Sports
University Daily Kansan / Thursday, September 14, 1989
11
KU volleyball on the rise
Veteran player opens 1989 campaign with high hopes
Jodi Oelschlager receives treatment on her shoulder before a game against Central Missouri State.
By Dan Perkins Kansan sportswriter
Jedi Oelschlager has one memory she doesn't want to replay on the volleyball court — last season.
But Oelschinger said this year had been a different story.
"I don't want to go through another year like last year," Oelschlager said after Tuesday's practice. "It was a real difficult year with six freshmen trying to learn the system."
Oelschager leads Kansas with 90 kills and 77 digs and is second with 10 serving aces.
She added to those totals in last night's loss to Central Missouri State, 9-15, 16-14, 8-15, 9-15, with 12 kills, four digs and two aces.
"We only have three freshmen learning the system this year, and they have seen a lot of playing time already," she said. "They've had to come in and start, and they've played real well.
Coach Frankie Albitz said the team, now 3-4, was playing better as a whole, and so was Oelschlager.
"As a team I think we are a lot further along already this year. We've been able to concentrate on skills earlier than we could last year."
'She has always been a leader, her
and Shelly (Jorgensen) both," Alibz said. "Jodi seems to have matured this year. She's been more consistent."
Opposing coaches also have recognized Oelschlager's improved play this year.
think we need someone
Oelschlager was voted to the all-tournament team in the first tournament in which the Jayhawks com-
Jodi Oelschlager KU volleyball player
something bad happens and,
since I'm a senior, I feel it's
partly up to me.'
peted, and last weekend she received most valuable player in the Kansas University Invitational Tournament.
"It was a really great honor to
"me," Oelschinger said. "I felt like
our whole team played well and it
was great to get hoped out like that."
Oelschlager said being comfortable this season has helped to make her play better, as well as the memory of last season's 5-24 record.
"Everyone knows more what is going on while they're on the court."
Oelschlager said. "That makes me more comfortable and allows me to concentrate more on my own game.
"I also worked harder this summer during two-a-days (practices), hoping to not have a repeat of last year." This note reinforces the offer.
Albitz was hooted. "Last weekend, Jodi was our most competitive throughout the tournament." Alibitz said. "A lot of times this week she saw I her way to keep everyone going. I hope it rubs off."
Oelschlager, though, doesn't see herself so much as a leader but as the person who gives the team a boost when it needs it.
"I think we need someone to pick us up when something bad happens, and since I'm a senior, I feel it's partly up to me." Oelschlager said. "I've been told that I'm pretty vocal on the court and I guess I am, but I don't mind."
Oelschlager said she hoped to keep the momentum the team has generated for the rest of this season.
"We had a lape against Illinois-Chicago, but everybody is excited about the way we are playing and it can only get better." she said.
As far as the individual honors, Oelschlager wouldn't mind seeing them continue along with the team victories.
Walk-ons charge on to '12th man' kickoff team
Jayhawks give players chance to live dreams
By Paula Parrish Kansan sportswriter
Most people's childhood dreams begin to fade as they enter high school and college and the practicalities of life intrude. But for four men at Kansas, their dreams continued on a little longer than they otherwise might have expected.
Kansas' football team this season implemented a kickoff team that is made up entirely of walk-on players. Although seven members of the squad were with the team last spring, four players would be in uniform during tryouts the week before the start of the season.
All are non-scholarship players, but for them, the opportunity is enough.
"I always wanted to play college football, especially for Kansas," said Shon Robben, Victoria junior. "This is my shot."
"The band's playing, the crowd's cheering. I can't really describe the feeling." Robben said. "It was incredible."
Suiting up and walking out onto the field for the team's first game against Montana State was in itself an unfeasible experience for Robbins.
Stafford had little concern about his chances of making the team.
Kelly Kneebone, Neodesha junior; Tim Newland, Glasco freshman; and Matt Stafford, Overland Park sophomore, also were chosen from about 40 people who tried out.
"I never had a doubt in my mind," Stafford said. "If I tink I can do it, it's as good as done."
Robben was a little more cautious with his estimation.
"knew I had a chance, but I wasn't positive one way or another." Robben said. "There
were some guys who tried out and didn't make it, which surprised me."
Robben played four years in high school as a quarterback and a defensive back and was offered non-scholarship positions at smaller schools. He decided to attend Kansas, even though he thought he would not be able to play football.
"I'm just glad for the opportunity," Robben said. "We're not exceptional athletes, but I think we're helping with the motivating factor."
"The '12th man" kickoff team was originated at Texas &M to draw crowd support, which is the goal behind the team's implementation at Kansas.
"My friends and family come up," Newland said. "And I really think we get the student section into it."
The team also would give some students a chance to play college football when they ordinarily might not get a chance to play.
Kneebone, like Robben, had numerous opportunities to go to a smaller school and play football, but he gave up on the game when he decided to come to Kansas.
"I're really not used to it yet," Kneebeen said. "It's just now starting to sink in that I'm suiting up every week."
Newland considered playing football at a smaller college, but decided against it. Now he is glad he did.
"It was unbelievable going onto the field," he said. "I never thought I'd plav Division I ball."
Newland attended Glascro High School, where he participated in eight-man football as a fullback and a linebacker.
"It's so organized compared to what I'm used to," he said. "But it's really neat standing on the sidelines next to all the great players."
Newland is a little awed by his position with the Jayhawks.
Stafford, who played at Lee's Summit High School for one year as a running back and a linebacker, looks at the chance to play for Kansas as compensation for a lost opportunity.
By a Kansan reporter
KU retires number 48 to honor Gale Sayers
The number 48 will never be worn again by a Kansas football player.
The number worm by Gale Sayers from 1982 to 1984 will be retired Sept. 30 at the Kansas-Oklahoma football game.
Sayers' number is only the third number retired by Kansas. The University has retired the numbers of John Hadl, 21, and of Ray Evans, 42.
Sayers, earned All-American honors twice and rushed for 2,675 yards. He is third in total yards in the league. Lavenier Smith and John Riggins.
Sayers holds an NCAA record for the longest run from scrimmage, running 90 yards for a down against Nebraska in 1983.
After graduation, Sayers played seven years for the Chicago Bears, rushing for a total of 4,958 yards. He held six National Football League records and 16 team records when he retired from professional football in 1972.
Kansas also will honor its 16 All Americans, including Obi Schnellbacher, Oliver Spencer, Bobby Douglass, David Jaynies, Bruce Kallmeyer, Gil Reil, John Zook and George Morkonic.
The special team, although brought into play against Montana State, did not see any action at the University of Louisville.
"I stopped playing in high school and turned down a bright football future," he said.
"If I had to stop playing tomorow, I'd be happy," he said. "I've already played in one game and it was terrific."
Kent State players remember Mason as intense, funny
By Gene King Kansan sportswriter
As Kansas coach Glen Mason sank to watch the Kent State game films from last weekend, he did not see a bunch of numbers, but familiar faces.
"I know these players," Mason said. "I can put a name with a face. It makes a difference."
Mason will be reunited with some of the players he coached at Kent State when Kansas plays host to the University on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Two players from Mason's former team reminisced fondly about his two years there.
Senior placekicker Larry Steinberg played an integral part in Mason's first victory as a collegiate leader. When Kent State beat 18-10.
With less than a minute remaining, the Golden Flashes drove into their opponent's territory. When Kent State was stopped on third down, Mason called on Steinberg.
"I was pretty nervous, and Coach called me over," Steinberg said. "He said. 'Let me see you smile,' I梦想 to make me laugh. Then Coach said, 'Now go out there and kick the ball.'"
that first year, Mason took his team to a 5-6 overall record and a 5-3 record in the Mid-American Conference and a 5-3 Mid-American Coach of the Year.
His next season, the team went 7-4 and produced the first winning record the school had had in more than 10 years.
"He was the reason for the improvement," Steinberg said. "He came in and turned things around."
my Carroscis, who played fullback and moved to linebacker while Mason was at Kent State, also credits the victories to the coach.
"He was a motivating coach." Carroscia said. "We really needed that. He said us believe in ourselves and believe we could win. He took a bunch of young guys, who might have not been ready to play college football, and won."
Both said the things the team learned on the field carried over into the classrooms.
'He (Glen Mason) made us believe in ourselves and believe we could win.'
— Ray Carroscia Kent State linebacker
"He was intense at everything he did," Steinberg said. "Everyone got his message aobut football and school."
Carroscia said, "Coach always stressed the study table as well as doing things right on the field."
Besides being their mentor on the field, he was a friend off the field.
"I felt comfortable talking to Coach about anything," Carroscia said. "I know some of the players who talked about almost everything with Coach Mason. He was helpful on the field but also off the field."
Assistant coaches Jim Hiles, Vic Adamle, Dave Warner, Reggie Mitchell, Bobby Fello and Mitch Brownning were all with Mason during his tenure at Kent State and came with him when he was hired at Kansas.
"I'm excited about playing Kent State and seeing some of the players" Maason said.
Both players are looking forward to playing against their former coach.
"Coach Mason is a great coach and a good person," Steinberger said. "He always has something funny to say, I enjoyed being around him, but he was still with his child that I started to appreciate him. At the time I didn't realize how much of an impact he had on my life."
County supports city in hunt for Raiders
The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The county joined the city yesterday in backing plans to lure the Los Angeles Raiders with $50 million in public funds, triggering a promoter's prediction that the deal would be cleared in four to six weeks.
After county supervisors voted 4-0 to approve the plan, Sacramento Sports Association head Gregg Lukenbill said, "Somewhere in the next 30 to 45 days, personally, I think we're going to make a deal, and I think the Raiders are coming."
During a public hearing, superviseors brushed aside criticism of the local government plan to issue bonds and pay them off with new revenue sources, citing the economic benefits of bringing an NFL franchise to California's capital.
The city council heard many of the same criticisms during a late-night public hearing Tuesday, then voted
Backers of financing for the homeless, law enforcement and other interests attacked the plan before the vote, but most in the audience of more than 1,000 wildly cheered the proposal early in the session.
9-0 to support the proposal.
City administrators worked out the plan to raise the money through a bond issue that would be paid back during the next 22 years through several new revenue sources.
Lukenbill asked the city and county for the plan in order to supply the $50 million franchise fee offered to Raiders' managing general partner Al Davis to move his team.
The plan still faces additional local government votes, and negotiations with the Raiders could take weeks or months.
Sacramento faces competition from Oakland, the Raiders' former home, which also has offered Davis about $50 million.
SPTZ TO MAKE COMEBACK: The first major step on the comeback trail for Mark Spitz, who won seven swimming gold medals at the 1972 Olympics, could come next spring in Nashville.
"He doesn't have a timetable, but his first major national competition could be in Nashville," said Jeff Diamond, director of information for U.S. Swimming Inc., the sport's governing body.
Diamond, who said Spitz told him he was returning to the sport for the challenge, said Spitz would formally announce his participation today on NBC's "Tidy Show."
Nashville is the site of the 1990 U.S. Swimming Short Course Championships, which will be in late March or early April.
To earn a spot on the United States team for the Barcelona Games, Spizix would have to qualify for the 1992 trials. He would then have to finish first or second at the trials to qualify for the U.S.队.
Spitz, who will be 42 in 1992, will concentrate on the 100-meter butterfly. His best time in that event is 54.27 seconds, in 1972.
Sports briefs
The winning time in the 100 butterfly at the 1868 Seoul Games was $5.03. Spitz' time would have placed sibth.
LEMOND SIGNES: Greg LeMond, two-time winner of the Tour de France and the world championship, signed the highest contract ever for a cyclist yesterday — $15.5 million guaranteed over three years.
He said his new French team "?" should give him the strong support he wants to win the Tour de France a third time.
LeMond's contract was announced at a news conference by LeMond and Roger Zannier, president of Zannier SA.
LeMond, 25, said his salary over three years will be covered by a French bank guarantee. He said other teams offered just as much money, but he decided on Z about two weeks ago.
ALABAMA ATLETHIC DIRECTOR:
CAlBARA W. "Hootie" Ingram was named athletic director at the University of Alabama yesterday, calling his selection a "dream come true."
While LeMond did not give the yearly breakdown, he said he probably would earn at least $2 million in the final year of the contract. He said that his contract includes bonus clauses to distribute among riders on the team for helping him win.
Ingram succeeds Steve Sloane, who resigned under pressure Aug. 15.
"I truly believe that I have been preparing all of my life for this job," said Ingram, an All-Southeastern Conference football and baseball player at Alabama in 1852-54.
University president Roger Sayer's said Ingram, who has served as athletic director at the university for two years, will assume his new duties immediately.
ROYALS ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE:
The Kansas City Royals announced a home schedule for next season yesterday and said they would raise ticket prices by $1.
Ingram, 56, was chosen over former Crimson Tide All-American Lee Rey Jordan. Ingram previously served eight years as assistant commissioner of the SEC and has been on more than 20 NCAA committees over the years.
The Associated Press
Home run helps KC beat Texas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have their best record in nine years, and Bret Saberhagen is beginning to size up their post-season prospects and his own.
Saberman recorded his 19th victory last night as Kansas City beat the Texas Rangers in first-stage first-place Oakland in the American League West.
Saberhagen, 19-6, won for the 10th time in 11 starts and tie Dave Stewart and Mike Scott for the most victories in the majors.
Kansas City, 85-60, is 25 games over. 500 for the first time since the end of the 1980 season, when the Royals went to the World Series.
He gave up seven hits, one walk and struck out seven in his major league-leading 11th complete game. Saberhagen lowered his league-learning earned run average to 2.41 and raised his career record against Texas to 7-3.
"These are the games we have to win," said Frank White, who broke a 2-2 tie with a two-out seventh-inning home run, "because we've squandered games like this on the road. It's been that kind of year."
White's homer, just inside the left-field foul pole, was his second of the year and first at home since Aug. 9, 1988.
Charlie Hough, 10-13, lost for the first time since Aug. 15. The 40-year-old right-hander gave up eight hits in his fifth complete game.
Texas took a 1-0 lead in the second on a double by Ruben Sierra and Mike Stanley's single.
Kansas City scored twice in the bottom of the second as Bo Jackson and Danny Tartallab walked, moved down to third and singles by Kurt Stillwell and White.
Texas got an unearned run in the fifth when Juan Gonzalez doubled and came home on Fred Manrique's single to the mound and Saberhagen's throwing error.
Royals 3, Rangers 2
Reyals ab r b rhd
Selitzer 3b 4 0 2 0
Wilson cf 4 0 0 0
Brett 1b 4 0 1 0
Jackson if 3 1 0 0
Eisenreich rf 3 1 1 0
Turbultdh 2 1 0 0
Stillwell ss 3 0 1 1
White 3b 3 1 2 2
Boone c 3 0 1 0
Totals 29 3 4 0
Rangers ab r h rdi
Daugherty lf 3 0 0 0
Espy cf 1 0 0 0
Palmeiro ib 3 0 1 0
Baines ds 4 0 1 0
Palmer pr 0 0 0 0
Sierra rf 4 1 1 0
Franco cb 4 0 0 0
Baucell ib 3 0 1 0
RLech ch 1 0 0 0
Stanley c 3 0 1 1
Petrall ph 1 0 0 0
Gonzalez cf 3 1 1 0
Manriques ss 3 0 1 0
Totals 33 2 7 1
Kansas City 010 000 886 -3
Texas 010 010 800 -2
Kanamu City, Saberhagen (W — J2-
Texas; Hough (L — 10-13), W — Poah,
Saberhagen, E — Saberhagen, DP — Teens X
Kanamu City (L — LOU) — Kanamu City (T —
Teens X)
White (2), S8 — Elsebroehm (20), Seltner (18),
White (2), S8 — Elsebroehm (20), Seltner (18).
A — 20,01 T1 — 2-23.