GOLF: Jennifer Bawanan named to academic all-Big 12 team. SEE PAGE 2B. SOFTBALL: Team to play UMKC tonight. SEE PAGE 3B.
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1B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
COMMENTARY
BASEBALL
Kate Eichten
keichten@kansan.com
The number also has the potential to be hung in the rafters at some point in the near future. I chose to write this column as a tribute specifically about the significance of the number zero, especially linked to the number's importance in Drew's life now and in the future.
Number Zero important part of Drew's future
Regardless of his decision junior's jersey number keeps coming up
To begin with, I'll compare the infamous number zero to parking spaces. I live in Jayhawker Towers where parking is a pain, especially when coming home late at night. Well, OK, parking is a pain anytime — or maybe it is just my bad luck. I have noticed, however, that it seems Drew has zero problems in finding a parking spot all too often. Must be nice. (I guess I might not have troubles either if I drove a massive SUV — but maybe it's just me.)
The number zero — Nothing, zip, zilch. The number is usually forgotten, or unlucky depending on what it is linked to. A zero could signify a loss scoring zero points, or it could be a good thing — such as having zero losses tacked onto the end of a record.
It has a lot of significance here at the University of Kansas, however, in more than one way. It is worn by possibly one of the best players to ever walk through the doors at Allen Fieldhouse. Congratulations Drew.
The number also is tacked onto the impressive 16-0 perfect season we all recently witnessed with this basketball team.
I could also venture to guess that Drew has received and paid zero parking tickets, but I really have no way of proving that. It's just purely speculation. I have many friends, however, who have received their fair share of tickets — and none have ever been able to successfully appeal them.
Another zero could be linked to the number of National Championships we have won at Kansas under Roy Williams (not that it really has anything to do with Roy or Drew personally) — so this could be the No.1 reason to retire his jersey in the first place. Maybe, just maybe, if it is decided to hang his jersey, we'll get rid of that evil goose-egg and win our first Championship. That would be a nice change, wouldn't it?
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2002
Eichten is a Topeka sophomore in journalism.
How about this one for the number zero if Drew does decide to leave for the NBA at the end of this week, he'll have a lot of zeros to look forward to at the end of his paychecks. Who wouldn't want that life? I can see why he is so torn between staying and leaving. If he stays, he's broke, if he goes, he will have nothing to worry about as far as finances go for the rest of his life. And the decision in choosing what to do is where? Also, if he does leave, he obviously won't graduate — so there's yet another big fat zero to add to this list. A zero in the place of his diploma.
Well, we'll all know at the end of this week whether or not Gooden is staying. Whatever his final decision may be, lets hope he has zero regrets, and has a promising future in whichever path he chooses.
Will Kansas support Gooden in whatever his decision may be? Lets hope that's not a zero. I'm sure he'll gain just as much support and as many fans as he has during his career here at Kansas.
Wichita triple play seals Kansas loss
Kansas first baseman Casey Spanish makes an out against WSU. The hawks lost to No. 9 Wichita State Monday night
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Kansas was defeated 10-1 by Wichita State University last night, dropping their record for the season to 16-18.
By Ryan Wood Kansan sportswriter
WICHITA — The Kansas baseball team learned last night that things sometimes aren't so sweet the second time around.
After upsetting No. 9 Wichita State 9-1 one week earlier, the Jayhawks weren't near as effective at Eck Stadium, falling 10-1 to the Shockers in front of 4,497 fans. It was the largest crowd of the season for Wichita State, and the hometown team did not disappoint, giving its fans a spectacular display of home-run hitting and defensive gems.
"That was very tough," said Kevin Wheeler, junior designated hitter. "We really wanted to beat those guys."
SEE BASEBALL ON PAGE 10B
With the loss, Kansas dropped to 16-18 on the year. Wichita State improved to 25-8, and have won seven of its last eight.
Any offensive opportunities Kansas had were ruined by ill-placed contact. The Shockers turned three double plays, and in the fourth inning, executed one even better.
After a walk by senior third baseman Ryan Klocksien, and a single by Wheeler, freshman catcher Cole Armstrong stepped to the plate. With the runners stealing, Armstrong lined out to Shocher shortstop Tanner Welch, sparking the beginning of a rare triple play.
"The triple play would've been a lot of runs if that ball goes through," coach Bobby Randall said. "That was a gamble, and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. We lost that one."
Fans predict Gooden will go to NBA, pass on senior year
Drew Gooden is facing the decision, of returning next year for one more season or going pro. He plans to announce his decision later this week.
By Jessica Tims Kansan staff writer
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Will he stay or will he go?
"He's going to go," Robert Ray, Derby junior said. "I could see him staying because of the school aspect, but it's just too much money, and it's every kid's dream."
That is the question every Kansas basketball fan is waiting for Drew Gooden to put to rest. But the tight-lipped power forward will not offer an answer until 4 p.m. Friday.
The promise of a multimillion-dollar contract and a lifestyle most people only dream of would make the decision easy for Vincent Kelly.
"If I had his talent, I would go," said Kelly, Kansas City, Kan., freshman. "The only reason to stay is to win the NCAA tournament, and I don't think he could. They don't have a chance. Just look at their
tournament record in the past."
Ray also said if he were in Gooden's shoes he would choose the league over school.
"If he gets hurt next year, he can't go to the NBA," he said. "But if he gets hurt in the NBA he can come back to school."
If Gooden does become the second player under Roy Williams to declare himself eligible for the NBA draft, fans said the future of Kansas basketball would find Wayne Simien becoming Nick Collison's next twin tower.
"It depends on recruits and Simien," said Eve Katz, Birningham, Ala. senior. "It will be his sophomore year, and for the past four years it has been the sophomores that step up, so I think we will be OK."
Contact Tims at jtims@kansan.com.
This story was edited by Sarah
Smarsh.
Olympians to present relay medals
By Matt Norton Kansan sportswriter
The 75th annual Kansas Relays begin today at Memorial Stadium with the Jim Bausch Decathlon for men and the Candace Mason Heptathlon for women.
The Kansas track and field team will begin competition tomorrow night in the hammer and middle distance/distance carnival.
The meet continues through Saturday, when t w o Olympians will make aappearances.
"We're
"We're looking forward to the K ans s Relays and the chance to compete in front of the home crowd," coach Stanley Redwine said. "It's our only chance to compete at home, and hopefully the community will come out a
looking forward to the Kansas Relays and the chance to compete in front of the home crowd. It's our only chance to compete at home, and hopefully the community will come out and support us." Stanley Redwine Kansas track coach
come out and support us. '
Greene will run in a special 4x100 meter relay Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. He also attended the 2000 Kansas Relays.
The Relays will feature more than 4,000 high school, college and professional athletes, headlined by Maurice Greene, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the 100 meter dash.
Tim Weaver, director of the Relays, announced yesterday that another Sydney Olympian, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver John Capel, would attend the meet Saturday afternoon and present awards for the men's 200-meter dash, set to take place at about 3 p.m.
Capel was a finalist in Sydney and a favorite to win the gold medal, but Capel was left short of medal contention after what many perceived as a false start by a competitor, though officials made no such call.
Capel was a standout in track at Florida and recently signed a three-year contract with the Chiefs.
Capel said that although he was focused on football now,he still loved track and field.
"I'm very excited to be able to visit such a prestigious event as the Kansas Relays, as well as to see my friend Maurice Greene again." Capel said. "This will most definitely be an afternoon full of fun."
Weaver said he was thrilled to have Capel at the meet.
"Winning a medal in the 200-meter dash at a meet like the Kansas Relays is a special experience," Weaver said. "To receive your meal from an Olympian like John only makes that award more memorable."
Contact Norton at mnorton@kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Smarsh.
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