THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY,APRIL 10.2009
SPORTS
3B
RECRUIT (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
the Division-I level.
"There are schools that take a national recruiting approach where they look on the Internet and see which guys are supposedly the top guys in the country." Blaney said. "The big thing we have to be able to do in recruiting is estimate what a player is going to play like at age 21, 22 and 23, since it's a very rare occasion when a freshman comes in and plays right away."
UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE VISITS
Recruits can take as many unofficial visits as desired at any time throughout the recruiting process, but the visit must be paid for by the recruit and his family.
Howard visited Kansas on his own dime four times and didn't visit officially until after he signed his letter of intent.
OFFICIAL COLLEGE VISITS
Official visits for the recruit and his family are paid for by the interested school. The paid trip consists of transportation to and from the college, housing and meals during the visit, and entertainment for the recruit and his family that may include a home athletics event. A recruit is limited to five official visits and he can officially visit a school only once.
"I was most impressed with the hospitality from the coaches and players on my visit," defensive lineman Randall Dent said. "And I was also impressed with the basketball game in the Phog."
Patmon said he was in awe on his official visit when he toured Memorial Stadium and the weight room and the players' lounge in the football complex.
The completion of the Anderson Family Football Complex last summer proved to be a strong factor in recruits' decisions.
"When we went up there to Lawrence, we saw the facilities and that was one of the reasons I chose Kansas," Patmon said. "It was really nice and I know Kansas is a program that is up-and-coming and it's going to get better by time."
TAKING THE ACTOR SAT
Taking a standardized test is one of the key steps in the recruiting process. Blaney said that he thought it was important for the prospects to know the NCAA academic requirements and that taking the ACT or SAT early on in the student athlete's high school career was essential.
"I think the biggest obstacle is getting an athlete to understand that they are academically held accountable for the decisions," Blaney said. "Whether they be good or bad decisions they make
at age 14 and 15 in their freshman and sophomore years"
A recruit can commit to a university only orally until he is able to sign his national letter of intent. The oral commitment is no more than a promise to the coaches that he will sign with their school. At any time the recruit can break the commitment.
FACTORS THAT GO INTO
A RECRUIT'S DECISION
If a recruit decides after orally committing that he would like to look at other schools, he can decommit without any penalties or violations.
According to a 2008 report by the Journal of Sports Economics, geographic distance is the primary factor in a recruits' college consideration. The team's on-field performance, conference affiliation, facilities, playing-time opportunities and academic reputation also influence the decision.
Distance wasn't a factor, though, for some of the recruits in Kansas' 2009 recruiting class. The lajawhaws snagged two recruits from Florida, wide receiver Erick McGriff and running back Deshaun Sands, and junior-college defensive lineman Quinton Woods is from California.
ORAL COMMITMENT
One example of decommit-
ment in Kansas' recently signed recruiting class is McDougald. KU coaches continued to recruit McDougald while he was committed to Ohio State. McDougald accepted a scholarship offer from Ohio State in June and was committed to the Buckeyes but then he decided to take more official visits. As soon as he made that decision, his relationship with Ohio State coach Jim Tressel changed.
"I had wanted to look around, so then from there, coach Tressel and I talked, and he basically said the offer was still there, but if I looked other places, he would look elsewhere and that would open my recruitment up." McDougal said.
NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT
The letter of intent binds the athlete to the college he signs with. If the recruit doesn't follow through and opts to transfer, he can lose a year of eligibility if he goes to another Division I institution.
This recruiting season, the signing period began Feb. 4 and lasted through April 1, although Blaney said most athletes sign their letter of intent on the first day.
It is only after receiving a signed letter of intent that a coach can comment on the recruit publicly.
Edited by Liz Schubauer
MLB
Payroll included in teams' spending cuts
Economy calls for teams to reconsider rosters, salaries
New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez smiles during a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla., Rodriguez, who is on the disabled list following hip surgery, is the game's highest-paid player with a $33 million salary, topping the major leagues for the ninth straight year.
RONALD BLUM Associated Press
The recession has hit baseball salaries.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Teams cut payrolls for their active rosters and disabled lists by $47 million from opening day in 2008 to the first day of this season, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. That comes out to a drop of 1.7 percent.
"Clubs were cautious all winter with regards to the economy and were concerned the economy might have an impact on club revenue," said Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer. "The spending reflected that for many clubs."
The drop is the first since 2004 and just the second since the 1994-95 strike.
Looking at payroll team by team, 16 of the 30 major clubs clubs cut payroll. Among those who lowered spending — the mighty New York Yankees.
While the Yankees led the major leagues with a $201.4 million payroll, they trimmed salaries by $7.6 million from the start of last season. The difference is that while they added high-priced free agents CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, they also let Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu and Carl Pavano leave, watched Mike Mussina retire and more than halved pitcher Andy Pettitte's guaranteed pay.
Others cut more, led by San Diego ($30.9 million), the Chicago White Sox ($25.1 million), Detroit ($23.6 million) and Seattle ($19.1 million).
The 14 who increased salaries were led by AL champion Tampa Bay ($19.5 million), the Chicago Cubs ($16.5 million), Florida ($15.0 million), and World Series champion Philadelphia ($14.7 million).
"The company would have had every right to reduce the payroll until the new owner came," said Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, whose team is in the process of being sold from Sam Zell's Tribune Co. to a group headed by Tom Ricketts, a member of the founding
Instead, the Cubs invested in switch-hitter Milton Bradley to try and break their more than century-long streak without a World Series title.
family of TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
"We're seeing a continuation of the trend of mid- and small-market teams developing their own talent and keeping their own talent." DuPuy said, "and I think that's reflected in the totals that you see"
And while the 10 highest spenders lowered payroll by an average of $7.8 million, the 10 lowest raised spending by an average of $4.5 million, a small step toward commissioner Bud Selig's goal of closing the gap between rich and poor teams.
While overall payroll is down, the average player salary is up 2.7 percent to $3.24 million. That's because there are fewer players in the major leagues getting checks right now.
"Obviously, there were a lot of economic conditions going on," union head Donald Fehr said. "
The slow free-agent market, meanwhile, has drawn the attention of the players' association, but it has not yet decided whether to file a collusion grievance.
Yankees were followed by the crosstown rival Mets at $135.7 million. Both teams move into revenue-boosting new ballparks this season.
On the highest payroll list, the
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BRECKUNITCH (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
but he's losing some critical pieces. Josh Freeman, famous for imploding against the Jayhawks, is departing for the NFL draft. Second-leading wide receiver Deon Murphy and top defensive player Ian Campbell are both graduating. Snyder has options with what's left of his team, but it won't be enough for a run at the Big 12 North title.
Missouri and Nebraska will be the biggest obstacles in Kansas' way. But Missouri is losing a lot of talent, including Chase Daniel, Chase Coffman and Jeremy Maclin. Nebraska has the best shot to challenge Kansas in the North. Yes, the team will lose quarterback Joe Ganz, but it won't lose many others. Speedster Roy Helu Jr., the same guy that torched Kansas for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns, including one from 52 yards out, will return at running back. Coach Bo Pelini will keep a strong focus on defense, and with
run-stopper Ndamukong Suh back, Nebraska's stout defense will be difficult to overcome.
Kansas will lose some players, mainly on the defensive side, but they will retain a lot of talent. The spring game can show the fans a lot about the potential of this team. The main questions will be how the Jayhawks can replace all three starting linebackers, and who will start at cornerback. But, if they say the best offense is a good defense, why can't the opposite be true? Todd Reesing is the best quarterback in the North, and most of his weapons return, which should lead to a third consecutive bowl game. Saturday will give the fans their first chance to see the team. The game will surely lead to much speculation, including about Kansas' shot at a Big 12 North title. After the game, all the fans can do is wait and see.
TENNIS (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Erin Wilbert, Lafayette, La., freshman, said she thinks Sisk encountered a lot of obstacles because players were probably reluctant to play for a school that was "starting from scratch". She said even though they are all freshmen, it seems like Tulane has come up with a good group of girls.
Edited by Justin Leverett
because of Hurricane Katrina", KU coach Amy Hall-Holt said. "I know they have had a few good wins this year. They beat UTEP 4-3, and we went 4-3 with UTEP at the beginning of the season, so we have got to be out there willing to play and ready to fight."
"I think they've been doing really well. I'm sure they're going to come out fighting, so we need to be ready. I'm sure that they're struggling, but they've obviously overcome that to have a good season so far," Wilbert said.
Wilbert said that she and her family were lucky when Hurricane Katrina hit and lucky again the following month when Hurricane Rita struck the U.S. Gulf Coast. Katrina hit to the east of Lafayette, and Rita hit to the west, so she and her family avoided any damage to their home. A lot of Hurricane Katrina evacuees traveled to Lafayette, which "made traffic a nightmare" and caused her school to become crowded.
"I'm not complaining because I met one of my best friends through the whole thing. Now every Mardi Gras, I go to visit her and spend Mardi Gras there with her and some friends. This year was my first Mardi Gras in like four years that I haven't been to New Orleans to celebrate," Wilbert said.
NFL
Vick possibly transferring back to Leavenworth
"I really would like to win just because I left Louisiana to come here, so it would really make me feel more confident. I already feel really good about my decision coming to Kansas, but that would just reaffirm it even more," Wilbert said.
Wilbert said that defeating Tulane today would confirm what she already knows.
She said she does, however, wish that "KU celebrated Mardi Gras as hardcore as us Louisianans do, so we could get an extra week off of school!"
When she was in high school, Wilbert considered playing for Tulane, which is about two hours east of Lafayette. She accrued a record of 83-2 in four years, and was undefeated her senior year, helping her team win the state championship in 2008. Her juniors doubles partner, who was considering playing for the Green Wave, introduced Wilbert to Tulane's head coach. However, Wilbert's mom, Karen, encouraged her to play out-of-state.
"She thought I'd have a better chance of seeing what else is out there, instead of staying close to home," Wilbert said. "If I had stayed closer to home, I would have been more inclined to come home every weekend and get my mom to do my laundry."
PETERSBURG, Va. — Suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick was being held in a prison in his home state of Virginia, and it was unclear Thursday whether he was still heading back to a Kansas penitentiary to await his transfer to home confinement and eventual release.
Karen Wilbert, traveling from Lafayette, will be courtside today to watch her daughter attempt to win her team-leading 14th singles match of the season and then again next weekend when Kansas contests No. 31 Texas and No. 33 Texas A&M.
The 28-year-old Vick is scheduled to transfer to home confinement May 21 in Hampton, Va., and is set to be released from federal custody on July 20.
Edited by Sam Speer
CYCLING
Anti-doping agency says Armstrong won't comply
PARIS — France's anti-doping agency accused Lance Armstrong of violating its rules Thursday for not fully cooperating with a drug tester.
Armstrong has denied misbehaving during a test of his hair, urine and blood on March 17. No banned substances were found.
Armstrong is hoping to win an eighth Tour title in July after having retired in 2005.
Associated Press
What students are saving about Don's
Early last semester, I began having problems with my car. It was making funny noises and the cruise control stopped working. I didn't know what to do. Normally my dad handled these things for me, but being an out-of-state student made that impossible now that I'm in college. I had heard about Don's Auto from some friends and through the Kansan, so I decided to give them a call. I'm so glad I did! They were great! They were very nice and super understanding.
What impressed me most, was that they offered to call my dad and consult with him every step of the way. Now, I always take my car to Don's!
-Ally Nienhueser,
KU Sophmore from Nebraska