Thursday, April 27, 1978
University Dally Kansan
Winning helps Temple celebrate silver anniversary
By KEN DAVIS
Sports Writer
Twenty-five years is a long time to wait. But that's exactly how long Floyd Temple has been waiting for something good to happen to his University of Kansas baseball
Temple, celebrating his silver anniversary as head coach of the Jayhawks, has gone through some rough times in his 25 years on Mount Oread.
Temple, 32, entered this season with a number of 309-331, a percentage of .488. And if a job where winning is the main goal, many may wonder why Temple is still at
BUT THINGS have turned around for KU this year. The Jayhawks have won more games this year than did any other baseball team in the history of the school. A 4-2 victory over Nebraska on April 21 gave KU its record-setting 24th win.
And Temple has no problem pointing to the source of the success.
"WE'VE NEVER had full scholastic backing until this year," Temple said. "And it's quite evident we're doing better because of it."
Last year, for the first time in Temple's tenure, he had a full scholarship budget to work with. The results have been imminent and Temple couldn't be more pleased.
"YOU ALWAYS enjoy it when you win," Temple said. "When I look back over the 25 years, we've had our own mistakes and setbacks. When I was when I started here. We've just been able to do things this year that we haven't been able to do in the past. This year we can steel bases and hit
"I'm not only pleased for myself, I'm pleased for my players. We've never had
Staff Photo by ELLREICHMAN
KANSAN Sports
Floyd Temple currently is celebrating his silver anniversary as head baseball coach at KU. Temple's baseball troops have responded to the occasion by winning more games than any other team in school history.
Head Hawk
this much depth. We generally had good pitching because that's where the scholarships went. But now we have friends and these kids love to play the game."
This year, there are 16 KU players on scholarships of varying amounts.
In the past Temple would have four or five scholarships to work with over a four-year period. When recruiting time came around each year he would usually find himself with one or one and a half scholarships to offer. He never had more than two in any year.
"YOU CAN CREDIT Clyde Walker because he gave the scholarships," Temple said. "He has helped the non-revenue sports because he wants an overall program of excellence, and that's something no one else can do." And in that case, of that it has led to our success this year.
"I did more recruiting last year than I had done in the last six or seven years put to us," she said.
Indeed, the Jayhawks have turned in the right direction. KU has won 12 of 15 games against Big Eight opponents this year and could win the eastern division of the concluding weekend when it takes on first place Missouri in a four-game series at Quailfield.
KU, 6-8 currently is on game behind Missouri. The Tigers are 12 games behind. The games are
KU has played 10 games at home this year and in the past has not been known to do well on the road. This year has been different.
"IF YOU HAVE a good program with good players you can win on the road," Temple said. "Football, basketball, track and field are among the best KU. I understand that philosophy but I always wanted more. I don't think people realize what we have competed against. It makes a big difference in what one school can do for a program than what another gives."
Having a full scholarship budget is only part of a dream that Temple has had for many years. The other half of the dream has never been realized, but Temple hopes it will happen $6000.
"I've always dreamed about having a full scholarship budget and new facilities to play on." Temple said. "We've reached one of those. If we could get a new fence, a new backstop and new seating we would be able to support the standing facility in the Big Egg conference."
A new fence will be put around Quigley Field before next season. A four-foot wooden fence will lead out to the outfield where it will become an eight-foot fence. Temple hopes to get permanent stands to replace it with new ones behind the backstop only during the season.
TEMPEL SAYS in his career at KU, he has never let losing bother him. He has gone through a lot of disappointing seasons that were the opposite of this year.
"I've developed a philosophy of winning and losing over the years," Temple said. "I've never lost any sleep over mediocre or fair teams. I remember Dr. Allen ("Phog," KU basketball coach for 49 years) telling me to get out of bed and put it away. That always stuck in my mind."
"I NEVER take anything home with me. Once a game is over it's history. Some
players don't have great ability. But as long
they don't believe I drowned I don't fault anyon-
d and believe that."
Temple is second only to Allen in years of coaching service for KU.
Temple has coached a lot of fine players at KU. He since took over in 1954, five years later, and was named James, Larry Miller and Steve Renko—have seen major league action. He also coached three All-Americans in Stirling McLee, Steve McGreevy and John Cromboid.
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"THERE ARE A lot of players that you remember." Temple said. "The great ones stick out in your mind but you can name 60 or 70 over the years. I've always felt for the kids more so than myself. They like to win games like hell, Still, we haven't had great success."
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Temple, a native of Cofeeville, played third base for KU in 1943. That team won the Big Seven championship and was the last KU squad to win a conference game. Temple was a player-coach for Iola in the old Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri league in 1841 and a professional athletic staff at his alma mater in 1852. Now he has a chance to lead KU to another title.
"When I left KU as a student, I wanted to come back as a coach," Temple said. "This is an exciting team we have this year. If people haven't seen us they're missing different level, but we're not unlike the Kansas City Royals in what we're trying to do.
"People need to realize that if they come out and get behind these kids, even for just one series, it could make a difference in the league. And I believe Missouri may be the most important in KU baseball history. All athletes have a little ego. We've been on the road two weekends in a row and we've taken a lot of ribbing. They perform better for the home crowd."
TEMPLE WAS AN assistant football
coach at KU until 1974. Now in addition to baseball he is the KU athletic department's director of physical plants. He is in charge of the facilities. Allen Field House, and Memorial Stadium.
"This is a full time job in itself," Temple said, "especially with the renovation of Memorial Stadium. I work 12 to 14 hours a day, six days a week."
football for 18 years. It's a challenge, but work keeps people going. I enjoy my work in both areas. But I'm not going to coach when the team needs me to devote my full time to being plant director."
But it's no different than when I coached
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All in all it has been a happy stay for Terme.
"I've been very happy," Temple said. "I should be to stick around this long and get into it."
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