MONDAY, AUGUST 19.2002
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 9B
For Kansas teams anything is possible
Ah, the preseason
A time of optimism. A time of dreaming. The time of year when nothing could possibly go wrong.
Every team at the University of Kansas is undefeated right now. Students, alumni, coaches, and the players themselves can help but be swept away by the "If everything goes right" talk that comes prior to the first game of every season.
SPORTS
A bowl game for the football team? It seems possible, if everything goes right.
A first-ever NCAA tournament appearance for the volleyball team? Sure, if everything goes right.
A run at the Big 12 Conference title for the soccer team? It could happen, if everything goes right.
Al Bohl
And now whenenthusiasm is at its highest, no one is bubbling with it more than Al Bohl. Kansas' athletics director.
"I'm really looking forward to this year," Bohl says. "This will be my second year, and I'm real excited about every one of our teams."
Who isn't? Bohl is trying his hardest to resurrect an athletics program that, on the field, was pitiful when he showed up just more than a year ago. His equation is simple. More wins equals more fans. More fans equal more money.
With that, he makes his sales pitch to everyone.
He asks for donations from alumni. He advertises in the Kansas City area. He begs for support from the most spirited group — the students.
"All the Jayhawks on all of our teams," Bohl said, "they are all your classmates. We welcome and appreciate any support you give, whether it be football or soccer or any other sport."
COMMENTARY
Next Friday marks the kickoff of Kansas' 2002-2003 regular season schedule, when the Kansas soccer team tangles with UNLV at SuperTarget Field.
Between then and next May, sixteen Kansas teams will pursue the Big 12 Conference title, a feat only men*
Ryan Wood
rwood@kansan.com
basketball was able to accomplish last year.
Four new coaches will be part of the chase, perhaps none more visible than football's Mark Mangino. The down-to-business Mangino replaces the happy-go-lucky Terry Allen, and comes with a championship ring gracing his finger from just two seasons ago.
"Mark and his staff have been doing an excellent job in the offseason," Bohl said. "He learned a lot of lessons when he was at Oklahoma winning the national title. He knows what it takes."
One thing it takes is enthusiastic support.
The campaign to get students to wear blue, which pretty much failed to get a response last basketball season, has been given a significant boost.
Intrust Bank will sponsor a T-shirt giveaway on Sept. 14, handing out T-shirts on campus and awarding scholarships to students in attendance wearing those shirts. This year, the shirts will be blue.
"You go to a game in Nebraska, it's all red," Bohl said. "K-State is all purple. We're one of the few schools where our dominate color is blue. We want to show that at all of our sporting events."
Kansas will take on Southwest Missouri State that Saturday night, and Bohl is hoping for a large, rowdy, color-coordinated turnout.
"That first game," Bohl says, "that will be beautiful."
The thought of a blue crowd cheering our student-athletes to victory can make any Kansas fan itch for kickoff. After all, everyone is optimistic in the preseason — especially the man in charge.
That is, if everything goes right
Wood is a Lee's Summit, Mo. senior in journalism.
By Steve Vockrodt Kansan sportwriter
Club teams prepare for fall season
Clubs sports at the University of Kansas offer a chance for any student to compete in a sport, meet friends, or just break away from the monotony of books and classes.
Some of the sports available range from more common activities such as soccer to more daring and unusual choices like rugby and sailing. Most clubs only require a dues fee and an interest and enthusiasm to play and compete.
Men's soccer
The men's soccer team has been among the more successful and popular teams at KU. Last year's team went undefeated into the semifinal round in the Open National Tournament before losing to eventual champion Ohio State University.
Men's soccer competes in the recently formed Mid-American Sports Club League that includes other club teams from Kansas State, Wichita State, and Central Missouri State, Northwest Missouri State, and Pittsburg State.
"The MASCL is now more organized, more structured, financially better off, and more and more organized," said mid-fielder Ben Stone. Stone, Emporia senior, said the team's upcoming season looks promising under the direction of second-year coach Matt McCune.
"He is an excellent player and an excellent coach, an up-and-coming coach." Stone said.
The team hopes to repeat its KSU-E Chartrand Tournament championship and earn a top-two finish in its region that includes club powers from the University of Texas, Texas A&M, and Baylor University.
Kansas men's rugby players compete last season. The team is gearing up for another yea
For a complete list of club sports at KU, check out the website at http://www.ku.edu/~recserv/Sport_Clubs.html; call Recreation Services at 846-3526 or visit their office at 208 Robinson
The soccer team is introducing a second 20-man team to accommodate interest in the sport.
With the first team returning strong players such as Aaron Law, Topeka defender, Chris Hartley, Shawnee goalkeeper, and Chip Lee Tula, Okla. defender, Stone expects a trip to the National Championship Tournament in San Diego, Calif.
Want to get involved in club sports?
Cycling
Another club team hoping for a return to a national championship after boasting the only previous championship at KU in the last 10 years is the cycling team. The team finished 24th at last spring's national competition in Burlington, Vt., a result below usual expectations, said Andy Phelps, Shawnee sophomore.
" (This year's team) is basically unchanged a lot stronger and a lot
better." said Phelps.
The upcoming team lost only one member from last year. Returning members include Stephen Schneller, Overland Park junior, Adam Mills, Topeka senior, and Ben Coles, graduate student from Albuquerque, N.M.
— since most high schools do not offer it as a sport — yet many newcomers do fairly well, said Phelps.
"If they've never tried it, they should." he said. "They get to meet a lot of new people and helps them find their niche in college.
The team will also rely on a strong incoming freshman class to supplement this fall's squad. Cycling often attracts young inexperienced riders
The cycling team will have their first meeting at 7:30 p.m. August 26th at the
Jayhawk Room in the Kansas Union.
Sailing
Sailing
The sailing team has a strong foundation of new participants. Many returning sailors along, with high interest from freshmen, look to improve last year's fifth-place finish in their district.
Some sailing teams will travel to Clinton Lake on September 21st as KU hosts its only home regatta. Sailing will have its first meeting at 7 p.m. August 28th at the Walnut Room in the Kansas Union.
Sailing teams from Texas, Texas A&M, and as far away as Western Florida and Tulane all compete in KU's district.
Men's rugby
The men's rugby team began practice August 1 under the tutelage of first-year head coach Adrian Horn. Horn, a native of Wales, brings a lifetime of rugby experience for the players, whose outlook on the season will be very positive, according to Rugby Chairman Executive Matt Kenney.
Traditional opponents including University of Nebraska and University of Oklahoma appear on schedule as the team looks to improve upon last year's 8-3 finish.
Women's lacrosse
The women's lacrosse team will compete for its first winning season.
"We finished on a down note, losing our last couple games," said Jessie Bird, Olathe senior. "But this year is very, very promising."
After a five-game winning streak in the middle of the last spring season, the team lost three of its last four, including back-to-back losses to Washington University and Truman University at the end of the season.
Most of last year's squad will return to the team, including two sophomores who posted impressive freshman campaigns.
Lindsay Johnson, St. Louis, Mo.
sophomore, and Natasha Trefla,
Parker Colo. sophomore were voted
Top Newcomers for the 2001-02 season.
Both players entered with no
previous playing experience.
The lacrosse team has opponents from all over the country slated for competition,including traditional school rivals.
"The University of Missouri is always a big competitor," said Bird. We always like to play them."
All the fall teams show promise for their upcoming seasons, and encourage anyone to participate regardless of experience or talent. A chance at competition and the opportunity to meet and develop new friends enhance the club sports experience.
"We practice three days a week. It's more laid back. It's on your own shoulders, but you still have that competitiveness," said Stone of his participation in soccer. "It is a very solid group of top quality guys. It's twenty best friends."
All club sports require varying dues and some require members to supply equipment. For a complete list of club sports at KU, check the club sports website at http://www.ku.edu/~recserv/Sport_Clubs.htm, call Recreation Services at 846-3526 or visit their office at 208 Robinson.
Contact Vockrodt at svockrodt@kansan.com. This story was edited by Melissa Shuman.
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