"There's nobody, and I mean nobody, that's more concerned about the youngster than I am. His mother and father love him, but they're not the one that's responsible for putting him out there."
Roy Williams, Kansas basketball coach, on Wayne Simien
2B • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Inside Sports
Jessica Scott
jscott@kansan.com
Ephedra ban would guard against future tragic deaths
It appears on store shelves, in magazines, over the airwaves, and now the drug ephedra has reached all the way to Major League Baseball clubhouses.
After Baltimore Orioles right-hander Steve Belcher died last week during spring training, his wife, Kiley, is suing the makers of Xenadrine RFA-1, claiming the dietary supplement found in Belcher's locker contributed to his early death.
But what an easy option it is for busy college athletes. In an arena where a person's body size and overall physical appearance is scrutinized so closely by himself, the media, teammates and even coaches, it seems natural, even necessary, to pop a few pills every day. A player's got to keep up. He might think that if a teammate or opponent uses quick weight-loss supplements, it must be fine.
Student-athletes at Kansas could easily be contaminating their bodies as Belcher did, risking their careers — and more importantly, their lives — on products not even approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
That's what Belcher thought, too. Unfortunately, he didn't realize that Xenadrine would combine with other factors — hypertension, dehydration and extreme workouts — to aid in his untimely death.
So why was the first known ephedra-related fatality — a drug used by more than 20 million Americans — a professional athlete, someone who is much more fit than the rest of the population?
Unlike the NBA or NFL, which bans the use of ephedra, MLB has no rules against its players using metabolismboosting products. But that all may change now that the department of Health and Human Services is considering an immediate ban on the substance. With time, Congress likely could order federal agencies to begin an investigation into ephedra supplements — a smart move.
As long as the purchaser is 18 years old, drugs like Xenadrine, Metabolife and Hydroxycut can be bought at health and discount stores nationwide.
Steve Betcher's first child will be born soon, and his wife is taking the appropriate steps. By suing, she is ensuring that their child will not be caught up in the ephedra frenzy by using the product that claimed the life of a rising 23-year-old athlete and could easily cause much more grief in the future.
Bowlers finish season No.5
By Ryan Copeland
rcopeland@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Scott is a Haven junior in journalism.
Last weekend the KU Bowling team continued its winning ways at the Hoosier Classic in Bloomington, Ind. The classic was the last regular season tournament of the year.
The Hoosier Classic was one of six tier-one tournaments KU participated in. Coach Mike Fine said the Jayhawk's final tournament of the season was a competitive one.
"All of the best teams in the country were at this tournament." Fine said.
Not only was the competition difficult, but the lanes were also difficult. The lanes at a public bowling ally are oiled evenly. However, the lanes at the Hoosier Classic were oiled in strategic spots to make hitting the one-three pocket, the best area to get a strike.
extremely difficult. This style is known as sport bowling. Fine said the margin for error at this tournament was slim.
The men's team, currently ranked fifth in the national power rankings, finished second overall out of 34 teams. It held a total pinfall of 8,646 pins, second only to in-state rival Wichita State who finished with 8,739 pins. Third place was a long way behind KU —138 pins back to be exact.
Jason Elliott, Salina senior and University Daily Kansan copy editor, led the men with a 202 average. Elliott was the only Jayhawk selected for the all-tournament team, Ryan Ludwig, Kansas City, Kan., senior, was just behind Elliott with a 202 average.
The women finished ninth at the Hoosier Classic out of 24 teams. They are ranked No.16 in the nation. Although they didn't come out as high as the men, they finished the tournament higher than five teams that advanced to the National Championships last season.
Kelly Sanders, Omaha, Neb., freshman, led the women in what Fine described as her best performance of the year. Sanders finished with a 180 average and just missed the all-tournament team. Annetta Manthel, Rochester, Minn., sophomore, finished with a 170 average.
As top 20 teams, KU will make the National Championship Tournament. What is undecided is what bracket it will be seeded and where tournament play will begin.
Fine said the Midwest was loaded with talented teams. KU will likely begin postseason play in St. Louis or in Las Vegas. Postseason play kicks off March 22 and 23.
Edited by Michelle Burhenn
KJHK
Play-by-play announcers for the University of Kansas radio station KJKH 90.7 FM, Doug Donahoo and Jonah Ballow, invite you to listen in as they call tonight's men's basketball game against the Texas A&M Aggies live from Allen Fieldhouse. Below Donahoo and Ballow bring you their expectations for the game.
Quick: Name the Big 12 Conference's all-time leading scorer.
Still scratching your head?
It's Bernard King of Texas A&M. King has a career total of 1,926 points — Kansas senior Nick Collison trails him with 1,882. But don't let the total fool you. King has long been the lone scoring threat for coach Melvin Watkins, who now has freshman Antoine Wright chipping in 15 points a game, but in the Aggie offense King is king.
Even with a 13-10 record (5-7 Big 12) some punts place the Aggies on the proverbial bubble for the NCAA tournament. Should Texas A&M get a streak going, and Missouri slips, the Aggies could find themselves with a
KJHK's coverage of tonight's game will being at 6:30 p.m. on 90.7 FM
Kansas must put the Oklahoma loss out of its mind. It would not be easy for Kansas to win, but it's not impossible. Nick Collison missed some easy shots against the Sooners but should be able to reestablish himself in the Allen Fieldhouse paint. Kirk Hinrich nearly willed the 'Hawks to victory and should continue on his hot streak. Wayne Simien — no matter how bad the shoulder feels — will be playing until the end of the season, then he can go under the knife. Until then, Simien and Collison will form the best forward combo in the Big 12.
Doug Donahoo, KJHK
12-14 seed.
Tonight the Kansas Jayhawks will try to bounce back after a tough road loss to the
In that game, Kansas had trouble in the first half against the Sooner defense. Look for the Jayhawks to try to get out to an early lead and run the Texas A&M Aggies out of the gym.Nick Collison needs to establish low-post scoring to make up for the injured Wayne Simien and the inconsistent played of Jeff Graves.
Aaron Miles must redeem himself after a lackluster performance against the Aggies. Kirk Hinrich has played solid all season and will look to continue his leadership role in this game. Keith Langford needs to run the floor and create fast break points for the Jayhawks. For the Aggies, Bernard King is its leading scorer at 17.7 points a game and will battle for the all-time scorer in Big 12 history. Freshman Antoine Wright will provide scoring opportunities with his 6-foot-7-inch 195 pound frame, he is averaging 16.1 and pulls down seven rebounds a game.
As a team, Kansas needs to stun up intensity
Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday.
As a team, Kansas needs to step up intensity and prove themselves as a national contender.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2003
Jonah Ballow, KJHK
Kansas Athletics Calendar
TODAY
Women's basketball at Kansas State, 7 p.m.
Men's basketball vs. Texas A&M, Allen Fieldhouse, 6:30 p.m.
Track, Big 12 Indoor Championships, Lincoln, Neb.
Softball vs. Penn State, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1:30 p.m.
Softball vs. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 4 p.m.
Baseball vs. TBA, Music City Challenge,
Nashville, Tenn.
Tennis vs. Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 2.p.m.
Women's golf at the Edwin Watts - Carolina Classic, Pinehurst, N.C.
SATURDAY
Men's basketball vs. Oklahoma State, noon Women's basketball at Missouri, Columbia, Mo. 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
Softball vs. Texas-Arlington, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 11 a.m.
Baseball vs. David Lipscomb, Nashville,
Tenn., 1 p.m.
Track, Big 12 Indoor Championships, Lincoln,
Neb.
Softball vs. TBA, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Tennis vs. Iowa State, Ames, Iowa, noon
Women's golf at the Edwin Watts — Carolina
Classic, Pinehurst, N.C.
SUNDAY
p.m.
Baseball vs. Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tenn., 1, n
Women's golf at the Edwin Watts — Carolina Classic, Pearlhurst, N.C.
Juco transfers boost Texas A&M at plate
Rv Dallas Snido
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M baseball team is ranked No. 16 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and No.24 by Baseball America thanks in large part to six junior-college transfers. Last year's team had strong pitching, which has returned this year for the most
The Battalion via U-Wire Texas A&M University
part, but lacked the ability at the plate to get clutch hits with runners in scoring position, which was so important to the 1999 team that advanced to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
This year two of those six transfers, junior outfielders Cory Patton and Justin Ruggiano, have joined the Aggie squad and say that their goal is simple — providing the run production that the Aggies lacked last year.
"It's all about getting hits at the right time," Patton said. "Coach (Mark) Johnson always says 'RBIs win games, not hits.'"
If RBI are indeed the difference, then Patton will be a huge pickup for the Aggies this year. The 5-foot-10 powerhitting right fielder from Seward County Community College in Liberal led the team with a .465 batting average in 2002, and led the nation with 31 home runs and 119 RBIs.
Which Big 12 player do you think is
POLL
kansan.com
most likely to win the Wooden Award?
Andre Emmett, Texas Tech
T.J. Ford, Texas
Hollis Price, Oklahoma
Nick Collison, Kansas
Kirk Hinrich, Kansas
Log on to hansan.com to cast your vote.
BASEBALL
Kansas baseball player receives Big 12 award
ball for games played from Feb. 18 to 24.
Kansas' Kevin Wheeler was named Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Week in a vote by a panel of media covering Big 12 base-
The Omaha, Neb. senior posted a career-high 12 strikeouts, allowed five hits and no earned runs in 8.2
Wheeler
innings of work in Kansas's 3-1 victory over Eastern Michigan Friday at
over Eastern Michigan Friday at Hoglund Ballpark. The left-hander did not walk a single batter and his 12 strikeouts are the third-most by a Jayhawk pitcher in 14 years and the most since Doug Lantz recorded 12 against Iowa State in 2000.
Wheeler is 2-0 for the season with a 2.49 earned run average. He leads the team in innings pitched (21.2), strikeouts (20) and opponents' batting average (.190).
The award is Kansas' third this year from the Big 12. Junior first baseman Ryan Baty and sophomore third basemen Travis Metcalf were both named Big 12 Player of the Week earlier this season. Wheeler's selection marks the first time in school history that Kansas has received three Big 12 Player/Pitcher of the Week honors in the same season.
— Kansan staff reports
I just wanted to say that if the Kansas Highway Patrol was up against the Oklahoma Highway Patrol yesterday in Norman instead of KU vs. OU, then Kansas would definitely have won. These roads are smooth as a baby's bottom.
I was just thinking, why is there a Missouri Street in Lawrence? Mizzou sucks.
MARDI GRAS WEEK
Spring Break Giveaway!
Grand Prize:
Underwater Camera
Other Prizes:
Tanning Packages &
Tommy Bahama
Gift Certificate
Wed, Feb 26
Texas A&M vs. KU @ 6:30
it can only happen @ The Hawk
Tues, March 4
FAT TUESDAY
Beads
Contests
Great Drink Specials All
Night
1340 Ohio·843-9273
Would you like information about law school or legal careers? Taking the LSAT? How about discussing legal topics and issues of interest in our ever-changing society? If so.
please join us at
THURGOOD MARSHALL LAW DAY
at the University of Kansas School of Law
THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 27,2003
Scheduled topics include:
Scheduled topics include: The US Government's War Powers Diversity & College Admissions Police Searches and much much more!
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The program will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. You may attend the entire program or any portion you wish. Admission is free and lunch is include if you RSVP. For more information, contact Jehan Mohammed at jihankamil@hotmail.com
jehankamil@hotmail.com.
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