2B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 19.2008
quote of the day
"People will tell you that I overcame obstacles ... maybe. But the truth is I was incredibly blessed in my life. More was given than was ever taken away."
—Jim Abbott, former major league pitcher with one hand, who turns 41 today.
fact of the day
Jimabbott.info
Jim Abbott pitched a complete game in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, giving the United States the gold medal over Japan. Abbott went on to pitch a no-hitter for the Yankees in 1993.
trivia of the day
Q: Where did Jim Abbott attend college?
A: Michigan. He was an All-American.
Jimabbott.info
schedule
Today
Soccer: Central Florida,
6 p.m. (Orlando, Fla.)
Tennis: UMN Fall Invit, first
day (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Saturdav
Volleyball: Iowa State,
1 p.m. (Lawrence)
Football: Sam Houston State
(Band Day and Family Day),
6 p.m. (Lawrence)
Tennis: UNM Fall Invit, second
day (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Sunday
Soccer: Florida, noon
(Gainesville, Fl.)
Tennis: UNM Fall Inite,
final day (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Monday
Women's Golf: Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational, first day (Lawrence)
Tuesday
Women's Golf: Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational, final day (Lawrence)
Wednesdav
Women's Volleyball: Nebraska, 7 p.m. (Lincoln, Neb.)
Thursday
Self, Canadian fan create explosive atmosphere
No events
The Kansas basketball team went to Canada earlier this month for three exhibition games expecting to come together as a team and get a head start on practice for the upcoming season. The Jayhawks didn't know they were also going to receive a lesson in world-class heckling.
An obnoxious crowd at a Canadian college basketball game seems as hard to imagine as a martini stand at a NASCAR race. Kansas coach Bill Self and his players found out otherwise, however, in an 84-83 victory against Carleton in Ottawa at Scotiabank Place.
It started innocently enough. Carleton opened the game with a 14-4 run and the referees whistled a
Like basketball coaches often do,
Self expressed his displeasure to the
officials, One Carleton fan didn't
appreciate it. As the arena went
silent, the fan yelled at Self.
couple of fouls on the Jayhawks that Self didn't agree with.
"Sit down, coach," the manly voice roared, "I said, 'Sit down!'
A half full Scottiabank Place isn't exactly Allen Fieldhouse during basketball games. It was quiet. Everyone in the gym could hear the overpowering voice.
Heads turned. Fans scanned the
arena. Coaches looked up from the bench. Everyone wanted to find out where the command came from.
Self
It didn't take
much longer for them to spot the culprit. He continued to yell at Self and the officials until his whereabouts became obvious.
The middle-aged, grey-haired
man — who closely resembled actor Brad Leland, who played a football-crazed booster in both the movie and TV show version of "Friday Night Lights" — sat courtside, right in the middle. The Leland look-a-like was close enough to reach out and grab a player if he pleased. But he just opted to scream in referee's ears instead.
When Self finally figured out where the heckler was sitting, he got involved. Self yelled back. He looked at the man and said something about how he was unaware the man was part of the officiating crew. Self then turned back to his bench and laughed. He said it was all in good fun.
"I love it, I love it," Self said.
"That doesn't bother me at all. I wanted to create an environment honestly where guys felt like there was some pressure to perform."
It worked. Led by freshman guard Travis Relefford's 25 points, Kansas won an 84-83 battle when a Carleton shot rimmed out at the buzzer.
Self and the heckler shared a few more exchanges before the final Carleton heave.
"I thought it was great," Self said.
The man wasn't able to say much as the game wound down in the final minutes, but not by choice. Scotiabank Place security guards went over to his seat and warned him twice to calm down.
The final time came after he caught an erroneous outlet pass from sophomore center Cole Aldrich late in the second half. The man caught the ball, pointed
at Aldrich and thanked him for the pass. He then held the ball up with one hand and did some kind of embarrassing jig.
Doornekamp almost led his team to an upset over the defending NCAA champions. His dad — who Carleton officials said has season courtside tickets and is always obnoxious at the games — had a reason to be into it. Self didn't mind that it was the star player's father velling at him.
The catch is that the man wasn't just a huge Carleton Ravens fan. Carleton athletic department officials confirmed he was the father of Aaron Doornekamp, a Raven forward considered to be the best player in Canada. Doornekamp scored 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds and shot 4-for-6 from three-point range against the lavhawks.
"That's OK too," Self said. "That doesn't bother me. If anything, it gets our guys fired up."
But was he safe?
Edited by Brieun Scott
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra is helped by trainer Stan Conte, lower right, as manager Joe Torre, left rear, and coach Larry Bowa, top right, look on after injuring his left knee rounding third base on a fifth-inning single by Pablo Ozuna against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Garciaparra was tagged by outers by捕球员 Cater Ryan Duont to end the innings.
Sportin' Jayhawks
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NFL
Commissioner takes a hard line on misbehavior
NEW YORK — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has followed up his suspension of a Tampa Bay cornerback by re-emphasizing safety issues and warning that even first-time offenders will be subject to discipline.
He sent a memo Wednesday night, a day after the league announced the one-game suspension of Tampa Bay cornerback Elbert Mack for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan last week. Mack, an undrafted rookie from Troy, had been fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness against Houston quarterback Alex Brink during
the Bucs' exhibition finale Aug. 28.
"From this point forward, you should be clear on the following point: Any conduct that unnecessarily risks the safety of other players has no role in the game of football and will be disciplined at increased levels, including on a first offense." Goodell wrote in a memo obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. ... "Playing by the rules shows respect for your fellow players. No one wants to see unnecessary injuries."
Goodell ordered that the memo be read and distributed to all players on all 32 teams.
Mack, who plays in nickel and dime defenses and on special teams, will miss Sunday's game with Chicago.
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Associated Press
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Goodell's letter was a follow up to the one sent to Mack by Ray Anderson, the league's executive vice president for football operations.
GOLF
GOLF Tour rookie surprised by his lead at Viking Classic
MADISON, Miss. — Marc Turnesa was shocked to see a PGA Tour rookie's name atop the Viking Classic leaderboard Thursday — especially his own.
"To be honest with you, I'm surprised I shot 7 under," Turnea said. "I didn't really feel like I was hitting it great and I didn't hit it great. But putting is a great equalizer. If you can make putts
Mon - Fri 3-2 a.m.
Sat - Sun 12-2 a.m.
you can get away with a lot of things."
The 30-year-old rookie with a celebrated family history on the PGA Tour used a 22-pult round for a 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Brian Gay at the Annandale Golf Club. In a field dotted with big names needing a little boost after falling on hard times, Turnesa rolled in eight birdies.
Associated Press
In injury, uncertainty and Kansas City's fervent desire to develop young players have thrust Tyler Thigpen from third-team quarterback to starter for Sunday's game at Atlanta.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The pride of Coastal Carolina is stepping up in class.
To some fans of the Chiefs (0-2), it's a welcome sign that management is serious about biting the bullet and building for the future. To others, it's an admission the season is already doomed.
But for a 24-year-old stuck deep on the bench and with an NFL experience until last week consisting solely of six passes, it is a "dream come true."
"It's a great feeling," said Thigpen, the first player from Coastal Carolina ever selected in the NFL draft. "It's something you dreamed of as a kid and the actuality is here
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In seven starts dating to last season, Brodie Croyle had had three injuries. A separated shoulder sustained in the season opener is expected to keep him out at least one more week, if not longer.
Career backup Damon Huard, who started last week's game against Oakland but came out with a stiff neck, is 35 and not in anybody's long-term plans.
So the door has suddenly swung wide open for a native of Winniboro, S.C., who didn't even play quarterback his senior year in high school. If Thigpen does well in his first NFL start, Croyle could meet with unexpected competition for the job everybody thought he owned.
Chiefs turn to third-team QB Thigpen to start against Atlanta
The rebuilding Chiefs have 15 rookies on their 53-man roster and a bit of a mess at quarterback. They're the only team in the NFL that's had four quarterbacks complete a pass in the first two games, and they're beginning to wonder about the reliability of their designated quarterback of the future.
now."
NFL
"Look around the league. This is the way this league works," said Thippen. "Guys get hurt all the time. It's an opportunity for me to step in there and perform and get us a win."
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A sturdy 6-foot-1, 220-pounder. Thipper has shown a quick release and a strong arm. There is some question about his touch, but his mobility fits the bootlegs and roll-
"We're constantly trying to evaluate players," Edwards said. "We say we're trying to grow a quarterback. When do you grow them? You can't grow them unless they play. And he needs to play"
Coach Herm Edwards, while insisting the Chiefs are doing all they can to avoid an 0-3 start, also admits he's eager to get a look at the former small-college quarterback who came into the league as a seventh-round draft choice of Minnesota.
In his only extended action since throwing for 6,598 yards and 53 touchdowns in college, Thigpen was 14-for-33 after coming off the bench in a 23-8 loss to Oakland last week. Several of his first few passes glanced off defenders' hands before he settled down and threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez. He also threw an interception.
outs the Chiefs are trying to feature in a new offense specifically designed for Croyle.
"That was a game for me to get warmed up in a way," he said. "I get a feel for how the NFL works. I got a little time last year. It wasn't much. So it was nice to go out there and go against those guys and see the live bullets coming at you."
He and Gonzalez, who needs only 85 yards receiving to set the NFL tight end record, have been putting in overtime, trying to get a feel for one another. Thigpen also expects the Falcons to test a young quarterback.
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"Me being a young guy, I imagine they'll probably try to bring some different stuff at me to try to confuse me," he said. "But we're going to stick to our game plan and get the ball out of my hands and let our playmakers make plays."
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