Memorial Union events

Jaybowl officially closed its doors on May 8, 2015, after 62 years. Watch the coming months for the transformation of this space, which will include a tribute Jaybowl and preserve its historic role on the KU campus… Read More below from the official Media Release
The Jaybowl, the bowling lanes located in the Kansas Union since 1953, receives its last gutter ball on Saturday, May 9. Due to growing losses, escalating down time and new space needs, the Jaybowl concludes an era of campus entertainment and competition.
The final day of lane activity will be bittersweet, with events commemorating the Jaybowl’s important place on campus.
Private Services, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Jaybowl team and alumni gather for one last tournament.
Farewell Fling, 8:00 – 10:00 pm
Free hot dogs, popcorn and soda as well as free bowling for all guests–students, alums and their families.
Cosmic Bowling and Good-Bye Sendoff, 10:00 pm – 12:55 am
Black lights, mirror balls and the dark void usher in the final hours. Each half hour’s music selection will reflect the tunes of the era (Fifties, Sixties, Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and Naughts).
Ceremonial Last Strike, 12:55 am
The pins will be set on all lanes one last time and brushed into eternity by a sequential sweep of the pins starting on lane 1 and ending on lane 12.
Entry and exit into the Kansas Union after 11:00 pm on May 9 will be through the Mississippi St. entrance on Level 1.
Over the summer of 2015, a commemorative tribute will be mounted in display cases outside the Jaybowl entrance. The current interior “party room” will be renamed the “Spare Room” and repurposed as an event space containing bowling mementoes.
Memorabilia will be sold at the Jaybowl counter starting Monday, May 4, and will conclude on Saturday, May 9, at 1:00 am (or until depleted).

• White Bowling Pins – $5.00 each
• Red Bowling Pins with Jaybowl inscription – $10.00
• Bowling Shoes – $5.00 pair
• Bowling Shirts – $5.00 each