JAYHAWK
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Basketball
Inside Sports today
Former Kansas basketball player Raef LaFrentz leads the Denver Nuggets with 24 points in a losing effort to the Los Angeles Lakers SEE PAGE 3B
Yesterday's game - Kansas vs. Nebraska
KANSAS
16-7,8-3
RANKED NO.24
WWW.JHAWKBBALL.COM
SECTION B, PAGE 1
NEBRASKA
16-8, 8-3
UNRANKED
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1999
64
KU football 'Hawks can't stop Nebraska
walk-ons battle hard aim for glory
By Michael T. Rigg
Kansan sportswriter
Charlie Hoag's battle began nearly two years ago, during his senior year at Shawnee Mission West High School. Hoag declined offers for significant playing time at smaller schools and decided to walk on at the University of Kansas.
Hoag spent his freshman year as a red shirt and ran plays from the scout team. Last year, Hoag's football career started
looking up when he was listed on the depth chart for wide receivers and traveled with the team. Still, Hoag didn't catch one pass last season.
Nineteen new walk-ons are taking the first step toward becoming the next Charlie Hoag. At an organizational meeting for Spring 1999 walk-ons, Jayhawk administrative assistant Rob Bowkls gave the 19 perspective Jayhawks the rundown on what he called the easiest walk-on program in the United States.
The current walk-ons are informally working out until spring practice begins March 30.
A walk-on only has to be accepted into the University as a full-time student, take a physical exam, and sign the insurance and NCAA compliance forms, Bowlks said.
He decided to walk on at KU instead of taking the smaller schools up on their offers because he wanted the thrill of playing in front of a big crowd, Chandler said.
Like most walk-onns, Chandler was a red-shirt in 1995, his freshman year. But unlike the other guys, Chandler played in all 11 games in 1996, his freshman year of eligibility. He led the team in receiving his sophomore year and last season caught 21 passes for 236 yards.
Chandler fell victim to numerous injuries during his senior season of high school, including a shoulder injury and a broken foot, so the only offers he received were from smaller, Division II programs. Chandler said.
This year's walk-onss have a long road ahead of them, Bowlks said. Almost all walk-onss are redshirts in their first year. Coaches start taking serious looks at them by the time their second year of practice rolls around. However, that doesn't mean they'll ever play in a game or earn a scholarship, Bowlks said.
"I just wanted to come in and prove to myself as well as everyone else that I can play Division I football," said Chandler. "But I've been surprised by the success I've had so far."
"Although some players will never step foot in a game, I think they just want to be part of a big-time program," he said.
Hoag said that walk-ons don't take the beatings that so many fans think they do.
"We don't go through that much pain," Hoag said. "The other players treat me the same as everyone else."
But being a walk-on doesn't always mean four years of football obscurity. On last season's team, eight former walk-ons were on scholarship. Among these were starting offensive guard Justin Glasgow and wide receiver Michael Chandler.
Kansas also doesn't put its walk-ons through a strenuous training program. "If you came in here and said you wanted to walk on, I wouldn't ask you how fast you could run. I wouldn't ask you if you could bench press 10 pounds. I'd just tell you your reporting date," Bowlks said.
"Once you get in there and do the same thing as them day in and day out, they treat you the same." Chandler said.
Doing the same thing as the big-time recruits is what it's all about. Haq said.
"When you're on the field, wearing the same uniform, and standing on the same sideline as everyone else, no one knows who's on scholarship and who's not." Hoag said. "They just know that you're a Kansas football player."
Chandler agrees.
A dejected Roy Williams walks off the court after the third home loss of the season. The Jayhawks fell to the Nebraska Cornhuskers 59-64. Photo by Dan Elsavsky/KANSAN
KU men's loss makes season's third in Big 12
The low-scoring first half was a result of poor shooting and sloppy play from each team. Kansas shot 35 percent from the field, including 2-of-11 from three-point range, while Nebraska connected on 34.5 percent of its field goals.
By Kevin C. Wilson Kansan sportswriter
See CORNHUSKERS on page 3B
Nebraska center Venson Hamilton scored six points as the Cornhuskers
Nebraska had 12 steals and forced 20 Kansas turnovers. Nebraska forward Larry Florence scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half, and center Venson Hamilton added 17 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.
The Allen Fieldhouse mystique is officially a thing of the past.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers overcame an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat Kansas 64-59 for the first time at Allen Fieldhouse since the season of 1982-83. The loss also marked the first time the Jayhawks have lost three games at home since the 1993-94 season.
In a game dominated by scoring spurts, the Cornhuskers used an 11-4 run to sweep the Jayhawks for the first time since 1982-83, coming back from 55.53
"The confidence of our opponents is higher than it's ever been," Kansas guard Ryan Robertson said. "They feel like they can come into the Fieldhouse and beat us on any given night."
Kansas coach Roy Williams said that the Jayhawks' poor shooting and sloppy play could be attributed to the Cornhuskers' tenacious defense.
"Their team speed and quickness is something that is extremely important to them." Williams said.
Seniors plan to lead successful team
By Matt Tait
Kansan sportswriter
For any team hoping to put together a winning season, it must have strong leadership. The four senior leaders on the Kansas baseball team appear ready to lead and ready to win.
Chad King, Chad Schuster, Sparky Wilhelm and Chris Williams arrived at Kansas through different paths. But now that they are here, and two days away from kicking off their senior seasons, they are ready to give it all they have for this team to win.
"The four of us make a real good unit together, and our leadership spreads down to the younger classes." Williams said.
Chad King: Last opportunity for post-season play
Williams, a right-handed pitcher from Edmond, Okla., has been at Kansas his entire college career. As a freshman, he was thrust into the lineup immediately and was rewarded for his play, being named Big Eight pitcher-of-the-week early in the season.
As a sophomore, he led the staff in earned run average during Big 12 conference play and assumed more of a leadership role based on his freshman experience.
Wilhelm said that he agreed with Williams sentiments of leading by example, and that this year's team revolved around everybody assuming their roles and carrying them out to the best of their ability.
Wilhelm has also been at Kansas for four years and has enjoyed success much the same as Williams. Hailing from Topeka, Wilhelm played in 35 games as a freshman
Last year, Williams again made several appearances and pitching well, posted a win against perennial powerhouse Oklahoma State.
Chad Schuster: Closeness of team helps play
"You've got to have leadership." Wilhelm said. "And with the four seniors, we all have the personality where we don't want to sit back and watch. It's time for us to sten up and lead in our own ways."
This year, Williams looks to be more vocal and provide the team with a good example of how to work hard to achieve goals.
"Ijust try to lead by example and show the younger guys that the work I've put in allows the results to take care of themselves." he said.
Chris Williams:
Wants to help lead
younger players
Sparky Wilhelm:
Hopes to lead by example
"You've got to have leadership and with the four seniors we all have the personality where we don't want to sit back and watch. It's time for us to step up and lead in our own ways."
and started 18 of them.
This year, Wilhelm said he was optimistic that the team can do well and that he, personally, would continue to become a better baseball player and do whatever is necessary to help the team win.
As a sophomore, Wilhelm found his home at third base, starting 31 times, and began to provide more offense.
Last year, Wilhelm was one of the leaders of the team and hit a career best. 325,
despite missing five games because of injury.
Sparky Wilhelm
Third Base
"It's not something we're going to try to do," Wilhelm said. "It's something we're going to do."
King and Schuster both came to Kansas from junior colleges. Going into their second season as Jayhawks, both said they realized it was their last opportunity to make it to the post-season.
King, from Gainesville, Fla., had an immediate impact upon his arrival at Kansas. As a junior, he started in 24 games and hit five home runs.
Last year, King suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to sit out the season.
Now at 100 percent, King is eager to get the season going and is hoping for good things to come.
"I've never been to a post-season tourna
ment and I would really like to go. If I don't do it now, I'll never do it." King said. "It doesn't matter if I hit .800 this year and get drafted in the first round for $10 million, if we don't go to the post-season, I never will."
Schuster, who transferred from a junior college in Glendale, Ariz., appeared to be ready to make some noise early in his junior season before a knee-injury from a line drive ended that notion.
Coming back from his knee injury has prompted Schuster to lead by working hard and showing what it takes to win.
"I think the closeness of this team has made it easier to lead," Schuster said. "This year seems a lot closer than last year and that helps a lot."
Kansas baseball has a tradition of strong senior leadership, and the list does not appear to stop here. The four men that wear the senior label this year are determined, and perhaps destined, for success. Only time and their play will tell.
"I'm not going to lie," Williams said. "My personal goal is to win a National Championship and this is my last shot to do it, so I'm not going to sell myself or my team short. That's my main goal."
The baseball season opens Saturday with Kansas facing Texas-Arlington in Arlington.
Commentary
Sports fans urged to show love
Ah, 'tis the season of love and affection.
They say it only accentuates the
There are those who don't like valentines.
In case the endless propaganda hadn't tipped you off, this Sunday is Valentine's Day — the time of year when we shower our loved ones with cheap chocolates and overpriced roses. Among other things.
Love for the game. Love for the team. Love for the fans (Well, that's what they say). Love for the money. More love for the more
fact that they don't have someone to love. But In the sports world, we don't have that problem. There is plenty of love to go around.
Harley Rattiff
sports@kansan.com
Like I said, plenty of love.
But even in a world consumed by so much adoration, there are some sports folks who could use some extra Valentine's Day cheer. I mean, what the heck, it couldn't hurt. So, last night I got out the address book and the red pen and...
"Happy Valentine's Day Chicago Sports Fans — It was fun while it lasted."
For the past seven years the Chicago Bulls dominance of the NBA has made it easy for our friends from the Windy City to forget how wretched the Bears are.
With Michael on the links and Scottie on the Rockets, the Bulls should be one of the NBA's worst teams — making them a nice fit alongside the Bears and the Blackhawks. But cheer up Chicagoans, It's Valentine's and, well, maybe Mike McKaskey will find something better to do.
"Hey Peter Zezel, hope the leg gets better and have a great Valentine's!" Zezel, an aging and rather mediocre backup center for the Vancouver Canucks, is my roommate Dom's favorite player and is currently on the disabled list. He just wanted to let Pete know we're thinking about him.
Get well soon, #25 and Go,
Canucks!
"Big Eight Basketball: I was remembering the good ol' days and thought of you. Maybe we can get back together..."
While the Texas schools finally started to earn their keep this fall on the gridiron, they continue to plague our once-proud basketball conference.
I just can't see any of the Texas schools, with the exception of Texas, ever being able to win consistently or establish a reputation. How can anyone get excited to watch Baylor play...um...anybody?
I miss you Big Eight basketball
Please come back home baby
To Anna Kournakova, tennis star
and goddess: Lots of husbands and kisses.
Okay, so she probably doesn't need any cheering up and already has another Valentine.
But it was worth a shot.
"Happy Valentine's Day Kansan readers, I love you too."
The Kansan sports desk recently received an e-mail from a friendly student who was, shall we say, rather upset by some of my more controversial musings.
Apparently, Mr. Crimson and Blue was so angry that he has wanted to "literally punch" me a few times when he saw me on campus.
C'mon man, where's the love?
I'll tie the season
Rattlift is an Norman, Okla., senior; in journalism.