Excitement at KU for Obama’s visit

Lines forming to enter the Anschutz Sports Pavilion prior to the president's visit — Lines forming to enter the Anschutz Sports Pavilion prior to the president’s visit- University of Kansas photo

LAWRENCE- The final touches are completed at University of Kansas Anschutz Sports Pavilion for the visit from President Obama.

Students began to form a line to enter the building long before sunrise. The doors open at 8:30 a.m.

The president is expected to speak just before 11:30 a.m.

Obama would be the fourth sitting U.S. president to visit KU, with the last sitting president to visit being William H. Taft in 1911. The other two presidents who visited KU while in office were Ulysses S. Grant in 1873 and Rutherford B. Hayes in 1879. Five additional presidents — Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, Jimmy

Inside the Anschutz Sports Pavilion is decorated for the president's visit--University of Kansas photo — Inside the Anschutz Sports Pavilion is decorated for the president’s visit–University of Kansas photo

Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton — visited KU after leaving office.

Presidential spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama wanted to visit Kansas to show that Republican support exists for the types of programs the president supports.

-The AP contributed to this report