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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday November 24,1987 Vol.98,No.67
Published since 1889 by the students of the University of Kansas
(USPS 650-640)
Valesente fired as Kansas football coach
Former KU football coach Bob Valesente speaks at a news conference after the announcement of his firing.
Frederick says team must make progress
By CRAIG ANDERSON Staff writer
Staff writer
Kansas football coach Bob Valesente was fired yesterday by Athletic Director Bob Frederick. Valesente was offered a position as an associate athletic director, but he declined the offer.
Frederick said that he made the decision Sunday night after many weeks of deliberation.
See related stories p. 9 and 12.
"It was not an easy decision to make," he said at a news conference. "In recent days some have said this is an academic issue or an alumni-versus-faculty issue. It was an issue of progress of the football team on the field. In the last two years there hadn't been an improvement."
Vale寨es, who had a 4-17-1 record in his two years at Kansas, said that he hadn't been given the time to continue his program of redshirting freshmen and setting high academic standards for his team.
"I hate to be asked to walk away from the program when I don't feel the job has been done," he said. "We would have gotten the job done."
Valesate read a prepared statement and then said he would not respond to questions. In his statement, Valesate said that he was proud to be associated with the Kansas football program.
"I love the University of Kansas and was proud to be its head coach the past two seasons," he said.
Frederick said a panel would be formed immediately to begin the search for a new coach. He said that applications would be accepted until Dec. 7. Frederick said that he hoped a coach would be found as soon after the deadline as possible.
Kansas will likely hire a college Division I or Division I-AA coach, he said. He said that he thought the Kansas Athletic Department would be willing to consider a high-priced coach with a guarantee of at least four or five years to build the program. Frederick said that he hoped to find a coach that would have the same or greater dedication to academics that Valeseth had.
Rumors had circulated that former Kansas assistant coach John Hadl might be a candidate for the now-vacant Jayhawk coaching job. Frederick said that Hadl would be considered for the job.
of John Hadi," he said. "John Hadi will be a candidate if he chooses."
"I have received letters in support
Frederick said that the ultimate decision to relieve Valesente came not because of pressure from alumni or fans but because of what he perceived as Valesente's coaching deficiencies.
Frederick said that he began to have his doubts about the future of Valesente when the Jayhawks played three lackluster games early in the season against Division I-AA teams Kent State, Louisiana Tech and Southern Illinois. The Jayhawks lost to Kent State and Louisiana Tech.
and they beat Southern Illinois by one point.
Valesente compared his position at Kansas to Coach Bill McCARTney's at Colorado. In McCartney's third year at Colorado, 1984, his team finished with a 1-10-0 record after his first two teams had finished 2-8-1 and 4-7-0. In 1985 and 1986, however, Colorado went to bowl games.
"When I began at Kansas, I felt the University administration wanted to be committed to building a strong football program," Valesente said. "I feel proud that we have overcome some of the tremendous academic
"Believe me, you win in the weight room and with quality student athletes. It was an honor to work with this football team. The faculty support I had was overwhelming. It was a pleasure to work with them." he said.
problems that we had when I took over the program. Our recruiting program and redshirt program was well-organized.
Frederick said that Kansas would honor the last two years of Valeen-
See VALESENTE, p. 12, col. 3
KUAC's chairman resigns in protest
By MIKE CONSIDINE Staff writer
Staff writer
Anthony Redwood, chairman of the Kansas University Athletic Corporation for the last five years, announced his intention to resign yesterday to protest the firing of football coach Bob Valesente.
"It was an unprincipled decision, and I'm protesting it the only way I can," Redwood said. "I feel the integrity of the University itself is at stake. This is one aspect of the athletic program I feel I can't live with."
At a news conference in Summerfield Hall. Redwood announced that he had called an emergency meeting of the KUAC board at 3 p.m. today in the Phillips Room of the Adams Alumni Center. Redwood said that his resignation would be formally announced at that time.
Kansas Athletic Director Bob Friedrick said, "I respect his opinion and his decision to do so if that's what he feels like he should do. He's given six years of outstanding service to the athletic board and I appreciate that."
Galen Fiss of Westwood, a KUAC board member and former Jayhawk football player, said that he was disappointed with Redwood's decision.
"Tony's leadership has been important and, although he may not agree with the decision, I'd like to see everyone put their shoulder to the wheel and move forward in the spirit of cooperation." Fiss said.
Redwood, professor of business, said that he had decided to resign after lengthy conversations with Frederick. Redwood has been on the board six years and its chairman for five.
"This is not the way I expected to finish up," Redwood said. "I feel very proud of the athletic program and proud of the program in gener-
In a prepared statement, Redwood said that during the past decade, Kansas football had a history of revolving coaches and a quick-fix philosophy. He said that Valesente was denied the opportunity to see his program through to success.
"He should have been kept on at least for another year but preferably for the length of his contract," Redmond insisted the contract lasts two more years.
Redwood said that Frederick told him of the decision at 8 p.m. Sunday. Redwood said that he phoned the KUAC board to call the meeting after a second conversation with Frederick.
Although KUAC by-laws state that the decision to hire and fire coaches belongs to the athletic director, Redmond should have been involved.
"I would have liked Bob Frederick to preferably have discussed it with the board last week when it was at issue," Redwood said. "If that was not possible, then at least he should have spoken to the assembled board at the time the decision was released."
Frederick said, "From individual conversations and from letters, I feel like I know where most of the people on the board stood on the issue."
Student board member Sue Glatter said, "No students were consulted. He didn't seek out student opinion." The board has three student representatives.
Redwood praised Valesente's commitment to recruiting freshmen football players who were capable students. He said that Frederick didn't give sufficient consideration to Valesente's attention to academics.
Frederick said, "We're coming from a situation where the previous coach had academic difficulties. Bob worked hard to gain the respect of
See KUAC. p. 12. col. 5
Former football coach Bobby Valesente leaves a news conference with his wife, Joan. Valesente refused to answer questions about his firing.
KU officials await word on GSL fees
By MICHAEL HORAK
Staff writer
KU financial aid officials said yesterday that they were waiting to see whether Congress would approve a budget reduction measure that could cut more than $250 million from federal guaranteed student loan programs.
The cuts would not likely change which students are eligible for loans or how much they can receive. But the cuts also the fees charged for receiving a loan.
"The best guess of those in Washington that I have talked to is that there will be no attempt to adjust eligibility," said Jeff Weinberg, KU assistant director of financial aid. "But it might cost more to get that loan."
About 2.7 million students a year receive guaranteed student loans, including about 4,500 students at KU. The cost to the federal government for the $7 billion annually loaned to students is between $3.3 and $3.4 billion.
The most likely fee increase would be continuation of the 5.5 percent fee that is charged on every loan. That fee was increased temporarily from 5 percent last month, and many expect the increase to become permanent.
No specific cuts or cost-saving measures for GSL programs were listed when the budget reduction plan was announced last week by congressional leaders and President Ronald Reagan. The bipartisan plan is intended to trim the federal budget
by $30 billion and avert automatic spending cuts required by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit reduction law.
Weinberg said that if the origination fee became permanent or continued into next year, it would cost KU students much money Only about 100 students have been affected by the fee increase so far, he said.
Dallas Martin, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in Washington, D.C., said the loan fee would be the most noticeable change for students.
Details of how to save $250 million within the student loan program will be worked out in congressional committees in the next week.
The fee means that a student who receives KU's average loan of $2,905 would have to pay $159.77 back to the school. The amount is $14.52 more than last year.
"If KU students were charged the extra half percent all year long, they would have lost $611,000 in out-of-pocket money this year alone," Weinberg said.
Martin said the federal government also could generate between $170 and $200 million by forcing the S2 agencies that guarantee student loans to refund a percentage of the money they hold in their reserves.
Guaranty agencies, such as the Higher Education Assistance Foundation, which guarantees 80 percent of
See LOANS, p. 6, col. 3
Police say beware of holiday thieves
By JAVAN OWENS
Staff writer
Students should take a few extra minutes to secure their valuables before they leave for Thanksgiving vacation, local police said.
Reports of missing valuables increase when students return to town after a vacation, said Bob Avery, crime preventin officer for the Lawrence police department. That may be because students do not take the time to secure their valuables before they leave, he said.
An apartment can look lived-in if the resident has an automatic timer to switch lights on periodically. Avery suggests that students have someone pick up their mail and newspaper or have
"The best thing they could do is make their place look as lived-in as possible." Avery said.
delivery stopped. Unplugging telephones also may help.
Uncollected mail and newspapers and a ringing phone are tell-tale signs that no one is home. Avery
But there are simpler steps to secure valuables, Avery said. Removing valuables from a conspicuous place, as well as locking all windows and doors with dead-bolt locks, will deter burglaries.
Students should contact their apartment managers or owners to see whether they will provide extra security over the holidays.
Mike Flahigh, community relations officer for KU price, and police would be operating as usual to
Flaig said burglaries on campus usually did not increase during, holiday seasons because most
Flaig said, however, that auto burglaries and thefts occurred frequently when students were loading and unloading their cars. Every time students make a trip to load valuables in their cars, they should lock the car afterward, he said.
But removing valuables, such as a stereo, from a dorm room is never an overreaction. Flail said. He said making sure students' valuables were safe will well worth the effort of loading and unloading then.
Flail also said students should never load the car the night before they go home.
burglaries occurred when students did not lock their doors — and usually that is when students are in the residence halls.
Common sense urged for Thanksgiving travel
By JULIE McMAHON
Staff writer
When heading over the river and through the woods on the way home for Thanksgiving, student travelers should take measure to ensure a safe arrival.
Common sense is the main ingredient to safe highway travel, said Rose Gerringer, supervisor of domestic travel at the Automobile Club of Kansas AAA.
"Don't knock yourself out pulling an all-nighter," she said. She suggested breaking up trips by stopping and resting every few hours. She said that if the trip took more than eight hours, the driver should take at least one break. Also, switching drivers is a way to continue non-stop traveling, Gerringer said.
To guard against drowsiness, she suggests turning down the heat and keeping the car cool.
To prepare for bad weather, keep blankets, that take a long time to spoil, she said.
Lt. Bill Jacobs, public information officer for the Kansas Highway Patrol, said drivers should remember that there would be more cars on the road than normal because of Thanksgiving travel. He said travelers should drive courteously and use safe driving skills.
He also said drivers should prepare themselves for their trips.
The KU Weather Service predicts a 60 percent chance of rain today in the Lawrence area.
He said that in case of bad weather, drivers should take extra clothing and brightly colored flags to attract help if stranded.
"Give yourself extra time, don't rush and don't drink before you leave. Make sure your car is in good shape, and get a good night's sleep," he said. "Make sure you're mentally prepared."
Last year five people were killed over Thanksgiving weekend in Kansas. Although the speed limit is higher in some areas, Jacobs said that the Highway Patrol didn't predict a higher number of deaths this year.
Western Kansas, central Nebraska and western Iowa are expecting snow today.
"It's nothing major, but a couple of inches (of snow) is not out of the question," said John Dolusic, Kansas City, Kan., senior, a member of the weather service.
He said that the St. Louis area, the panhandle of Oklahoma and northern Texas were expecting rain.
The Sunday forecast is uncertain. Dolusic said, but there is a chance that snow will fall in central Kansas and a chance of showers developing in the Lawrence area. The weather service operates a phone hotline at 864-3300.
Limited space is left for students traveling by airplanes who haven't already made their reservations, a Maupintour Travel Service representative.
"The lowe' fares are mostly gone," she said,
"There is still space left, but they're more expensive."