Thursday, April 28, 1960 University Daily Kansan
Page 9
Gibbens Pushes Tennis Team to Top
By Tom Clark
Australia's tight grip on the Davis Cup has been credited to the uncanny genius of Team Captain Harry Hopman. And in the next few years, KU may owe the same debt to Tennie Coach Denzel Gibbens.
Gibbens, in his three years at KU, has accomplished unparalleled strides in making the Crimson-and-Blue a Big Eight power on the courts. Usually, KU has had mediocre teams with occasional outstanding individuals. When Denzel moved into the coaching position three years ago, he put continuity into a program that has shown its rewards.
Coming from 5-7 record in his first year at the helm. Gibbens managed his squad to a 7-6 mark last year, and was 5-1 after six matches this campaign.
As Gibbens tells it, "When I came here, there was no continuity to the tennis program. Now we aim for two or three real good boys each year which gives us something to build upon in the years to come."
THIS PHILOSOPHY has paid dividends especially obvious this season in two sophomores, Pete Woodward and Mel Karrile, who are holding down the top two spots on the team. Woodward was a former Kansas prep singles champion and Karrille rated high in the tough Missouri state prep ranks which made their acquisition a tough feat.
How Gibbens could accomplish this with a minimum of financial support astounds many, but in his quiet, efficient business-like way, the Lecompton, Kansas, product works wonders.
Gibbens' passes off his recruiting salesmanship with undue modesty: "All I do is watch the papers, and listen to reports about upcoming players," he explains.
THIS IS BEST explained by the fact that the tennis program rests upon his back alone, with no one on the outside scouting or recruiting.
"We're making improvements all the time. The university built more courts for us, and now we are receiving better equipment. So, I
think they're doing well by us under the circumstances," says Gibbens in passing the buck.
There was a definite need for additional courts. In past years, the team used two concrete courts, obviously inadequate for KU team needs. This shortcoming was particularly evident when other school engaged KU in matches. The five singles matches would be played on different courts, never in the arena.
ACTUALLY, Gibbens raised the sport to that of a minor sport. Formerly, the University hired graduate students to coach and ferry the tennis team about the conference. This lowered interest, and victories were far between. There was no recruiting program and nothing tenniswise to lure prospective net stars to KU.
Floyd Temple, KU baseball coach is overjoyed with the senior class gift.
Seniors' Gift Pleases Temple
The seniors voted to give money for dugouts and a scoreboard as their senior gift. The gift will make Quigley Field one of the finest diamonds in the Big Eight Conference.
Coach Temple expressed his appreciation by saying:
"It was indeed a sincere pleasure to learn that Quigley Field had been selected to receive the 1960 senior gift presentation.
"This addition will make our baseball diamond the best in the Big Eight Conference.
"This gift is another in a great line of student projects to add practical and attractive physical improvement to the University and its various departments.
That was the picture three years ago before Gibbens took over.
"On behalf of the Athletic department and the baseball team, I offer my sincere thanks to the 1960 senior class."
Gibbens' talents are not confined to tennis. His main position with KU is that of Assistant Business Manager of Athletics. This is in line with the Business Arministration major he received from KU in 1942.
A short tenure in the Pacific theater during World War II delayed his work on his masters degree until 1845. At that time, he returned to KU, was married, and was assistant football coach to Prof. Harry Shenk, presently in the physical education department.
AFTER RECEIVING his masters degree in 1947. Gibbens moved to the 'Coach of all Sports' position at Minneapolis, Kansas, where he gave a preview of his coaching talents.
"I organized the first football team there, and as usual the going was tough at first. We lost eight games the first year, and were 4-5 the next. However, the next five years, we lost only one game."
In years to come, much may be heard about a Gibbens doubles team featuring Mike, now 9, and Dee, 4. Mike 'is working on tennis' according to his father, and doing quite well, according to the reports. Last summer he finishd second in the Lawrence City tournament for boys 11 and under.
KU'S STRONGER this year and definitely better balanced, pointed
out Gibbens. Also, we're definitely stronger at the top with Mei Karrle and Pete Woodward. Overall, the conference is just about as strong as last year. We've improved so we are winning. Our winning formula is
due to Mel (Karrle), Pete (Woodward), and seniors, Jim (Brownfield), Dave (Coupe), Bill Sheldon and Bill Gochis."
Because of this, KU is looking forward to the conference meet at Ames, a change from the past!
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