SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday. August 24.1993
9
Former Husky criticizes Pac-10's penalties
Ex-quarterback calls sanctions biased, unfair
The Associated Press
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Former University of Washington quarterback Billy Joe Hobert said yesterday that the Huskies were punished unfairly by the Pacific-10 Conference because they had been so successful.
Hobert's acceptance of a $50,000
loan was one of the NCAA violations cited by the Pac-10 on Sunday when it announced a two-year bowl ban and other sanctions against the school, which has been to three straight Rose Bowls.
"I think it was totally biased," said Hobert, a rookie with the Los Angeles Raiders. "I think (other Pac-10 schools were) sick and tired of the University of Washington kicking their hind end every time they played them.
Hobert said he felt badly about his role in the scandal, which led to his early departure from school and Monday's resignation of coach Don James.
"They should have had some other unbiased institution come in. Maybe
somebody like the Big Ten, Big Sky or something like that. I just don't think the nenalties levied fit the crimes."
"I've felt remorse since this whole thing started, as far as the university is concerned," Hobert said. "I don't feel bad about me leaving, because I know I can make the best of any situation. But I'm not sure about the other guys. I don't know what their plans are."
Hobert said he and his family received threats last year after his loan was publicized.
"A guy called up and said, 'Are you the father of Billy Joe Hobert?'" Hobert said. "Then he said, 'I'm going to hurt your wife and hurt your family."
In addition to the bowl ban, the Pac 10 ordered Washington to give up scholarships and $1.4 million in television revenue.
"The NCAA isn't even that tough," Hobert said. "That just blows me away. Coach James doesn't deserve
this. The university doesn't deserve this. It's just disappointing."
Hobert said he had not spoken with James yet.
"The guy is like a god up there," Hobert said. "He's had a phenomenal career. He's done great things for the university and accomplished so many things. For him to leave like this, it's just not right. He deserves to go out on a silver cloud."
Steve Emtman, another former Washington star now in the NPL, said he was shocked by the penalties and sorry to see James leave.
"The penalty is not a direct reflection on him or the rest of the coaching staff," said Emtman, a defensive lineman with the Indianapolis Colts. "It's sad to see a guy with a great career like Don's end like this."
Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said he was surprised that James quit after 18 seasons at Washington. James won more games — 153 — than any coach in the school's history.
"It comes back to the deal of institutional control," Osborne said. "You can control some things that go on but not everything."
KU's Blevins ready for Seminoles
Kansan sportswriter
There were many expectations of Kansas freshman Tony Blevins when he arrived on campus earlier this month for fall football practice.
Blevins had his expectations, too, of helping the Jayhawks in whatever area they needed his talents. He could not have imagined earning a starting position for the season-opening game.
"I didn't know what to expect when I first got here." Blevins said. "Then all of a sudden, I was thrown in there with the first team. It was a pleasant surprise."
Bleivins is scheduled to start at cornerback Saturday in the Kickoff Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. against No. 1-ranked Florida State. He moved up to one of the starting cornerback positions, opposite junior Gerald McBurrows, when senior Robert Vaughn was shifted from cornerback to strong safety.
"He's got a ways to go yet, but right now he is our starting cornerback," said Kansas coach Glen Mason. "He's doing well over there."
Blevins was the headline recruit from last winter's recruiting class for the Jayhawks. The 6-foot, 170-pound freshman from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo., was listed on three prep All-America teams after making 43 tackles and intercepting four passes in his senior season.
Mason had made a point to redshirt many of his incoming freshmen in the last few years. But he also had said that if an incoming freshman was good enough, he would play him.
Blevins said he could have handled being redshirted this season if that was what the Kansas coaches wanted. Instead, he is preparing to face the top team in college football.
"He's a very mature kid, a very heads-up kid," Mason said. "He's got the same problems as any player with no experience, and he is going to play against some guys who are pretty fast."
One of those fast guys is Florida State sophomore Tamarick Vanover, who was listed on several preseason All-American teams after leading the Seminoles in receiving last season as a freshman. He also averaged 51.6 yards on eight kickoff returns, two of which went for touchdowns.
Blevins said that he and McBurrows will share the responsibility of covering Vanover.
Kin Chin / KANSAN
Freshman cornerback Tony Blevins practices covering a receiver during football practice on the practice field south of Allen Field House. Blevins is expected to start against the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.
By Anne Felstet
Karagán sportswriter
Kansan sportswriter
The KU men's tennis team has a lofty goal: to qualify for the Indoor Team Nationalists in February. To participate in the 20-school indoor tournament, Kansas must win the Regional Team Playoffs in November.
Junior player Manny Ortiz said that the team had won the regional tournament three of the last four years and that he believed it had a good chance of returning.
Kansas coach Michael Center agreed.
Kansas retains five members from last season's team, with five new players adding their skills and talents this year.
He said the team has a lot of depth and a lot of youth.
"The new players affect our team in a good way," said Michael Isroff, a sophomore on the team. All the new members have solid skills, he said.
"I am very optimistic about this year," said Center. "Yet I am cautious at this point. It is still very early in the season."
To meet a goal for the fall season, Center had the team conditioning to become physically stronger and quicker. The conditioning helped the
MEN'S TENNIS
The team would use the fall season to prepare for the spring. Center said The fall season is still competitive, but it is not quite as intense as the spring, he said.
team get in shape for the tournaments, he said.
Center said that during the fall the team needed to improve its consistency, as it did not play as consistently as he would have liked to have last season. Isroff would like to see improvement in winning matches.
"We need you in the matches we put ourselves in position to win," he said.
Center, Ortiz and Isroff all said depth was one of the team's strengths.
"We have a lot of good, solid players." Isroff said.
Last year the Jayhawks were competitive in almost every match, but failed to capitalize in all matches. Using this year's added experience, the team needed to take advantage of opportunities to win, he said. :
The fall season will consist of four individual tournaments, culminating with the Regional Team Playoffs Nov; 5-7.
Ryan to return from injury
The Associated Press
Dr. John Conway said the 46-year-old right-hander had a strained muscle in his lower left rib cage.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Nolan Ryan, playing his 27th and final season, will pitch again, the Texas Rangers said Monday after baseball's all-time strikeout leader was checked for arib c injury.
Conway said Ryan is expected to miss his start on Thursday against Boston but believed he would be able to pitch again by early next week. An X-ray of the rib cage was normal, the doctor said.
Ryan sustained the injury while fielding a ground ball in the third inning of Saturday night's start in Baltimore. He is 5-3 with a 4.53 ERA this season and has missed two lengthy spans with a torn cartilage in his right knee and a strained right hip.
The Rangers will not place Ryan on the disabled list.
Ryan said he wanted to work through his injury problem.
"My attitude is if I can help the team in even one or two starts then that's what I want to do," Ryan said. "Having
During the rehabilitation period, he ran into additional trouble when he cut his foot near his ranch and received seven stitches. He returned July 19, with a 4-1 record before Saturday's injury.
to deal with discomfort or to work to come back doesn't bother me. That's part of the job."
Ryan made it plain he was committed to pitching again and would resist ending his career on the disabled list. He announced before the season that this would be his farewell season, but injuries have sidelined him.
Ryan started the season healthy, but after two starts he underwent surgery April 15 to remove tortilage in his right knee. He returned May 7 but injured his hip that night against Kansas City. He then spent 72 days on the disabled list — the longest stint of his career.
Ryan left in the fourth innings when experiencing pain on the mound. To that point, he had given up only one hit, but it was a grand slam by Mike Pagliarulo after Ryan had issued three walks. After that, Ryan retired seven straight batters before taking himself out of the game.
Swim teams set high goals
Men and women work toward strong finish
By Kent Hohlfeld
Kansan sportswriter
The only way the Kansas men's swimming team can improve on last year's Big Eight finish — beat Nebraska.
The Jayhawks finished second to Nebraska last year and are hoping that this might be the year they are able to
MEN'S SWIMMING
knock off the perennial Big Eight champion. The last time Nebraska didn't finish first in the conference was in 1979 when Kansas won the conference championship.
The Jayhawks enter the season after defeating Nebraska in the National Championships last year and finishing 16th in the nation.
Kansas coach Gary Kemp said he was optimistic about the season and expected his team to be competitive against teams like Nebraska.
The Jayhawks' best showing on the national scene came in 1980 when the team finished 13th in the nation.
mners. Kempf said Quercigraosha would be one of the team's best distance swimmers.
Quercigrosassa said he believed this year's team was improved over last year and had a good chance of defeating Nebraska. He said the men's swimming program had improved in the level of competition during his tenure at Kansas.
Team captains Tim Davidson and Dan Quipercagrosa will lead the Jawahra swim
"Tim and Dan have been quiet leaders for the last three years," Kemp said.
"This year I believe we're a better team than Nebraska." Querciagrissoba said.
The team also will feature All-Americans Marc Bontrager, Scott Townsend and Curtis Taylor.
"Both Marc and Scott know what it takes to compete at this level," Kempf said.
Kempf said he thought the team had one of its best freshmen classes since his arrival at Kansas in 1981.
"I'm looking for solid contributions from our freshman class," Kempf said. "Early on we're going to look to develop some of the younger guys."
While the men are trying to improve on a good season, the women's team is coming off what Kempf considered a disappointing end to a good season. After winning the conference championship, the team finished 27th in the country.
"I blame myself for the finish last season." Kempf said. "I think we were a little emotionally drained going into the national meet."
The team will feature All-Americans Katie Chapeau and Frankie Hanson. Senior team captains Krista Cordes and Marsha Trachi will lead the team.
Kempf said the team would be one of the most balanced the school had ever produced.
"There really isn't a weak spot on the squad," Kemp said. "I think we have capable people at every event."
Kempf said the key to the team's success would be dependent on getting the relay teams qualified for nationals, because the relay teams score more points than the individual races.
Cordsen said the relay squads' failure to qualify last year severely hurt the team's chances in the national meet. She agreed with her coaches that last year's team was emotionally dramed going into nationals.
"Last year's finish was very disappointing because we were ranked as high as eighth." Cordsen said. "We were very excited when we were ranked above as like SMU and Northwestern."
Cordsen said she thought this year's team had a good chance of fulfilling her coach's Top 10 expectations. She said she thought the team would put on concerts put on the team would help it improve.
"Last year the pressure really helped us in the big meets against the likes of SMU and Northwestern." Cordsen said. "I think we're hungrier because of last year's finish."
X's and O's
Doug Hesse / KANSAN
KU quarterback coach Dave Warner discusses the next play with an offensive practice team. The Jayhawks practiced yesterday, preparing for their season opener against the Florida State Seminoles.