Friday. January 28, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 5
Former coach to take political field
Nebraska's Osborne to run for Congress
The Associated Press
HASTINGS, Neb. — Former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne, who won three national championships before retiring in 1997, said yesterday that he would run for Congress in this football-crazy state.
"I don't think this is an ego trip," Osborne said. "It would be a lot easier to go fishing."
Osborne, a Republican, ended weeks of speculation with his announcement in his hometown at Hastings College, where he excelled as a three-sport star.
Osborne, 62, is held in reverence by a majority of the 1.6 million people in the state, where there are no other major college football programs or any professional sports franchises.
Osborne's career was not without controversy, however, including his decision to allow Lawrence Phillips to return to the team during the Cornhuskers' 1995 national title season after the troubled running back assaulted his girlfriend.
Osborne said in a book released last fall that he may have made a mistake in his handling of Phillips, whose NFL career was marred with run-ins with the law.
Political experts don't expect Phillips to be a detriment, mainly because of Osborne's reputation as a straight-shooting, soft-spoken Christian.
"Tom Osborne is so highly regarded," said state Democratic Party Chairwoman Anne Boyle.
Anybody who wants to go negative on Tom Osborne is probably not going to be well received."
Osborne took over the Nebraska program in 1973 at the age of 34 after serving as an assistant to coach Bob Duggar for 11
Osborne: Says his candidacy is not an ego trip
years. He compiled a 255-49-3
record in 25 years, ranking sixth
all time among all Division I coaches for wins.
Osborne joins several other notable sports figures who have gone into politics.
His teams won 13 conference championships and national championships in 1994 and 1995 and a share of the 1997 title.
Former NBA star and U.S. Senator from New Jersey Bill Bradley is running for the Democratic nomination for president. Former college football great J.C. Watts of Oklahoma is in Congress and is chairman of the House Republican Conference.
Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning represented Kentucky in the House for six terms and won a seat in the Senate in 1998.
Football legend's son joins baseball team
By Amanda Kashube sports@kansan.com Kansas sportwriter
The son of a Kansas legend has returned to Lawrence — but his uniform will feature pinstripes and a baseball cap, not pads and a helmet.
Ryan Douglass, Lake Forest, Ill., junior, is the newest addition to the Jayhawk pitching roster. But he must contend with the reputation of his dad — All-American quarterback Bobby Dooller, who led the Jayhawks to a 1969 Orange Bowl appearance.
"I'm happy I'm a Jayhawk, and my dad is, too." he said.
Douglass has not played baseball since his high school career more than three years ago. But he isn't worried.
"It's the same motion, and my arm is in better shape than it was in high school," he said. "I'm 30 pounds heavier and in good shape."
Douglass strengthened his arm by throwing a different ball around — a football. He has been a quarterback at the University of Missouri and Southern Illinois University during the past three years. Douglass transferred to Kansas this semester after he did not receive enough playing time at both schools.
"It wasn't the situation I had hoped for at Missouri," he said. "I split time with others. I wanted the job full time."
Douglass decided to return to the campus that made his dad a star. His eligibility in football has run out, but he still has two seasons of baseball left.
"It's hard to give up football, but baseball is always something I wanted to do." he said. "I wanted to give it a shot. It's a no-lose situation."
Douglass' dad contacted coach Bobby Randall with news that his son was interested in playing baseball for him. Neither thought the NCAA would allow it.
"You have a two-year exemption if you haven't played in college," Randall said. "Ryan didn't play baseball in college, so he's fine. He has two seasons of eligibility now."
As a quarterback, he's been pitching to a moving target for three and a half years.
Douglass, a 6-foot-2, 215 pound righty, has been added to the pitching roster but probably will not see any action until mid-March when his arm reaches full strength.
"There's an old adage — you can never have enough pitching," Randall said. "Ryan's first hurdle is to make the team and travel. Then we'll see where he fits."
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City linebacker Derrick Thomas had voided his contract with the Chiefs at the time of the car accident that left him partially paralyzed, having exercised a clause that allowed him to become a free agent after he reached certain incentives.
The Chiefs declined to comment yesterday on the status of the contract. Chiefs president Carl Peterson and Denny Thum, the assistant general manager who handles contracts, and Leigh Steinberg, Thomas' agent, could not be reached.
Chiefs representative Bob Moore said it was inappropriate at this time to talk about how Thomas' situation affects the Chiefs salary cap. If Thomas' contract were valid, it would count about $4.175 million against the cap.
Thomas would have been
eligible to become a free agent on Feb. 11, when his contract expires, had he not reached agreement on a new deal with the Chiefs. The expiring contract gave the Chiefs an option to add years onto 'Thomas' contract by giving him a $3 million simiing bonus.
In spring 1997, Thomas signed a seven-year contract worth about $26.9 million, including a $7.5 million signing bonus.
Last January, the sides renegotiated the deal to drop the final two years and include some playing incentives for 1999 that could void the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
Thomas, 33, was released from intensive care and upgraded to good condition yesterday at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami after undergoing surgery on his spine. He was injured and one of his companions was killed Sunday when Thomas' car left an icy road in Kansas City.
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For Singers & Dancers
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AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS
YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN ACCOMPANIMENT whether it be a pianist or a cassette tape. We will provide a cassette deck and a piano. A cappella auditions will not be accepted. We are not auditioning bands, solo instrumentalists or dramatic actors.
Singers, please sing one verse and the chorus of two contrasting styles of song: one up-tempo and one ballad. Sing any type of music you enjoy, such as rock, gospel, show tunes, etc.
(No Rap.) Please limit your audition to no more than two minutes.
Dancers, please prepare a jazz routine (no longer than two minutes) and one song to sing.
KANSAS CITY, MO Saturday, February 5 Park Place Hotel (Off Front St. at I-435) Registration: 9-1
MARYVILLE, MO
Wednesday, February 2
Northwest MO State
Charles Johnson Theater
Registration: 3-5
WICHTTA, KS
Thursday, February 3
Wichita State University
Rhatigan Student Center-203
Registration: 3-5
LINCOLN, NE
Monday, February 7
University of Nebraska
Nebraska Union - Ballroom
Registration: 3-5
AUDITION LOCATIONS
KANSAS CITY, MO
Sunday, January 13
Place Hoe House
(Off Front St. at I-435)
Registration: 10-2
COLUMBIA, MO
Tuesday, February 8
University of MO
N. Memorial Union - 208
Registration: 3-5
LAWRENCE, KS
Wednesday, February 16
Kansas University
Kansas Union - KS Room
Registration: 3-5
WARRENSBURG, MO
Tuesday, February 15
Central MO State University
University Union - 304 & 306
Registration: 3-5
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contact the Live
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4545 Worlds of Fun Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64161
(816) 454-4545, ext. 1354
www.worldsoffun.com