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Tuesday, August 30, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Broadcasting career leads KU grad home
By Ken Winford
Kansan sportswriter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Television sports broadcaster Gary Bender is a loyal man. Loyal to his family, his profession and his roots.
It was that type of loyalty that made him jump at the chance to broadcast this year's four Kansas presets preseason football games.
As a native Kansan — he grew up as a school and attended graduate school in the city. Bender said it was the opportunity to work in the area that attracted him to Kansan.
"Working these preseason games has been fun," Bender said. "It's like coming home. So when Channel 7 gets into the game, I didn't even have to think about it."
Bender, who had been working at Bender since 1975, switched networks a little more than a year ago and moved to ABC.
He said growing up on a farm, at least indirectly, led to his broadcasting career.
“When I was in seventh grade we moved to a farm in Uysses.” Bender said. “I didn't like it because it was so boring. So to kill time I would pretend to broadcast games while was sitting there on a tractor.
"Later when I really did games, it was like I had done it before. I knew that it sounds a little strange, but I think all sports broadcasters are a
Bender knows the University of Kansas well. Besides graduating in 1964, he was the radio voice of the Jawhays from 1966 to 1970.
Hon Tedrick, a radio and television instructor in the School of Journalism, he remembered Bender as a talented and motivated student.
"The first time I heard him I thought this man had a chance to be great." Hedrick said. "He had a terrific voice. There are many different things involved in being a good broadcaster, but it all started with a case. But as important his as his voice was his great desire to succeed.
"What I really like about him now is that he has never changed. He dresses a little better and drives a better car, but he's still the same down-to-earth person he was 25 years ago."
Bender said he was hit with a feeling of irony when he was asked to do the Chief's presession games. In the first episode, he called the Chief's radio broadcaster.
the other way back after all these years." Bender said. "I ended up turning it down because at that
MY,
When I was in seventh grade we moved to a farm in Ulysses. I didn't like it because it was so boring. So to kill time I would pretend to broadcast games while I was sitting there on a trac-
- Gary Bender
Gary Bender Television sports broadcaster
time I was the voice of the Green Bay Packers. I had only been with the Packers for a year and really didn't want to run on them."
"Realty what I am a jacket-of-alltrades and a master of none," Bender said. "I once figured out that Ive done at least 27 different sports. One thing you find out is you have to be versatile at the networks. It could be threatening, it s something that you just have to get used to."
Bender, who worked for ABC at the 1982 Winter Olympics in Calgary, said football and basketball were his favorite sports, and he also enjoyed announcing baseball.
"I really love them all," the Bender said. "When one season ends and it's time for another to get started. I ready and anxious for it to begin.
As one of ABC's top announcers, Bender will have plenty to keep him busy this year. He will team with Joe Morgan to cover the American football fall. In addition to broadcasting college football and basketball games.
"I'm especially looking forward to the college football season because I'll be working with Dirk Vermeil." Bender said. "Everyone knows what kind of coach he was, but he is also a great guy to work with."
One of Bender's most interesting partners will be Dick Vitale, who will join him in covering college basketball.
"One thing you have to remember about Dick is not to take him too seriously." Bender said. "People get this idea of how he is by watching you work in the office, nor buyeff the air that what comes across with her on the air."
Thethes Brown served as color commentator with Bender during the presseason games. Brown, who played professional football for St.
Louis, Seattle and Kansas City, said Bender had taught him some things about broadcasting in the past few weeks.
"Gary is a brilliant announcer," Brown said. "He is a true professional. The chemistry we have together really helps us do it." We'd greet about working with Gary is how calm he makes you feel.
"Here is someone who is willing to work with you, and you can always count on him to help me. I've been working with him has been good for我."
Bender said there were times when the schedule he kept wore him down.
"There are times when I get physically tired." Bender said. "I always need to be sure that I never get tired of what I do. I work harder now than I ever did before, but it is still a struggle."
"People look at my job as being very glamorous and easy. It isn't really that way. I'll spend about 20 hours preparing to announce one game, I want people to know that the team will come in by the seat of their pants."
In being able to become a good announcer, Bender said he had to be his own toughest critic.
"I feel pressure to do better sometimes, but that is because I'm a perfectionist. When I was a child, I considered what I was a perfect game. It's hard in broadcasting. You don't have an erase and you can go back and take something."
it was easy for Bender to name the favorite moments of his career. Three events stood out in his mind — a "Hall-May" that Dallas Cowboy quarterback Roger Stanbach threw to Drew Pearson to beat Minnie Moore in a conference playoffs in 1975, the errant pass that Georgetown's Fred Brown threw against North Carolina in the 1982 college basketball national championship game that clinched the Tar Heel team's title. By lorenzo Charles that gave North Carolina State the 1983 national championship over Houston.
Bender's loyalty showed when he talked of his favorite moment as a fan — Kansas '1882 drive to the national basketball championship
"It was the most special thing I have ever watched as a spectator," Bender said. "I wasn't used to just
Garv Bender
siting and watching a game. But I got up and cheered for the Jayhawks and yelled at the references like all the other KU fans."
Watching, the championship game with Bender at Kemper Arena were his two sons and wife. Linda. Bender said the success he has enjoyed had been made possible by the support of his wife and family.
"Linda has had to put up with a
bender. She said." We just celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary.
To make our marriage strong we really had to work at it. My job is as a manager for a personal life. Not many women would have put up with what she has."
husband gone so much of the tim
"It is a demanding job," Linda said. "But I grew up with it. I try to help him in any way that I can. I am a critic, but in a different way. Gary knows what he's doing on eye protection or on how he appears when he's *working*.
Bender said he stopped worrying about how other people perceived him a long time ago.
Linda said it was tough having her
"If you're in this business just as a ego trip, you won't last long." Bend said. "What it all comes down to is that you have to really enjoy what you are doing or you can't ever hope to be any better than average. The real reward I get from my jobs, just as I do of something like that."
Nets obtain Spurs' Berry in trade
The Associated Press
EAST RIVER FORD, N.J. — The New Jersey Nets on Monday acquired former St. John's star Wash Berry from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for forward Dallas Comvers.
Berry, the 14th selection overall in the first round of the 1966 draft, averaged 17.4 points per game last season, second-best on the Spurs. He shot .563 from the field and started 56 games for San Antonio.
"Naturally, we are pleased to bring Walter back home," Nets Gen-
er manager Harry Werman吐
"we feel Walter will fit in well with our front line we need to do," Kip Hinson, Chris Keith, Mr Kevin and Tim McCormick. Berry is an outstanding open court, plays with fine offensive
Berry, 6-foot-8, originally was drafted by Portland. But he was trained to the Spurs in December 1986 for Kevin Duckworth.
'It' s great to be coming back home and playing for such a great coach as
Wills Reed," Berry said in statement released by the Nets. "I am looking forward to playing with you and I will fit in with their style of play."
Berry averaged 23 points in his final season at St. John's in 1985-86. He also led the Big East in scoring and set a Reden record with 828
Comegy was a first-round draft pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 1987. He was acquired by the Nets on Nov. 4 for a second-round draft pick in 1990.
TRACK
Continued from p. 13
taking into consideration our past injuries and what we've done over the summer," she said.
Assistant coach Theo Hamilton, also a KU graduate, said Kansas made a good choice in Schwartz.
"Before we met, I heard a lot of great things about him." Hamilton said. "But his credentials speak for them."
Schwartz is the second vice president of the NCAA Track and Field Coaches Association.
"You don't get a position like that unless you're good." Hamilton said. Hamilton, who won the 1975 NCAA indoor long jump title, said that it was only fitting that the job went to a KU alum.
"When I was here and you wore the pink and blue, it meant something." Hamilton said. "He knew what it took to win when he was here and tradition is something that we'll try to instil in the team this year."
KU RESPONSE
Friday to respond to 14 alleged recruiting violations named in a letter of inquiry from the NCGA concerning its men's basketball program. The letter was written by a former Director Bob Frederick on June 20.
The University may then have to appear before the late of August, instead of an understated date, NCAA spokesman David Berard said yesterday at the NCAA office in Philadelphia.
The alleged violation includes buying an airline ticket for a recruit, loaning a recruiter's family money to pay a utility bill and giving recruit
KU RESPONSE DUE FRIDAY:
Record Pts P v Ss
1. Florida State (41) 0-0 1032 1
2. Newebraska (4) 1-0 959 2
3. Oklahoma State (4) 1-0 897 3
4. Clemson (3) 0-0 832 4
5. UCLA (3) 0-0 832 4
6. Fla. (1) 0-0 714 7
7. Auburn (0) 0-0 707 7
8. Southern Cal (1) 0-0 675 8
9. Michigan (0) 0-0 619 9
10. Texas (0) 0-0 653 10
11. Notre Dame (0) 0-0 378 12
12. Notre Dame (0) 0-0 378 12
13. Michigan State (0) 0-0 288 15
14. West Virginia (0) 0-0 288 15
15. Tennessee (0) 0-0 267 18
16. South Carolina (0) 0-0 252 17
17. South Carolina (0) 0-0 153 20
Sports Briefs
Top 20 Football
ready showers washed out open day yesterday at the National Tennis Center only 90 minutes after play began.
DIVER PLEADS INCOGNIT: Former Olympian diver Bruce Kimbail pleaded innocent Monday to alcohol-related manslaughter charges in an Aug. 1 traffic accident that killed two teen-agers and injured six others.
other receiving votes. Tracker 11 Washouga
Bryant Young 29, Arkansas; Ohio State 21,
Brigham Young 26, Arkansas; Ohio State 21,
Indiana 15, Florida 11, Oregon 11, North
Missouri 3, Arizona 17, Texas-East 14
The Associated Press
The Top Twenty teams in the first regular-season Association playoff series, the first-place vote, in parentheses, 1988 record, total points based on 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3-1 and pacing ranking
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RAIN HALTS U.S. OPEN: The 1980
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We build bodies that last !
Bol was arrested and charged with drunken driving and speeding Sunday night around 11:30 after a trooper observed a speeding vehicle.
Kimball is charged with two counts of drunken-driving manslaughter and three counts of drunken-driving in an accident with serious injury. If convicted, he could face as much as 45 years in prison.
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30L CHARGED WITH DUI: Former Washington Bulls basketball player Manute Bol has been charged with drunken driving for the second time.
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trooper observed a speeding vehicle. BW, was awarding trial on charge. Mr. Foster was arrested and assaulted three police officers stemming from an arrest on charge.
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