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University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, May 5, 1953
By DON TICE and STAN HAMILTON
Kansan Sports Writers
Why participate in minor intercollegiate sports at KU? Or maybe we should ask, "Why does Kansas enter teams in the minor varsity sports?"
This question is brought to mind when we consider the small amount of attention that is given by fans, publications, and the University itself to the minor varsity sports on this campus.
An all-sports trophy is awarded each year to the Big Seven school with the best all-round athletic program, but does KU ever win this award? No!
This trophy is awarded on a point system, the first place team in each sport receiving no points, the second place team one point, and so on, with a maximum of five points given to the last two finishers in each sport.
The sports included in this competition are football, basketball, track, tennis, golf, baseball, wrestling, and swimming. In the first three, the major sports, Kansas usually does very well, but when we come to the others where do we stand?
To begin with, we accept a handicap of five points because we don't even compete in wrestling. In swimming, tennis, and golf, no great incentive is offered to athletes to expend their time and abilities. Full-time or professional coaches are not hired, and the facilities usually leave something to be desired. We don't want to leave the impression that we have anything against the men coaching these teams; they are doing grand jobs considering the handicaps under which they toil.
Take the tennis team, for example. No indoor courts are provided for practice or matches. In the recent match with Washburn, rain halted proceedings here and the playing site had to be moved 30 miles to the Washburn gym so the sets could be completed. On a campus this size, with two large gymnasiums, we couldn't provide indoor playing space, but the Topeka school, with an enrollment of 2,000, could.
How many Kansas sports fans can name three of the participants on the swimming team? We would venture that not many could accomplish this feat. We of the Kansan staff may be just as much at fault in this as anyone, but lethargy is catching!
The Jayhawker golf team is riding a string of seven straight victories, but how many of you "loyal fans" can name two of the players? Surprising, isn't it?
Team spirit is hard to maintain in a sport when only your girl shows up to watch you work your head off. Our beautiful baseball stadium—huddled under a tree in a corner of a football practice field, with two sets of splintered bleachers to support the multitude of rabid fans—offers something to be desired.
It is said that college baseball is dying, but let us use Missouri university, second place winner in the NCAA last year, as a good rebuttal to this idea. With a winning team, the Tigers packed their ball park for practically every game.
Generally college fans won't support losing teams, but how could a large crowd watch a winning team in minor sports here? The baseball bleachers could, at the most, seat 150; the swimming pool stands will hold all of 100 spectators, and no seats of any kind are provided for those hardy individuals who want to witness a tennis match.
If competitors in our minor sports are to feel their efforts are appreciated, there must be better support from both the University and the fans.
Slugging Musial Hitting .327, But 'Not in The Groove Yet'
New York—(U.P.)—Slugging Stan Musial, hitting a cool .327, insists he's "not in the groove yet."
Sporting a blue wool turtleneck under his Cardinal uniform to wear a white shirt, said it "will take some time" before he hits his stride at the plate.
"Nothing to worry about, though," he added, flashing his usual smile. "I'm generally a slow starter and I don't do my best until the weather gets warmer."
"My average might be all right," he shrugged, "but I haven't been hitting too much. My timing is still off somewhat. That's because of all the off days we've had on account of bad weather."
Looking considerably younger than his actual 32 years, Musial, who won his sixth National League batting title with a .336 mark last year, scoffed at the idea that he might be slipping somewhat.
"Im as good a hitter today as I was five years ago," he said matter-of-factly. And just for the record, Musial led the league with a .376 average five years ago!
Some big leaguers might be more
than satisfied with winning six batting championships but Musial grinningly admitted he isn't allergic to capturing another one.
"Nothing wrong at all with leading the league in hitting again," he laughed. "You might say that was one of my ambitions for this year. A fellow never can do himself any harm by winning a batting title."
Manager Eddie Stanky and the other Cardinal players take it virtually for granted that Musial's hitting will improve as soon as it warms up. But none of them are complaining about the manner in which Stan is slugging the ball now.
Of all the young hitters he has seen since the start of the season Musial tabs teammate Ray Jaborn as the best of the newcomers.
"Jablonski has all the ear-marks of a fine hitter." Musial pointed out. "I liked his looks from the first moment I saw him swing a bat."
SURE COULD USE HIM—Gil Reich, an all-American defensive halfback choice in 1952, will be heavily missed this fall. Reich who alternated at offensive quarterback with Jerry Robertson, would have fitted in perfectly in the 1953 non-platoon Kansas football squad.
Rain Wipes Out Double-Header
Rain has washed out the Kansas- Colorado double-header that was scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the varsity diamond near the stadium.
The double-header was slated to make up for yesterday's rained-out contest. The teams will not be able to meet this season, coach Hub Ulrich said today.
The Buffs had a string of nine straight non - conference victories before they dropped a 9-5 decision to Missouri in Columbia Friday. However, Colorado regained its winning ways the next day by scoring five runs in the top of the ninth for a 6-5 victory.
Kansas, after dropping its first four Big Seven games, two each to Nebraska and Oklahoma, bounced back to sweep a two-game series with Kansas State in Manhattan last weekend. The next Jayhawker game is set for Monday with Missouri here. The teams will meet again the following day.
John Brose, who stopped the Wildcats with three hits Friday in leading the Jayhawkers to a 9-2 victory, was slated to pitch the opening game today. He would have been opposed by football star Tom Brookshier.
The teams split last season in a two-game series in Boulder. The Buffs edged the Jayhawkers 9-8 in the opener, but KU came back to take the second game, 9-2. Kansas has a 4-6 record this season.
Green KU Backfield To Feature '53 Squad
Kansas, which will be faced with one of its stiffest schedules in years this fall, will be hampered with another tremendous drawback when the Jayhawkers open the grid wars against TCU Sept. 19— the backfield will be loaded with greenhorns.
Not since 1950 has there been such a crew of inexperienced backs on hand for head coach J. V. Sikes and his staff. Last season's prolific offensive quartet of Jerry Robertson or Gil Reich at quarter, Charley Hoag at left half, Bob Brandebberry at right, and Galen Fiss at full won't be around this fall. Ten sophomores-to-be plus a few returning lettermen will be battling to fill their shoes instead.
McFarland, former all-stater from Osborne, will be confronted with the same headache that Chet Strehlow faced in 1950 if he gets the starting nod. Strehlow, however, came through in excellent fashion that year as a mere sophomore with not a single minute of varsity experience behind him. Smith, a 6-2 185-pounder from Paola and Jaso, a McKeesport, Pa., performer who was the first string quarterback on the 1952 fresh squad, could easily gain the starting berth.
"All these boys are close in ability," Sikes emphasizes. "All of them also have a long way to come. But they realize it and are trying hard."
The quarterback situation has been the most pressing problem this spring for Sikes, backfield coach Cliff Kimsey, who has resigned effective June 1, and Gene Corrotty, Kimsey's replacement. They have been grooming three freshman performers for the all-important spot in drills the past few weeks, John McFarland, Paul Smith, and Al Jaso.
Former Wichita East all-state Bob Conn has returned to left hall after a trial at quarter where he is competing with three sophomores for Charley Hoag's vacant spot. These include Larry Carrier, St. Johns; Tim McHugh, Chicago, and George Fisher, Park Ridge, Ill. All are looking more quickly develop into defensive stars as well since the platoon days of college football are over.
Don Hess, Pretty Prairie letterman, appears to have the left half position nailed down. However, he will be pressed by letterman Frank Cindrich of Kansas City, all the-way threat once he gets in the secondary. Both must improve in the defensive departent.
John Konek, a rugged California Pa., performer and an all-Big Seven defensive selection in 1951, is the lone returnee for the right half job. He missed the final half of the 1952 season because of a knee injury and is a question mark for 1953. Konek, who is playing varsity baseball at present, demonstrated two years ago that he is capable of playing both ways.
Konek will be challenged by two freshman halfbacks, Ralph Moody and Dick Blowey, along with John Simmons, Lawrence letterman, and Bob Forsyth, who did not play last fall as a sophomore. Moody, a fast, rangy youth from Minneola, has sparkled in drills this spring.
Frank Sabatini, a part-time offensive fullback regular last fall and John Anderson, Grand Island, Neb., sophomore, have the inside track for the fullback berth. They are being pressed by Bob Allison, a 6-3, 196-pounder from Kansas City.
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It all boils down to the fact that there's a lot of work to be done before the Jayhawks shoot for their third straight victory over TCU this fall. The line will be loaded with veterans. The key to a successful season probably will lie in the development of the backs.
Louisville Bangs Out 24 Hits for 10-6 Win
By UNITED PRESS
Louisville apparently was on the way up the American Association ladder today after snapping a slump with 24 hits to down Charleston, 16-10, in the only game last night.
Rains forced cancellation of Kansas City at Columbus, St. Paul at Toledo and Minneapolis at Indianapolis, but Charleston and Louisville fell rest by getting a grand total of 26 runs and 38 hits. Despite the score, only two players connected for home runs, both for Louisville.
St. Paul still leads the league by a game and a half, while Indianapolis is in second and Kansas City third, two and a half games back
3rd Speech Round To Finish IM Contest
The third and final round of intramural speaking events for men and women, the entertainment speaking contest, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in 103 and 105 Green hall.
E. C. Buehler, professor of speech,
said 20 men and eight or 10 women
are expected to enter the contest.
Trophies will be awarded to individual winners and to the houses in which the most winners live.
Ardmore Open Field Set
Ardmore, Okla.—(U.P.)—The field for the rich Ardmore Open golf tournament was completed today with the addition of 27 amateurs and the cancellation of a scheduled qualifying round for professionals. Tournament officials said that since no more than 120 professionals were expected for the $21,300 event, no qualifying play would be necessary.
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