Sports
Exotic living
Soccer player Gabriela Quiggle has lived all over the world. Some experiences include a charging hippopotamus and visiting people that kept human skulls in baskets. PAGE 10B
sports commentary
12A
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, October 9, 2003
Jonah Ballow
jblaaw@kansan.com
Changing basketball before it begins
The same but different — what an interesting concept.
After Roy Williams wept last year while taking off for North Carolina, fans were shocked and concerned for the future of basketball at Kansas.
Enter Bill Self.
The former coach at the University of Illinois is making important moves before his first season at the University of Kansas even begins.
Not since Larry Brown has the Jayhawk been on display directly at the half court line. By the way, Brown won the last national championship for Kansas in 1988. Maybe this was more than just a facelift, but rather recognition of past tradition.
Despite my distaste for the new basketball floor, fans seem to enjoy the giant Jayhawk that now graces the court.
The uniforms for Kansas have also undergone changes for the upcoming season.
The shorts are a different style and the jersey now features a red trim along the neck and arm lines. Self also announced that the team would wear an alternate red jersey at some point during the season. The new look offers a different persona for the squad that Williams coached.
Again: same but different
The most intelligent decision Self made was the changing of the name for Late Night With Roy Williams.
Obviously, the popular Fall event needed a name change that was clever and catchy. Instead of making an egotistical name like Late Night With Bill Self, the coach re-visited tradition.
The new name is Late Night In the Phog. It places emphasis on the program and not on one individual coach. The name shows the character of Self and what kind of basketball team he is going to lead.
Bellow is a Lone Tree, Colo., senior in lawernial.
Yesterday, Self invited the 1988 national championship team to this year's Late Night In The Phog on Oct. 17 in Allen Fieldhouse. What better way is there to celebrate the beginning of the new year's basketball season than by paying tribute to the team overcame all odds to win the title?
Current Jayhawk players can look at the national championship team for inspiration in their own pursuit of the title.
Both Russell Robinson from New York and Alexander Kaun from Florida are highly-touted prospects and expected to make immediate impacts.
Aside from the aesthetics, Self has already brought what is arguably a top five recruiting class to Kansas for this year.
While Self takes over a Kansas team that is already rich in talent and experience, he's making improvements by adding to a team with several returning players who know already what it takes to reach the Final Four. In doing so, Self is truly looking toward the future of Jayhawk basketball.
It shows he is a dedicated coach who truly seems to embrace what Kansas basketball is all about.
The changes are a sign of good things to come for Kansas basketball fans. Self has connected with fans and alumni in a short period of time while starting his own legacy at Kansas.
While his production on the court is yet to be determined, Self is off to a great start with a simple concept: same but different.
'Huskers defeat' Hawks
By Mike Norris
mnorris@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
In a match where the largest lead for either team was six points, the Kansas volleyball team lost to No. 7 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, 3-1.
The Jayhawks were only outscored by five points the entire match, but their only victory came in game two, winning 30-28
Kansas coach Ray Bechard was still happy with the way the team played.
"I told the girls if I was a volleyball fan and it was the first time I came tonight, I'd probably come back," he said.
Bechard said he was happy the team out-dug Nebraska and had more kills, but was disappointed with the fact it was out-blocked again.
In game one the Jayhawks (11-6 overall, 3-3 Big 12 Conference) started well, jumping to a 4-1 lead. But the 'Huskers fought back and took the lead 22-18. Kansas tied the match at 29 on a Nebraska attack error, but the Cornhuskers ended the game with two straight kills.
Freshman Jana Correa had five of her 14 kills in game two, leading the 'Hawks to the victory. Her last kill of the game put it out of reach 28-22.
Megan True/Kansan
"I think we played hard, we played very good today," Correa said. "I think at the end of the match we needed a little more confidence."
After the break, the teams played a game where neither one had more than a four point lead. With the Jayhawks trailing 23-19, they used kills from Josi Lima, sophomore middle blocker, and Correa to cut the lead to two. With Nebraska leading 28-27, senior Sarah Rome had one of her 14 kills to tie the game at 28. But once again Nebraska scored the final two points to claim the 30-28 victory.
In the final game four Kansas lead 15-14, but Nebraska used a 7-1 run to put the
Freshman outside hitter Jana Correa attempted a kill during the fourth game action. The Cornhuskers beat the Jayhawks 3-1 last night. The game was played at Horesji center.
SEE VOLLEYBALL ON PAGE 7A
Big 12 official breaks barriers
By Kevin Flaherty
kflaherty@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
When Prentice Gautt was in high school, he and some friends took a bus from Oklahoma City into Norman, Okla. They walked up to the Oklahoma Sooners stadium, jumped the fence and ran up and down Owen Field a few times.
"It was just to say that we did it." Gautt said. "It was a dream for a sophomore in
high school."
Just two years later, in 1956, Gaunt lived his dreams as the first African-American football player for the Sooners, under legendary coach Bud Wilkinson.
After finishing his playing days, Gautt helped out the Big Gautt Eight Conference as assistant commi
sioner before moving on to his current position as associate commissioner for the Big 12 Conference. Working out of his home in Lawrence, Gautt helps athletes become more well-rounded and successful once they begin careers after sports.
PUSHING THE LIMITS
Gautt played in the first game to integrate Oklahoma high school football, in which he led Douglass High School to a 13-6 victory. He was the first African-
American to play in the Oklahoma high school all-star game.
Gautt's experience with integration took him to his next test. The Oklahoma Sooners were the nation's best team and were in the midst of a 47-game winning streak. Gautt's freshman year with the Sooners was just two years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision to integrate schools.
SEE GAUTT ON PAGE 7A
Eric Braam/Kansas
Wide receiver Charles Gordon outran the Missouri defense for 61 yards on a punt return in the first quarter two weeks ago. The Jayhawks take on Colorado at Boulder this Saturday.
Upper altitude play won't pose problems
Ryan Greene
rgreene@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Most see altitude as an unfair homefield advantage, but when the Kansas football team heads to Boulder, Colo., this weekend, it shouldn't be an issue.
In the Jayhawks' third game of the season, they traveled to Laramie, Wyo., and played in the highest altitude venue in college football — 7,220 feet. There, the Jayhawks anticipated shortness of breath and early fatigue. While those problems were held to a minimum, the team learned from the experience. Plus Boulder's elevation is roughly half of that of Laramie, so altitude will be even less of a focus. Either way, the Jayhawks are prepared.
"Altitude was a little hard on us, and it was easy for us to get winded," junior receiver Brandon Rideau said. "We're just going to have to go out there and suck it up because I'm sure Colorado is aware of it."
Aside from the previous experience in the thin-air atmosphere, coming off a bye week helps as well. Being at full strength heading into its first conference road test is just as important.
"It gave us a chance to get our legs back under us," freshman receiver Charles Gordon said Tuesday. "We had a good practice yesterday, so it didn't seem
"I think I got a little more dehydrated than anything up there," senior offensive lineman Danny Lewis said. "I'm definitely going to have to start drinking Gatorade a little sooner than that time." Kansas Football Notes
Along with receivers such as Gordon and Rideau, who are running routes nearly every single snap at full speed, the bigguys up front are at risk of running out of gas quickly in the mountain air. Kansas can ill afford to take a step back on both the defensive and offensive lines. The defense is 10th in the Big 12 against the run, but has improved vastly in recent weeks both in limiting rushing yards and getting to the quarterback. On the other side of the ball, Kansas ranks 17th in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 198 yards on the ground per game.
"He's been diligent and he works at it," coach Mark Mangino said. "He probably needs a little more time, but he's coming along."
Freshman safety Jerome Kemp's transition from his original position at tailback is going quick. Kemp, who switched just a few weeks ago, recorded two tackles against Missouri Sept. 27. His natural athleticism can better help the team in the secondary.
to mess up our rhythm."
Edited by Katie Nelson
TALK TO SPORTS: Contact JJ Hensley and Shane Me, tler at SPORTS@KANSAN.COM
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