Owens takes career victory No.300 in Jayhawks' second game of 1980
Walter Wesley, Dave Rothsch and Bud Stallwarth.
"Owens, in his 17th year as head coach of the KU basketball team, has compiled a 300-144 record at the University of Kansas. His stint as Jayhawk coach is second only to that of the late F.C. Allen ..."
01.19.1981
The mid- to late-1970s represented a tumultuous period for Kansas basketball, with losing seasons entwined with winning campaigns, but the Jayhawks rarely lost at Allen Fieldhouse. From 1975-1985, that trusted homecourt advantage was revealed by the 113-25 record.
The basketball men were not the only talented team in the fieldhouse. The women's team was building a strong program during the mid-1970s. By 1975, coach Marian Washington had been in charge of women's basketball for two years. Washington also doubled as women's Athletics Director in the late 1970s. At this time, in 1977, the KU Hall of Fame debuted to fans when the center court circle was moved to the east lobby of the fieldhouse. Trophy cases and portraits of KU greats were later added.
It was under coach Washington's reign that the great Lynette Woodard graced the floor of Allen Fieldhouse. While completely revamping the expectations of women's basketball at the University of Kansas, Woodard set impressive records on her home court. On Jan. 28, 1978, she set the women's rebounding record for Allen Fieldhouse when she grabbed 33 against rival Kansas State. She set another fieldhouse record on Feb. 10, 1979, scoring 49 points in one game. Woodard would later set the all-time scoring mark for women's college basketball inside the fieldhouse.
The start of the 1980s kicked off yet another successful season for the Jayhawk women, led by Washington and Woodard. On March 12, 1980, the fieldhouse saw its first women's postseason game. Both Washington and Woodard would go on to have incredibly impressive careers as Kansas Jayhawks, but rarely had the luck they had when playing in the cathedral of college basketball.
It was during the early 1980s that Allen Fieldhouse was first introduced to a present-day Kansas basketball icon. On Jan. 16, 1982, Oklahoma State made the trek to Lawrence. This was the first time Bill Self stepped onto the fieldhouse court as a player. The Jayhawks defeated the Cowboys 77-72, with Self contributing 14 points off the bench for Oklahoma State.
The end of that season saw the exit of coach Ted Owens, who was replaced by Larry Brown. In Owens' 19 seasons as the leader in the Phog, he accumulated a 348-182 career record and a 206-47 record at home. Owens-led Kansas teams won six Big Eight titles and appeared in two Final Fours.
In November 1983, the fieldhouse went on display nationwide, but not for a game. An ABC made-for-television movie, "The Day After," was shot in Lawrence, and the fieldhouse served as a makeshift hospital, put together for victims of a nuclear explosion, which was the premise of the movie.
Only two years later, the building would once again go through changes, although not as drastic. The fieldhouse would no longer house track or wrestling, as the indoor track around the basketball court was removed in September 1985.
During the same time, the home of basketball would endure seating renovations and the addition of permanent concession stands. The 30-year-old wooden bleachers that came brand new with the opening of the fieldhouse were replaced with metal ones.
Lawrence High star Danny Manning joined Brown's team in the 1984-1985 season, the beginning of many great years they would have together. Also making its debut this season were the ever-faithful Jayhawk student campers, who started casting their claims round-the-clock for the best seats in the house. $\star$
'Wood'
Lynette Woodard, 6-1 sophomore All-American, has had to handle being KU's top player and also the letters and gifts sent to her by fans who often are total strangers.
Allen concert causes concern
By COURTNEY THOMPSON
Durages to Alen Field House during last Saturday's Leon Russell concert, have caused the University of Kansas athletic department having such events in the field house.
Derry Waugh, assistant artistic director, and partner that the damage was more severe than expected, estimated the damages. He made calculations in the new track and on the handbag.
"We expect lots of dirt after a concert, but this time we get even more. Cough-up, cleanse barn—so name it, we've got it," Waugh said.
CHANCELLOR ARCHE Dykes and he had received reports that the field house, especially its floor, was left in unusually
rack concert and an athletic event and that the athletic department wasn't going to accept "transient behavior."
Those at athletic events are concerned
WAGH SAID the athletic department had no authority to restrict the use of the field house because it was a University facility.
09.17.1976
"We expect lots of dirt after a concert, but this time we got everything — Coke, vomit, cigarette burns — you name it we got it,' Waugh said."
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