SPORTS
The University Daily KANSAN
September 29,1983 Page 16
Manning touts solid defense
Assistant Basketball Coach Ed Manning doesn't spend his time playing much basketball these days. He tries to teach the things he learned during his professional career.
By JEFF CRAVENS Associate Sports Editor
In 1976, a wide-eyed 12-year-old boy met Ed Manning while Manning was standing around a St. Louis hotel lobby with the New York Nets.
"He's a solid player, very sound
fundamental," he says. "I think he
thinks I can play a game here."
The youngster was intently listening to Julius Erving, the American Basketball Association's top player who had led the Nets to an ABA championship the previous season. Erving was patiently telling the kid about all of the players on the team, and Manning's name popped up.
That night, Manning scored two points, grabbed five rebounds and passed for an assist as the Nets routed the Pacers in the first half. The end of Manning's nine-year career.
More than eight years later, Manning was hired as the assistant coach at the University of Kansas. In that time, he coached for one year at North Carolina A&T and drove a truck, before being hired by Larry Brown.
Manning admitted that scoring was not his forte.
"I really enjoyed playing," Manning, 40, said recently. "I was a low-round draft pick and I didn't want to play." He admitted to wanting any idea I how long I would last."
"I would play a game and not score a point and I still might be happy." Manning said. "I might have gotten a steal or rebound or block a shot. I also might have gotten a big assist, I loved to pass."
Some aspects of the game Manning didn't enjoy.
"There were guys who had long-term contracts who wouldn't put out," Manning said. "I had to work hard year-round because I had to earn my job every year. If you said anything to girls, they'd say 'Hey, I got mine.'
"I played with a lot of great players who had that attitude and didn't try to be the best they could. Julius Erwin was different. He loved to practice. He was always trying to invent some new move."
It's probably no coincidence that Brown and Manning are teamed up at KU. Manning played for Brown with the Carolina Cougars.
"I really enjoyed playing with Carolina," Manning said. "We were one big family. Instead of saying 'Do you want to be my dad?' we'd say 'Man, when do we play next.'"
"Coach Brown and his assistant,
Doug Moe, really talked about defense and they were always telling us how good we could be."
Manning's coaching style mirrors his playing style, which emphasized defense and rebounding. He learned both skills early in his career.
"I believe the key to being successful is a strong defense," Manning said. "It's hard work, but it's basic fundamentals. You're always going to have one or two guys with the moves. Everyone has to play together on defense.
"I had to play mostly center in college and my coach told us two things. No. 1. You can't score without the help. You can score 40 points, but if the other team gets 48, it doesn't matter. You have to stop the other guy."
KU plays Manning's alma mater,
Jackson State, Dec. 5 at Allen Field
House. Paul Covington, an assistant
school coach, will lead the State,
is now the school's head coach
"It'll be kind of fun." Manning said about going against his old coach.
The transition of getting back into coaching has not been difficult, Manning said. Brown has helped his new assistant catch up.
able to get down on the floor with the players, because NCAA rules prohibit coaches from working with the players until practices officially start. Practices are scheduled to begin in October, and Brown said that communication would be the key to success.
With his background, Manning has the respect of the KU players, although he and Brown have not been
"It's good to be able to communicate with the players," Manning said. Anytime you can get their attention is important to listen, but the guys here are real nice.
"It's important that a coach can not only tell their players what to do, but show them as well. We're anxious to get started."
Triple-bypass heart surgery in December has limited Manning's physical activity, but he still plays the ball and runs everyday with Brown.
Life has been hectic for Manning after moving to Lawrence. Besides learning his new job, his son, Danny, at senior Lawrence High, has decided to play for his dad and Brown. However, the elder Manning said he had found time to get acquainted with the community.
"The people here are really nice and friendly," he said. "I've been to a lot of places and Lawrence ranks right at the top of the list."
Sports Council upset with ticket arrangement
By COLLIN HERMRECK Staff Reporter
Members of the Student Sports Council yesterday criticized the athletic department's plans for selling student basketball tickets this year.
Staff Reporter
The athletic department announced Monday that it would offer student season tickets on October 10, 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and that no single-game student tickets would be sold as in past years.
"I think the athletic department is making it as difficult as possible for students to buy tickets," said Anne Stucker, council chairman.
"It could be an oversight, but I hope it "wit" an overt attempt to keep students out. I know that is not Monte Johnson's viewpoint."
At yesterday's meeting, most of the 11 council members attending expressed concern with the plan, saying that tickets should be offered more than just three days and also later in the year.
"I think the athletic department made an unfortunate choice in choosing the week before the K-State game to
"We are recommending that they move ticket sales to the week after Parents Weekend. Students can ask for tickets and it is closer to the basketball season."
sell tickets," said Robyn Nordin, Overland Park junior and member of the council.
Athletic Director Monte Johnson said last night that he would have to talk with the group before he could comment on the council's concerns.
"It's not my intention to create any problems." Johnson said. "I think the biggest concern is to make sure the students are taken care of."
Johnson said he did not think the length of the ticket sales had any effect on the turnover.
"I think, historically, the length of the sale has very little to do with the amount of tickets sold as long as the days are the days students can get to them."
The council also criticized the department's choice not to sell single
"Eliminating single-game student tickets is discriminatory." Stucker said, "If the public does not buy season tickets, they are still allowed to buy
single-game tickets.
"It's a very poor idea if you're trying to get students to support the team. They bring a lot of the enthusiasm they have for their peers. They want to play for their peers."
Johnson had said it was possible that unsold student season tickets would be offered for sale to the public.
"Obviously for certain games there's a demand for those tickets," Johnson said, "although it may not be for all 15."
However, Stucker was displeased with the idea, saying that not selling single-game tickets would keep those players away who could not attend every game.
"If you alienate students now, you're going to have unhappy alumns later."
"They're not utilizing us," Stucker said. "We are more than happy to help them, but it's not reciprocal. All they ask us is how to use us and asked us what we thought."
Johnson said he did not know how much contact had taken place between the athletic department and the council on the matter.
KU-USC contest to be telecast on 6
Sunflower Cablevision plans to show two replays of the KU-USC football game on channel 5. The first telecast will be scheduled for 6:35 tomorrow night.
The game, which the Jawahres won
won, will be shown in its entirety both
night.
More Sports p.14
. Phillies clinch
National League East Bird signs contract
Bird signs contract worth $15 million Major League
Major League baseball standings
Aikens leads KC past Seattle
By United Press International
SEATTLE - Willie Aikens betted two homers and drove in five runs and George Brett drove in four last night to win 8-2. He led an 11-8 rout of the Seattle Mariners.
Aikens belted a three-run homer in the first inning then became only the 11th player to reach the upper deck in the Kingdome when he belted a two-run homer in the seventh.
Brett also had an RBI single in the uprising.
Frank Wills, 2.1, worked six innings for the victory. Dan Quisenberry pitched two three innings but three no hits because he allowed four runs and five hits.
Aiken's first homer capped a four-run first off Gene Nelson, 0-3.
After Fat Puttun belated a two-run homer and Darnell Coles added a run-scoring single to make it 4-3 in the bottom of the innert, Brew came back with a three-run homer, his 24th homer of the year, to make it 7-3.
Butch Davis tripled home a run and then scored on a sacrifice fly by U.L. Wynn.
Putnam had an RBI double in the fifth and seventh inning and Putnam also came home on Rick Sweet's second to pull the Mariners within 11-6.
Ken Phelps added a two-run homer in the ninth for Seattle.
Seattle's 99th loss of the year came in front of 3,630 fans, the smallest crowd in Mariners' history.
Volleyball team drops 3 matches against Missouri
By the Kansan Staff
The Missouri Tigers volleyball team overpowered a young KU squad in three straight games last night in Columbia, Mo.
The KU team could not overcome an enthusiastic crowd and the Tiger
KU, now 0-4 in the Big Eight Conference, lost 5-15, 6-15 and 12-15.
KU coach Bob Lockwood said that his team had a good lead and momentum in the final game of the match, but could not hold on for the victory.
"Our problem was foot movement," he said. "We forget we have to anticipate what is going to happen. When they hit hard and we react too late."
Lockwood said Monday that the two things the Jayhawks would have to do well to win was to have good serve and attack, of which was poor in last night's game.
"We showed in the third game that if we do well, we win." Lockwood said.
The Jayhawks will have one day off before competing in the Tulsa University Tournament Friday and Saturday.
INTRAMURAL VOLLEYBALL
Manager's Meeting: Tues., Oct 4 6 p.m. Old North Gym, Robinson Center for Trophy, Recreation, E Co-Rec Leagues.
Play Begins: Wed., Oct. 12
Entry Fee: Trophy League $10 Recreation & Co-Rec Leagues $5
Entry Forms Available in 208 Robinson
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