thursday, October 2, 2003
the university daily kansan
sports
7A
Better team brings more fans to Memorial Stadium
By John Domoney
jdomoney@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The Athletics Department and the football ticket office staff are thrilled to see the 4-1 start of the Kansas football team, said associate athletics director Jim Marchion.
But now their challenge is to keep Memorial Stadium full for the rest of the season.
"I'm not happy with any crowd that's below capacity," Marchiony said. "We had great student spirit, but it can be better. I'd love to see the students challenge themselves to make it even better at the Bavlor game."
While the Jayhawks team and coach Mark Mangino are using the bye week for rest and preparation for facing Colorado Oct. 11, the Kansas ticket office is becoming a busy place.
Rodney Jones, director of ticket operations, said the last few days phones had been busier in the ticket office than any other point in his past seven years in the office.
The Jayhawks' next home game is not for another three weeks when they play Baylor for Homecoming Oct.18.
In fact, Kansas plays only three of its last seven games at home
against Nebraska on Nov. 8 and Iowa State on Nov. 22 in addition to the Baylor contest. But Marchiony said the main focus was on the Baylor game.
"I never look ahead," Marchiony said. "You can't look past the next home game because you lose sight of your goals."
From a financial standpoint, Marchiony said he would love to have a home game this weekend, but he saw the bye week as a necessity for the team.
"I think it's probably a good idea to let Mark coach the team and schedule the games," Marchiony said. "The guys can use this week to bask in their glory and get ready for a tough road game at Colorado."
"It allows us to be able to mail out tickets to people," Jones said. "We can place more ticket orders and fill the demand we have."
Having three weeks before the Baylor game is also an advantage for ticket sales, Jones said.
So far 31,000 tickets have been sold for the Baylor game.
The ticket office has three weeks to try to sell more to see a crowd similar to the 50,071 fans who sold out Memorial Stadium for last Saturday's Missouri game.
been 36,634 fans,with an attendance increase each game starting with 27,775 fans for the Northwestern game and ending with a capacity crowd for rival Tigers.
Through this year's four home games, average attendance has
in contrast, last year's four home games at Memorial Stadium drew an average of 36,500 fans per game.
But as the season progressed, attendance got smaller, closing with the 'Hawks season Nov. 16 against Oklahoma State in front of 27,500 fans.
Marchiony knows that as long as the team is winning, his job of selling tickets will be easier, he said.
However, this did not stop the athletics department from releasing a new ticket package earlier this week for the three remaining home games. The deal includes a ticket to each of the final three games and a Pure Blue T-shirt.
The $80 ticket package gives a 20 percent discount when compared to buying tickets separately.
Kansan File Photo
Increased fan support has not been lost to Mangino, who used Monday's Big 12 teleconference to answer questions about the fans.
"Winning puts people in the seats," Mangino said. "Winning is the only thing that fills the stadium."
Saturday's sold out crowd was the 13th largest ever at Memorial Stadium. More than 31,000 tickets have been sold for Kansas' homecoming on Oct. 18 against Baylor University.
Marchiony views the 35-14 victory over Missouri as an opportunity to create a new fan base, which he said must develop to sell more season ticket packages.
larger fan base as being a product of winning.
Mangino looks at attracting a
"We have always had a loyal core of fans and now that fan base is expanding," Mangino said. "What it boils down to, if you put a good product on the field
and you win, then people will come and support it."
-Edited by Katie Nelson
Return players key for bowling team
By Jason Elmquist
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sports correspondent
Last year both the women and men's bowling team from Kansas, went to the Finals in Tulsa, placing 9th and 4th respectively. This year the team aims to keep on rolling.
The team's first tournament this season is October 25 and 26 in Springfield, Missouri, and the team plans to hold two more qualifiers for it this Saturday and Sunday at the Jaybowl in the Kansas Union.
Bowling coach Michael Fine says students are welcome to show up for practices and participate. Fine said he was hoping to see an increase in female members this season.
BOWLING QUALIFYING TRYOUTS
While the women return two members from last season's team, the men have four.
"The four returning members will be very key for the new members, to help them in understanding dynamics," Emmons said. "They will rely on the senior members in a leadership role."
Emmons has been bowling since he was seven years old, and got interested in college bowling through his high school coach back in Loveland, Colorado.
The men's team is led by seniors, Alan Emmons and Marc D'Errico; and Jason Reese, a graduate student. Together they will attempt to bring Kansas back to the finals with 11 newcomers.
All students are welcome
Rounds run from 8 a.m. to 12
p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the
Jaybowl in the Kansas Union.
Bowlers must provide their
own bowling shoes. Shoes are
provided if necessary.
Call 864-3545 for more
information.
The experience of bowling under Fine's guidance has been a significant component in the team's success, he said.
Since Emmons freshman
year he has seen an improvement,he said,as the team went from ranked 29th to 4th last year.
Fine, who was the 2001-2002 Men's Collegiate Bowling Coach of the Year and a finalist for the 2002-2003 Coach of the Year, is in his 18th year at KU.
"Mike is a very important aspect to this team," Emmons said. "Without him we wouldn't be where we are now."
Kelly Zapf, junior, is the member of the women's team that has bowled the longest for Kansas.
Zapf also has been bowling since she was seven years old, and was recruited to come to KU by a friend who was on the team. Zapf said she was appreciative of the Jaybowl, which sponsors the bowling team, giving them discounts on ball drilling and use of the bowling alley.
"Without Jaybowl we wouldn't be where we are today," Zapf said. "It is convenient being on campus and it has given me an opportunity to work in the bowling alley."
Edited by Katie Nelson
Oklahoma quarterback considers petitioning for hardship eligibility
By Philip Gray Oklahoma Daily via U-WIRE University of Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. - In the third game of his career, it looked as if his career was over — but he proved us wrong. In the second season's second game, everyone assumed he would never see the field again, yet he is back under center.
ACL tears in each of his knees was sure to end Jason White's life as a football player, yet he has defied everyone's expectations and returned as Oklahoma's quarterback and leader this season.
Any questions surrounding his ability have been answered — he has completed 86-of-132 passes for 1,088 vards and 11 touchdowns.
One question left unanswered is whether he will return for another year. By eligibility he is a senior and has no eligibility left,
but because of his injuries he has a chance to return one last time.
By definition, anyone who has not participated in more than three of the first five games because of an injury is eligible to receive a medical hardship.
In White's case, he qualifies because of the injury he suffered against Alabama in 2002, the second game of the year. He does not qualify, however, due to an injury sustained in 2001. He tore the ligament in the team's eighth game of the season against Nebraska.
At the end of the season,
because he qualifies, White will be
able to petition the NCAA for
another year and due to the extent
of White's injuries, he will likely
be granted that year.
"Certainly the circumstance of Jason's injuries would allow him to gain a hardship," athletic trainer Scott Anderson said.
Will White stay? No one knows, not even him.
"Right now I'm just playing like its my last year," White said. "I'm going to go out and just have a good time with it. I have to finish the year before I even make that decision."
If he does decide to stay he will have been at Oklahoma for the better part of a decade, but he will be surrounded by an offense with experience. Oklahoma will return the whole offensive line, receivers and running back Kejuan Jones. That won't factor into his decision, however. If not a great team, then what?
"The love for the game. If I still enjoy it and play it to have fun," White said.
"Just being out there with the team will have a big impact on coming back. You have to treat it like a job but you have to enjoy your job."
While we don't know whether White will return as a Sooner next
season, one thing is sure, the desire of middle linebacker Lance Mitchell to return.
Mitchell was hurt in the third game of the year with a knee injury and has already undergone surgery to repair his torn ACL.
The surgery 'went according to plan,' and Mitchell should be ready for the fall, Anderson said.
Mittchell will also have to petition the NCAA at the end of the season for a medical hardship. Because his injury falls under the guidelines set by the NCAA for medical hardships, he would likely be given the chance for one more year.
"I'm going to take my medical and be ready for next season," Mitchell said.
His decision came a little easier than White's.
"it's the only decision," Mitchell said. "It's the better choice, and it is the smart thing to do."
Rush Limbaugh criticized for race remark
The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA - Donovan McNabb doesn't mind criticism of his performance, but he's upset that Rush Limbaugh made his race an issue.
And the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback says it's too late for an apology from the conservative commentator, who said the media has overrated McNabb because they want to see a black quarterback succeed.
"It's not something that I can sit here and say won't bother me," McNabb said yesterday.
Before McNabb led the Eagles
Limbaugh insisted he had "no racist intent whatsoever."
Limbaugh did not back down Wednesday during his syndicated radio talk show.
"If I wasn't right, there wouldn't be this cacophony of outrage that has sprung up in the sports writer community." Limbaugh said.
"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well." Limbaugh said on Sunday NFL Countdown.
to a 23-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Limbaugh said on ESPN's pregame show that he didn't think McNabba was as good as perceived from the start.
The NFL disclaimed responsibility from Limbaugh's remarks.
Chris Berman, who anchors the ESPN show, said he did not believe Limbaugh's tone or intent was malicious.
"As cut and dry as it seems in print, I didn't think so when it went by my ears," he said.
Limbaugh was scheduled to be in Philadelphia Thursday to speak at a broadcast convention. McNabb said he wouldn't be welcome in the Eagles' practice.
"I're really don't want to see him," McNabb said. "You can say
"ESPN knew what it was getting when they hired Rush Limbaugh," league vice president Joe Browne said. "ESPN selects its on-air talent, not the NFL."
McNabb, who was runner-up for the league MVPaward in 2000 and has led the Eagles to two straight NFC championship games, said he has no quarrel with Limbaugh's comment on his ability.
McNabb got off to the worst start of his career this season and was the NFL's lowest-rated starting quarterback after losses to Tampa Bay and New England. Still, the Eagles are 36-22 in games he has started, including 4-3 in the playoffs.
you're sorry all you want, it doesn't matter. It been said."
Limbaugh is the radio host of the politically focused Rush Limbaugh Show.
December Grads!
your graduation needs are available NOW!
- Personalized announcements from 99¢
(min 10 in 48 hrs)
- CAP/GOWN/TASSEL/HOODS from $19.95 same day pick-up (available separately)
- Diploma frame choices from $99.00
Walk in or web site ordering available!
We are ready for your big day!
Jawhawk
Bookstore
...at the top of Naismith Hill!
www.jayhawkbookstore.com
843-3826 1420 Crescent Rd.
1st Annual Lawrence Scooter Rally
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003
Train Park (7th & Kentucky)
Giveaways!
T-shirts!
Begins at 3 p.m.
Mega cruise down Mass St.
For more: www.ku.edu/~scoters or email us at scoters@ku.edu
1009 Mass.