Splish splash
Details page 6
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
Frederick says team must make progress
By CRAIG ANDERSON 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 [was] an improvement."
KUAC's chairman resigns in protest
By MIKE CONSIDINE
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 Frederick 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
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," Reddish insete's contract lasts two more years.
Although KUAC by-laws state that the decision to hire and fire coaches belongs to the athletic director, Redwood said that he thought the board 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
Sophomores
Continued from p. 12
Even with the injury, Harris was pleased with his overall season.
affect me at the end of the season",
Harris said. "I didn't want it enough.
I didn't work hard enough for it."
plants were better. "It could have been better, a lot better, but we won 25 games," he said.
He was disappointed that Missouri captured both the Big Eight title and the Big Eight Tournament.
Unlike Pritchard and Randall, Harris didn't play for a summer team. Instead, he concentrated on his school work. Because of that, Harris gained about 25 pounds. He finished last season weighing 190 and reported to practice this season at 212.
Guelderne, the fourth sophomore, didn't expect to play much his freshman year, and that was the way the season started.
"I will have to work harder all the time to lose some weight," Harris said.
But when a number of small injuries occurred, Brown was forced to use Gueldner as more than just a late-game substitute.
"It was a unfortunate situation, but it gave me the opportunity to play in some pressure situation," Gueldner
said. "I didn't expect to play much.
said. "I didn't expect to play much."
said it in the Sunday nationally television game against Notre Dame that night, and answered what he was capable of doing.
With both Harris and guard Cedric Hunter out because of injuries, Guelder came in and scored a 10 run with 3-for-3 against the 3-passing from the field.
He would equal that total later in the season in games against Missouri and Kansas State.
"I was nervous when I started playing here, yet it was exciting playing at the field house," Guelder saunted as it really gets your momentum up.
He said that coming from a small school in central Illinois, he didn't get the opportunity to play against some of the ton high school players.
"I gained a lot of confidence when I learned I could play against some of the great college players," Gueldner said.
Although he would like to play more, Gueldner said his ultimate goal was for the team to make it to the Final Four.
"We have a great team, and I would just like to add whatever I can to help the team," he said.
Newcomers
Continued from p. 12
percent shooting average from the field, 140 assists and 97 steals last season, he could be an effective point guard. Kansas competed with Oklahoma, Minnesota and Miami (Fla.) for Minor's services.
The Jayhawks also had some tough competition for its two freshman signees. Masucci, rated the 10th best center by the National Recruiting Cage Letter going into his senior year at Grandview High School in Grandview, Mo., was sought by St. John's and Missouri.
The 6-10 Masusci should give the Jayhawks depth at center, even if Brown follows on plans to redshift 6-9 senior Sean Alvaido.
Mike Maddox chose KU over Wichita State and Arizona. The addition of Maddox will strengthen Kansas at the forward position. The former Oklahoma prep Player-of-the-Year has already gotten a taste for the NCAA. He will face at Kansas in the McDonald's and Capital Classics and as a member of the North Squad in the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival.
spoken to the assembled board a time the decision was said
Brown said the new Jayhawks were still trying to adjust to the physical demands and complexities on the major college level.
"I was hoping some of the new kids would adjust a little quicker," he said. "But I don't know, maybe it's good that they're having trouble adjusting, because maybe we've improved (as a team)."
"He's making progress each day. I really believe with these new kids it's a new experience. He's making an effort, and that's all I ask. He's not in great shape, so it's tough for him." Brown said.
Brown said that Branch had improved since early scrimimages and that he still had to work on his physical conditioning.
Branch agreed that he wasn't in the shape he hoped to be in at this point. He said he was also concentrated on learning his role with Kansas.
Brown said Minor and Livingston needed to work more on showing leadership on the court than on conditioning. As of yet, he said neither had stepped forward to claim the spot. He said Brown has played sophomore Kevin Pritchard at the point and junior Milt Newton at off guard.
A not-so-nice problem Kansas has is the small injuries and illnesses that have hampered the progress of Maddox and Masucci. Maddox sprained an ankle during a scrimmage against Missouri, and Maddox has been ill. Neither has been forced to miss significant practice time, though.
"Competition isn't as tough at a juco as on the major college level. There are a lot less plays to memorize (at a juco), that's the main reason."
Livingston said it was tough to take a leadership role, because he was still learning the system and getting to know his teammates. He said he had hoped to be more comfortable in the point guard position.
The two said they would have to fight to see as much playing time as they wanted. But the experience they get from sitting on the bench this season will only make them better in the long run, Maddox said.
But that discomfort may be a good sign, according to Brown.
"He's putting a lot of pressure on himself," he said, "but that's a nice problem to have — when kids care that much."
"I've got Chris Piper and Archie Marshall, both seniors, playing my position," he said. "Archie is coming right here, and he really well, and he's playing great."
"I think I can come in and help out. Coach Brown plays a lot of players. I think that if I work hard and play then, I can come in and contribute."
"That's another reason I came to Kansas. That's only going to make me better. You only get better by playing against better players, and I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to improve myself."
ADD STYLE TO YOUR DECOR!
Teak Computer/ Typing Trolley
Great for dorm rooms and limited apartment space. 20 x 34 x 26
Now Only $159kd limited quantities
HOUSE OF DENMARK
23rd & Louisiana 843-3633
Kansan Fact: 7,900 KU Students Spend Over $300 A Month!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Late Night!
MAKE THE Vista RUN
Great Food Great Service Vista RESTAURANTS 1527 West 6th
Lawrence
Hours:
Monday thru Thursday 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 6:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.
Sunday 7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
COLUPON
Vistaburger BUY ONE-GET ONE FREE
Limit 1 order per coupon,
one coupon per customer.
Not valid in combination
with any other offer. Offer
good 10:30 AM to close.
Expires 12/15/87
1527 West 6th * Lawrence
KANSAN BASKETBALL PREVIEW November 23, 1987 25
ont board member Sue Glatter.
"No students were consulted,
'n't seek out student opinion."
oard has three student repatives.
erick said, "From individual sations and from letters, I feel now where most of the people board stood on the issue."
jerrick said, "We're coming a situation where the previous had academic difficulties. Bob hard to gain the respect of
wood praised Valesate's comment to recruiting fresh footlayers who were capable stud. He said that Frederick didn't sufficient consideration to Val's attention to academics.
See KUAC, p. 12, col. 5
Joe Wilkins III/Special to the KANSAN as a news conference with his estions about his firing.
hieves
d when students did not lock
sually that is when students are
all.
uables, such as a stereo, from a r an overreacting, Flaig said. e students' valuations were safe worth the effort of loading and
ver, that auto burglaries and
equently when students were
ding their cars. Every time
rip to load valuables in their
ck the car afterward, he said.
students should never load the
they go home.
ng travel
central Nebraska and western snow today.
jor, but a couple of inches (of the question," said John ity, Kan., senior, a member of
it. Louis area, the panhandle of rthern Texas were expecting
cast is uncertain, Dolus said, be that snow will fall in central co of showers developing in the mother service operates a 1-3300.
left for students traveling by
n't already made their reserva-
t Travel Service representative
s are mostly gone," she said,
he left, but they're more expen-