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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
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.
See related stories p.9 and 12.
Frederick said that he made the decision Sunday night after many weeks of deliberation.
"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
By MIKE CONSIDINE Staff writer
KUAC's chairman resigns in protest
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 Friedrich said, "I respect his opinion and his decision to do so if that's what he feels like he should do. He's given
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." Redwood said. Valente's 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 be involved. 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
Honors come by the bunch for Braddy
Sitting out senior year of high school doesn't hurt KU's preseason All-American
Redwood said. If that was possible, then at least he should
Storv bv David Bovce
wo years ago Lisa Braddy didn't play basketball as a high school senior, yet she was considered by some national magazines as one of the country's top incoming freshmen.
Off the Glass magazine named her preseason first team All-American last year, and USA Today mentioned them on the top of the 25 high school seniors.
After being named the Big Eight Conference Newcomer-of-the-Year last season, and rated a preseason All-American by the Women's Basketball Newcomer of the Year, he is considered one of the point stands in the conference.
Braddy, though, doesn't see herself as one of the best players in the conference.
"I guess I haven't even realized that I am any better than anyone else." Brady said.
Braddy's goal is to be a complete floor leader.
Even when Kansas women's basketball coach Marian Washington, newcomers and veterans on the team all marvel at her floor leadership and ball-handling skills, Braddy is to unaware of the complements.
She really didn't get that chance two years ago when poor grades forced her to sit out her senior season to attend college. City Mo. She later transferred to Waynette High School in Kansas City, Kan, where she graduated.
Despite playing only her sophomore and junior years at St. Terra's, Braddy is the all-time leading scorer at the school with over 1,300 points. She played her freshman year at High School in Kansas City, Kan.
"It was tough sitting out, but I played in summer leagues, and that really helped me," she said.
She said that even though it was a painful situation, she grew from the experience.
"The toughest thing for me during that time was watching my teammates play and not being able to get there and help them." Bradly said.
Washington said Braddy's grades would have allowed he to play at most high schools, but St. Teresa's academic standard forced Braddy
"That situation has helped me a lot up here because this school also has a tough academic standard," Braddy said.
Braddy said even though she didn't compete her senior season, none of her skills deteriorated. The fact that perennial national powers Louisiana Tech and Texas recruited her was proof of her skills.
"I always wanted to go to Tech," Bradday said. "But they were so spread out as a team. Everyone on them had their own separate grunt."
Kansas' team concept was the final factor for Bradday in deciding which school to attend.
When senior forward Jackie Martin saw Braddy play in high school, she said she knew Kansas had to get her.
"She could spot open players
underneath the basket from half court." Martin said. "She was a person with a lot of confidence and a lot of talent."
Washington said Braddy was definitely one of the best players coming out of high school.
Brady became only the second player in Washington's 14 years as coach to start every game. The other two have been veteran Globe-l伯特 Lynet Woodard.
But to compare Braddy to Woodard was not fair, Washington said, because their styles were so different.
As a freshman, Washington said, Braddy showed steady improvement throughout the season.
"After being away a year she had to do some rethinking," Washington said. "But as the season went on she gained more control and maturity."
Last year Bradley alternated with Eveette Ott at point guard. Now that Ott has left, Bradley will be expected to play and the players have complete confidence in her.
Junior college transfer Deborah Richardson said she thought Braddy was a senior the first time she saw her.
"I thought, the way she carried herself on the court, she had to be a senior." Richardson said.
after practicing with Braddy, Richardson said Braddy simply was a great point guard.
"Her ball-handling skills are excellent," Richardson said. "And for her to be that skillful as a sophomore is amazing."
Now Brady hopes her added maturity will help Kansas repeat last year's success. Last year the Jayhawks won the Big Eight Conference Tournament and went on to win their first game in the NCAA Tournament.
To do that, Washington is counting heavily on Braddy's leadership. And although this year's team has five players, he will be Braddy who runs the floor.
Brady may have picked up some of her passing skills playing street ball with her brothers and neighborhood friends.
"Sometimes when she sees openings underneath and we miss the pass or are not looking, it lisa who is patient and really helps us a lot."
"I felt we were going to win it," she said. "I think we will continue where we left off last year."
"I was the only girl in the neighborhood who played, but I was usually the first one picked," she said.
Washington said, "Lisa Bradby plays inspired basketball and is able to create opportunities for other players." She has a great advantage over other teams."
Kansas assistant coach Kevin Cook said Braddy had worked hard on improving her sho. d temperament
"She has been coming to optional practice every morning at six working on her shot." Cook said.
He said everyone on the team liked Braddy.
"She is a part of the family," Martin said. "She is really nice and really sweet."
14 KANSAN BASKETBALL PREVIEW November 23, 1987
Sophomore guard Lisa Braddy, last season's Big Eight Newcomer-of-the-Year, was a preseason All-American pick by the Women's Basketball News Service of New York.
WOMEN GET SHOT AT THREE Story by Robert Whitman
this is true equality Now women's basketball players can bomb away from 19 feet, 9 inches from the
center of the rim and get three points for it, just like the men were able to last season.
The three-point field goal became a permanent rule for the women this year after being allowed experimentation. The ball was not used in the NCAA tournament.
Mention the three-point rule to nearly any player, and you'll get this reaction — an instant smile and wide-eyed delight.
Others try to hide their delight at the prospects of canning a three-pointer, not wanting to appear too eager.
"You bet I am," said 6-foot Kansas senior Sandy Shaw when asked if she was going to take any three-point shots. And then turning to assistant coach Kevin Cook, standing nearby, "Won't I coach?"
"I don't know how many shots will actually be taken, but it's nice to know it's there," said Kansas senior Toby Siemens. "There are a few who can shoot it."
But on the Jayhawk team, it won't become an integral part of the offense, said Kansas coach Marian Schoenfeld. He used the rule and still doesn't like it.
"We certainly have to prepare for it," she said. "I just don't want it to be all-consuming. We have to play the game the way we conceive it.
"We're going to find as many players as we can who feel comfortable shooting it."
The three-point rule was used last year experimentally in some conferences, but not in the Big Eight once. The coaches voted against it.
"Maybe the men's game needs it, I don't know." Washington said. "For the women's game, I don't think it 'necessary.'"
But whether a coach favors the three-point rule or not can depend on whether they have a person on their team who they think can shoot it.
Halterman said he would not coach his team to look for the three-point shot.
"The first time it came up for a vote, I voted for it," said Oklahoma State women's basketball Coach Dick Halterman. "I didn't vote for it this year. It was more that I did not have anyone who I thought could shoot it."
"We're not going to do anything special to change our offense and try to get a three-point shot," he said. "If it happens to come, our kids will take over."
But Colorado coach Cal Barry, whose team has a strong perimeter game, said she was not excited by the rule.
"During practice, I'd be surprised if the kids take the shot three or four times in a game-type situation."
"oken to the assembled board time the decision was 1."
Washington said she thought Colorado and Oklahoma state would make use of the rule more than other conference teams.
"Although we're a perimeter
See THREE POINT, p. 29, col.1
nt board member Sue Glutter
No students were consulted.
y't seek out student opinion"
thus three student repelvives.
rick said, "From individual notations and from letters, I feel now where most of the people board stood on the issue."
ood praised Valsentele's comit to recruiting freshmen footwayers who were capable student. He said that Frederick didn't efficient consideration to Val's attention to academics.
See KUAC, p. 12, col. 5
JOE WILKINS intercepted by the KANAKSI is a news conference with his insults about his firing.
Joe Wilkins III/Special to the KANSAN
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