TODAY'S WEATHER: High of 37 with a chance of snow. SEE PAGE 4B
OSCARS: 'A Beautiful Mind' wins best picture. SEE PAGE 2A
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN
TALK TO US: Contact Leita Walker, Jay Krall or Kyle Ramsey at (785) 864-4810 or editor@kansan.com
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
MONDAY
MARCH 25, 2002
WWW.KANSAN.COM
ISSUE 115 VOLUME 112
LAURIE SISK/KANSAN
Kansas freshmen Aaron Miles, Keith Langford and Wayne Simien celebrate after the Jayhawks' win against the Oregon Ducks yesterday. With the win, the team advances to the Final Four in Atlanta, Ga., Saturday, where they will face the Maryland Terrapins.
Coach Williams, team silence their critics celebrate victory
By Doug Pacey
Kansan sportswriter
MADISON, Wis. — Roy Williams had spent the last 50 minutes answering the media's questions in an NCAA-mandated interview session. But as he walked about 250 yards to Kansas' locker room, he politely answered more questions from reporters.
When someone asked how he felt after beating No. 2 Oregon 104-86 in the Midwest Region final yesterday in the Kohl Center and earning his first trip to the Final Four since 1993, Kansas' coach said, 'I feel good, but I'm more happy for the kids. I really wanted them to get this and have this experience.
"You could offer me $1 million, $2 million, $8 million or whatever, but I wouldn't trade the memory of seeing their faces after this game for any amount of money."
When the reporter followed with, "Your players said they wanted to win this for you...," Williams' heart crept into his throat.
"Some parts of that I don't know how to take," the choked-up coach said before calling an end to the impromptu Q&A.
The No. 2-ranked Jayhawks (33-3 overall,16-0 Big 12 Conference) said they wanted to win this game because it would prove Williams' critics wrong. Their coach can win big games in March, they said. He doesn't wilt under pressure and doesn't coach soft teams. He deserved it, the Jayhawks claimed.
"I know there are a lot of doubters out there," junior forward Drew Gooden said. "I know you guys give Coach a lot of heat for not reaching some goals in the past. You can't take anything away from coach Williams."
Williams had been criticized for not leading any of his four previous No. 1 seed teams into the regional finals, but that talk was put to rest yesterday afternoon. The Jayhawks, not the upset-minded Ducks, were the ones behind their coach swaying side to side with their arms around each
SEE JAYHAWKS ON PAGE 6A
Student dies during break cause being investigated
By Meredith Carr Kansan staff writer
The body of University of Kansas student Benjamin Harter was found Wednesday, March 20, at the dental office where he worked at 316 Maine.
Sergeant Mike Patrick of the Lawrence Police Department said police were investigating the death of Harter, a 22-year-old Morrill senior in biochemistry.
He said foul play was not suspected, and toxicology reports were being developed.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway expressed sympathy to the family.
"The tragic death of this talented student is a great loss to the University.
Contact Carr at mcarr@kansan.com.
This story was edited by Kristi Henderson.
"I would like to express my profound sorrow and extend my condolences." Hemenway said.
KU Counseling and Psychological Services is available for grief counseling to students.
CHRISTINA NEFF/KANSAN
Kansas forward Drew Gooden greets fans as he enters Allen Fieldhouse. Approximately 10,000 fans showed up last night to welcome home the Jayhawks.
'Hawk fans rejoice
By Jessica Tims
Kansan staff writer
Minutes after the Jayhawk were crowned champs of the NCAA Midwest Region, fans flocked to Jayhawk Boulevard to celebrate the University of Kansas' first Final Four berth since 1993.
Automobiles overflowing with fans drove up and down Jayhawk Boulevard with horns honking, flags waving and cheers pouring forth. A group of more than 200 fans stood in front of Wescoe and Strong halls chanting "Two more games," "Final Four" and "We're not done." Big Jay and Baby Jay also made an appearance in the back of a red truck waving a Jayhawk flag.
"I love the 'Hawks and this is the best atmosphere," Trevor Chipman, Dodge City sophomore said. "Nowhere else in the country are they doing this."
When Lawrence resident Cindy
Dreskovich arrived on Jayhawk Boulevard, she ran directly to the statue in front of Strong Hall.
The celebration did not stop there. The doors to Allen Fieldhouse opened at 6:15 p.m. to fans waiting to welcome the Jayhawks back to Lawrence. Cohen said the original welcome party was scheduled to be held at Memorial Stadium, but was moved
Todd Cohen, assistant director of university relations, said campus police prepared for an unruly crowd by having extra officers on duty during and after the game. Officers directed traffic, stopped passengers from hanging out of cars and truck beds, checked all pedestrians' beverages for alcohol and prevented revelers from climbing trees.
"I rubbed it because it was the first time they have played this good in a long time." she said.
SEE PARTY ON PAGE 6A
Ruling: KU can't demolish Oread houses
By Lauren Beatty
Xansan staff writer
As University of Kansas students and faculty began their spring break, Ramon Powers quietly made the final decision of his career: not to allow the University to raze three houses it owns on Ohio Street to make room for scholarship halls.
The decision was due from Powers, the state historic preservation officer (SHPO).
March 13, but was pushed back to March 15, the same day Powers retired from his post. Powers issued a letter late in the afternoon which explained his decision.
"The SHPO has determined that the houses at 1323, 1329 and 1333 Ohio Street are character-defining features of the environs of the John Palmer Usher House and therefore, that the proposed demolition of those houses will encroach upon, damage or destroy the environs of
the historic property known as the John Palmer Usher House," Powers wrote.
Powers did not think the houses contributed to the historic environment of Spooner Hall, although it was also on the National Register of Historic Places.
The decision left the University in a quandary because of Powers' retirement that day, Lynn Bretz, director of University Relations, issued a statement which said the University was disappointed
with Powers' decision and that further review was needed. She said because of Power's retirement, she didn't know who to go to with questions.
"There are a couple of points made by the SHPO that need clarification," Bretz said. "How it's going to be handled now is one of our questions."
No one at the Kansas State Historical
INSIDETODAY
SEE OREAD ON PAGE 3A
COMING IN THE KANSAN THIS WEEK:
CAMERA ON KU ...2A
HOROSCOPES ...2B
WEATHER ...4B
CROSSWORD ...4B
MEN'S BASKETBALL: In-depth overage of Roy Williams and his final four team.
HIGH HOPES: A University of Kansas student plans to climb Mount Everest.
The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of the Kansan are 25 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at 129 Stauffer-Flint Hall.