University Daily Kansan Fridav. November 16. 1973 7 Savers: A Moving Force for KU Athletics The University of Kansas has "magic" workin in the athletic department. No, Harry Houdini has not been reincarnated. "Magic" is the nickname of perhaps the greatest running back that ever played in an international football has ever seen, Gale Savers. Sayers, the former KU All-American, came back to his alma mater last February to take a job as assistant athletic director, and his job here entails the wearing of many bats. He is a counselor, an inspiration, a recruiter and a spokesman. The most important and meaningful job for Savers is that of counselor. He, who made it big in the prose, is not worried about the players who might follow in his foot-steps. "I'm not concerned with a Gale Sayers who makes it," he says, "I’m concerned with the guy who doesn’t make it. What does he do? What does he have to fall back on?" THERE SEEMS to be some inconsistency in a situation where a man who rewrote record books and brought crowds to their houses would also bring a colleague who knows he isn't going to make it. But the 30-year-old Omaha, Neb. native has something that gives him one extremely good qualification for the job. He's been in the pros. He knows the odds against a long career and realizes the importance of a college education. "I'm one in 30 million," he says. "Everything worked fight for me. When I signed my contract with the Bears, it felt like it was a load off my back. I was carrying equipment and I dropped classes until I was taking only five or six hours." But Sayers went back to school and is planning on extending his education even "I CAN TELL players how important that college degree is because I've seen so many players go up there (the pro ranks) for one or two years, get cut and then they are back on the streets," he says. "There is no way anybody can play football for 20 years." Sayers' career was cut short by crippling injuries, and this gives him validity to his reputation. "I don't have to lie to them," he says. "I can tell them that people get hurt because I thought I could never get hurt. But all of a sudden, there old Gale they are carrying off the field. I can tell that story 800 times a day because I know it's the truth." "No way," he says with a slight chuckle. "I'll miss the relationships I had but I'm through on the field because I can't be Gale Sayers any more. I can't do the things that I want." The former Kansas Comet entertains no illusions about playing professional football "It's an honor for me to be down there because the players asked me to be down there," he says. "I offer them my photography support, I offer them my give them all the moral support I can." "The players do want him down there," kU head coach D. Barnfrough says, "he's not a good fighter." Sayers is definitely an inspiration. The season after his 1968 knee injury, he came in first out of five. He was awarded the George Husband courageous athlete trophy but, in a tearful, emotion-packed speech gave it to another athlete, teammate Brian Piccolo, who was then named Player of the Year. THE MOVIE ABOUT Piccolo and Sayers, "Brian's Song," was rerun this week, and Sayers says that it was very close to the truth. "It's based somewhat on the chapter in my book, "I Am Third", that I wrote about Pick," he says. "But they made a little bit too much of the black-white thing. There was no color involved. We were just two girls and had a bell of a good time with each other." The movie pleased Sayers, though, the player played a different side of a football player. "The movie has made people look at Gale Sayers the human being, and that's the way I want it," he says. "That segment of my life is not mine, that me anymore." I'm doing other things now. Gale Savers The speaking and recruiting parts of Sayers' job take up a great deal of his time, and his reputation comes in handy because he is a firm believer in going outside the box. "I FELT, AFTER thinking about it, that I wanted to go into athletic administration," he says, "and people in Kansas know me. This is where I want to be." "Some years in Kansas you might be lucky," he explained. "Last year we alone got 21 good athletes from the state, but next year there may only be three in the entire Sayers' job entails talking to dozens of people a day and must cause more than the average person to smile. KU To Battle Unbeaten Sooners OU's Washington leads the Big Eight in rushing, averaging over 110 yards a game, while Clark ranks right behind his teammate with a 105 yard a game average. Quarterback Davis is seventh in conference rushing with a game average of 78 yards. It will be the running legs of Joe Washington, Waymion Clark and Steve Davis against the passing arm of Dave Jaynes in tomorrow's battle between the bowl-bound University of Kansas Jayhawks and the unbeaten Oklahoma Sooners. shy and introverted when he first went to Chicago, the handsome, sometimes model is still a very private man for a public figure. Kansas enters the game with a 6-2-1 record and is expecting a liberty Bowl bid despite their 7-1-0 record, which includes a 7-7 tie with Southern California, the 1972 national champions, are inelegible for bows in the playoffs next because of recruiting irregularities. IN A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW yesterday, head Sonner coach Barry Switzer said the ineligibility of his team for a bowel had not affected their play so far this season and would have no effect on the outcome of the KU-OU game. Kansan Sports Writer "I know our football team will play as well as possible this Saturday," Switzer said. "Our players have enough pride in their game to want to win even if they can't go to a bowl." concentrate first on stopping the running attack of the 'Hawks, then work on stiffing KU's passing attack. OU is first in the conference in rushing defense, while KU is second. Tucker Switzer said the Sooners would have to respect the running attack of the Jayhawks. Jaynes has passed for 190 yards a game this year, completing 134 of 125 passes. Split end Emmett Edwards has caught 42 of three passes and leads the Big Eight in pass HE CHOOSES HIS words very carefully, and there are long pauses in his speech as he seems to think out each phrase to make it is exactly what he wants to say. By YAEL ABOUHALKAH Switzer said the Oklahoma defense would **Kansas** Dave Scott (281) Dale Stewart (187) LT C Tinker Obama (164) Dave Bennett (271) Dr. John McAdoo (221) LC Jerry Ayan (164) Kevin McAdoo (221) Kyle Davis (231) Kevin Davis (231) John Bryant (231) TE Wayne Clark (231) Dave Jaynes (207) TB-LH Steve Dave (207) Dave Jaynes (207) TB-LH Steve Dave (207) Robert Miller (200) FL-HI Wayon Clark (200) Robert Miller (200) FL-HI Wayon Clark (200) **Dearborn** Don Goodie (256) Mitch Sutton (256) N G Dewey Sutton (256) Mitch Sutton (256) NG T Dewey Sutton (256) Dillon Dillar (304) TG L Leo Sutton (304) Leo Sutton (304) LB Dawson Smith (304) Mike Gardner (248) LB Dawson Smith (304) Kurt Kork (186) LF DS Crawley Hewes (186) Nolan Crownwell (180) SS Randy Hughes (180) Ellen Lewis (180) NS Katherine Pope (180) But when he speaks of professional football, he does not hesitate in expressing it. STOPPING THE PASSING game of KU, which ranks first in the Big Eight in yardage a game, will be difficult, Switzer admitted. "We've got to respect the run first," he said. "If you're trying to stop a attack like KU has, you must stop the run first to give you time to concentrate on the pass game. We're going to let our defensive line worry about the KU runners and our secondary backs defend against the pass." "I don't think there's any way you can it's not that Way," he says, his voice rising perceptibly. "It's true that there are wild birds, but those are for the Joe Namaths, but those are for the Joe Namaths." Sayers, who still looks like he could break a long run, says he enjoyed the game both from a monetary standpoint and an emotional standpoint, and you have to believe him because he is personable, warm and open. HE' ADMITS TO BE somewhat of a loner and likes Lawrence because it allows him to enjoy his simple pleasure; reading, playing music, watching TV and going to movies. "We're going to try and establish our running game on offense," he said, "and try to force the KU offense into mistakes. We are not going to miss any opportunity, because we is going to be a lot closer than last year's." completely shut off a great passer like Jaynes," he said. "I just hope he doesn't have too much success throwing against us. We're going to need good coverage by our defensive backs, plus a good rush from our defensive line, to contain Jaynes." The Sooners will try to establish what they do best, their running game, he said. UR ranks first in the Big Eight in rushing, averaging over 380 yards a game, while KU ranks third in rushing defense, yielding fewer than 175 yards a game. Kansas head coach Don Fambrough said yesterday the Hawks would have to play a game with the Giants. "As far as our offense goes we're going to have the same game plan as OU, keeping that one." "Nobody's been able to stop Kalahoma on offense this year," he said. "What we're going to try to do is take away the long runs that OU makes mistakes in handling the football." While admitting that he still has a lot to learn about the operational intricacies of the KU athletic department, there is an air of uncertainty in how much flowers from the former superstar halfback. "Right now my job is right here and I'm going to do the best I can," he says. "I know basically what's going on, and I think I can handle it." SWITZER SAID THE BEST way to keep kits in the field was to keep the KU offense of the field. "I don't adhere to that philosophy," he said. "It's individuals who turn over the ball. It's the running style of the individual ball carrier that causes most fumbles. We've been working all year on not fumbling the ball, protecting the ball." The theory that a wishbone attack, such as the Sooners run, is a high-risk offense because of fumble possibilities, brought a quick answer from Switzer. The game will be broadcast over radio stations KLWN, KANU and KUOK at 1300 p.m. He has handled the big jump from college to pro football. He has handled an injury-caused end to a fabulous football career. He has handled the loss of a man who meant very much to him. He has prepared himself for a business career. "I would like to stay around here, but you know that if a vice presidency or general management of a pro club comes along, I'm going to take a look at it," he says. "I enjoy challenges and that would be a challenge for me." "I'm in contact with so many people that I want to get away to myself when my day is over," he says. "Right now my private life public that I don't have much free time." A symbol of say that private life hangs around Sayers' neck in the form of a half-moon, jagged-edged medallion. It has his fiancée's name on it and half of the word one. His fiancée wears the other half with Sayers' name on it. Sayers is comfortable in his job but has his eye on the future. "LIFE (FOR A COACH) depends on winning and life is too short to have all that pressure on my back," he says. "I don't want my job dependent on whether the team finishes 5-6 or 6-5. I don't need that type of job." "I never have had the desire to coach," he says, "because I really don't think I have the make-up to be a coach. When I was a player, I am 40 yr 40 km downfield after every game. If you hadn't given up, would want them to do what I did, and I don't think I could get that out of them." Another thing that bothers Sayers is the pressure that goes along with coaching. SUA Popular Films Presents "I's something that I thought up and made up and I like to wear it," he says, breaking into a bright, boyish grin. And he stumbles, unsure tone, he adds, "I means a lot to me." Sayers has very definite plans for his future, and despite his football ability, he has a lot of room to grow. Add to that the charisma, or magic if you prefer, of a man who is a football legend in his own time, and the University of Kansas to have Gale Sayes. Very lucky indeed ANOTHER THING that means a lot to Sayers is working with children. He is still a commissioner of the Chicago Park District and is on the Kaw Valley March of Dimes program. Bobby Skahan (Jayhawk academie programmed to get a Big Brother program started here.) Fri. Oct 16 75c Sat. Oct. 17 7:00 Woodruff 2:00 9:30 —One Matinee Only. 7:00 9:30 "I've been kind of busy," he says, "but Travel HAWAII over SPRING BREAK KENTUCKY DERBY $37/person complete 1st Weekend in May SUA TRIPS SAN FRANCISCO $150 'Estimate only ar- rangements not fini- ished. Dec. 27- Jan. 7 864-3477 For more info, contact S.U.A. Office FLORIDA Travel by WINNEBAGO SPRING- BREAK! MARDI GRAS NEW ORLEANS If interested, contact S.U.A. OFFICE MARCH 10-17 NEW YORK TRIP!!! SKI TRIPS Taos March 10-17 THEY RE HERE! BLUE DENIM BAGGIES ... 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