SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, April 15, 1994
11
Veteran players look to prove themselves
Spring football practice to end with final game
By Matt Siegel Kansan sportswriter
Most fans don't recognize Kansas' starting tight end next year. As he enters his fifth and final season, Brent Willeford will step into the spotlight.
Last season one of the Kansas football team's big-play guys was All Big Eight Conference tight end Dwayne Chandler. But Chandler is gone, and so is backup Pete Vang.
"I think I'll be an important part of the offense." Willeford said, "It's hard to replace a guy like Dwayne, but I can do certain things well. We have 22 seniors, which is the most Coach Mason has ever had, and we are a pretty tight-knit group.
"I can remember as a freshman, we were saying by the time we were seniors we would be good. My outlook for the upcoming season is that it's finally our time."
Willeford and the rest of the team will get the chance for a final tuneup in the annual spring game at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Memorial Stadium.
Mason said he had been impressed with the team.
"Going into spring practice every year, I talk about the four things we try to accomplish, 'Mason said. "One being an evaluation of talent. Two, being experimental as far as personnel and what you are doing offensively and defensively. Three is extensive work on the fundamentals of the game. Last but not least, there's a continuing effort to bring a bunch of guys together as a team. I think in those
areas we have made some progress."
"On offense, we are more advanced than we have ever been, which should be expected because we have no rookies," Mason said. "Every single one of those guys has game experience. On defense, I think we started out a little shaky, which again should have been expected, but we have made improvement in the last week. If we make that continued improvement this week, I'll be happy."
Mason said that he had been especially pleased with the offense but that the defense still had some work to do.
Willeford said the defense had looked susceptible at times.
"They're not having the best spring that other defenses have had in the past," Willeford said. "A lot of guys are getting an opportunity to play for the first time. We have the players over there. By next season, they will come around."
Mason said he had seen some individual performances that had him excited about the season. He will have to wait until Sept. 1, when the Jayhawks open at Houston, to see how these players perform in actual game situations.
Next season, quarterback Asheki Preston will take over as the starting quarterback. Preston, like Willeford, has had to wait for a chance to succeed.
"I wish we could go for a couple of more weeks," Mason said. "I know the players probably wouldn't agree with that. Hopefully, it will be nice on Saturday."
game, I just want to keep improving." Preston said. "I still want to prove to myself that I can do the things I know I can do, even if everybody else is pleased."
Mason said that Preston had improved arm strength and that his knowledge of the Kansas system established him as the No.1 quarterback. Now, Preston said, he has to prove himself all over again.
"As far as coming into this spring
Willeford said that he had high expectations for this season and would not settle for anything less than the Orange Bowl.
The Jayhawks haven't been to the
Orange Bowl since 1969. But Willeford said this season would be different.
"It's going to be a special year for Kansas football," Willeford said. "Last
season we had our pitfalls just as any team does — except ours seemed more drastic. We are going to have a great year. I want to go out as a winner."
Tom Leininger/KANSAN
Memories, video reign at banquet
Alumni and fans listen to Kansas coach Roy Williams at the annual men's basketball banquet. About 1,200 people came to hear coaches and players watch a highlight film and relive the season.
Woodberry is MVP Ostertag to return
By Gerry Fey
Kansas sportwriter
The NCAA Championship banners of 1922, 1923, 1952 and 1988 hung in the darkness of Allen Field House while 1,200 people sat in anticipation. Suddenly, the big screens on both ends of the court pictured a country Kansas sunrise. A bright light flooded the screen, and this season's Kansas men's basketball memories filled the film reel.
The video was the highlight of the Kansas basketball banquet, which took place last night at the field house. The Master of Ceremonies was Bob Davis, basketball play-by-play announcer on Jayhawk Network radio stations. Bob Frederick, athletic director, and Kansas coach Roy Williams headed the speaker list.
The Jayhawks' 25 victories was the fifth-highest number in Kansas history. Williams has said it was a shame that a college team's success was dictated by its tournament finish.
"You don't like to compare teams," Williams said. "But I will remember this team from now until 40 years from now. From Nov. 1 until now, I can honestly say from day one that they were the most fun team I have coached, and that includes my years at North Carolina and the national championships."
Last-second shots topped the high-light video, such as freshman guard Jacque Vaughn's buzzer-beater that defeated Indiana in December. But senior guard Steve Woodberry's three-pointer he hit with 1.5 seconds left to beat Oklahoma State in January received the most applause from the crowd.
Woodberry received the Ted Owens Defensive Player Award which was presented by assistant coach Matt Doherty. Woodberry also was named the Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen Most Valuable Player on the team.
"I should make a highlight film of his defensive play," Doherty said. "He rarely made a mistake, and if he did, he knew it before we could tell him. We would put him on the opposing team's best player, and we wouldn't have to worry about him for 40 minutes."
Williams recalled the first time he saw Woodberry.
"At Wichita South, I watched this skinny, little guy," Williams said. "Steve Woodberry kept doing good things. Iremember saying, 'That's one kid that plays the way Roy Williams wants to play the game.'"
Williams, who was misty-eyed when he congratulated Woodberry, had nothing but praise for him.
"He is the most complete defensive player that I have ever coached," he said. "If I'm lucky enough to coach for another 40 years, I don't think I'll coach another player with as much savvy and personality as Steve Woodberry."
Vaughn received both the Ken Koenigs Academic Award and the Cedric Hunter Assists Award for his 3.77 grade point average and his 181 assists, respectively.
Junior center Greg Oortag, who totaled 97 blocked shots this season, dispelled any rumors that he would leave Kansas and become a professional basketball player. He won the Clyde Lovelette Most Improved Player Award for his blocked shots and also won the Bill Bridges Rebounding Award. Ostertag had the second-most blocked shots in Big Eight history, and he gave a warning to his teammates.
"You guys better work hard, because I will be back to get this award next year." Ostertag said.
The usually softspoken Woodberry closed the evening with his com-
ments.
"I'm going to make this short because the Charlotte and Orlando game is on, and I'd like to see the second half," Woodberry said. "Arkansas has a pretty good team, but I think you guys are better."
"I thank the fans. I'll miss playing in front of 15,000 fans at Allen Field House."
Orr announces his retirement as ISU coach
The Associated Press
AMES, Iowa — They say old coaches never die, they just fade away. Not Iowa State basketball coach Johnny Orr.
"I'm not going away, you know. I'm going to live in Iowa. I'm going to stay here 'till I die. Maybe you'll get a chance to come to my funeral," he said at his news conference yesterday announcing his resignation after 14 years at Ames.
The 66-year-old Orr cited several factors - his age, wanting to avoid recruiting problems for his successor and family considerations.
With a record of 218-200,
including 14-13 last season, Orr
is the winningest coach in
Cyclone history. His retirement
is effective May 1, and he will
fulfill the final year of his
contract as associate athletic
director until July 1, 1995.
"I didn't want to do it anymore," Or said. "I didn't think it was fair if I couldn't give 100 percent."
Associate head coach Jim Hallian has been mentioned as a replacement, and Orr has lobbied for him.
Orr's retirement ends a 34- year college coaching career with an overall record of 466- 346 and one Final Four appearance
Richey puts basketball career into verse
I came here as a freshman,
With some very long curls
My first day up on campus,
I saw so many beautiful girls.
Coach put me in the game,
And sometimes I got to score,
The next thing I knew,
We were playing in the Final Four.
Well, we really had a great season,
Despite losing to Duke,
But after that game,
I felt like I was going to puke.
The Big Eight title was shared,
Between the Cowboys and you know who,
And after my freshman year,
I was sure glad to be at KU.
It was nice to be a sophomore,
But my back began to hurt,
I couldn't put on my socks,
Or even put on my shirt.
My back hurt so bad,
I missed a couple of games,
Then it got much better,
And I got to play in Ames.
For the second year straight,
We were trying to win the Big Eight.
GUEST COLUMNIST
We knew it wouldn't be easy,
Because the conference was so great.
We knew that every game,
We would have to scratch and claw,
And indeed that's what we did,
And we brought our second title home for
you all.
My sophomore year was great,
And the team felt like we were in heaven,
The Big Eight title was ours,
To hell with the other seven.
My junior year was here,
And the team was looking good,
We were looking for our third Big Eight title,
And we all believed we could.
I remember going to Columbia,
We were looking for our third straight win,
We indeed beat the Tigers again,
And poor old Norm took it on the chin.
Next it was on to Manhattan,
Where Coach never lost to K-State,
We kicked their butts again,
And man it felt so great.
We lost on the road at Ames,
Where we definitely could have won,
Then we lost on the road in Lincoln,
And we knew the Big Eight race had begun.
The Big Eight race was tough,
And we knew we would have to fight,
So then we flew to Stillwater,
And we won our own Big Eight title that
fight.
The NCAA tournament was finally here,
And we thought we had a good chance,
And after we beat the Hoosiers,
We were headed to the Big Dance.
Unfortunately we lost to the Tar Heels,
And that loss really seemed to sting,
But the Jayhawks had a great season,
And I received my third Big Eight ring.
My senior year was here,
And man it sure went fast,
My first three years went so good,
I didn't want this to be my last.
I knew this was my final year,
So every game I gave it my all,
We had already won the NIT,
And then we went on to beat DePaul.
The first half was very good,
And everything was going right,
Especially when Jacque hit that shot,
The one against Bobby Knight.
We beat the Hoosiers again,
It was the fourth time in my career,
I was beginning to get a little scared though,
Because I thought Bobby would throw
another chair.
The season continued on,
And the Big Eight was going great,
Until we lost at home,
To the team we all love to hate.
I always hated the Wildcats,
And I never wanted to lose.
But we had to let them win sometime,
Or Coach Altman might start drinking booze.
The season continued on.
And we had our ups and downs,
But most of the teams we played,
Always left town with big frowns.
Once again the tournament was here,
And I knew this was my final chance,
But after we lost to Purdue,
I knew I would never again go to the Big
knew I would never again go to the Big Dance.
Well, I knew my career was over,
But what we achieved was great,
I have two rings from the Final Four,
And I've got three from the Big Eight.
I loved my career at KU,
And coaches, you've meant so much,
I appreciate everything you've done for me,
And I hope we'll always keep in touch.
I'm a Jayhawk fan for life,
And I will never forget what we've done,
My dream is to come back here someday,
and hopefully I will be watching my son.
Patrick Richey, a senior in broadcast news, read this poem at last night's basketball banquet.