kansan.com
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
COMMENTARY
Fans need to show support
The quintessential fall day for football fell upon Lawrence Saturday. The town whose
By Mike Vernon mvernon@kansan.com
football ten upon Lawrence on Saturday. The trees, whose leaves have begun to turn to a mesh of yellow, orange and red, sat quietly on Mount Oread gazing down on the 90-year-old football stadium, one of the oldest in the nation.
"Obviously it is tough for us, I mean we're beating a Big 12 opponent coming out of halftime, and seeing everyone walk out, it's kind of like, 'Airy, thanks for the support,' said sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb. "It definitely hurts to see that you're playing well and there's not much support."
It was homecoming. It was a beautiful day for football. It was the first Big 12 game for Kansas this season. And instead of there being a buzzing atmosphere at Memorial Stadium to match the perfect day, there was hardly any atmosphere at all.
To those who think the support of the student body, or lack thereof, has no effect on the game, the comments from some of the football players would say otherwise.
Shortly after the Texas Tech game Saturday, senior linebacker Steven Johnson said there was a definite drop in energy in the second half, but he wasn't sure why it happened. The first suggestion he gave to explain why it happened: the mass exodus of the students.
Kansas football fans, the student section in particular, had every reason to show up to Memorial Stadium and enjoy a picturesque early Saturday afternoon that will be hard to match for the rest of the season.
At halftime, Kansas took a three-point lead into the locker room, with the potential of going 3-1 to start their year and building some real excitement into the remainder of this year's season.
That's when it happened: it's a ballpark number, but it appeared half of the students left after the long first half ended. Just to be clear, they left, when Kansas was winning, in their big 12 opener and the homecoming game.
It just shows you how much confidence the students instill in the University's football program.
Each player made sure not to blame the students in any way for the loss, but their comments should be telling.
"It does hurt knowing that your student fan base doesn't have a lot of confidence in knowing you're going to win," said junior cornerback Greg Brown.
The lack of confidence in a team winning at halftime also speaks volumes about where the program is. At a school that prides itself so much on its spirit there simply is none for football, the biggest sport in college athletics.
So far this season, Kansas ranks second to last in attendance out of Big 12 teams, bringing in an average of just over 500 more fans than last place Baylor. Now, it's possible for a program to be built with little fan support, but it's certainly not easy.
If Kansas fans want their football program to sit atop the perch it sat at just three years ago, they will have to support it on a frequent and consistent basis.
When No. 3 Oklahoma comes to town on Oct. 15, so will ESPN2. The teams will be playing under the lights, a kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. The setup should lead to an electric atmosphere that hasn't been seen at Memorial Stadium in years — but that doesn't mean it will.
Edited by Jason Bennett
JERSEYS RETIRED FOR ALL-AMERICANS
Three accomplished soccer athletes recognized PAGE 6
HITTIN' HARD
Junior defensive specialist Morean Boub makes a diving dig late in the third set Tuesday at Horeisi Center. Kansas defeated Nebraska-Omaha in three straight sets.
MIKE GUNNOE/KANSAN
A FIERCE COMEBACK
MATT GALLOWAY
mgalloway@kansan.com
mgalloway/DK/Uk_vball
Even though the Jayhawks' opponent came into the match with a record of 4-16, make no mistake about it, the slumping Kansas volleyball team made a statement Tuesday night. And their best performer may just have been someone who barely showed up in the game's box score.
The Jayhawks (12-4) rallied from a 20-24 deficit in the decisive third set to sweep a feisty Nebraska-Omaha (4-17) squad last night at the Horesei Family Athletics Center. 25-20, 25-16, 28-26.
Junior defensive specialist Morgan Boub made the most of a rare start, serving during four, six and four point rallies in each of the first three sets, respectively. Boub was serving when the Jayhaws came from behind in the third, turning a 22-24 deficit into a 25-24 lead. Boub would finish the game with one ace and six digs.
Coach Ray Bechard said that when Boub is serving, the team
has the opportunity to put both senior outside hitter Allison Mayfield and sophomore middle blocker Caroline Jarmoc at the net. "The rotation gives the Jawhaws a great opportunity to go on runs," said Bearchard.
"When Morgan served and served it aggressively, those two had a chance to be pretty good," Bechard said. "So we kept the service going when she was back there."
Freshman outside hitter Sara McClinton, who has been dealing with nuggets injuries, saw the court for the first time since Sept. 24th. With their backs against the wall in the third, McClinton provided a key kill that sparked the Javahays' 5-0 rally.
"It feels really good to be back out on the court," McClinton said. "I feel like I can help contribute to my team more and it feels good to be giving my all to everyone."
Mayfield finished the game with a double-double, notching 14 kills and 16 digs.
McClinton, who said she is feeling better every day, said Boub is
one of the better servers on the team.
"During practice, Coach B. has drilled her," McClinton said. "She is put under pressure serving all the time, so when it comes down to it, she's the go-to-girl for serving."
Last night's game gave the Jaya-hawks an opportunity to regroup after a winless start to Big 12 play. Junior middle blocker Tayler Toilefree said that with a home game against Texas A&M on Saturday looming, the game-clinching rally is an experience that should give the team confidence going forward.
"The Big 12 conference games are always going to be 20-20, close games," said Tolefree. "You don't just kick anybody's butt anymore. So we're working on staying composed and getting one point at a time, putting pressure on them even when they're on the verge of ending it."
- Edited by Stefanie Penn
JESSICA IANASZ/KANSAN
Junior middle blocker Taylor Tolefree reaches up to block the ball during the game against Omaha, Tuesday evening. Tolefree made three blocks during the Jay-hawks' 3-0 sweep over the Mavericks. Tuesday at Horejsi Center. Kansas defeated Nebraska-Omaha in three straight sets.
BIG 12
Missouri to explore conference options
ANDREW JOSEPH
ajoseph@kansan.com
The University of Missouri Board of Curators unanimously granted Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton complete authority to explore the school's future conference affiliation.
The Southeastern Conference recently welcomed Texas A&M as the conference's thirteenth member. The University of Missouri could be next.
A potential move for Missouri from the Big 12 to the SEC could have been complicated by Deaton's position as chairman of the Big 12 Board of Directors, but he resigned from the position effective immediately in connection with the board's decision. Deaton, who has been a strong advocate of the Big 12's survival, is also no longer chairing the five-member Big 12 expansion committee, said Chuck Neinas, interim Big 12 commissioner.
The board reached a decision after four hours of closed deliberation at the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus with both Deaton and Mike Alden, the University's athletics director, in attendance.
The announcement comes amid news Sunday when Neinas and the Big 12 Board of Directors announced the adoption to equally share all Tier I and II football and men's basketball television revenues.
V
"This action becomes effective after each member institution commits a grant of rights to the Conference for its Tier I and II television rights for at least six years," Big 12 officials said in a statement Monday.
If the remaining Big 12 schools agree to the grant's terms, the conference is guaranteed stability for at least six years. However, the possibility of the Big 12 collapsing once the agreement expires has caused Missouri to explore its options rather than making a long-term commitment to the conference.
Multiple reports have linked Missouri to the SEC, but the conference would have to formally invite the Tigers before any definitive movement
Although the SEC's current 13-team membership makes for disproportionate divisions, SEC commissioner Mike Slive said that conference has not yet reached out to any university beyond Texas A&M.
can happen. If Missouri was to leave the Big 12 they would be the fourth school to leave the conference in the past year.
But unlike Texas A&M, complications about Missouri's geographic location could play a role in the board's decision. Neijns said.
"They should consider their longstanding rivalry with Kansas, one that goes back to 1893, the Kansas City-based basketball tournaments, the close proximity to other Big 12
schools," Neinas said to the Austin American-Statesman. "It's one thing to talk about the Southeastern Conference, but how many people can afford to travel to Gainesville, Fla., or Columbia, S.C., or Tuscaloosa, Ala."
Missouri may not be leaving the Big 12 just yet, but the school's reluctance over the past week to sign on to the Board of Director's grant is cause for some concern within the conference. However, in a statement following the meeting, Neinasa said he anticipates the University will continue to be a member of the Big 12
Edited by Rachel Schultz