14
Tuesday, September 8, 1987 / University Daily Kansan
sports
Scott Carpenter/KANSAN
Brian Berg, Mission sophomore, tosses Kelly Glauser, Overland Park freshman into the air. The junior varsity cheerleaders were practicing in front of Allen Field House on Wednesday in preparation for the first home football game Sept. 19.
Varsity cheerleaders practice for Auburn game on Saturday
By DAVID BOYCE Assistant sports editor
At times they are practicing inside Robinson Center to the sound of top forty music. At other times they are forming pyramids in front of Allen Field House to the sounds of cars and students.
Assistant sports editor
They are the KU cheerleaders, and they have been working out about 10 hours a week since early August in preparation for Kansas' first football game against the Auburn Tigers.
Eight varsity cheerleaders will travel by car this Friday to Auburn, Ala. and will try to cheer the Jayhawks past the Tigers.
"On away games we try to settle the crowd down and keep them from harassing our team," said varsity co-captain Cran Chase.
Generally the cheerleaders must pay for away games, but on this occasion the athletic department will pay for the trip.
In early August, the KU cheerleaders qualified for nationals at Knoxville, Tenn., by finishing second in the fight song category. Nationals will be held Jan. 3 and 4 in Dallas.
Although some fans see cheerleading as insignificant or just a sport, some basketball leaders view this activity as a sport such as basketball or football.
"Seven of eight guys on the varsity squad competed in high school sports," Chase said. "If you want to win, you're not wont be able to do what we do."
The cheerleaders must perform lifts and tumbling routines to maintain fan interest in the game.
Cheerleaders' muscles also become sore after strenuous workouts, said Staci Baty, Lee's Summit, Mo., junior.
"It's a lot of hard work and you have to push yourself, but it's worth it when you are cheering your home team to victory.
"A lot of people think it’s bouncing around and looking cutie. People don’t realize how hard it is to build up stamina."
Spirit squad director Elaine Brady said the biggest misconception was in not considering cheerleaders as athletes.
"They are all athletes," she said. "In order to perform lifts and pyramids, they need to be in good condition."
It's a lot of hard work and you have to push yourself, but it's worth it when you are cheering your home team to victory. A lot of people think it's bouncing around and looking cute. People don't realize how hard it is to build up stamina.'
Staci Baty KU varsity cheerleader
- Staci Baty
Beginning this year, the male members are required to take a strength test once a month, and if they fail in two consecutive months they will be placed on cheerleading probation. They will not be able to perform until they pass the test.
"In order to be competitive and look good, we need strength," Brady said.
Like football and basketball, team cohesion is necessary in cheerleading to perform high-quality routines, Brad said.
"When I came here five years ago there was no cohesion," she
said. "Each squad viewed the other squad as a threat."
Brady said now all the squads were together and supportive of each other.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday the cheerleaders work two hours a day on lifts, pyramids and yells. Three times a week the male members must lift weights for an hour, and twice the female members practice aerobics. In addition, every member must take an advance gymnastic class.
The varsity cheerleaders' talents will be utilized by the football team starting Sept. 13 when the cheerleaders will lead the team in aerobic exercises, Brady said.
Besides the football team, Chase thinks the Kansas fans also appreciate their talents.
"Sometimes they watch us just to see us mess up," he said, "but they would rather have us than not have us.
Chase, like several other cheerleaders, started cheerleading to be involved with a school activity.
Doug Martin, Pratt junior, said he started to meet other people and be involved with a group.
“Our job is to get people involved in the game,” he said. “We produce a winning atmosphere.”
Baty said a lot of the basketball players said that the cheerleaders did make a difference.
"They said,'when we are not there it's noticeable.' Baty said.
Body voiced the same opinion
Brady voiced the same. "I think they are essential to football and basketball games," Brady said. "I've been to games where we have spirit squads and to games without spirit squads and it makes a difference, especially in basketball.
Valesente says team lacks enthusiasm
"Sometimes people never take their eyes off of us."
Staff writer
By CRAIG ANDERSON
The Kansas football team may have been practicing on the Memorial Stadium field Saturday morning, but Kansas coach Bob Valente said he wondered whether they wanted to be playing football.
"We just weren't sharp at all," Valesente said. "It looked like we were going through the motions.
"The team should be excited just to be on the field and want to get after
it. I am glad we have another week to prepare ourselves."
The Jayhawks worked on gamelike situations during the scrimmage. Valesente described it as a kind of dress rehearsal for the team's opening game against Auburn. The practice emphasized getting the special teams on and off the field quickly. The team also practiced its two-minute hurry-up offense. During the drill, Kansas worked from the shotgun formation.
Valesente said good effort was missing from all the drills. He said the team was not near where it needed to be to compete with Auburn.
Valesente said some of the problems experienced Saturday could be a carryover from the dismal season of last year. The Jayhawks finished the 1986 season with a record of Conference games, scoring only 41 points in the process. During those same seven games, the Kansas defense surrendered 265
points.
The team will have to increase its motivation if it is to compete up to the level of Southeastern Conference football, Valesette said. Auburn opened its season with a 31-3 win over Texas in front of 80,000 fans at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.
"The 3-8 season is still not out of our systems," he said. "We need to realize that progress takes time. We need to build on the successes we have."
Royals turn Angels' fastballs into 5-2 victory
The Associated Press
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Frank White took a simple objective into yesterday's game against California ace Mike Witt.
And the Kansas City second base man followed through perfectly.
"Mike's usually very tough on us. My goal was to not let him get ahead of me on fastballs," said White, who jumped on a pair of first-pitch fastballs for the key hits in the Royals' 5-2 victory over the Angels.
In the fourth inning, he followed
walks to George Brett and Danny Tartabull with his 15th homer and a 3-0 lead. In the eighth, he doubled before scoring on Jamie Quirk's single for an insurance run.
"I didn't really hit the homer that well, but you don't have to in the
daytime here," White said of the drive that barely cleared the fence in the left-center.
Witt matched his season-high with 11 strikeouts in eight innings, but was doomed by the fourth-inning walks, two of the four he gave up.
Former Kansas linebacker Chris Toburen, 27, was reportedly among four Marines who were killed Thursday in a helicopter crash at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in California. Toburen played at Kansas from 1978 to 1981. He was a four-year letterman. Toburen, a native of Pittsburg, Kan., is ranked sixth on the alltime Kansas tackling chart. He started for the Jayhawks at linebacker in the 1981 Hall of Fame Bowl against Mississippi State.
Ex-linebacker killed in crash
Running back gets player of the week
ly selected the Big Eight Conference offensive player of the week yesterday after he scored three touchdowns in a victory over Tulsa. Thomas, who was an All-Big Eight player last year despite being hobbled by an off-season knee injury, gained 164 yards on 25 carries in the 39-28 victory over Tulsa. He also caught three passes for 33 yards.
Oklahoma State running back Thurman Thomas was unanimous-
Sports Briefs
Scoreboard
American League
American League
Seattle 6, Cleveland 4
Minnesota 8, Chicago 1
Orlando 5, Milwaukee 3
Detroit 12, California 4
New York 12, Boston 4
Oakland 2, Texas 1
**National League**
Montreal 9, St. Louis 2
Cincinnati 3, Los Angeles 2
Pittsburgh 3, Chicago 2
San Diego 11, Atlanta 4
Philadelphia 5, New York 3
Houston 4, San Francisco 2
It's a Prize-Winning Opportunity to Have Fun . . .
Help the Arts . . . Meet Performers and
Win Free Gifts
The University of Kansas Performing Arts announces the 1987-88
While compiling ushering hours, student ushers will also have the opportunity to meet artists, attend special receptions and support the arts.
Students selected for the Usher Corps will usher at various Performing Arts events including performances for the Concert Series, Chamber Music Series, New Directions Series and University Theatre.
At the end of the 1987-88 performance season, corps members will be eligible to win special prizes including:
*Free weekends for two at Kansas City a
Lawrence hotels
*Dinners for two at local restaurants
*Kansas City Royals tickets
*and much more
Get involved in the arts
An informational meeting and interviews will be held in early September.
Get involved in the arts
Join the Performing Arts Usher Corps
Applications are being taken in the Murphy Hall Box Office
I Have.
Because of my involvement with Entertet, I can now say, "Yes, I have professional sales experience." My position has given me the opportunity to develop communication skills, to demonstrate self-discipline, to prove my commitment, not only to my job, but to myself. And after graduation, my resume will reflect just that.
Have You Ever Been Experienced?
Earn an excellent base wage. Earn cash bonuses.
Apply in person today
ENTERTEL
A SUBSIDIARY OF ENTERTAINMENT PUBLICATIONS. INC
6104 MASSHUSETTSSES LAWRENCE KS 60044
www.massachusettses.edu
Cash Back NOW! $$$$$$$
Student Dividend Payments Begin
Bring in your receipts from last semester's cash purchases at the KU Bookstores and receive a 6% cash rebate.
Hedeem your period 81 receipts with your student I.D. at the customer service areas of either KU Bookstore location.
Always save your cash receipts from the KU Bookstores because they mean money in your pocket every semester.
Period 81 receipts renewable thru 12/31/87