Tell us your news: Contact Jessica Tims or Matt Gehrke at (785) 864- 4858 or jtims@kansan.com SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 1B WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2003 Group aims to reduce fans on field By Kevin Flaherty kiflahery@kansan.com Kansan staff writer An increase in fans rushing playing fields at college athletic events has led the coalition of college academic and intercollegiate athletics leaders to plan a sportsmanship summit. At the summit Feb. 20, the group will discuss fan behavior, especially the dangers of postgame celebrations. In an NCAA press release, one of the incidents listed as a reason for calling the summit was an Ohio State University-University of Michigan football game played this season in Columbus, Ohio. In a dramatic 14-9 victory, Ohio State clinched a spot in the national championship game. After the game, Ohio State fans charged the field, many tearing up turf to sell online and hopping onto the goal posts for a more conventional celebration. The Ohio State Highway Patrol responded with pepper spray to break up the mob. Richard Konzem, Kansas associate athletics director, said charging the field, even after an important victory was unacceptable. "I would never condone running onto the field," Konzem said. "It creates a dangerous situation by trying to tear the goal posts down. People could get injured — people have been injured." Brad Nachtigal, Kansas director of facilities and events, said when large numbers of fans charged the field in the past, trouble arose. "When 7,000 fans run out, they are hard to stop," Nachtigal said. "There is a certain excitement involved at the end of the game, but we try and take safety precautions." Nachtigal said the main goal was to keep people off the field by positioning personnel accordingly. For football and men's basketball, police force is adjusted based on attendance, Konzem said. One of the tactics that Ohio State used to keep its goal posts standing was to grease the posts. The NCAA expects a diverse group to attend the summit that includes athletics directors, game officials, law enforcement representatives, college and university presidents, social psychologists and mayors of cities that have encountered problems. Mike Slive, NCAA football chairman and Southeastern Conference commissioner, said the celebrations took away from an otherwise positive atmosphere. "We've got great tradition in college football," Slive said. "We've got great pageantry and color, and great rivalries. We need to promote those traditions." NCAA President Miles Brand said in an NCAA press release that fans should behave better after the game. "People may think they have a right to act this way because of the game's outcome, but they don't have permission or a right to destroy property or harm others," Brand said. "When they do, they should be held accountable for it." —Edited by Erin Chapman Kansas looks for revenge Jayhawks work to improve defense in rematch against Colorado tonight By Ryan Greene rggreene@kansan.com Kansan satswriter Tonight, the Kansas women's basketball team (9-10 overall, 2-6 Big 12 Conference) is out for revenge as it travels to Boulder, Colo., for its rematch with Colorado (15-4, 5-3). On Jan. 18, Colorado stomped Kansas 70-51 at Allen Fieldhouse, showing its strength to score from both outside and inside. Junior guard Kate Fagan was the thorn in the Jayhawks' side, hitting six of eight 3-point field goals and leading the Buffaloes with 22 points. "We are going to play better defense because that is where it starts," coach Marian Washington said. "It will be good to see Colorado again." KANASAS V/UOCONADOR KANASAS VI-10 P No. Player Ht. Ys. Vp. RPG/RP B Silver Wailer 6.2 9.6 15.1 6.1 C Shenny Wu 8.4 9.6 15.1 6.1 D Zellman Randberg 8.4 9.6 15.1 7.2 E Gummi Randberg 8.4 9.6 15.1 7.2 F 44 Aguilera Burras 8.4 9.6 15.1 7.2 G Kansas struggled offensively in the first meeting, as freshman forward Tamara Ransburg was the only Jayhawk to score in double figures with 13 points. Ransburg knows now what to expect from Colorado in the post. KANSAS VS. COLORADO One player who did not have an impact offensively in the first game with Colorado G. ZZI Eric Haunman 5-8 F Fr. 8.5 1.7 G. ZZI Natalie Robbins 5-1 F Fr. 4.6 4.8 G. ZZO Dacey Beaver 5-1 F Fr. 4.5 1.9 P No. Player Hr. Yr. PPG RPG F 13 Linda Leade 8-0 Cr 6-7 7.2 9.8 F 14 Nick Gorman 5-0 Cr 6-8 7.8 10.4 F 14 Randy Willett 6-2 Cr 8-1 8.4 14.4 C 90 Jerni Borklund 6-5 Cr 18-8 6.5 29 C 90 Kate Fagan 5-9 Cr 18-8 6.5 29 Top Reserves F 3 Adrian Mattter 5-1 Fr 5-1 4.1 4.1 G 10 Mara Blimpinghe 5-6 Fr 3-0 0.9 2.8 G 10 Richardson Richmond 5-6 Fr 3-0 0.9 2.8 and who should be key in the rematch is sophomore guard Aquanita Burras. Burras was in an offensive slump in the first meeting, going 2 for 12 from the field but has averaged just over 14 points per game in the past three games. Freshman forward Crystal Kemp will also be looking for redemption after scoring only 7 points against the Buffaloes. Since then Kemp has found her stride on offense, including scoring 19 points against Texas A&M University and a career-high 26 against Nebraska. Sophomore guard Blair Waltz was one of the few Jayhawks who found an offensive rhythm against Colorado on Jan. 18 but knows that defense will be the key to get the team back on a winning streak. "We have a different defensive strategy, such as with cutting into their post players passing the ball out," Waltz said. Coming off a brutal loss to Texas Tech on Saturday. Washington thinks her team has rebounded mentally and will be ready for tonight's contest. "Either way, Colorado is coming off a loss, so we know it is going to be a tough battle." Washington said. Kansan File Photo -Edited by Erin Chapman Crystal Kemp and the women's basketball team travel to Boulder, Colo., today to face the 15-4 Buffaloes. The freshman forward recorded 7 points and two blocks in the Jayhawks' 71-50 loss to Colorado in Allen Fieldhouse Jan. 18. Kansan File Photo Erica Hallman, freshman guard, averages 8.5 points per game and leads the Jayhawks in assists this season with 68 after 19 games. Hallman said she looked forward to tonight's game because she loved playing against better teams. Buffaloes look for a repeat victory against Jayhawks By Shane Mettlen smettlen@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter The Colorado women's basketball team will try to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Missouri when it hosts Kansas at 8 tonight. The Buffaloes turned in one of their worst performances of the season in the 71-52 loss to the Tigers Saturday. Colorado shot a measly 6-for-18 from the from the free-throw line and committed 20 turnovers, while getting out-rebounded 43-36. "It's ridiculous the amount of turnovers we had," Colorado coach Ceal Barry said after the loss. "I it recent history is any indication then the outlook should be better for the Buffaloos when the Jayhawks come to town. Colorado won the last meeting between the two teams 71-50 Jan. 18 in Lawrence. The Jayhawks are also looking to get back on track. After winning back-to-back Big 12 Conference games, Kansas slipped up in an 84-57 loss to No. 8 Texas Tech. The Jayhawks, however, chalk the loss up as a learning experience. don't think we are that superior depth-wise or on the board to give a team that many opportunities." "In order to be the best, you got to play the best," Kansas freshman For Colorado guard Kate Fagan, Kansas may be a good opponent to face after a disappointing outing at Missouri. Erica Hallman said. "I love playing against better teams. It's just good for us. We're young and we are going to be like that in the future." Fagan, who averages 11.7 points per game, was held scoreless by the Tigers with only one rebound, two turnovers and no assists. Fagan was on the opposite end of the spectrum in the first meeting against the Jayhawks, posting career highs with 22 points and seven rebounds. Fagan hit six 3-pointers in the game. There was a moment Monday during halftime of the Missouri game that served as a measuring mark for Kansas basketball. Edited by Erin Chapman Monday might have been monumental besides victory They should have been there, too. It was quite the magic ceremony. It was a reflective reunion for those fighting for equality despite race, gender or reputation. But more importantly it was a party promoting the success and hard work of a few that have meant so much to so many. Yet everyone attending in Allen Fieldhouse missed it. "It's great to come back and feel the vibe of Kansas basketball again," said one of the honorees, who's already won two world championships. "I would like to thank the University of Kansas, the fans, all of my teammates and coach," said the other. Only after their jerseys were revealed at halftime of the men's game Monday did people realize these two weren't your average Jayhawks. Their accomplishments so similar to the other 18 blue retired jerseys hanging from the rafters overlooking James Naismith Court. Their anatomies only similar to that of one legend whose red jersey sways in the south end of the Fieldhouse. Andy Samuelson asamuelson@kansan.com Tamecka Dixon and Angela Aycock are women. When fans factor in their worth in the build-up of Kansas' basketball tradition, the two are regarded as little more than construction workers to all but the most loyal lady Jayhawk lovers. Certainly not revered as warriors such as Wilt Chamberlain, Danny Manning or Paul Pierce. Sure there was the obligatory applause when Max Falkenstien read the pair's college court resumés that flowed like the Kaw River. And the roar of the packed partisan crowd rose to the rafters when Dixon said she would trade all the glory of her professional career for four more years in Lawrence. Dixon's declaration was honest, straight from her heart. But only truly understood when she walked out of the Fieldhouse, past the gathered media after doing a quick interview and up the winding stairs of the Wagnon Student-Athlete Center. "Complete numbness," Dixon said was what she felt after becoming the There at the top of the staircase came the cheers from Dixon's true fans - her Jayhawk family. About 50 current and former players, coaches and fans flocked to greet their newly crowned celebrity. third women's basketball player to receive an honor that had been bestowed only once before Monday night. "To go through the list of great players that have gone through this program and to be considered as one of them is... Wow!" Moments later Aycock joined Dixon, their coach Marian Washington and Lynette Woodard — the first woman to have her Jayhawk jersey retired — in the center of all the commotion. Aycock's vows as a novice nun kept her off the court in front of 16,300, but they couldn't keep her from cracking a slight smile among her real supporters. "God willing, many more young SEE SAMUELSON ON PAGE 6B ---