KU ROTC will host 9/11 memorial event at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium

LAWRENCE — To honor and remember the courage and sacrifice of first responders on Sept. 11, 2001, University of Kansas Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs will hold a 9/11 Memorial Run and gathering at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

Nearly 100 KU ROTC students representing the Navy, Marine, Army and Air Force battalions, along with local first responders and veterans, will take part in the event. Participants will complete 2,071 stadium steps, symbolizing the climb of first responders in the World Trade Center on 9/11.

The event begins at 5:15 a.m. Sept. 11 with brief remarks from Capt. Todd Copeland, professor of naval science and commanding officer of Naval ROTC at KU, with the run beginning at 5:30 a.m. The event will conclude at 6:45 a.m. as participants gather for a moment of reflection.

This is the first year that the annual event has been held in the KU football stadium. Media are welcome to attend.

For more information, contact Capt. Dakota Newsome, Marine officer instructor with KU Naval ROTC, at 785-864-1194 or nrotcmoi@ku.edu.

Media Logistics:

Parking: Parking is available in the gravel parking lot on the northeast corner of the stadium, just outside gate 6 or in any other yellow lot before 8 a.m.

Access: Gate 6 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium will open at 5 a.m. 

Media Contact for event logistics: Allison Tait, 785-764-7691, allison.tait@oakviewgroup.com, director of Marketing-Oak View Group at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.