Inside Sports
Softball
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
The Kansas softball team prepares for the Big 12 Conference Tournament. See Page 3B
Sports
Friday May 1, 1998 Section: B Page 1
WWW.KANSAN.COM/NEWS/SPORTS
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PLAYING FOR
STORY BY RONNIE WACHTER / STA F WRITER
RESPECT
HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS DOUBLE AS DO-IT-YOURSELF ATHLETES
or the people in most of the cars Karl Bhatnagar sees as he drives the dark streets of Lawrence, it's still Friday
night. At 5:15 a.m., anyone on the street is returning either from an exceptionally good party or a long night with someone special. But for Karl, it's Saturday morning.
What could possess someone to get up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday?
"I need a ride. Who's driving there?" Eyes half-open, faces drooping, motions sedated, they stuff their bags into the trunks of the few students' cars that can make the trip to Wichita. They pull out of
at 5 a.m. on a Saturday?
'Karl pulls into the Johnny's Tavern parking lot in North Lawrence. A few of the 20 other KU students gathered in the pool of light thrown by the lone street lamp muster a quiet greeting for him. Few other words are exchanged save one common question:
the parking lot and begin their journey on near-empty streets. The Kansas men's rugby team is on its way to the biggest event of the fall season; the Wichita Ruggerfest.
VARSITY DREAMS. STUDENT BUDGETS
Chartered planes, big buses, hotel rooms, training-table meals and corporate sponsors: These are the perks'of varsity sports at the University of Kansas for which gifted athletes push their bodies to the limit in search of competition, school pride and victory, sweet victory. In return, the University pays coaches maintains facilities, publicizes games and, in most cases, pays students tuition with scholarships. Not an easy life, but a good one. Madinah Hazim, Topeka sophomore, sprints for the KU track and field team
Madinah Hazim, Topeka sophomore sprints for the KU track and field team.
See CLUB SPORTS on page 9B
WOMEN'S LACROSSE PHOTO BY CORRIE WATERS
Senior slides into second base for Big 12 games
By John Blakely Wilson Kansan sportswriter
Senior Paul Levins will log out to second base in his last Big 12 Conference game this weekend.
Levins entered the 1998 season as a man without a position. Levins was buried on the infield depth chart behind second baseman Andy Juday, shortstops John Nelson and Brandon O'Neal and third baseman Sparky Wilhelm.
For Lovins, starting everyday for a Division Team is an amazing feat
Head coach Bobby Randall called him a utility player, meaning he would play once in a while.
"We knew Paul could really defend for us and play all over the field," Randall said. "He's a kid who works hard so we wanted to find him a place to contribute."
Levins jumped into the starting position at second base when Juday, the team's leading hitter with a .353 average, contracted mononucleosis a few weeks ago.
"I've been happy to play, but key losses have made it a long season."
"I would really like to coach tee-ball someday."
Paul Levins Kansas baseball player
Levins said "We are not as competitive when you take experienced players like Andy out of the lineup."
Levins played two seasons at Garden City Community College before impressing Randall at a
postseason juic all-star game and transferring to Kansas in the fall of 1997. Levins came into Lawrence knowing he would play behind All-Conference shortstop Joe DeMarco for at least one season.
"I just wanted to help the team any way I could," Levins said. "I struggled with injuries last year and through the fall, but I've gotten to play everyday through the second half of this season."
levins established himself on the infield with smooth glove skills and a strong arm, but has also hit
the ball well. He has racked up a .298 batting average while playing in 38 of Kansas' 46 games.
"Paul can play anywhere and he has one of the strongest arms on the team," Randall said. "We knew he could step in and play, and we've been happy with the way he's gotten on base and scored runs in the last few weeks."
Levins said he would enjoy his last few days of competitive baseball, but his future was not based on the diamond. Levins is an education major and plans to teach fifth grade.
“It’s time to give back to the world all the things I’ve learned,” Levins said. “I’d really like to coach tee-ball someday. I would stress to the kids how fun it is to get out and play ball.”
The Jayhawks have clinched last place in the conference with a 5-19 record and are 18-28 overall.
■ Kansas finishes up its conference schedule with a three-game set against Kansas State (19-24 overall, 8-14 in conference) this week in Manhattan. Game times are: 7 p.m. today, 2 p.m. tomorrow and 1 p.m. Sunday.
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