Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, May 8, 2000
PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS
We Buy, Sell & Trade USED
& NEW Sports Equipment
50% OFF EVERYTHING (except coffee)
GREAT graduation gifts including candies, books, candles etc.
Universal Blends 1410 Kasold·843-2773
As graduation approaches, most seniors are preparing for the big day. However, some University of Kansas seniors are busy making other plans.
By Ayisola Abegunde
Kansan correspondent
Athletes pick sports or graduation
Members of the softball, golf, tennis and track teams are busy planning for the biggest week of their seasons — the Big 12 Conference and NCAA tournament week.
The tournament dates clash with the May 21 commencement ceremony, which poses a dilemma for some senior athletes who are forced to choose between walking down the hill and their teams.
tournaments are May 18-28.
Golf and softball tournaments are May 17-21, Big 12 track starts May 19, and the men's and women's tennis
Ryan Maier, Winfield senior and men's tennis team member, said it was a difficult choice.
"I would probably miss the commencement if we go to the NCAA tournament," Maier said. "I feel it's a big thing after all the work I've put in the past four years. Tennis is a big
Other seniors, however, said the choice was not as hard.
"From most people I've talked to, the commencement is an all-day event, and I would rather have my family and relatives watch me at the most important meet of the year than spend the whole day on campus," sald Kevin McGinn, Emporia senior and track team member.
thing too, because I've also put in a lot of work."
Track and field coach Gary Schwartz said he wished the athletes didn't have to choose.
"Personally, I think it's a real struggle for me to have our kids miss graduation." Schwartz said. "Kevin is going to make the final in the 1,500 meters, and that's on Sunday. It's a frustration to me. I hate to ask the kids to make that sacrifice."
However, some athletes, such as golfer Jake Istnick, will be able to participate in both the commencement and their athletic event.
"We will be playing that weekend, but we'll be back just in time for the commencement," said Istnick, Tulsa, Okla., senior.
Nooner, Bradford to make final farewell
By Selena Scott
Special to the Kansan
Being a men's basketball player may make it especially difficult to graduate in four years.
But players Nick Bradford, an economics major, and Terry Nooner, an African-American studies major, have beaten the odds. The two seniors will take four years to get their degrees and will graduate May 21.
Nooner said graduation was especially meaningful to him because he was only the second person to graduate in his family and the first to do so while playing a sport .
"A student athlete can graduate in four years if they take 16 hours per semester," said Dino Bell, degree and career counselor at the Athletics Department. "But with travel constraints and practice schedules, it gets hard to do."
"I am trying to set an example for the younger children in my family to show that they can do it," he said.
Nooner said that because he was one of the first in his family to graduate,he was motivated to finish school and make everyone proud.
Bradford said he was inspired by the ... and father to finish school. He said that some
names he felt like giving up, but that he focused on getting past the obstacles instead of dwelling on them.
"It is crazy and it feels good to know that I have put all that work in and have finished college," he said. "It feels real good to accomplish my goal of graduating from college."
Nooner and Bradford said basketball had been a very important part of their lives.
"Basketball has really taught me time management, how to be on time and how to communicate with people from different walks of life." Nooner said.
But the game of basketball might not b tral in their lives after graduation.
"I am not playing bass
nooner said. "I am just
ready to start something
new by moving to Dallas,
finding a job and taking on
a new challenge."
Bradford said he would know this summer whether he would continue to play.
Nooner and Bradford both will take their final bows while walking down the Hill, saying farewell to Kansas basketball and to the University of Kansas.
Bradford: Will decide this summer if he will play basketball
Other senior men's basketball players Ashante Johnson and Lester Earl are not graduating this semester.
Other senior men's bas
Coming August 2000
americanatextbooks.com
Where you don't stand in line for BIG DISCOUNTS!!!
We've got stuff to do it in kick jog walk BALL JUMP RUN PLAY BALL
Downtown 837 Massachusetts · 842-2442
All Sweatshirts Now 25% Off
841-8444
MR. GOODCENTS. SUBS & PASTAS
Good Food That Makes Good Sense! $ ^{ \circled{*} } $
15 TH & KA$OLD • 32ND & IOWA
FULFILLING ALL OF YOUR GRADUATION NEEDS
785. 749.4895 • JERETT FULTON • SKI AHMAD
Come Celebrate Stop Day Eve
KU Hawk Nights Presents
A Night at the Movies - Breakfast Included And
Late Night Breakfast with Faculty and Staff
Free Movies (10:15 p.m.)
"The Breakfast Club" AND (Alderson Aud.)
"The Matrix" (Woodruff Aud.)
Free Breakfast will be served by faculty and staff following the movies. （approximately 12-2 a.m.)
Date: Monday, May 8, 2000
Date: Monday, May 8, 2000
Time: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Place: Kansas Union
Bring your KUID
Good Luck with your Finals!!!!