HISTORY
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WOMEN'S HOOPSTEAM RETURNS
After a 10-day trip through Italy, the Jayhawks are back home PAGE 7B
COMMENTARY
Sports can transcend barriers
WIDE VARIETY OF SPORTS IN THE FALL PAGE 2B
FUN FOR THE FANS
RALLYING THE TROOPS
July 24 was a monumental step for the gay community. New York legalized same-sex marriage, a topic of national debate. I'm not going to get into whether same-sex marriage should or shouldn't be allowed. I'm not the one to make that call.
Edited by Joel Petterson
If an athlete of similar caliber to Robinson were to announce today that he or she was gay, it would be an even bigger victory than the legislation in New York.
While there is still racism in this country, having jackie Robinson break the color barrier was one of the greatest moments for sports and for this country. While there was outrage, Robinson became one of the most celebrated athletes of our time.
What I am calling for is more acceptance and tolerance, especially in sports. One simple action by a high-profile athlete could pay more dividends than any legislation could.
KU spirit squad members pump up the crowd before guest speakers took the stage at the KU Kick Off Rally at Corinth Square. Coach Turner Gill, top right, tells fans that his team's new speed will increase the team's wins this season. Basketball coach Bill Self, bottom right, speaks about elevating the score to the same level as the basketball team.
In June, the Chicago Cubs joined in the San Francisco Giants in creating a video for the "It Gets Better" campaign, a project intended to call for an end to LGBT bullying and harassment. Shortly after, the Boston Red Sox also created a video for the project, which was launched in September 2010 in response to a string of suicides by teenagers who identified as gay or were perceived as being gay.
PHOTOS BY HANNAH WISE/KANSAN
The sports world already has made some efforts to address the issue.
San Francisco felt the need to participate because lifelong fan Sean Chapin started an online petition. The Cubs became part of the campaign because Laura Rickett, co-owner of the Cubs, became the first openly gay owner of a professional sports team in 2009.
This is a step in the right direction, and certain players have made individual efforts to promote equality as well. Football Hall-of-Famer Michael Irvin supports gay rights and said he would support any athlete who comes out.
New York Ranger Sean Avery has backed marriage equality for some time now and has received some criticism for it.
More athletes are coming out, but many have retired or aren't the stars of the league. I'm still waiting for the day when all-star from MLB, the NBA or the NFL comes out to the public.
As much as we don't want to admit it, sports are an integral part of society. Americans follow them with such a close eye that any slip, e.g. Tiger Woods, is endlessly scrutinized.
We've seen former WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes come out. We've seen Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir come out. We've seen World Golf Hall of Famer Kara Webb come out.
Sports are so far behind the curve of society. The sports world tends to latch on to cultural changes years after they are effected. However, if more athletes come out and say they support equality or say they are gay, I think more people will accept it. Children look up to athletes. If an athlete wants equality, I would think young fans would want the same thing. They would think that it's OK, because their favorite player thinks it's OK.
I think the reason more players don't come out is they don't want to be ostracized, but overcoming those fears could go a long way in changing perception of minority sexual identities within sports, as well as in society.
MIKE VERNON
mvernon@kansan.com
PRAIRIE. VILLAGE — The pounding of pads on the field means it's promotion time for Kansas Athletics off the field.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, Athletics Director Sheaon Zenger, basketball coach Bill Self and football coach Turner Gill all spoke to fans in an effort to campaign for the upcoming football season in Prairie Village. The fifth annual KU Kickoff Rally drew several hundred KU fans.
Gray-Little opened the speeches with a quick message to the fans. Her main message instructed the crowd to come to the team's first game on Sept. 3 against McNeese State.
Zenger covered a couple of Kansas topics during his speech, including what the athletics department was working on. Zenger explained doing things the "Kansas Way," which he defined as having substance over image, under promising and over producing, and working hard.
A popular topic of recent times — the state of the Big 12
— also received attention from Zenger.
"It's time for the University of Kansas to take its rightful place as a leader in this conference," Zenger said. "Whether it's basketball, football, soccer, or tidlywinks, we will compete."
the crowd with his speech as he routinely compi- mented the leadership in the athletics department. Self also made a plug
Bill Self followed and sent waves of confidence through
for fans attending games this year.
"It's time for the University of Kansas to take its rightful place as a leader in this conference."
Gill then told the crowd why
Then Turner Gill took the stage. Like the previous speakers, Gill stressed wanting fans to get in the seats. Gill also related the team to the crowd,naming every KU football player from Kansas City — 14 in all.
"I, encourage everybody to buy tickets and get your butts in the seats," Self said. "We need you to be good."
they should continue to be fans of the football team. He told them the team has improved talent-wise and in knowledge of the schemes.
He explained that the team knows how to compete, has toughness and has a great work ethic. Speed has been a popular topic for Gill to talk about
SHEAHON ZENGER Athletics Director
this fall, and Friday was no exception as Gill told the crowd about the teams added speed and playmakers.
On a day in which the
chancellor, athletic director, basketball coach and football coach came to promote the upcoming football season and athletics department as a whole. Gill said days like this are for getting to know the fans.
"It shows that I appreciate them," Gill said. "I want to connect with ours fans. I owe it to them."
Edited by Jayson Jenks
SPORTS ADMINISTRATION
Zenger takes over changing athletics department
KORY CARPENTER ccarpenter@kansan.com
A native of Hays and holder of the University of Kansas Ph.D., Sheahon Zenger arrived back in Lawrence in January after various football coaching stints across the country as well a six-year tenure as the director of athletics at Illinois State University. With a relatively short time on the job as athletic director, Zenger sees his background in coaching as an asset when dealing with coaches on a day-to-day basis.
"For me, it just comes more naturally to interact with coaches when you have been one," he said last week.
That interaction isn't easy for both parties, however. One of Zenger's initial goals is to have every team consistently in the top half of the Big 12. Some coaches — Bill Self comes immediately to mind — are bastions of consistency, Others, like women's basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson, have struggled. Henrickson has a total win percentage below .500 and has failed to
make the NCAA tournament since arriving in Lawrence in 2004.
Dr. Sheahen Zanger was hired in January to replace former Athletics Director Lou Perkins. Dr. Zenger served as Athletics Director at Illinois State University for five years.
"I just hope that she and the team and the staff can come together for a special season." Zenger said.
Regarding Self, who is looking for his eighth consecutive regular-season Big 12 title in 2012, Zenger had nothing but praise, saying he's the easiest coach to work with and singing out his people skills, motivation and high level of success.
CHRIS BRONSON/KANSAN
Dealing with on-court successes and failures isn't the whole story, however. Not in today's multi-billion dollar college sports world.
"When you're in the world of athletics, you sort of have one foot in higher education and one foot in the business world," Zenger noted. "You have to stay tuned in to both worlds."
One of his major priorities is revamping Memorial Stadium, the oldest college campus football stadium west of the Mississippi River. Removing the track around the field as well as re-examining the construction of the Gridiron Club — football suites which were originally planned for completion
last fall — were discussed. Zenger noted that the club is under review as the staff looks at various strategies regarding Memorial Stadium improvements.
Staying in tune with both the education and business side of Kansas Athletics Inc. has certainly come into play recently with conference realignment talks once again pushed to the front burner. Fellow Big 12 member Texas A&M has reportedly been in talks with the SEC conference, and the fate of the Big 12 has been in question.
With Kansas and Kansas State rumored to be a package deal should the Big 12 fail, Zenger's history with both schools (he has both a bachelor's and master's degree from Kansas State) has been a topic of discussion among Kansas fans.
"We need to always evaluate what's best for this institution," he said. "We're committed to the Big 12 conference and Kansas State is a part of that conference."
NBA lockout could bring alumni back to campus
On a lighter note, rumors have surfaced of a possible alumni basketball game before the season. With the NBA currently in a lockout, many former KU players have spent time in Lawrence working out.
"We're exploring a number of opportunities." Zenger said of the possible game. "The administrative staff is working with ccach Self and his staff to see if there are some possibilities for something that could be fun for the students, alumni, and everyone involved."
MORNING BREW 2B
Edited by Laura Nightengale
WEEKEND SOCCER ACTION 4/5B
VOLLEYBALL 6B
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 7B
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