10
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2003
SPORTS
THEUNIVERSITYDAILYKANSAN=7B
Aggie standout King reflects on records
By Dallas Shipp The Battalion via u-Wire Texas A&M University
Watkins knew the player he needed to help make the turnaround was Bernard King, one of the nation's top 50 recruits from the small town of Gibsland, La., which has a population of around 1,600.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — When Texas A&M men's basketball head coach Melvin Watkins arrived in Aggieland in 1998, he knew he had a daunting task ahead of him — to revitalize the Aggie basketball program at a school where football is a religion.
"When we got here, we needed to upgrade our talent and that was our first challenge." Watkins said. "That's not always easy when you come into a program that's been losing, but [King] was one of those kids we were able to convince to come in."
King said he knew when he came that it was not going to be easy, but he wanted to be part of something special and be one of the key leaders who turned the program around at A&M.
"I heard A&M was a football school," King said. "But I wanted to come in and help coach Watkins improve this program. My goal was to come in here and be the start of that."
King's mother, Vernita King, thought coming to A&M would be challenging for Bernard because so much pressure would be on his shoulders to prove himself as a freshman, but she knew he was used to proving himself, on and off the court.
"Bernard was a scraggly little fella," she said. "When he played AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] basketball he was overlooked
because he was kind of little, but once he had his first chance to show what he could do, everyone was sold on him."
"He hit three 3-pointers in a row and we won the game. After that he never stopped playing," Vernita said.
As an eighth grader, King played AAU basketball with teammates who were juniors and seniors in high school. One day, one of the guards fouled out and the coach was forced to play King. As the game came to a close, King showed what he could do.
He has not stopped playing since, and his mother has never stopped watching him play.
After getting off work at 7 a.m., Vernita would make the five-hour drive from Gibsland to College Station, Texas, for a 7 p.m. game that same night and then turn around the next morning and head home for work the next night.
Throughout his career at A&M, King's mother, who often works nights, has been to nearly every home game.
King knew it would be an uphill climb to rebuild the program at A&M, he said it has been disappointing at times.
Vernita said there have been times when she told King that he had other choices, but he always chose to stay at A&M.
Even though the Aggies have struggled during his four years at A&M, King is approaching an impressive individual milestone. He needs just 28 points to become A&M's all-time leading scorer and 80 points to become the Big 12 all-time leader.
King said that while he is excited about breaking the record, he still just wants to win and go to the postseason.
Williams stands up for camping 'Hawks
By Ryan Greene
rggreene@kansan.com
kansan sportswriter
The city of Lawrence loves Roy Williams, the media love Roy Williams, and after his impromptu speech last night in Allen Fieldhouse, students must love him, too.
Last night, as coach Williams was leaving for the evening, he addressed students camping for tomorrow's game against Arizona with words that were effective, to say the least.
Cliff Grassmick/The Daily Camera
In the past few home games, the first three rows of the student section behind the south goal have been reserved for athletes being recruited to the University. Students complained about the reserved seats, but Williams showed students he is on their side.
Coach Roy Williams argues a call during the second half of Wednesday's game.
"Those are all football recruits, and they're sitting there like bumps on a log," Williams said. "I told them it pissed me off. I've met them all and I told them 'Don't go big-time on me. If you're going to come to our Fieldhouse, then you have to show some enthusiasm.'"
Williams also added that he has talked to football coach Mark Mangino on the topic. Williams said Mangino was handling the situation accordingly.
while on his way to work in the mornings and to talk with students. He assured students that what they bring to the Fieldhouse atmosphere was appreciated, but wanted to help more.
Along with Athletics Director Al Bohl, coach Williams has been known by campers to bring food
long time for those seats," Williams said. "If you guys have any complaints on what we can do to make camping better for you, please let us know."
The speech was apparently moving as the crowd around coach
"I know you guys camp for a
williams remained motionless and silent while being addressed. Students said the behavior showed well-deserved respect.
"One thing he carries is respect," said Scott Miller, Derby sophomore. "When coach Williams is present, conversations stop and people pay attention."
Miller, along with hometown pal sophomore Adam White, have been camping for a few days for tomorrow's game. The two are an example of the dedication for which coach Williams thanked the students. Their group was bumped down on the camping list after one of its members missed a role call.
Erin Butsch, Olathe senior, said she appreciated that a person with as high a profile as Williams was in the students' corner.
"A couple of years ago, he made the comment that our students didn't show enough enthusiasm at the games," Butsch said. "It's good he's putting the pressure on other people, too."
Williams will now lead his No. 6 Jayhawks into battle against Arizona, the nation's top team. With a packed house tomorrow, one would have to believe that, once news spreads of his speech last night, every student at the game will be a little more thankful to call Roy Williams our basketball coach."
—Edited by Christv Dendurent
Cornhuskers have an international appeal
By Michael Bruntz Daily Nebraskan via U-wire University of Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. — After 20 hours in the air, cramped seats, and numerous connections, you step off the plane hoping the promised land or perhaps the Hanging Gardens of Babylon will greet you.
Instead, the only greenery in
sight are the rows of corn in every direction.
Welcome to Lincoln, Neb., it says.
Despite the lack of eye-pleasing surroundings, the Nebraska track and field program consistently secures Europe's top athletes.
Nebraska's roster reads like a roll call for European countries. Great Britain, Poland, Yugoslavia, Hungary and Latvia all claim spots.
The reasons the Nebraska coaching staff convinces athletes to come half a world away are easy to find —NU has more selling points than a used car salesman and an even better reputation.
"It's a totally different world," national champion thrower and Britain native Carl Myerscough said.
Once the foreign athletes are at NU, the focus shifts from impressing them with facilities and records to making sure the transition from their home country is a smooth one.
Coach Gary Pepin said the 'Huskers' reputation for academic and athletic success is beginning to make itself known.
"We have athletes that have left that country, come here and done well academically and athletically," Pepin said.
Red Lyon Tavern
A touch of Irish in
downtown Lawrence
944 Mass. 832-8228
AUDITIONS!
Singers ● Dancers ● Instrumentalists
KANSAS CITY, MO
Sunday, February 9
Park Place Hotel
(Off Front St at 14:35)
Registration: 9 - 1
Worlds of Fun is searching for the Midwest's most talented entertainers for our spectacular 2003 season of shows. We're looking for performers who thrive on the cheers and applause of the more than 1 million guests visiting Worlds of Fun each year. Performing at Worlds of Fun is FUN and can be that important First Step toward a professional career. Performers who work the entire season (six days per week in the summer and weekends in the spring & fall) can earn OVER $8000 in wages and bonuses.
WARRENBURG, MO
Tuesday, February 4
CMSU
Union - Ballroom
Registration: 3 - 5
AUDIENCE LOCATIONS
LINCOLN, NE
Wednesday, February 5
University of Nebraska
NE Union – Ballroom
Registration: 3 – 5
AUDITION LOCATIONS
LAWRENCE, KS
Monday, February 10
Kansas University
Kansas Union - KS Room
Registration: 3 - 5