NCAA champion Jayhawks come home to thousands

Thousands of cheering fans greeted the returning NCAA champion Jayhawks at the university's football stadium this afternoon.

"I'm at a loss," said KU coach Bill Self. "I speak for our team: This is totally overwhelming."

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius thanked the coaches and the players and said, "What a great way for people across the country to see our great state."

KU canceled classes today. Chancellor Robert Hemenway told the crowd that the university is made up of athletic success as well as academic success.

"This is what it means to be a Jayhawk -- all of these people out here today," he told fans.

Before the team arrived, fans watched a replay of the championship game on the stadium's giant scoreboard. They cheered each shot in the last 10 minutes as if it were happening for the first time.

Janet Hill, a fan from Burlington, took her children out of school to see the celebration. "It's very exciting -- a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said.

For more, check Kansas.com and Wednesday's Eagle.