Stories from the Phog

Forty Years of Kansas Basketball

October 28
2025
200
Pages
ISBN:
0700640266
Pre-order on University Press of Kansas
Pre-order on Amazon

Description

A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Chelan David has a unique bond with Kansas basketball. Some of his earliest memories emanate from fabled Allen Fieldhouse, a limestone theater filled with tradition, pageantry, and ghosts of former Jayhawk greats.

Stories from the Phog guides readers on a 40-year journey through the eyes of a hoops junkie while tracing the roots of the historic program. Relive the program’s most memorable moments with anecdotes from all four living coaches and descendants of James Nalismith and Phog Allen. Experience the magic of Allen Fieldhouse through the eyes of players, famed announcers, and one of its original architects.

A must-read for any KU basketball fan, Stories from the Phog puts readers in the seats at Allen Fieldhouse as the Beware of the Phog banner is unfurled for the very first time, the Jayhawks score 150 points against Kentucky, and Nick Collison receives a standing ovation from Dick Vitale. Relive the exhilarating come-from-behind victories against Missouri in 2012 and against West Virginia in 2017, a game that set the record for the loudest crowd roar at an indoor sports event.

Reviews

Hear from a few of those who have read the book.

“In Stories from the Phog, Chelan David takes the Jayhawk-faithful down memory lane as a life-long Kansas men’s basketball enthusiast. Chelan’s list of storytellers is impressive with the likes of Larry Brown, Bill Self, Roy Williams, Ted Owens, Kevin Wilmott, and many others. From the first time stepping into Allen Fieldhouse as a fourth grader in 1982, to some of the most recent KU memorable moments and insights, Chelan’s lens encompasses many of the rich histories and stories that make up Kansas Basketball.”—

– Travis Goff, Kansas Director of Athletics

“Stories from the Phog: Forty Years of Kansas Basketball by Chelan David captures the unforgettable essence of playing for the Jayhawks. The book beautifully chronicles the incredible wins, the gut-wrenching losses, and the priceless experiences that come with being part of such a legendary program. I truly loved every moment of my time on the court, and this book brings those memories back to life in a powerful way.”

– Ryan Robertson, Kansas Jayhawks basketball guard (1995–1999)

“From the roar of the Phog to the unforgettable moments that define our beloved Kansas basketball program, this book is an incredible tribute from a passionate fan and dedicated KU alum. It’s a must-have for every Jayhawk who bleeds crimson and blue!”

– Heath Peterson, President of KU Alumni Association

“Stories from the Phog is a literary journey into the history and game day experiences of KU Basketball. Chelan David tells the story of Allen Fieldhouse through both a historical lens as well as his personal experiences, giving the iconic building a living persona. He brings a heartbeat to the history of KU Basketball and Allen Fieldhouse, something that so many KU Basketball fans, including myself, feel every time we return to this hallowed space and experience a gameday.”

– Sharon L. Toulouse, University of Kansas Associate Director of Bands, and Director of Athletic Bands

“Stories from the Phog captures the very essence of being Jayhawk. Chelan David brings being a fan to the next level allowing the reader a peek behind the curtain of the games they remember and treasure through player and staff interviews. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!”

– Marnie Dodson, Baby Jay from 1992–1995

Excerpts

Read a few small excerpts from the book.

Excerpt #1

February 9, 1982. My first game at Allen Fieldhouse. The players were a mixture of brawny and lanky, white and Black, small town and inner city. Some dominated by power, others by grace. They wore short shorts and long socks with thick block letters proudly bulging from their jerseys. They all seemed larger than life to me, a fourth grader. Even from my perch high in the rafters, it was clear they towered over the student body.

Getting tickets wasn’t hard. In fact, my mom was able to purchase tickets for our family of three a few minutes before tip-off. It didn’t cost much more than it would have for us to attend a movie. Outside winds howled, frost doodling on the building’s limestone windows. Inside was theater: a rich pageant of graceful drives to the basket, worried-looking coaches, and a spirited pep band. Cheers and jeers wafted through the air. Whistles and squeaking high-tops served as the melody to the melodrama.

Excerpt #2

On January 30, 2016, during halftime of a blue-blooded matchup between Kentucky and Kansas, David Booth unveiled the original Rules of Basketball. As the lights dimmed, no one left their seats, including Margaret Naismith Jonker, Dr. Naismith’s great-granddaughter. “My sister Anne and I sat in the upper section, while my parents sat a few rows from the floor,” Jonker recalls. “Tears filled our eyes as we realized the rules were finally where they should be and would be preserved for future generations.”

Excerpt #3

As the teams took the court, both sides cheered in unison. The roar from the UNC side was one of exhilaration and euphoria. The din from the KU side was more an irritable rumbling: an exhortation to perform better, with an undertone of “Let’s not embarrass ourselves.” Fortunately, the Jayhawks came out inspired. Unbeknownst to us, Self had fired up his troops by referencing the 2008 championship game. “Would you rather be down 15 points at halftime or nine with two minutes left?” he asked. The entire team said 15. Then they looked around at each other and began to shout, “We’re coming back! We’re coming back!”

On the first possession of the half, Kansas made a defensive stop. Then Dajuan Harris threw a lob to McCormack, who viciously slammed it home. A couple of driving Braun buckets quickly followed. KU had made it a nine-point game less than two and a half minutes into the second half. The entire crowd was back into the game.