features a current capacity of 41,525 following a major $450 million renovation completed in phases starting in 2023. The upgrades include modernized seating, premium amenities, and the removal of the historic track to expand the field area, with adjacent facilities like the Anderson Family Football Complex supporting training operations since 2008. Hoglund Ballpark, located adjacent to , hosts and opened in its current form in 1988 with a of 2,500; the site has featured since 1958, named after donor Howard Hoglund. Upgrades since opening have included improvements to indoor facilities, backstop, and outfield padding in 2014. Rock Chalk Park, constructed in 2014, provides venues for , soccer, and , including the Arrocha Ballpark for with 1,100 seats and a world-class track surface that has hosted national meets like the Kansas Relays. Additional infrastructure, such as the Anschutz Pavilion for and the Sports and Fitness Center, supports other varsity programs.

Financial Aspects

Department revenue and expenditures

In 2023 (ended June 30, 2023), Kansas Athletics generated $127.8 million in total operating revenues, with key sources comprising NCAA and conference distributions at $41.1 million, contributions and grants at $31.9 million, sponsorships, media rights, and royalties at $22.6 million, and ticket sales at $22.0 million; institutional support contributed a modest $1.7 million.
Revenue CategoryAmount (millions)
NCAA/Conference Distributions$41.1
Contributions and Grants$31.9
Sponsorships, Media, Royalties$22.6
Ticket Sales$22.0
Other (incl. investments, misc.)$10.1
Operating expenses for FY2023 totaled $135.7 million, dominated by salaries and benefits ($47.4 million for coaches, staff, and administration), grants-in-aid for athletes ($19.1 million), team travel ($8.5 million), and facilities/equipment maintenance ($5.5 million); depreciation and impairment added $6.1 million.
Expense CategoryAmount (millions)
Salaries and Benefits$47.4
Grants-in-Aid$19.1
Team Travel$8.5
Facilities/Equipment$5.5
Other Operational (incl. admin, game ops)$55.2
Revenues rose to $135 million in FY2024 amid growth in media rights and donor support, but expenses climbed to $138 million, yielding a $2.9 million deficit per the NCAA financial report; the department carried $30 million in athletics-related debt at year-end. Projections indicate widening gaps, with FY2025 revenues forecasted at $122 million against $138 million in expenses due to forgone football ticket and premium seating income during David Booth Memorial Stadium renovations, and FY2026 anticipating a $14.9 million deficit amid rising costs for athlete revenue sharing and operations.

Impact of NIL and modern college athletics economics

The introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes, effective July 1, 2021, has significantly altered recruiting dynamics for the Kansas Jayhawks, particularly in men's , where traditional program prestige has proven insufficient against competitors offering substantial NIL compensation. Analyst Jon Rothstein attributed Kansas basketball's recent recruiting and retention challenges to this shift, noting that blueblood programs like KU must now match top-tier NIL packages to attract elite talent, as historical brand appeal no longer serves as a primary hook. In football, NIL has similarly pressured the program, with observers citing inadequate infrastructure and donor alignment as barriers to leveraging the policy for roster improvements, exacerbating ongoing performance gaps despite increased transfer portal activity. Financially, NIL has intensified budgetary strains on Kansas Athletics, which reported an $11.9 million deficit for 2025 ending June 30, followed by a projected $14.9 million shortfall for 2026, driven partly by escalating athlete compensation demands amid stagnant departmental revenue growth. The men's team alone amassed approximately $5 million in NIL payments during this period, underscoring the scale of expenditures required to remain competitive in the . To address these pressures, launched the FLIGHT NIL program in December 2024, replacing the earlier Jayhawks Ascend initiative, in partnership with agency Walz Tetrick, aiming to streamline deals and integrate with emerging revenue-sharing models approved under the NCAA's House v. NCAA settlement. Collectives such as Mass St. Collective (rebranded from 6th Man Strategies in 2022) have facilitated donor-funded NIL opportunities, though lags behind wealthier peers in total commitments, prompting calls for systemic changes in booster engagement. In the broader context of modern college athletics economics, NIL intersects with the transfer portal and anticipated —capped at roughly $20.5 million annually per school starting in 2025-26—to foster a more transactional environment, where Kansas prioritizes seven revenue-generating sports for the bulk of distributions, potentially sidelining non-revenue programs. A $300 million donation from alumnus David Booth in August 2025 earmarks funds for football facility upgrades and a sustained , directly countering NIL-induced deficits and enabling KU to compete in a where media deals, like the Big 12's expanded agreements, amplify disparities between high- and low-earning programs. These developments have enabled targeted NIL initiatives, such as a October 2025 partnership between KU men's and women's basketball players, ShotTracker, and the V Foundation, directing proceeds to at the KU Cancer Center, demonstrating how NIL can align athletic economics with institutional priorities beyond pure recruitment.

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