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SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
1B
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2002
Ballard takes shot at radio
By Jessica Scott
jscott@kansan.com
Kansas sportswriter
He started out a dreamer. Then, he became a player. Under coach Roy Williams, he was a learner. One day, he will be an instructor.
But right now, Brett Ballard is a broadcaster.
A former walk-on who fought just to make the Kansas basketball team, Ballard earned a scholarship during his two years as a Jayhawk. His eligibility ran out at the end of the 2002 season, but this Kansas native still cannot get enough of the crimson and blue.
While continuing work on a degree in secondary education, Ballard has stayed in the loop of Jayhawk athletics by joining Rock Chalk Sports Talk, a daily radio broadcast on KLWN, 1340 AM.
He and recent Kansas graduate Brian Hanni, former Kansan sports columnist, discuss local sports issues Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
"Brian called me this summer and asked me if I was interested in being on the show," Ballard said. "I thought it sounded like fun and it would be a good opportunity so I went for it."
good opportunity. Although his media experience didn't go beyond occasional interviews as a player, Ballard's personality and extensive interest in all areas of sports convinced Hanni to offer him the co-host position.
"I picked Brett because not only can he speak from the player's perspective but he's really well rounded in his sports knowledge," Hanni said.
Ballard quickly learned the ropes of sports broadcasting.
"The first week was a little tough but after that it's gone pretty smooth," he said.
The program's emphasis on Lawrence-area sports topics and its respectable on-air guests is what attracts listeners, Ballard said. Local celebrities Max Falkenstein, Harrison Hill, Nick Collison, and Jeff Boschee appeared on the show in recent weeks. The show also landed interviews with national guests Bobby Bowden and Eddie Robinson.
"We're just trying to create our own niche here," Hanni said. "We can create a quality show that's all about KU and local sports."
While the broadcasting role suits Ballard for now, he is unsure whether he will remain on the show after this year.
He will student-teach in a year to wrap up his degree. Then, Ballard will pursue his career in high school athletics. But, he believes his stint in journalism will help him in the future.
"It helps the coach see where the media is coming from, and a lot of coaches get into broadcasting after they're done coaching." Ballard said.
Hanni said he was pleased with his choice of co-host.
"He's got a great sense of humor, a great personality. We hope he stays as long as possible," he said.
But, it is doubtful that Ballard's goal of teaching will subside as a result of this experience, and he does not foresee a major career change.
"This is fun, but I still want to teach and coach," he said. "That's my passion."
- Edited by Matt Norton.
Eric Braem/Kansan
Former men's basketball player Brett Ballard talks with co-host Brian Hannion KLWN'S Rock Chalk Sports Talk. Ballard discussed the Kansas City Royals with listeners of the show, which broadcasts 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays on AM-1320.
Chris Burket/Kansan
Senior Marcellus Jones has developed into Kansas' most reliable receiver after having only two receptions in his first three seasons. This season Jones has led the effort with 12 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Keeping up with Jones
By John Domoney
jdomoney@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas senior wide receiver Marcellus Jones has adjusted to new team changes this year by keeping a good attitude.
"He's an important leader for this team," quarterback Bill Whittemore
Coach Mark Mangino and junior quarterback Bill Whittemore praised Jones' disposition at a press conference yesterday,crediting his success this year with his positive outlook.
said. "He always holds his head up high." Jones has developed into Kansas' most reliable receiver after only having two receptions in his first three seasons.
Through the Jayhawks' first four games, Jones has led the receiving corps with 12 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He is the only receiver on the team who has a touchdown this year.
Jones had several career-high statistics against UNLV Sept. 7 when he brought in 7 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Last Saturday against Bowling Green. Jones had a second quarter touchdown
to go along with a 37-yard completion from Whittemore that set up a Dan Coke touchdown run.
Still, Jones stressed that the offense missed opportunities for other longpassing plays as Whittimore overthrew receivers on several occasions when he beat the defensive coverage.
"We need to continue to make progress as far as timing is concerned." Jones said. "Bill's getting settled back there, and we're getting comfortable
SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 3B
By Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com Kansan Sportswriter
Men's golf finishes second
It was a bittersweet ending yesterday for the Kansas men's golf team at the Kansas Invitational at Alvamar Golf & Country Club.
After the first two rounds of play Monday, the Jayhawks were in third place as a team, with five individuals in the top 20 on the leader board. After a rough start to yesterday's third round, the Jayhawks ended the tournament in second place, losing first place to Baylor in the team standings. Senior Chris Marshall finished second in the individual standings.
*I was pleased with three birdies in a
Marshall said he was still rediscovering his game after abdomen surgery last month, but noticed an improvement in his putting.
John Nowak/Kansan
Senior Chris Marshall eyes his shot on the 14th green at Tuesday's Kansas Invitational at Alva-
lar Golf Club. Marshall finished second in the individual standings with a three-round total of
212 at-4.
row on the back nine." Marshall said. "I've noticed changes in my swing since my surgery, but I've been putting a lot
better. I lipped a lot of putts yesterday
SEE GOLF ON PAGE 3B
New leadership could propel baseball to post-season
Major league baseball's regular season wraps up this week, and the postseason will be over with before you know it, leaving baseball fans to talk about free agents and possible trades for about five months.
Fortunately for fans at the University, the Kansas baseball team begins its season just three months after the World Series with back-to-back-to-back doubleheaders in late January in Hawaii.
Price, who led Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo to three straight 30-win seasons, is a go-getter who has already begun turning Hoglund Stadium into a "mini-Camden Yards" with renovations to the dugouts, bulpens and batting cages.
Although the team hasn't had a winning record since 1997, this year could be a breakout season with new coach Ritch Price leading the Jayhawks.
Price filled out his coaching staff last week, hiring Steve Abney as pitching coach. Abney, a former scout for the Cleveland Indians and a coach at Lassen Community College in California for 10 years, has paid dividends already, teaching sophomore lefty Tom Gorzelanny two new pitches, a changeup and a slider.
SPORTS
With a new coaching staff and a new team outlook, the Jayhawks could improve in every facet of the game enough to finish out of the Big 12 Conference basement for the first time since 2000 and maybe even make the Big 12 Tournament.
Hitting (Clast year) — The Jayhawks hit .275 for the second straight year, and their on-base percentage dropped from .356 to.352, but they showed improvement in other areas. Kansas' slugging
Levi Chronister
lchronister@kansan.com
percentage jumped from .382 to .417 while hitting 12 more homers than the previous year, and strikeouts were down by 81.
Part of the improvement can be attributed to a healthy Ryan Baty, who led the team in nine offensive categories. Continued improvement by the junior from Wichita and the rest of the team combined with Price's leadership should result in an even larger improvement
this spring. Expected 2003 rating: B
Pitching (D) — Last year's top three starters, Jeff Davis, Dan Olson and Jake Wright, combined for an earned-run average of 4.58, and all were seniors. Gorzelanny, who was 3-7 with a 5.90 ERA, leads the returning starters, and Chris Jones started four games last season. The bullpen was the Jayhawks' biggest problem last year, blowing seven games after the seventh inning. There's no obvious closer candidate, but with Abney's experience and a couple young arms coming around, there should be a noted improvement on the mound this year. Expected 2003 rating: C-
Fielding (D-] — The Jayhawks were horrendous in the field last season, committing 94 errors, 20 more than in 2001, with a fielding percentage of .955. About two-thirds of those committed by
infielders, including a team-leading 21 by shortstop Brandon Shepard. Kansas should be much better on defense this year, though, with Price's tutelage and the loss of Ryan Klocksien's 12 errors at third base. Expected 2003 rating: C
If the team continues to hit better, the bullpen becomes something approaching consistent and the Jayhawks stop throwing the ball away, another eight to 10 victories are not out of the question. Considering that Kansas finished eight games out of the Big 12 Tournament last year, the postseason is within reach this spring with growth and a little luck.
Chronister is a Lawrence senior in journalism. He is the Kansan sports editor.
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