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Tuesday, March 4, 1980
University Daily Kansan
Former two-time KU Olympian recalls golden basketball days
By PATTI ARNOLD
Sports Writer
The details are a little fuzzy, but the memories still linger with Bill Boulton, KU's only graduate ever to compete on two Olympic bobsleigh events.
Houglain, now president of the Koch Oil Refinery in Wichita, was a guard on the United States' 1952 and 1960 gold-medal winning
Last week as the country hailed its new Olympic heroes, the members of the U.S. ice hockey team, Haighound救 his fondest memories of the team's games.
"When the American flag came into the stadium during the opening ceremony, there was just a tremendous ovation from the crowd," Houghton said. "It was just after the war and there was a few Americans in Europe then. It must me very proud to be an American."
However, the similarities between the 1952 Olympic basketball team and the 1980 Olympic hockey team do not end with the crowns.
The basketball team also had to beat the Soviet Union to win the gold medal, but unlike the hockey game, the U.S.Sport encounter was a victory.
Even though the Soviet's team was their first Olympic basketball team, Houland said the Soviet sound was talented
"They ran a controlled offense," Hougland said. "I think the score at the half was something like 16-15." Hougland said, "We were behind at the half and didn't go ahead until the end of the third quarter. The final score. I think was 21-16."
Actually, the final score was 36-25, but it really wasn't important to Houland. What really mattered to Houland was that the United States had won the gold medal and that the seven KU players on the team had been instrumental in the victory.
"The Russians were in great physical shape," he said. "It took everything we could do to get ahead of the players. They KU played an important role in the win. We had to use a pressure defense against Russia and we had used that kind at KU."
Hougland attributed the defensive skills of the KU players to the
A sellout crowd in Helsinki watched the U.S.-Soviet game at the 1984 Olympics. Only six points were scored in the first 10 minutes.
assistant coach of the Olympic squad, F.C. "Phog" Allen. Earner that year. Allen had coached KU to a 284 win and an NCAA title.
But in the end, it was the American team that held the ball to grab the gold. KU's Clyde Lovelett, a two-time All-American, paced the United States to victory. The U.S. outshot the Soviets, connecting on 13 of its 75 shots to only 8 of the 44 field goal attempts for the Soviet.
Bill Hougland
While the Helsinki game was a mail-biter, the 1964 rematch in Melbourne was a blow-out. The United States breeted to an 89-55 victory.
But when Houghton accepted his second medal, he did it as the captain of the basketball team. The only KU graduate on the 56
"We beat them easily," he said. "But there was the high spirit and high morale of the players played their best. We wanted to be better."
Another feeling that did not change from 1952 to 1965 was the feeling Hougain had when the gold medal was placed around his
"It makes you so proud you're able to do something to contribute something to your country," he said. "A great feeling of patriotism is that."
Hougland worked his way from the bottom of the Koch oil refinery to the top. He was working for the Phillips Petroleum Company after serving in the military. Then Hougland met an executive of Koch, who invited him to apply for a job. He did, and got the job.
Hougland is still interested in KU activities and is up for election to the board of directors of the Kansas Alumni Association.
But his matter now far Wehla is from Helsinki or Melloubour he was passionately wanders back to the places where he won his gold medal.
"The memories will always stick in my mind." he said.
Boycott clouds Woodard's dream
Bv PAM CLARK
Sports Writer
Lynette Woodard has dreamed of being a member of the United States women’s Olympic basketball team she said is her "big goal."
Now, three years later, she is one of the top five players in the collegiate ranks and is a certain selection to the U.S. test.
But 70,000 Soviet troops in Afghanistan stand in her way.
to 6,000 Soviet troops in Afghanistan stand in her way to help the United States evacuate more than a month ago for the evacuation of the Soviet troops from Afghanistan.
Neither side shows any signs ofgiving in. The troops still are in Afghanistan and Carter still insists that the United States should withdraw from Afghanistan.
All of this puts Woodard's Olympic dreams under a dark cloud. But the 6-4 junior has taken it in all strides and is now a strong contender.
"I FEEL THAT whatever I'm supposed to have, I'll have."
"I was hoping it wouldn't happen." Woodard said of the boycott. "It's unfortunate. But there's nothing I can really do."
That Woodau is supposed to be a member of the Olympic team is one thing that few people around the world would doubt.
The respect for Woodard's abilities goes beyond that of her coaches and teammates. Guse Sunter, coach of the U.S. Olympic basketball team, has nothing but praise for the KU star,
"Lyneette is an outstanding all-round ball player," Gunter said. "She is one of the premier players in the game. Her greatest asset is not her ability to score, but her quickness, passing and penetration."
Gunter said Woodard's chances of making the squad were good, but the Stephen F. A. Austin University coach was also a contender, according to the report.
A 14-member committee from the ABA-USA selects the team.
Open trials for anyone who wishes to try out will be held March 24-28 in Colorado Springs. Colo. Finder players will be given a team of four players who have received invitations, including Woodard. The final trials are March 26-28. The team will consist of 12 members and 16 participants.
"IM HOPING TO have a nucleus of seven or eight players who have experience in the Pan American or World University Games," Gunter said. "The player who has experience has an advantage over the player who does not."
But before the U.S. team can compete in the Moscow Olympics, it must qualify at the Intralia in Bulgaria, May 7-17. The top five teams in these trials advance to Moscow. The Soviet team does not have to qualify.
"We have to go ahead to the trials in Bulgaria," Gunter said. "It's the only way to qualify. What will happen after that?"
"The crucial date is May 24, the deadline for countries to register for the Games. As far as I'm concerned, we're going to have a tight schedule."
Woodard said that qualifying for the Olympics only to have it taken away because of a boycott would not be worse.
"ALL OF THE national powers will be at the trials except Russia," she said. "It could be one and the same."
"There are going to be other (alternate) Games. It won't be the same, but they're going to make it as nice as possible."
But an alternate Games would not be a substitute for the Olympics and any medal won would not replace a possible Olympic medal, which the United States was favored to receive.
"I think we have the second best team in the world," Gunner said. "The Russian center is the difference. They're a very fine ball club without her- but a beatable club. If you have points and rebounds, the difference is always the 7 2-up."
Woodard should fit in perfectly with the U.S. team. Gunter said that because of their lack of size the Americans would have to play a pressure defense and a fast break offense—the same as the Jawhacks.
IT IS MOST likely that Woodward would play at a wing position. Gunter said, so she could go to the boards be in a position.
But if things remain as they are now, Woodward will not get a chance to flash her shooting touch, leaping ability.
"I if I don't make the team that won't be the end of the world," Woodard said. "There will always be something else."
By CHICK HOWLAND
Sports Writer
Jim Sauer's college swimming career will soon be over.
Just like that, only this time it will be involuntary.
Sauer's career began in a New Mexico youth program where a man named Bill Spahn taught him to swim. A salmon swimming upstream, three years ago Sauer completed a course in KU, where Bill Spahn had been moved on to coach.
By the Big Eight Championships this weekend and the NCAAs March 27-29, Sauer, KU's senior tri-capain, will be forced to give up what has become more than just a sport for him. For Sauer, swimming has become a way of life.
But that wasn't always so. He once spent three years out the water, protecting with his win-at-all-coats mother.
As a youth, he was one of the fastest swimmers in the nation in the 10-year-old and under group. Because of problems at home, however, swimming wasn't always easy.
WHAT HAPPENED between that first lesson and his final season at KU is what makes Sauer remarkable.
"Mother was real nushv." he said. "I had to win."
Before his senior year in high school, Sauer ran away from home. He headed for California, Glenn Lawn School, where he learned Spanish and Mexico. Yamashita, who had recently been in a motorcycle accident and was confined to a wheelchair, was having
The tension at home mounted when Sauer had a chance to make it at the National Junior Olympics when he was 12. A first in the regional trials would assure him, and his family, a free trip to nationals in San Diego.
Until not three years later, at age 16, did he re-enter the pool. Still, his return to swimming didn't solve his problems
But Sauer didn't win. He lost by a scant one tenth of a second. Then he quit.
"Before the meet there was friction at home," Sauer said. "I had to win. My whole family were wooled out."
"He couldn't take the problems he was having with the parents of his swimmers and in being the wheelchair," Sauer said. "I lived with him my senior year. We were real friends. I loved them and he was having problems ad hoc to his wheelchair."
When Sauer graduates this spring, he'll return to California and his 31-year-old former coach.
After the three-year absence from the sport, it took Sauer two and a half years to catch up with his competitors. But even after high school, he didn't think he was good enough to play college. He enrolled at Midland Junior "college in Midland, Texas."
His next step was the University of New Mexico, but the team disbanded after one year. Then came KU and a reunion at Arizona.
"He's the best coach I ever had," he said. "But I'm biased because he's my best friend."
Forced to sit out a year after transferring, Sauer still went to practice and became a team leader. He became a team tri-captain last season though he never swam a single race for KU.
"Spahn treated me like I was on the team," Sauer said. "So did the other guys. They really helped me."
"I want to be optimistic and say we'll win, but it will be close," he said. "We don't choke, we come in the clutch. We better win, it's my last year and I'd feel loasy leaving a laser."
Now it’s Sauer’s turn. KU is pursuing its third straight Big Eight crown and he has to plaav a major role.
If Sauer swims as he has in the past, he should carry his team to the game and go out a winner. Just like that.
Ted Owens . . . back for No. 17
CATHY KREBS/Kansan stat
Ted to return Marcum says
By GENE MYERS
Associate Sports Editor
That's the word yesterday from the Kansas athletic department.
Marcum said last night that he did not want to comment on the men who ages ago, but he asked Owen. He has two years remaining on a five-year contract and wanted the public vote of confidence.
"Ted Owens has compiled an enviable record," Marcum said in a prepared statement. "He coaches who twice in this past decade took teams to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament."
In a move right out of the recent past, Athletic Director Bob Marcum an-
nounced that he would play his 17th season as KU's head basketball coach. Three years ago, when Owens was also under fire from some alumni and fans, he said that he had issued a similar vote of confidence.
"IN FACT, I wasn't too hip on the idea," Marc said. "Ted thought, though, that it would clear up some questions and help with recruiting. I didn't see that as necessary, after all he's years remaining on his contract."
"We agree with Coach Owens that it has been a disappointing season, but I am confident of his abilities to continue the tradition of excellence in basketball."
Sunday Marcum met with Owens to discuss the basketball program, a post-season tradition.
"We had a long visit," Marcum said. "Then I put out the statement today. I've never considered firing Ted.
"The thing of it is, Coach Owens wanted to clear up questions in regard to recruiting problems. It's called negative pressure and it's done by some schools."
KANSAS WAS expected, as usual, to challenge for the Big Eight title this season. The Jayhawks tied for fourth in the race but came within a game of winning the post-season tournament. They lost 79-88 to Kansas State in the final.
The up-and-down season ended with a 15-14 record.
"We had our good moments, but we were not able to sustain them."
"I am very proud of the way the team has come to come within one step closer to the goal," I suppose, the loss. "I suppose in summing up the season it's say the reason for our 15-14 victory."
The good moments included a pair of victories over NCAB- bound Missouri and Oklahoma. On the other side, KU was blown out twice—once by Missouri and once by Louisiana.
Owens, who had his name linked with possible head coaching jobs at Southern Methodist and Iowa State during the 2016 season, told me yesterday. But his players were taking
"GOOD NEWS," sophomore Tom Guy said. "But as far as I'm concerned, the thought never crossed my mind that he was a criminal if the others were concerned either."
"We had one common goal—to reach the NCAA tournament," Guy said. "We came, I guess, one game short. Of course, I got back at the season and it disappointing."
Booty Neal, junior wing, agreed.
"When I came to play for KU, I came to play for Coach. Not playing for him is something I never really thought about. I still have that same attitude."
“It’s good. I guess they made the announcement to relieve the pressure of Coach Owens,” he said. “Everything’s together now.”
This season everything was rarely together. But Guy and Neal said the initial disappointment had worn off.
"ON A TEAM with as much talent as we have and you don't accomplish the things you wanted to accomplish, it's disappointing.
"But now there are other things to turn to. For me, I want to get into school more. Some others might not take that sort of course. I want to concentrate on academics."
During his 16-year head coaching career at KU, Owens, who succeeded Dick Harp as KU's fifth coach, has had many successful moments. He has:
- A career record 298-144 for a .674 winning percentage.
- Taken Kansas into post-season play eight times, six NCAA tournaments and two NITs.
- Guided Kansas to six Big Eight championships and been voted conference coach-of-the-year five times.
- Earned coach of the-year honors from Basketball Weekly in 1978.
- TAKEN KANSAS to the NCAA FINA schools - UCLA, seven schools - UCLA, seventeen Marquette, North Carolina, Indiana, Louisiana and Mississippi each - have equal coed or dual.
- Suffered just two losing seasons at KU.