Tuesday, November 23, 1999
The University Daily Kansan Opinion
Section A·Page 5
Feedback
Parent of swimmer who left Kansas team agrees with article
As a parent of one of the swimmers who has recently left the swimming program at Kansas, I want to thank Emily Hughey for her fine article. When I was dealing with Gary and even the Athletic Administrators, I became very frustrated. Just think what an 18-year-old was experiencing. To hear a former diving coach say Gary wants to be the "One and only" only brings more credence when my son kept telling me that Gary always said, "It's my way or the highway, son," when my son would ask questions or want to add stroke work to his practice. My son also received the famous "yell at" talk in front of the team when he told Gary he wanted to leave. My son was told that if he caused problems, Gary would not give him the release to go to another school. The "causing problems" was keeping his mouth shut. He even told one of the coaches my son was being recruited by, after his release, that my son was a problem, he wouldn't like that kind of a problem on his team. This was his number one backstroker last year who swam a school record in the 200 backstroke that he will not acknowledge. He would not even give my son a letter jacket.
I also wrote letters to the chancellor and athletic director. I did get some direction from one of the assistant athletics directors but only a letter that seemed somewhat threatening from Mr. Frederick.
My son also expressed the good ole boy system and still loves KU, the institution. He left his girlfriend (of over a year) and eight roommates in his off-campus house with many tears. He is still swimming and enjoys it more now but still talks about the good times out of the pool.
Again, thanks for the article.
Similar problems occur on other swim teams
Bill Bernhardt
South Bend, Ind. resident
In regard to "Coach under fire," featured in the Wednesday edition of the Kansan, I was disturbed by the content and tone of the article. As a member of the women's swim team, I was embarrassed and disappointed by the lack of objectivity. Like my former teammates, I have had past difficulties with my coaches, but I do not believe that they are solely to blame for the negative experiences I have encountered in my swimming career.
I began my collegiate swimming career at the University of Notre Dame, representing that school for two years. Although there are numerous variables that led me to the decision to leave Notre Dame and transfer to KU, one factor was a poor relationship with my coach, Bailey Weathers. The tension I experienced with Bailey was extremely similar with the concerns regarding Gary Kempf in the "Coach under fire" article. Although I blamed Bailey at the time, these experiences, which resulted in a total loss of enjoyment for the sport, were not strictly an effect of Bailey's coaching. Like those who oppose Gary's coaching, I did not agree with Bailey's methods, but their approach is not unique. It is the swimming community as an organization that promotes the type of mentality outlined in the article.
The distresses mentioned by my former teammates, I experienced at Notre Dame as well as on my high school club team. Since I was 13 years old, I have never been on a team where the coach did not comment on my weight. This practice is detrimental and leads to unhealthy body images as does comments made by the men's swim coach about our weight. It is not a good custom for men in general to comment on such issues, but it is definitely not a new concept.
When I decided to be recruited, visit schools, and accept a scholarship I accepted a job. Both schools I have attended gave me scholarships to swim for them. I was paid to perform a job. It is a responsibility and an honor. At Notre Dame, my scholarship was threatened on several occasions because I was not doing what I was told. You cannot go to work, refuse to perform tasks assigned by your boss, and expect them to pay you. College athletics is a fierce and competitive business. It would be idealistic to believe that we are not thought of as commodities, but that is unrealistic. Gary is paid to produce fast swimmers. Threatening to take away scholarships is not a productive method to control student-athletes, but many Division I institutions embrace the idea that we are expendable.
The problems with Gary, my former teammates cite in the article, exist with coaches on many teams. I have never been a part of a team where I did not have issues with my coach at some point, including Gary. Every single coach I have ever had made me cry at some point, and I can tell horror stories that would appall the general public. My coaches may be considered abusive by some, but it has always been this way. Maybe it is unnatural to hate your coach, but it is pretty common in our sport. The article blames 'Gary's coaching techniques, and I do not believe that circumstances are different on other teams, at least not where I have been a member. If you need someone to blame, it is not Gary. As far as I am concerned, he is a pretty accurate representation of what swimming has become.
Shelley Hotchkiss Philadelphia senior
KU athletes deserve better treatment
Bravo, Emily Hughey, on your brilliant article Wednesday concerning Gary Kempf. It's about time the truth received some publicity. Now it's time for the administration to confront the problem of poor quality coaching at KU. It would find an increase in the quality of the program if it would just try to import new coaches into the program. Many of U.S.'s top notch coaches are available and have credentials to match.
Brenda Meyer Tonganoxie resident
If the Athletic Department has allowed such abuses to exist, maybe it's time for new blood there as well. It's a pity that this sick epidemic was allowed to continue for 22 years. KU athletics and athletes deserve so much more.
KU lost some courageous, talented young men and women due to the controlling, degrading mentality of one who should know better. Don't continue allowing this to happen. After all, this
University is about the positive development of young adults, isn't it?
Coach pushes swimmers toward excellence
An athletic scholarship and education at the University of Kansas are invaluable. To expect excellence from student athletes is not too much to ask of them. When objective standards are not met, student athletes should expect consequences. I don't view suffering the consequences as detrimental to the individual nor a reason to undo years of dedicated coaching, program building and service to a great institution like KU.
I swam for KU and Coach Gary Kempf and chose to leave the program after my sophomore year even after attaining All American honors — an honor I dearly cherish, and one that I not only attribute to my ability and dedication but also to Coach Kempf, who pushed me to that level of achievement. I made the very difficult decision to leave the program because I felt that personally I could no longer balance the tremendous physical and mental strain of Division I swimming and the mental stress of entering KU's rigorous nursing program.
Swimming is a most demanding sport physically and mentally. It also requires tremendous discipline away from the pool in such areas as nutrition. Coaching swimming and the subsequent challenge of building the heart and character of championship athletes are not easy tasks, and I respect Coach Kempf immensely for the tremendously successful job he has done at KU. His standards are very high and his ability to produce championship teams, outstanding student athletes and adults well prepared for life after KU are tributes to his philosophy and dedication. Coach Kempf has had a very positive influence on my life. He challenged me to find a higher level of success. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it! He has my full support.
Debbie Bunker Schwartz
Lawrence resident
LAWRENCE AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS 842-8665 2858 Four Wheel Dr.
Hair Experts Design Team
Toys for Tots Bring in an unwrapped new toy & receive 20% off any one service.
25th & Iowa
1 Anywhere but Here™ 1:40 4:20, 7:20, $255
2 The Messenger™ 1:40 4:20, 7:20, $255
3 House On Heated Hill™ 2:00 4:45, 7:40, $250
4 The World Is Not Hot™ 1:15 4:00, 6:45, $300
5 Pokemon™ 1:55 5:00, 7:15, $1250
6 Sleepy Hollow™ 1:50 5:00, 7:15, $1250
7 The World Is Not Hot™ 1:45 4:35, 7:25, $10.10
8 Sleepy Hollow™ 1:45 4:35, 7:25, $10.10
9 Sleepy Hollow™ 1:45 4:35, 7:25, $10.10
10 The Inherit™ 1:00 4:15, 7:35
11 The Bachelor™ 1:00 4:15, 7:35
11 The Bachelor™ 1:00 4:15, 7:35
12 Pokémon™ 1:20 4:30 —
also, the Messenger™ — — 7:00, 10.00
4:54 8:00 6:54
Sat & Sun Daily
1 Music of the Heart™ 1:45 4:40,705 9:35
2 The Story of Us* 1:55 4:50,700 —
also. Light It Up* — — 9:30
3 Double Jeopardy* 1:50 4:35,710 9:50
4 Club Chip* 1:40 4:35,710 9:50
5 Dogma* 1:35 4:30,710 9:45
6American Beauty* 1:40 4:35,700 9:30
★ NO VIP + PASSES + SUPERSAVERS
SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONLY
10pm Sat Nov 27 18+
The Mad Scene
hyperspherian
the String & Return
- retail headaches.
- burger flipping.
- long days.
- cranky customers.
Now Hiring Part-Time P
Part-Time Package Handlers
Please call our office in Lawrence Phone # (785) 843-3200
Set up a time to Apply in Person at our Lawrence Office:
729 $ ^{1/2} $ Massachusetts, Suite 210 Lawrence, KS 66044
Located right above the Brown Bear in Downtown Lawrence
OR
Call our Shawnee Kansas Job Line at (913) 422-4939
RPS Inc. An FDX Co.
8000 Cole Pkwy.
Shawnee K6 62272
WE OFFER:
WEEKOFFER
$9.00/hr. TO $10.00/hr Weekly Pay
Holiday Bonus: Additional $1/hr thru. Dec. 31"
$0.50/hr. Tuition Reimbursement
$0.50/hr. Raise after 90 days
NO WEEKENDS
Available Shift Times:
Day:
Twilight:
Night:
Sunrise:
Preload:
2:00pm-7:00pm M-F
2:00pm-Midnight M-F
2:30am-7:30am T-Sat
2:00am-7:30am T-Sat
An FDX Company