"I don't want to make it sound bad, but there's really nothing more that I could get out of college. And I'm going to get my degree — you can quote me on that." Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse freshman forward, after he announced he would make himself eligible for the NBA draft
2B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Inside Sports
Brad Zollars bzollars@kansan.com
Fans should remain loyal in all seasons
Inside the stadium, it becomes even more eerie. The fans hang on every pitch, cheer each hustle play and, for the first time, care more about Runelvyss Hernandez's pitch count than catching a hot dog fired from Slugger's cannon. The pride is tangible.
Have you been to a Kansas City Royals game lately? It's strange. There are lines out to the street. It's not just for the opportunity to receive a Mike Sweeney Bobblehead, but to actually attend the game and watch good baseball.
There are some, though, who feel ashamed, and for good reason. Most of those fans, through years of hard times and continuous 100-loss seasons, were far from Kaufman Stadium with the thought of "their team" threatening to fall from the back of their minds. These same people are back again, however, blending in with those true fans who have suffered through losing season after losing season, always cheering on their players and refusing to surrender the hope of success for their beloved Royals. For those few true-blue, diehard Royals fans, this season's success is that much sweeter.
When you've stumbled down the mountain and crawled slowly back to the top, the view from the summit seems that much better. For the bandwagon jumpers, who took the elevator up to the top, the feeling is not quite the same. You can feel it. You're embarrassed at your own negligence.
As Kansas students, we can't allow ourselves to let this happen. Being "fair weather" is like a virus and the students of this University are becoming sicker with each passing year. But wait, there's hope. Lawrence isn't a hot zone quite yet.
And this coming fall will be a great opportunity to showcase your newfound support and enthusiasm. Kansas football is on the rise. Football coach Mark Mangino is starting to get the players he needs to be competitive, and Memorial Stadium just might be the place to be in a few years. Don't be one of those fans who goes to the game just to be part of the winning team. Go out, support your school, see them grow into winners before your eyes and you'll feel like you were a part of something special. I'm not asking much. Instead of nursing your hangover in bed on Saturday morning, get your butt up and go to the game. You can tailgate with a Bloody Mary in the parking lot to cure your hangover.
For the few diehard Royals fans, this season has been a long time coming. But if you ask them, they'll say it was well worth the wait. Follow their lead. Support your Jayhawks.
Zollars is a Chicago senior in communications.
Syracuse's star player opts for NBA
The Associated Press
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse freshman Carmelo Anthony, who led the Orangemen to their first national championship, will make himself eligible for the NBA draft.
Anthony said yesterday he would forgo his final three years at Syracuse to play in the NBA.
Anthony delayed making the decision until after the season, preferring to focus on winning the national title.
FRIDAY,APRIL25,2003
He led the Orangemen in scoring, averaging 22 points, and broke Lawrence Moten's freshman scoring record and Derrick Coleman's freshman rebounding mark.
month. He scored 20 points as Syracuse beat Kansas in the title game and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four — just the third freshman to earn that honor.
Anthony had a career-best 33 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in Syracuse's victory over Texas in the national semifinals in New Orleans earlier this
"I'm here in front of you today to announce that I will not be coming back next year," Anthony said at a news conference. "I will be moving on, moving on to the pros."
"It was a tough decision for me to make," said Anthony, who began crying as he spoke.
Anthony said he reached his decision after talking with his mother and coach Jim Boeheim.
Boeheim agreed with Anthony's decision and said his star player was ready for the next level.
"This is a very happy day for Syracuse basketball, and a sad one, too," Boeheim said.
"The guy sitting here has done more for Syracuse basketball than any player we've ever recruited or that's ever played here," he said. "To lead his team to a national championship as a freshman is truly a historic moment in college basketball. I'm very thankful that he was here with us."
Anthony is the first Syracuse underclassman to declare early for the NBA since Billy Owens opted not to return for his senior season in 1991. Owens was the No.3 pick that year. All-American guard Pearl Washington jumped to the NBA after his junior season in 1986 and was the No.13 pick.
The NBA draft is scheduled for June 25. The NBA's deadline for underclassmen to make themselves eligible for the draft is May 12. Anthony is expected to be a lottery pick. The draft lottery will be held May 22.
Commissioner won't extend tenure
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Bud Selig does not intend to seek a new term as baseball commissioner after his current deal expires in December 2006.
Selig, 67, became acting commissioner in September 1992 after the forced resignation of Fay Vincent. Despite saying he didn't intend to take the job permanently, Selig agreed to a five-year term in July 1998. Owners then gave him a new five-term in November 2001, a contract that expires on Dec. 31, 2006.
"So now here we are," Selig told a group from Associated Press Sports Editors yesterday. "I have another 3 1/2, 3 3/4 years. I expect to do it. Thankfully for me, at that point that would be enough.
"For a guy who took it in Sept. 9, 1992, and I told my wife it was two-to-four months — 14 years later ... I think that will be enough. There's no question, because there are other things I really would like to do."
Asked again if this was his final term, Selig responded; "Oh, there's no question."
While the sport was hurt by a 232-day strike in 1994-95, players and owners agreed to a labor deal last August without a stoppage—the first time that happened since 1970.
Under Selig, baseball added an extra round of playoffs in 1995, splitting each league into three divisions instead of two, and began interleague play in 1997.
Selig also successfully pushed for expanded revenue sharing in the last two labor deals.
KC beats Twins, wins first 10 at home
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Too bad the Kansas City Royals have to go on the road. Then again, they're playing great in all ballparks.
Joe Randa hit a go-ahead double in the sixth inning and Kansas City beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 yesterday to become the first team since 1987 to win its first 10 home games.
"This is awesome. It's really something to be proud of," said Chris George, who beat the Twins' Brad Radke. "I wouldn't say we feel invincible, but certainly confident."
The Royals, who overcame a four-hitter by Radke (1-3), improved to 16-3 overall and are 13 games over .500 for the first time since the final day of the 1994 season.
Kansas City was 37-44 at home while losing a franchise-record 100 games last season. The Royals are the ninth team to start 10-0 at home, two shy of the major league record, set by the 1911 Detroit Tigers.
Kansas City starts a nine-game road trip today at Toronto, then returns home May 5.
"We have been playing good all the way around," Royals Manager Tony Pena said. "The thing about this ballclub is everybody wants to be a hero. Everybody wants to do something."
Minnesota, meanwhile, has lost six straight for the second time this season. This isn't the kind of play that led the Twins to the AL Central title last year.
"We're trying to force things right now. We can't seem to get relaxed at the
plate." Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We're just not a very good team right now and I can't tell you why."
George (3-1) allowed 1 run and four hits in six innings, giving up a tying single to Torii Hunter in the sixth inning in his first complete game since last Sept. 9 against Oakland.
Mike Sweeney, in a 1-for-14 skid, had put the Royals ahead with a fourth-inning homer.
Kansas City went ahead for good in the sixth when Carlos Febles singled and scored on a double to center by Randa, who has seven RBI in the last three games.
Jason Grimsley pitched two innings of one-hit relief, and Mike MacDougal finished the seven-hitter for his ninth save in nine chances.
We haven't asked the right questions about Roy leaving yet. Is he gonna take Shannon, too? He better not.
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I don't care how cool Kansas basketball is, you still shouldn't wear your jersey out to the bar.
I have a man-crush on Keith Langford and I'm not afraid to admit it.
behind Mark Mangino. What do you suggest I do?
Roy Williams physically looks like a Jayhawk. If you put a picture of a Jayhawk next to him, they look exactly the same.
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Right now I'm at a Chinese buffet standing
I think that the basketball team should come serve at Jubilee Café, because it would really make it a lot happier to wake up at 5:30 in the morning.
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first season at Kansas?
Last week, I was all sad and pissed off because Roy left us and I broke up with my girlfriend, but, this week, we got Bill Self and I got some rebound ass. I love KU.
POLI
kansan.com How successful will Bill Self be in his
The Jayhawks will struggle in his first year.
He will have a winning record.
He will have a winning record.
He will lead the Jayhawks to a Big 12 Conference title.
- He will take Kansas to the Elite Eight
- Kansas will see another Final Four berth.
He will win the championship.
Log on to www.kansan.com to cast your vote
Kansas Athletics Calendar TODAY
Tennis at Big 12 Championships, all day,
Kansas City, Mo.
Softball vs. Nebraska, 5 p.m., Jayhawk Field
Baseball vs. Baylor, 7 p.m., Hoglund Ballpark
Track at the Drake Relays, all day, Des Moines, Iowa
TOMORROW
Baseball vs. Baylor, 2 p.m., Hoglund Balt-
park
Tennis at Big 12 Championships, all day, Kansas City, Mo.
Rowing at the University of Cincinnati, all day. Cincinnati
Softball vs. Baylor, 2 p.m., Jayhawk Field Track at the Drake Relays, all day, Des Moines, Iowa
SUNDAY
Tennis at Big 12 Championships, all day, Kansas City, Mo.
Baseball vs. Baylor, 1 p.m., Hoglund Ball-park
Softball vs. Baylor, 1 p.m., Jayhawk Field
ROWING
Rowers to race at Cincinnati in last dual before postseason
The Kansas rowing team will compete in its last regatta tomorrow before the Big 12 Conference Championships in a dual against the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Kansas has met Cincinnati before, said Kansas coach Rob Catloth.
With a victory, Kansas would continue its success after defeating Kansas State last Saturday to win its fifth consecutive Kansas Cup.
"It should be some good racing in a dual format," he said. "We're going out to race faster to get into better position for the Big 12 Championships soon."
Team members are focusing on each individual race.
"We've accepted and admitted that in every race we go out there and challenge ourselves just as hard as we can," junior Kristen Reynolds said.
the victory over Kansas State on April 19 gave the Jayhawks their first victory in a dual, which improved Kansas' record to 1-3 in duals in the fall and spring seasons combined.
"I think momentum has a lot to do with you progress," junior Krys Corbett said. "If you come off a good race, it gets you better for the next race."
— Jason Hwang
For additional information call The University Theatre,
785/864-3381
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