FRIDAY,JAN.18,2002
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 3B
Senior center receives award for perseverance
By Ryan Wood Kansan sportswriter
Nikki White knows all about the ups and downs of basketball.
In recognition of her struggles and triumphs, White will receive the Aventis Pharmaceuticals Courage Award next month at Galyan's Women Sports Award Celebration in Kansas City, Mo.
White, a senior center on the Kansas women's basketball team, has seen it all in her five years with the program.
Her freshman year of 1997- 98 was joyous, with the Jayhawks finishing 23-9 and advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. White played in 31 of 32 games and led the team in blocked shots.
Her next season was full of frustration. She took a medical redshirt to rehabilitate a surgically repaired knee, and could only watch as her teammates finished 23-10 and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
"We should all be real proud that they recognized a young person like Nikki, and the
struggles that she's endured," coach Marian Washington said. "We're going through struggles this year, but she's had to endure them for the last four or five years."
"We'll be going to Kansas City to support her," Washington said. "I'm really glad they recognized her."
White is averaging 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game this season. Her blocked shot in Wednesday night's game against Colorado moved her ahead of Lynn Pride and into fourth place on
Washington is referring to White's damaged knee and the eight surgeries performed on it. She is the only Division I athlete in the country to play after undergoing cartilic replacement surgery, a complex procedure to help repair severely damaged cartilage in the knee.
the award will be presented to White on Feb. 7 at the Women's Intersport Network for Kansas City annual luncheon. The awards luncheon recognizes local women for their accomplishments and contributions to sports and fitness in the Kansas City area.
"One thing I think I can bring to this team is defense and shot blocking," said White, who has collected 94 blocked shots in her career, including 14 in her last five games.
Kansas's all-time blocked shots list.
The oldest player on a youthful Jayhawk squad, White earned a bachelor's degree in counseling psychology in May, and is currently taking graduate classes while playing her final season in a Kansas uniform. She was a Jayhawk Scholar and an Academic All-Big 12 selection last season, and has embraced her responsibilities of senior leadership.
Washington said she thought that White's perseverance on the court reflected her resilience.
"I want to lead vocally, but I also want to lead by example," White said.
"She's constantly come back and tried to do whatever she can," she said. "I'm real proud of her."
rwood@kansan.com. This story was edited by Justin Henning.
LAURIE SISK/KANSAN
Contact Wood at
Senior Nikki White has been awarded the Aventis Pharmaceuticals Courage Award. She will receive the award at a ceremony next month in Kansas City, Mo.
Former fund director gets diversion
By Sennett Rockers and Levi Chronister Kansan sportswriter and associate sports editor
the two-year program.
Former Williams Fund director Scott McMichael signed diversion papers today in response to three felony counts of making a false writing.
As part of the agreement, McMichael will have to perform community service and restitution during
ber.
"Assuming he complies, at the end of two years the case will be dismissed," said Douglas County District Attorney Christine Kinney.
The charges stem from discrepancies in travel expense vouchers submitted by McMichael on Sept. 7, 2000, Jan. 30 and Aug. 2, 2001. The vouchers totaled more than $8,000. McMichael's attorney, Bill Skepnek, said that bookkeeping errors were made, but that McMichael
never intentionally asked for excessive travel voucher reimbursements.
In addition to serving as director of the Williams Fund for five years, McMichael led the Career Placement Program for student-athletes and served as director of the K-Club for former letter winners.
Last year, a University of Kansas audit of the athletic scholarship organization revealed the possible embezzlement. McMichael resigned as director of the Williams Fund on Aug. 10, 2001, and the Kansas University Athletics Corporation filed a report with the KU Public Safety Office the same day. McMichael was charged in Novem-
Contact Rockers and Chronister at sports@kansan.com. This story was edited by Joanna Miller.
Swimmers work for comeback in home meet
By Ali Brox
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas swimming and diving team takes to the water for its first home meet of the spring season at 5 p.m. tomorrow in Robinson Center against Nebraska.
"We're looking forward to our first meet at home this weekend," coach Cathy Burgess said. "And we're going to be ready for that one. It's another conference rival."
The team is looking to improve on last weekend's loss to Texas A&M. The Aggies took the meet 187-108.
"We need to come back from last weekend where we didn't perform very well," senior diver Rebecca McFall said. "We know that Nebraska is a somewhat weaker team this year."
"We have a big new class,it's a strong new class."
Cathy Burgess Kansas swimming coach
team this year. Nebraska has a new coach this season, Pablo Morales, a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Nebraska won last year's dual meet against Kansas 125-118.
As it has all season, Kansas' freshman class will play a major role against Nebraska. Kansas has eight freshmen on the team, with seven of them competing.
"We have a big new class, it's a strong new class," Burges said.
Freshman Amy Gruber said that the whole team was ready to get back in the water.
"We're really excited," said Gruber, who turned in meet-high times in the 100-meter fly and 200-meter freestyle against the Aggies. "Losing to Texas A&M got our hopes down. We feel we have to come back. So we're really training hard, and we're just really ready for Nebraska."
McFall said that the meet against Nebraska would be a good opportunity for the team to begin to focus on the remainder of the season.
"We need to get our confidence back and get back on track," McFall said. "This meet can help us get ready for conference."
Contact Box at abrox@kansan.com. This story was edited by Jay Kraall.
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