University Dally Kansan
Friday. October 25. 2974
5A
Program launches 9 women's sports in 1st year
By KEN STONE Sports Reporter
Nineteen seventy-four is truly Year One for women its intercollegiate at the University.
To be sure, this isn't the first year for intercollegiate competition—a women's basketball team played eight games against nearby Kansas schools as early as 1903—but it surely must be considered the most active . . . and the most affluent.
Year One is a year of firsts: the first assistant athletic director for women's sports, Marian Washington, who was appointed last summer; the first fulltime woman trainer, Irene Mayle; the first big budget (the Kansas State Legislature and the KU Student Senate each allocated $80,000), and the first paid coaches.
Year One is a year of opportunity, a challenge for athletes to prove their competence ability.
But Year One is also a year for pressure: the inevitable pressure to perform well, win and represent the University in state and national competitions. There is, however, much pressure on women. In the past, this society has hastened the participation of women in athletics.
Occasionally women athletes must content with critics and justify their in-
More than 200 KU women have placed
themselves in that situation. But if the results of recent competitions and the attitudes of coaches, athletes and administrators are positive, athletes are coping well, and winning win.
FIELD HOCKEY, one of the oldest intercollegiate sports at KU, is off to a good start again this year. After its first seven play dates, Jane Markert's seasoned team is undefeated and no team has scored against them.
Washington said field hockey, popular on the East Coast, was gaining popularity in the West. Washington Central Missouri State University, had been scouting the campus for Easterners who had field hockey experience to strengthen their team, which has already outscored its opponents 20-0.
Markert is excited about the team, and if the team stays excited about themselves, KU will have a large contingent of players for the NCAA tournament in Illinois in late November.
Another coach who leaves a trail of pride as he paces the gym floor at Robinson is Jack Isgur, the volleyball boss. Wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Dig Volleyball," Isgur gives his Vince Lombardi best as he whips the players into form.
After a disappointing 6-4 record at the season opening tournament at Lami, France, the team finished in seventh.
The improvement in the team over the first few weeks, according to Lagur, is "minimal."
victories over Washburn and highly rated Graceland College.
"These girls have accomplished in one month what my other girls have done in six," said Iaguar, a practicing lawyer and a former other women's teams in Kansas City, Mo.
If this is a season of miracles, one might keep an eye on the dates Dec. 12-14. That's the start of a national volleyball tournament in Portland, Ore. Isigur, in his first year as a coach, attempted to lead KU to its fifth consecutive appearance in the national championships.
WASHINGTON also the women's coach, has her team working with world champions.
After watching the progress in the conditioning of her players, she said, "I sense the possibility of having an excellent team this year."
"It will be a relatively new team," said Washington, a one-time All-American from Westchester State. "But I've seen really good prospective players."
According to Washington, the team will go with the double pitch offense and will allow the offense to win.
Washington, who described herself as basically a defensive coach, said she liked a
Women and sports
By Kansan Photographer JAN SEYMOUR
More than ever, the two now go together at KU, as increased funding and information have broadened the opportunities for students.
successful women sports. The squad has already proved itself to be one of the top teams in the Midwest, under the coaching of
in hoor, but we did it last year," she said. "I once thought strong. Last spring, Penny Paulsen threw two no-hitters and one one-hitter in leading to a fourth place finish in the college world."
balanced offense and would like to see her team shoot from both the inside and outside.
Because Paulsen, along with many of her teammates, will return for another season, the softball team anticipates the spring—and a possible national title.
involunteer.
"Not many teams have that potential on the floor, but you had to meet them."
"I have a feeling that if we can bring in a couple of prospects that have expressed interest in the University, that we have a few who are the nationals this year," Washington said.
The fall cross country schedule contains five meets, compared with only one last year. At the head of the program is a former track and fielder from Panama, Lorrine Davis-Dunne.
INDICATIVE of the growing interest in
and cross country this year is the
number of children who are
Davis, who attended Tennessee State University with Olympic greats Wyoming Tyla. Wilma Rudolph and Edith McGuire, who was going to as many meets as possible.
Davis, the one-time world record holder
the 40-yard race and indoor 70-yard race.
Actually, the team resembles a family more than an intercollegiate competitive unit. Two of the five players are daughters of the coach, Boozner, who played at KU in 1953 and is now a professor. Moore, has evidently instructed her daughters Beth and Barbara, quite well.
Beth Boozer, shooting a 38-hole total of 160 (77-43). defeated 71 other women to take top honors at the Iowa State University Invitational golf tournament last month. Teammate Cathy Webb, scoring a 169, placed second in that tournament.
"We're concerned with quality not
unwillingly, we have 10 good girls I'll
be training."
ANOTHER TEAM of small quantity, but large talent is Nancy Boozer's roof solf
Pat Morrison and Barb Boozer shot 173 and 183 respectively to give KU a tally of 685—good enough to finish third out of fourteen teams.
Coming up for the KU golfers is a tournament at the Alvamar course in Lawrence. KU's own invitational course to draw 14 teams.
"They're really coming in and working hard. I think we can do extremely well this year. We have enough people to do a tremendous job." he said.
The women's gymnastics team must go through a tough program, according to Coach Baird.
The team's strong events are the floor exercise and balance beam, although other events, such as the all-around and the side-hault vault, are well represented.
Liz Phillips, whose strong suit is the floor exercise, excels at the all-around. Others who add depth to the team are Karen Fleger, balance beam; Laurie Propt, floor exercise; and Judy Manzan, side-horse valuer.
Snow, a graduate of Kansas State University and a former K-State men's gymnastics coach, was an assistant man's coach at KU last year.
Washington gave a reason for the jump in number: "I'd like to feel that we tried to program. Next year she'll (McElroy) have more out. So she probably have to cut."
Another group of state championship candidates is the women's tennis team coached by John Sample and Jean Reed. When the队 defeated Fort Hays State in a playoff, the team won that win the state championship last year. Fort Hays lost 9-0 in that match.
KU lost its own invitational tournament last month (the team went against some of the strongest competition in the Midwest) but it showed good form in smashing Washburn and barely losing to Stephens College, one of the strongest teams in the country.
"I'd like to feel that Sample is scheduling the best teams around possible to see just where we are," Washington said. "We are interested in participating and interested in providing our school at all."
Sample's team seeks competition.
On the tennis team are Mary Broadie,
Debbie Hunt, Janet Justus, Lynda Hill,
Wendy Potterff, Kimberly Williams and
Elise Dreher.
SWIMMING coach Claire McEldrew saw more than 40 women go out for the team.
Several large events are slated at KU this year, including the Region 6 basketball game, the UConn women's basketball, a United States Volleyball Association tournament and the state meet for Kansas gymnastics teams. These are just the few of the many games to be held in KU women's teams this school year.
WITH ALL of the attention falling on the coaches and athletes, Washington said the women's program sought support from non-competing women and men.
"I think the number one thing is to show how people can become involved in the program other than simply being a participant," she said. "Seemingly, if you're on down there on the floor or the field, you aren't a part of the program. That's not so."
Washington, who placed fifth in the 1972 Olympic discus trials, listed ways non-athletes could involve themselves in the women's intercollegiate, sports program.
Booster clubs, such as the ones that exist for the men's teams, could be founded. Washington said she had spoken to sororites about this possibility.
Home tournaments need extra help, she said. The Kansas Rehbs annually recruits players from other colleges to the Region 6 basketball tournament could do the same thing. Concession stands would
Promotions, publicity committees and even bus trips to away games could be planned. Washington told the KU Women's basketball team that he talked to the Student Union Association
Coach rates gymnasts best ever
"I'm sure many ideas have not been shared that might help us develop sources of money for scholarships," Washington said.
This year shapes up as a year of testing—of athletes, coaches and the student body. The remarkable growth of women's tennis and the interest in the nine sports indicate the beginning of a new era. For KU women athletes, Year One has finally arrived.
She said she would like to see alumni involvement and even participation by men.
“As far as a team score we freshmen who can come close to their scores,” he said, although we won't suffer any loss teamwise, and we will win more. We will feel this more than in the score.
about chartering buses to out-of-town competitions.
Overton, the team's top performer last
In addition to the freshmen, Lockwood does have some experienced talent he can on, including three seniors, Al Overtor, Richard Greenlee and John Whitehead.
Kansan Classifieds Work For You!
Lockwood said the freshman are going to be the key to the team's success this season. He is counting on them to replace Mike Murphy and Joe Howard who graduated during. According to Lockwood, the freshmen are very capable of filling their shoes.
said, "but it's a challenge to go against the best team from the country. They challenge you."
Another highly regarded newcomer is Tim Hymes of Olathe. He was the Kansas class 4-A all-round champion. His winning was only 7 points by Kerr's record.
Sports Reporter
By ALLEN QUAKENBUSH .
"Over-all, this is the best outlook we've had in a long time, probably ever." Lock-ock accident, this is the best freshman team we've recruited. And they are going to improve.
Coach Bob Lockwood is enthusiastic about his gymnastics team. With a good returning nucleus and an excellent crop of freshman, this team could be the University of Kansas' best gymnastics team ever, Lockwood said.
The team has been working on conditions and on the Olympic compulsory routines at the beginning of school. Thus far, Lookoway is happy with the work of the gymnasts.
Kansas did an excellent job of recruiting this season. Every high school gymnasium they recruited from Kansas was signed, including Les Kerr, a heavily recruited prospect. Lawrence, Kerr has the best record for an all-around performer in Kansas high schools.
"They've done an excellent job," he said.
"They have attacked the season, very well.
"The over-all atmosphere is better this year, the kids are really dedicating themselves."
The Jayhawks open their season against rugged competition in the Big Eight Invitational.
season, finished fourth in the all-round competition in last year's Big Eight meet. Lockwood is counting on him again this season.
"It's difficult to compete with them." he
"A lot of our success will depend upon Al Overton," he said. "He has never yet reached his potential. His problem is that he has always been too heavy while competing. If he can get his weight down, he can be a medalist in the conference meet."
Lockwood thinks competing with teams of his caliber provides an excellent challenge for them.
Greenlee, who specializes in the high bar and floor exercise, has had a knee injury.
Fri.-Sat., Nov. 1 & 2 Bigh Eight Intensiv, Lawrence; Thur.-Sat., Nov. 28-30, Midwest Open, Chicago, III.; Fri.-Sat., Dec. 13; Rocky Mountain open, Denver, Colorado; Fri.-Sat., Dec. 19, Lawrence, Lawrence, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 25, Iowa State University, Lawrence. 2:00 p.m.
"He'll compete if he can dismount." Leowood said. "That's the biggest thing in baseball."
"The Big Eight is, without a doubt, easily the strongest conference in the country," he said. "We get fifth in the conference but still be in the top 15 in the nation."
Although the Jayhawks have possibly the strongest team they've ever had, Lockwood said, they may still finish fifth in the conference.
According to Lockwood, Whiteish is in strong four events: the high bar, pommel horse, and javelin.
Sat, Feb. 1, Kansas State University,
Manhattan, 2:00 p.m.; Sat, Feb. 8,
Northern Iowa, 3:00 p.m.; Sat, Feb.
15, University of Nebraska,
Lincoln, Neb., 2:00 p.m. Thurs, Feb.
20, northern Iowa Univ. Cedar Falls, Iowa,
Nebraska, 4:00 p.m. Tues, Feb.
19, Uwac, Mcmillan, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 22, University of Illinois,
Champaign, II; 3:30 p.m.; Sat, March 1,
Wilmington; III; 4:30 p.m.; Sat, March 8, Univ. of Colorado,
Lawrence; 2:00 p.m.; Fri, Sat March 14-15.
Big Eight Championships, Ames, Iowa;
NCAA Championships, Terre Haute, Ind.
All home meets will be held in Robinson Gym.
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