ISAN
2009
Sports THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN CRAWFORD LEAVING MIGHT NOT BE ALL BAD The Full Monty looks at next season's star football players. PAGE 29
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
WWW.KANSAN.COM
INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL
PAGE 27
Former volleyball star to compete in France
BY JASON BAKER
jbaker@kansan.com
For four years, Emily Brown's focus was perfecting her game in volleyball. For the next few weeks, she'll be perfecting her French.
"I took it in high school, but I don't remember it at all," Brown said.
The former Kansas volleyball star is working on her fluency to prepare for her first full season of professional volleyball in France. The Baldwin City native will be playing for the Nantes Atlantique volleyball team from August through May.
Brown played for Kansas from 2004 to 2007. For the first two years Brown was an outside hitter, then developed the role of setter as well.
In volleyball, the setter is the equivalent of a quarterback in football because the setter makes the decision on who hits the ball. The outside hitter attacks and tries to score on the opponent.
After her college volleyball career ended in 2007, Brown signed with "Bring It Promotions," a professional volleyball agency. Brown said the agency looked at overseas teams that were interested in American players. She had received an offer from a team in Finland and talked to an American playing on the team to get a feel for what to expect.
"I wasn't that excited about being in a meter of snow and 21 hours of nighttime, and France was more of my style," Brown said.
Brown will be provided with a monthly salary and an apartment while playing for Nantes Atlantique. Brown said that the salary for players depended on the country and
the level of competition and said hers would be enough to live on.
Although this is Brown's first full season,this will be her second time playing professional volleyball overseas.
From January 2009 to May 2009, Brown competed for the club Doprastav Volejbal Klub in Bratislava, Slovakia.
"It wasn't too terrible, but you could definitely tell you weren't in Kansas anymore," Brown said.
Brown said she knew a few words in Slovakian, but was able to get by speaking English. While playing for the team, Brown said, her team age ranged from high schoolers to 29-year-olds.
"The coach was fluent in English and most of the players could hold
SEE BROWN ON PAGE 31
Photo courtesy of Jeff Jacobsen
Emily Brown reaches for a spike in a game against Baylor. Brown will move to France this year to play for the Nantes Atlantique professional volleyball team.
Perkins sees potential for future Jayhawk success
ATHLETICS
Chance Dibben/KANSAN
Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins spoke recently with the Kansan. Perkins said returning players and recent success were good signs for upcoming football and basketball seasons.
BY JESSE RANGEL jrangel@kansan.com
FOOTBALL
In anticipation of football season, Perkins provided his view on the
The Kansan had the opportunity to interview Athletics Director Lew Perkins July 22. Perkins commented on football and the men's and women's basketball teams. A common theme that emerged from the interview was the improved facilities, success in recruiting and recent player achievements that put Kansas sports programs in an excellent position to win games and contend for championships.
Perkins said the return of senior quarterback Todd Reesing and senior running back Jake Sharp as veterans on offense was important. But Perkins also said senior safety Darrell Stuckey and two new defensive coaches would help to improve the defense.
new Jayhawk's practice facility and the progress of the team. Perkins said a strong defensive unit,coupled with a powerful offense,could set the tone for a successful season.
"We're going to score," Perkins said. "If we can make some stops we're going to be at an advantage."
"I think everybody is looking to see what we're going to be on defense," Perkins said.
Perkins said it was not only Big 12 South opponents that brought a sharp offensive attack, but also Big 12 North teams, such as Colorado and Missouri, that were employing high-scoring spread offenses. Last year, Big 12 Conference opponents scored an average of 36.6 points per game against the Jayhawks.
"We know when we line up against the Big 12, it's the toughest conference in the country to play in," Perkins said.
The athletics department also released details of the 2011 football schedule Monday, which included
SEE PERKINS ON PAGE 28