SPORTS
MONDAY,FEBRUARY 24,2003
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3B
Athlete faces protests for refusing to face flag
The Associated Press
PURCHASE, N.Y. — A Vietnam veteran came onto the court yesterday and held an American flag in front of Manhattanville senior forward Toni Smith after the Division III player again refused to face the flag during the national anthem.
"She disgraced herself and she disgraced the flag," said Jerry Kiley, 56, of Rockland County, N.Y., who was ejected from the arena after he walked onto the court during the first break in play.
Kiley approached Smith as she lined up while another player prepared to shoot free throws. He was escorted from the gym by school security and police. There were no further protests in Smith's final home game of the regular season, a 63-53 victory over Stevens Tech.
As she has done all season, Smith turned 90 degrees away from the flag as the anthem was played prior to tipoff. Six of her teammates stood at attention with their hands on their chests, while three other teammates stood with their heads bowed and their arms at their sides.
Smith declined to be interviewed after the game.
The sociology major previously released a 250-word statement outlining the reasons for her protest, citing "the inequalities that are embedded into the
American system" and "the war American will soon be entering."
Her protest is similar to one employed by NBA guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets during the 1995-96 season, which led to an indefinite suspension that was lifted two days later.
Athletes have periodically made political statements, from the black power salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics to Muhammad Ali's refusal to serve in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.
Earlier this month, Dallas Mavericks guard Steve Nash of Canada wore an anti-war T-shirt to his interview session at the NBAs All-Star weekend.
"She wasn't political until she came to Manhattanville, but she's always had a sense of justice, and she's always been concerned with people who are discriminated against, and with the injustices in this country and in the world," said Smith's mother Naomi, a school administrator in Manhattan, where her daughter was raised along with two older siblings.
"Basketball has always been her passion, but she also reads the newspapers, and her professors have encouraged people to think for themselves," Smith's mother said.
Smith's protests have drawn national attention to the small liberal arts school in the suburbs
north of New York, a school of 1,400 students less than a mile away from the public university where the New York Knicks formerly practiced.
School president Richard Berman has been supportive of Smith's right to express her opinion, regardless of whether he or anyone else agrees or disagrees with her views.
First-year coach Shawn Lincoln has had to try to keep his team focused on basketball at a time when Smith's protest has caused discord in the locker room and provoked protests at several arenas.
He declined to comment on whether a collegiate playing field was an appropriate venue to express one's political views.
Before Thursday's game at Mount St. Mary, the student government handed out small flags. More than 500 people filled the small gym, jeered Smith at every opportunity and sang "God Bless America" at the end of the game.
When Manhattanville played at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Feb. 11, more than 300 flag-waving midshipmen greeted Smith with chants of "USA" and "Leave our country."
By comparison, yesterday's protest was mild. A handful of fans waving small flags were scattered among the crowd of about 200, and one 4-year-old boy wore a stars-and-stripes bandanna atop his head.
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Big 12 Conference commissioner Kevin Weiberg won't be one bit of help to his conference when the NCAA selection committee meets next month to decide who goes to the tournament—if the NCAA is telling the truth.
Buffs fight for NCAA berth
Most urgently, Colorado is running out of time to win a road game.
According to stated policy, members of the selection committee who are also conference commissioners must excuse themselves while their schools are discussed. In other words, the Big 12 is running out of time if it wants to get its sixth-place team in the NCAA tournament.
The Buffaloes (16-9, 6-6 Big 12) have been unbeatable at home. Colorado's six victories at Boulder include victories over Kansas, Texas and Missouri that are certain to turn selectors' heads.
Away from home, however, they're a dismal 0-6. Losses to lightweights such as Nebraska and Kansas State are sure to drag the Buffaloes profile down.
Nevertheless, as Colorado guard Blair Wilson said Saturday after scoring 26 points in an 89-68 whipping of Missouri, "We're pretty good when we get on a roll."
This is the week that Colorado must make its move. The Buffers have two road games in winnable
places — at Iowa State (13-10, 3-9) and Baylor (13-10, 4-8).
Without a doubt, the Buffers are the Big 12's most improved team.
Two road wins could clinch it for Ricardo Patton's team, which closes out the regular season at home against Oklahoma State (20-5, 9-3) and Nebraska (9-16, 1-11).
In demolishing Missouri on Saturday, Colorado tied a school record with its 10th straight home win. Besides Wilson's 26 points, three Buffs had double-doubles, led by Stephane Pelle's 18 points and 18 rebounds.
"Colorado played very well," Missouri coach Quinn Snyder said. "Ricardo Patton has done a terrific job with his team."
Cyclones snap four-game-skid
The Associated Press
AMES, Iowa — Iowa State mens basketball's victory over Kansas State included yet another lesson for freshman Adam Haluska, who found he could help his team even when it seemed he'd never make another shot.
Haluska missed his first eight shots in Saturday's game, then came through at a critical time.
First, he drove the baseline for layup that put Iowa State ahead to stay with 2.23 left. Later, he went to the free throw line with 18 seconds remaining and sank both shots to secure the 64-61 victory.
"He really needed that." Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy said. "That was very impressive for him to be able to do that."
Haluska didn't go to the line thinking about redeeming himself. He had a more immediate concern.
"I wanted to get my hands dry first," he said with a laugh. "I was sweating so bad."
With good reason. Haluska played all 40 minutes. So did teammates Jake Sullivan and Tim Barnes as the Cyclones rallied from a 16point deficit early in the second half to hand Kansas State its 14th straight conference road loss.
had little depth because top reserve Marcus Jefferson was at home with his ailing mother in East Chicago, Ind. Eustachy used only six players.
Iowa State (13-10, 5-9 Big 12)
"We have a big concern about it, but we have to find a way to win." Eustachy said. "I thought we found a way to win."
By making both free throws, Haluska forced Kansas State into taking a 3-point shot to tie. The Cyclones had good pressure on Gilson DeJesus when he shot from out front, the ball hit the front of the rim and bounced away and Iowa State's four-game losing streak was over.
Attention Sports Fans:
The Kansas Football Office will soon be interviewing for the 2003-2004 Crimson Crew.
with recruit functions on game days, giving tours of the athletic facilities, and other recruiting tasks as needed.
If you love sports, KU,and meeting new people,then we want to get you involved with our program. Duties include helping
All interested students are asked to attend a meeting in the Hadl Auditorium, 1st floor. Wagnon Student-Athlete Center (Located between Allen Fieldhouse and Anschutz)
Thursday. February 27 at 5 PM
Please call the football office at 864-3393 or e-mail us at football@jayhawks.org with questions.
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