Tuesday, February 1. 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 3
Men's tennis winless in Louisville
Leadership a problem coach says
Eleozar Magallan returns a shot against Southwest Missouri State at Alvamar Tennis and Swim Club, 4120 Clinton Parkway. Magallan is one of three Jayhawks who will play in the Rolex National Intercollegiate Championships Thursday in Dallas. Photo by Aaron Lindberg/KANSAN
By Brent Wasko sports@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
To say that Kansas men's tennis coach Mark Riley was upset about his team's dismal performance last weekend would be an understatement. The Jayhawks (1-3) lost all three of their matches at the Louisville Invitational.
"This is the most disappointing point in my coaching career," Riley said. "It looked to me like the team just didn't show up. It was a lack of effort by the total group."
Kansas was dominated throughout the event. With a total of 21 points available in the three matches, the No. 44 ranked Jayhawks claimed only three of them. No. 68 Middle Tennessee State defeated Kansas 4-2 in the first day of competition. On the second day, Kansas was creamed 7-0 by No. 33 Minnesota and lost 6-1 to unranked Louisville.
"As a coach, you think you are prepared, but apparently we were not ready for this weekend," Riley said. "I'll take complete blame for what happened, although people on our team have to take a personal responsibility for their preparation."
Junior Ed Dus was quite a bit more positive about the Jayhawks performance. He said the matches were a lot closer than they appeared in the box score.
"I think we had a rough time, but I don't think it went as bad as it was portrayed," Dus said. "I think we just got caught off guard. Personally, I think it's good that this happened at this point of the
season so we can realign a few things and regain our focus."
Before the meet, Riley was looking for a player to step up and fill his sixth singles spot. Now, Riley said he had considered making adjustments to a good portion of his lineup. He said he especially was troubled by his team's leadership.
"Part of our problem is that our leadership makes too many excuses," Riley said. "We're going to have to find the answers to our problems. If we don't get the ship righted now, it could be a tough season."
There were a few positive aspects for the Jayhawks at the meet. Dus and Rodrigo Echagaray, the No. 1 doubles team in Region V, won their only doubles match 8-6 against Louisville. Alex Barragan and Eleazar Magallan, the Jayhawks No. 2 doubles squad, also racked up a victory against Louisville, 8-6.
"One of the constant positives of our team is our doubles play." Sua said.
In singles, Kansas won only two matches, both coming against Middle Tennessee. Echagary, who plays in No. 2 singles competition, beat Oliver Foreman 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (6).
Riley said one of bright spots of the meet was sophomore Quentin Blakeney's performance. He struggled at times in the fall, ending that season with a 6-8 record. However, against Middle Tennessee's Michael Chamberlain, Blakeney got his second win of the season 6-3, 6-4.
"One of the disappointments of the fall was Quentin, but his play is back to a good level," Riley said. "That is very encouraging."
Kansas will have to wait until February 12 before it see action again. The team will face Indiana, who
Riley said was a very good team. That meet will be at the Alvamar Tennis and Swim Club, 4120 Clinton Parkway.
This Thursday, three of the team's players will travel to Dallas for the
Rolex National Intercollegiate Championships. Magallan and Echagaray will represent the Jayhawks in singles, while Echagaray and Dus will team up for doubles.
"The Rolex Indoors might be the best amateur tennis tournament in the world," Riley said. "We expect to go there and do well. Unfortunately, the rest of the team will have to wait awhile to play again."
Atlanta's Rocker fined, suspended for 28 days
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — John Rocker was suspended until May 1 by commissioner Bud Selig yesterday for racial and ethnic remarks that he said.
The Atlanta Braves' reliever also was fired and ordered to undergo sensitivity training for disparaging foreigners, homosexuals and minorities in a magazine interview. The amount of the fine was not immediately known.
"Major league baseball takes seriously its role as an American institution and the important social responsibility that goes with it." Selig said.
"We will not dodge our responsibility. Mr. Rocker should understand that his remarks offended practically every element of society and brought dishonor to himself, the Atlanta Braves and major
league baseball. The terrible example set by Mr. Rocker is not what our great game is about and, in fact, is a profound breach of the social compact we hold in such high regard."
The players' association was expected to file a grievance because of the penalty, believed to be the longest against a baseball player for an action not related to drug use since Lenny Randle of Texas got 30 days in March 1977 for punching his manager. Frank Lucchesi.
A grievance would force the matter before Shaym Das, the sport's new independent arbitrator.
The suspension, which is to last
for 28 days, will not affect his salary,
expected to be between $200,000 and
$300,000.
"I do not believe it is appropriate that I should be harshly disciplined for my misguided speech unaccompanied by any conduct on my part," Rocker said in a statement released by his agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks. "I have previously apologized for my unfortunate remarks and stand by my apology. At this time I am considering my options, including my right to appeal the commissioner's decision."
The 25-year-old pitcher was barred from joining the Braves at spring training. A high-ranking baseball official, speaking on the condition he not be identified, said the commissioner's office did not want Rocker to report with other Braves' pitchers and catchers, thus minimizing the number of media descending on Kissimmee, Fla.,
when camp opened Feb.17.
Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for labor relations, disputed that, and said it was not a factor.
The pitcher was ordered by Selig on Jan. 6 to undergo psychological tests, but the results of those tests have not been disclosed.
Rocker said in a Sports Illustrated story published last month that he would never play for a New York team because he didn't want to ride a subway train "next to some queer with AIDS." He also said, "I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. . . How the ball did they set in this country?"
He also called a black teammate a "fat monkey."
Rocker told ESPN last month that he had lost his cool and said things he didn't mean about New York fans because he wanted to inflict some emotional pain in retaliation to the pain that had been inflicted on him.
Kansan Correspondents
The University Daily Kansan
- There will be be a meeting at 6 p.m.
- There will be a meeting at 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 3, in 100 Stauffer-Flint to plan stories for the next section.
- The meeting is open to all students. No previous experience is required.
If you can't make it, or you have questions, call Melody Ard, special sections editor, at 864-4810.
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