SPORTS
The University Daily KANSAN November 10, 1983 Page 16
Jayhawks' experienced offensive line Hard-working Smith leads 'The Union'
By JEFF CRAVENS
Associate Sports Editor
Yesterday was one of those rainy-day football practices when the KU staff can only long for the new building that will some day house football practice. Most of the players were eager to end the Allen Field House workout preparing them for Saturday's game with Nebraska.
But after practice, a couple of players ran some extra laps on their own. They were part of the offensive line, a group that calls themselves "The Union."
"I think they have improved tremendously," offensive line coach Mike Solari said. "They are always attentive, always coming in and watching their players." They had five quality guys. They are a great group.
The offensive linemen earning praise from Solaris are junior center Bennie Simecka and seniors Renwick Atkins, K.C. Brown, Paul Fairchild and Reggie Smith. Craig Kraibschma, Chip Schuler, John Lonarc, Paul Oswald and Quintin Schonewise have also added support.
But Solari said that Smith, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound senior from Chicago, is the leader of the Leader.
"BEGGIE IS A FINE leader," Solar said. That's the type of person that he is. He's aighter and more thoughtful, and he does things wonderfully.
"Every time he steps on the field, you know he's going to work his hardest."
The trait that Solari pointed out as Smith's strong point was consistence.
"He has only been beat twice all year on pass blocking," Solari said. "That is tremendous for as
many times as we pass."
Smith and the rest of The Union have given quarterback Frank Seurier enough protection to make this year's KU squad the best passing team in his history. Smith said that their experience is the key.
"The offensive line is really a tight-knit group." Smith said, breathing heavily after his post-practice jaint around the track. "It's been fun all year. Every time we go out on the field we make it fun."
WITH TWO GAMES remaining, against Nebraska and Missouri, two teams probably bound for post-season bowl competition, the seniors could give up and not care. But Smith said that was not the
"All of the seniors want to play a big part in the season," Smith said. "All year long, the underclassmen have looked up to us. We've been put in a role and we work as hard as we can to win these last two games.
"We don't want to just play respectable, we want to win."
Against No. 1 Nebraska, the Jayhawk offense needs to move the ball.
"We are very confident as an offensive line," Smith said. "We know it's going to be our offense against their offense, and we think we can go in there and show them that our offense is as good as
have to move the ball every time. We don't
necessarily have to score every time, but we have to
SOLARI AGREES that the KU offense will play an important role in the game. The Jayhawks are 3-1-1 and have been played with sporadic performances all year on both offense and defense.
"I truly believe that our offense can move the ball against any team in the Big Eight or the country." Solari said. "What we have to be is consistent. We
After the Nebraska game, Smith will finish out no career at KU against Missouri. During his sophomore season, the Jayhawks whipped the Tigers 19-11 to earn a trip to the Hall of Fame Row!
"WE NEED TO TAKE that attitude into that game this year. Maybe our chances for a bowl are gone, but I consider these last two games as our bowl games."
"The highlight has to be my sophomore year, when we went to the bowl game," Smith said. "It was a big thrill to beat Missouri in that last game. Missouri came in with a bowl bid already and they said we were going to be a warmup. We wanted to prove them wrong.
After his farewell game against Missouri, Smith will play the waiting game to see if the professional teams will give him a chance to play in the NFL or USFL.
"There's no doubt that some pro team will give him an opportunity. "Soliari said." He has the size to win."
Smith said that the progress he has made this season will help his chances.
"I feel that I have had a good season," Smith said. "There are some things that I could have done better, but I've improved. Coach Solari has taught me a lot about blocking."
Although Smith is still thinking about the last two games before a professional career, the thoughts are amazing.
That nas always seen one of my unchucked dreams," he said of a career in professional football. "I want to finish up these last two games, then see what happens."
Reggie Smith
NBA boss resigning on Feb. 1
Duran, Hagler square off in middleweight title bout
By United Press International
NEW YORK — Lawrence O'Brien, saying that he was beginning to feel as if he was riding a "merry-go-round," jumped off the carousel yesterday and resigned as commissioner of the National Basketball Association, effective Feb. 1, at the expiration of his contract.
The 66-year-old O'Brien, who has served as a NASA commissioner for more than $8\frac{1}{2}$ years, made it clear that he was not quitting under pressure from the league's Board of Governors. On the contrary, he said that last September a four-member Special Committee of the league's board had to approve him a new five-year contract that included a provision that he remain as commissioner through the 1984-85 season.
O'Brien said he was resigning his post because the job, while challenging, was becoming too repetitive.
"I WAS BEGINNING to get the feeling of going around on a merry-go-round." he said. "It was starting to get to me a little. You don't want to kill yourself into continuity. There should be an end — and this is the end. I have a need for new challenges.
"I think $ \frac{1}{2} $ years is the longest I've ever spent concentrating on a particular situation or subject. I think when I came into this league if you told me that I'd be standing here $ \frac{1}{2} $ years later I wouldn't believe it for a minute. Normally, I don't stay that long."
O'Brien, who had a career in politics before becoming NBA commissioner, would not say what he intended to do in the future but there was speculation that he might return to politics. He previously served as Postmaster General in President Johnson's administration, was a special assistant to Presidents Johnson and Kennedy and served as national chairman of the Democratic Party before succeeding Walter Kennedy as NBA commissioner.
David Stern, the MBA's executive vice president of business and legal affairs, has been mentioned as a candidate for replace O'Brien as commissioner.
"Whomever they choose has to be a very strong guy who deals with everyone at arms length, who treats everyone as fairly and equally as you possibly can and does not concern himself about any animosities that might occur by virtue of his actions," said O'Brien.
"MY FUTURE WILL be the subject of another news conference, but it won't necessarily involve you sports people," said O'Brien.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Defending champion Marvin Hagler will be fighting for fame and riches and Roberto Duran will be seeking a niche in boxing history tonight when they face each other in a multi-million dollar duel for the world middleweight title.
Ry United Press International
O'Brien will leave behind a legacy of achievement. Despite a current labor dispute between the league and its referees that has yet to be resolved, O'Brien's reign as commissioner produced a great many significant changes that have left the league in its best shape ever.
Hagler, who is undisputed world champion, is considered by many to be the finest boxer in the world today. His record is 57-2-1, and he has not lost a fight in nearly eight years. Hagler won the title by knocking out Alan Minter in rounds in 1980 and has made seven successful defenses, all enclosed in knocks.
"HE WAS A DOER, somebody who got things done," said Paul Silas, a former star player and past president of the Players Association, who attended the news conference.
BUT HAGLER HAS NOT been able to break into the truly big money in boxing — until now. Hagler's duel with Duran is his first mega-buck fight and could bring him close to $10 million. It also could bring him the public acclaim he feels he has not been given despite his impressive ring performances.
Duran, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth title, is no stranger to big money fight. He ruled the lightweight division for nearly a decade in the 1970's and then won the World Boxing Council wetterweight title by handing Sugar Ray Leonard his only defeat, a 15-round decision in June of 1880.
Five months after his spectacular victory over Leonard, an out-of-shaped Duran destroyed his own career by scoring a goal in a rematch against Leonard. He was
Undisputed World Middleweight Championship TALE OF THE TAPE
branded a coward and a traitor in his native Panamar and it took him nearly 20 years to recover.
That came earlier this year when, after two losses and an uninspiring victory, Duran produced two victories to put himself in line for a shot at boxing history. First, he knocked out former welterweight champion Pipino
June 16, 1951 Guarare, Panama 32 160 5 ft. 7.5 in. 67 in. 38 in. 39.5 in. 12.5 in. 13 in. 32 in. 20.5 in. 12.5 in. 16 in. 6.25 in. 10.5 in. 9.5 in.
Birthdate Birthplace Age Weight* Height Reach Chest (normal) Chest (expanded) Biceps Forearm Waist Thigh Cost Neck Wrist Fist Ankle
May 23, 1954 Newark, N.J. 29 160 5 ft. 9.5 in. 75 in. 40 in. 42 in. 15 in. 12 in. 30 in. 22 in. 15 in. 15 in. 7 in. 12 in. 9 in.
estimated
Marvelous Marvin HAGLER
Cuevas in four rounds in January to earn a title shot. And then he became only the seventh fighter in boxing history to win titles in three divisions by pounding defending champion Davey Moore in eight rounds last June to win the World Boxing Association junior middleweight title.
TONIGHT'S FIGHT, to be held in a
specially constructed 15,200-seat outdoor stadium at Caesars Palace, is scheduled for 15 rounds. It is expected to begin shortly after 9:30 p.m. and will be televised worldwide on closed circuit television
Hagler was rated a 3-1 favorite to retain his title.
for his entire 10-year career, will have the edge physically. At 5'9", he is two inches taller than Duran and will enjoy an eight-inch reach advantage. He is expected to weigh nearly three pounds when the fighters weigh in at 9:30 a.m.
Hagler, who has been a middleweight
"This is the one I've been waiting for," Hauler said. "I've been fighting a long time and I haven't lost a fight in eight years but I could never get the big money fight. I watched guys like Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney and Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns come along after me and get big money fights." The latter was a champion and getting nothing compared to them. This will change all that.
Duran, who is 76.4, started his career in the 135-pound lightweight class and has moved through the weberweight and junior middleweight divisions to compete for Hagler's 165-pound mid-weight title. He heels his vast reach toward success for a spot in boxing history will overcome Hagler's physical advantages.
'TIM IN THE BEST shape of my life. I plan on busting up Roberto Duran. His people talk about his fire and his dedication but there's no one more dedicated than I am. I know what I went through just to get a title shot and I know what I had to do to get it and how much it means to me. No one, especially not Roberto Duran, is going to take that away from me.
"I FEEL I AM destined to make boxing history, to become the first man ever to win four world titles." Duran said.
Former Kansas golfers shooting for LPGA circuit
By JOHN UNREIN
Sports Writer
Patty Coe and Bev Boozer, former KU golfers, sit at home most of the time now waiting for nice days so they can head for the golf course.
The two dream of moving from their homes in Kansas to a place in sunny California. They think about how nice it would be to play golf every day again, instead of seeing another cold, Kansas winter approaching.
They want to play golf as often as they can to practice for a career in professional golf. That is because they are professionals, and the Ladies Professional Golf Association
Two weeks ago, both Coe and Boozer played at the LPGA Qualifying School in Houston. Coe said that each year a certain number of spots were open on the LPGA tour and that only at the qualifying school tournament could women golfers, new to the professional scene, get LPGA tour cards.
THIS TIME, 35 spots were open, and
Jonnie Umele/KANSAN Former KU golfers Patty Coe, left, and Bev Boozer practice at Alvamar Country Club. Coe and Boozer are hoping to play on the women's professional golf tour.
John Unrein/KANSAN
"Everything's kind of up in the air for me right now." Coe said last week. "I'm going to look for a job now, but I need to move some place warmer. Maybe I can get a job working at a golf course in California.
Four days of playing the best golf of a lifetime could have earned them a spot on the LPGA tour next year. But neither Coe nor Boozer made the top 35. Now they can wait another year for the next qualifying school.
the top 35 golfers in the four-day tournament each received cards.
"I knew I'd regret it if I didn't try to make the tour this year. But after playing at the qualifying school I realized that I didn't give it a fair shot, because I really only gave it a few months to practice. If I don't make it next October, I will go out and get a real job."
ROSS RANDALL, KU golf coach,
said that because only 125 to 150 women
were allowed on the LPGA tour each
year there would be a limited number
of spots open on the tour. That is why,
and qualifying schools are held
once a year.
"They can't keep adding players all the time, because there are too many players that want to join the tour each year," Randall said. "Having anything above 150 players on the tour gets pretty crowded."
But Coe and Boozer would like to be a part of the crowd.
Coe graduated from KU in May with a bachelor's degree in business administration but said that she had yet to look for a job in her field. She lives at her family's home in Overland Park to save expenses.
"When I graduated in May, I didn't know what I wanted to get into business," she said. "But I had always thought about playing golf."
Boozer, who also lives at her home in Lawrence, is currently taking four hours of classes at KU. She said that she had graduated in December with a business degree.
Coe said that most golfers on mini-tours barely earned enough from prize money to cover expenses. First prizes on the mini-tour are usually about $3,000. Coe said, while it usually costs $125 to enter each tournament.
To get more experience, both Boozer and Coe said they would try to play in a California mini-tour next spring. Coe said that mini-tours were played in California, Texas and Florida for golfers not on the LPGA tour.
"GUESS WHEN it came down to choosing a career I decided golf would be a lot more fun," Boozer said. "I'm planning to move to California in January to play on the mini-tour there that starts in January or February."
BEY BOOZER SAID, "This time, I only gave myself two months to practice so it wasn't a big letdown for me. Being down there at the qualifying tournament, I know I can be as good as they are. I just need more experience. I might definitely be a game, but I plan on making it for sure."
A good way to survive on the matour. Cee added, to stay in pHXtea.
And the thought of not making much money doesn't stand in the way of her work.
"I keep in mind that I want to be one of the best ones out there," she said.
"THE MINI-TOUR, people will arrange for you to stay in someone's house where the tournament is being played if you agree to accept private housing," she said. "The people that you stay with are usually avid golfers or members of the club. The one's who play well be the best and often invite you to have dinner with them. They know that we are struggling and don't have much money."
But Boozer, like Coe, will have to wait another year before getting another
And waiting, both agree, is the hardest part.
MILWAUKEE — Sidney Monierie scored 29 points, including four cruciate free throws down the stretch last night, and the Milwaukee Bucks extended their winning streak to four games with victory over the Kansas City Kings.
By United Press International
More Sports Pages 14,15
Alton Lister of the Bucks hit 1-of-2 free throws with six seconds remaining for the final point of the game. On Kansas City's final possession Steve Johnson's attempted shot at the buzzer was knocked away by Lister.
Milwaukee edges Kings by 2 points on late free throws
The score was 88-88 when Moncrief connected on two free throws with 2:09 left. After Don Buse missed two foul shots for the Kings, Moncrief hit two more free throws with 55 seconds left to give Milwaukee a 92-88 lead.
1
Larry Drew, who led the Kings with 26 points, hit a jump shot to cut the lead to 92-80. Milwaukee's Nate Archibald went for a forehand before Base connected on a 3-point shot.
Two free throws by Johnson after time had expired in the third period pulled the teams even at 72-27. Kansas City had erased a 14-point halftime deficit behind Drew, who scored 11 points in the third period. Milwaukee 69-57 with just 4:44 left in the quarter, but the Kings outscored the Bucks 15-13 and tied the game entering the fourth quarter.
Eddie Johnson had 20 points for the Kings.