KU Sports Weekend Primer: Football’s Homecoming, Hoops Changes, Baseball’s Breakthrough

There’s been a lot happening around the University of Kansas athletics department this week.
So much, in fact, that you may have missed a story or two amid a news cycle that keeps getting faster. Football, basketball, and baseball have all made headlines in recent days.

Football Returns Home as Stadium Nears Completion

Phase One of the Kansas Gateway District project is progressing well, with the newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium expected to be open in time for the 2025 season.

After a year of playing home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the Jayhawks will return to Lawrence—a welcome change for students and local businesses alike. Tailgates on campus? Back.

Kickoff times and TV assignments were announced for Kansas’ three non-conference games and one Big 12 matchup:

• Week 0: Sat., Aug. 23 – vs. Fresno State, 5:30 p.m. CT, FOX
• Week 1: Fri., Aug. 29 – vs. Wagner, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN+
• Week 2: Sat., Sept. 6 – at Missouri, 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2
• Week 14: Fri., Nov. 28 – vs. Utah, 11 a.m. CT, ABC or ESPN

The return of the Border War at Mizzou highlights the slate. That early September trip to Columbia will be one of the most anticipated games of the year. Season tickets are on sale via KU Athletics, with single-game options available later this summer.

Self Shuffles Staff While New Faces Arrive in Lawrence

There’s been plenty of movement around the Kansas basketball program, too.
Coach Fred Quartlebaum—known throughout the hoops world as “Coach Q”—is leaving after 12 years with Bill Self’s staff. His Director of Basketball Operations role will now be filled by Lexie Price, a former student manager turned office manager who joined the program in 2021.

These changes come shortly after Kansas brought former All-American point guard and longtime NBA coach Jacque Vaughn onto Self’s staff as an assistant coach.

Off the court, the program welcomed a few new faces this week. USC transfer Tre White and incoming freshmen Samis Calderon and Darryn Peterson arrived on campus and were welcomed by teammates and staff.

Optimism is building as Kansas looks to reset after a rocky finish to last season.

Diamond Hawks Dance Back Into the NCAA Tournament

For the first time since 2014, Kansas baseball is back in the NCAA Tournament.

The Jayhawks are headed to the Fayetteville Regional, where they’ll face Creighton on Friday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. CT. Dominic Voegele will get the start on the mound, and KU will look to keep its offense rolling after a strong showing throughout the regular season.

Kansas enters the regional as the only program in the country with 43 total wins, 20 conference wins, and 20 true road wins. Their 23 road victories are tied for the most in program history, adding even more confidence heading into Fayetteville.

Should they win or lose Friday, they’ll face either Arkansas or North Dakota State on Saturday:

• 2:00 p.m. CT – Losers’ bracket game
• 8:00 p.m. CT – Winners’ bracket game

The regional champion will be determined through a double-elimination tournament. Keep up with full coverage on HeartlandCollegeSports.com and @JayhawkerTalker on X all weekend.

As summer heats up, so does the Kansas sports calendar—with baseball making a postseason run and football and basketball already gearing up for fall.