Sports
Bouncing back Bill Whittemore prepares to lead this year's Kansas Jayhawks after being sidelined last season with a knee injury. PAGE 24B
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The University Daily Kansan
Monday, August 18, 2003
Health,heart help team
Freshman wide receiver Moderick Johnson sprinted for a pass during drills Thursday morning. Coach Mark Mangino said he would not redshirt Johnson because he was too talented. "We have taken the approach here that we are not going to take the back seat to any team," Mangino said. "I think they are tired of losing, just like their coach."
By Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
New Athletics Director Lew Perkins said he wanted to see support for all KU sports teams, no matter what the sport or record. Perkins came to the University of Kansas in July after 13 years at the University of Connecticut where he was named 2000 National Athletics Director of the Year.
Excitement grows for next week's football season opener against Northwestern with each 30-yard fade pattern senior quarterback Bill Whittimore and his revamped receiving corps connect on in practice.
following last season's 2-10 overall record, including a winless Big 12 Conference campaign, coach Mark Mangino has already won half the battle by getting his team believing again.
"We have taken the approach here that we are not going to take the back seat to any team," Mangino said. "I think they are tired of losing, just like their coach."
Instead of an off-season full of coaching staff changes, Mangino is counting on the return of some injured starters and a plethora of first-year players cracking the starting lineup.
Two freshmen looking to get onto the field are running back John Randle and wide receiver Moderick Johnson.
All eyes are immediately on Whittemore, who missed the final three games after injuring his knee against rival Missouri on Oct. 26.
Whittemore will be building on a season that saw him set a school record with 22 total touchdowns despite starting just eight times, and a new batch of weapons around him should lessen his workload.
Randle is a quick, elusive back who is competing with sophomore Clark Green for the starting job. Green was the Jayhawks' leading rusher with 813 yards in just 10 starts last season, and will have an opportunity to retain his starting role early.
John Nowak/Kansan
The 6-foot-5 Johnson brings the size and talent to give the Jayhawks the deep threat they have been lacking for years. Mangino said he probably would not redshirt Johnson this season because he was too talented, and Johnson felt his contribution would be more than just physical.
SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 24B
Perkins to 'referee' department
New athletics director says earning revenue key to successful program
By John Domoney
Kansan Sports Writer
jdomoney@kansan.com
When new athletics director Lew Perkins took office in the Wagnon Student Athletes Center on July 7, he did so in coat and tie. Even with the polished look, Perkins pictures himself with the men in stripes.
"I'm kind of like the referee," Perkins said. "Whatever decision I make, 50 percent of the people will be happy and 50 percent say he's a bum. I'm going to make mistakes and that's why people put erasers on pencils."
put erasers on perennis. Perkins made few noticeable errors during the past 13 years as the athletics director at the University of Connecticut. The Huskies men's and women's basketball teams are national powers. After the Husky football program jumped to Division I-A, Perkins' vision helped build a new $90 million stadium.
stadium. All of this success led to Perkins being named the 2000 National Athletics Director of the Year.Perkins sees many holes in the KU Athletics Department despite the fact he said Kansas had a better reputation nationally and on the East Coast than in the Midwest.
Midwest. "We have no strategic plan here so far." Perkins said. "I need to get the right people on board before we can begin to talk about a strategic plan and it's going to take a couple of
months."
Time is something Perkins is asking all KU students, alumni and fans to have as he tries to build up an athletic program that has dipped to the depths of the Big 12 Conference.
The decline in Kansas athletics has come as a surprise to Perkins who came to respect Kansas' athletic programs during his time as athletics director at Wichita State from 1983-87.
important. Perkins recently purchased a home in Lawrence where he will live with his wife of 35 years, Gwen. Gwen joined her husband in Lawrence earlier this month after she had spent the past months in Connecticut finishing up her job duties.
Perkins said one way to help that cause was to create more revenue. After spending 13 years at Connecticut, Perkins left behind a $40 million athletic budget and is now acquainting himself with a $27 million athletic budget at Kansas.
"We've lost our swagger, and we need to have a presence." Perkins said. "When our teams step on the field they have to think they're going to win and the other teams are going to think we're going to beat them."
budget at reksas.
"We don't have enough money."
Perkins said. "We're in the lower end of the pot in the Big 12. We're going to be creative because funding is very important."
The month of August is important to
"I'm kind of like the referee. Whatever decision I make, 50 percent of the people will be happy and 50 percent says he's a bum. I'm going to make mistakes and that's why people put erasers on pencils."
Lew Perkins athletics director
Perkins because it means school will begin, and he will be able to meet with
sports commentary
all of the athletes and coaches.
"He cares a great deal about the student athletes as people not just athletes," said Jim Marchiony, the new associate athletics director for external affairs who followed Perkins to Lawrence from Connecticut. "People will be pleased with Lew's caring."
Caring is something Perkins wants the students at the University to share when it comes to Jajawk athletics.
when it comes to signature "I want to leave my mark here, and I think this goes back to the students," Perkins said. "Help us and leave your mark and do something most people won't do and support a program that's been struggling. Help build it up to be one of the best programs in the country."
Edited by Abby Sidesinger
Ryan Greene
rgreene@kansan.com
Look for superstars on the field this season
Basketball this, basketball that.
It's always the same thing. Paul Pierce this, Danny Manning that.
When thinking back on the recent years in Kansas athletics, when was the last time Jayhawk fans had a superstar athlete who did not compete in Allen Fieldhouse?
Alan Fleethouse:
Don't worry, the goal of this piece is not to bash fans for not giving other sports the same attention that the basketball players are showered with. Instead, these are some athletes who have a chance to become superstars on the battlefield for University of Kansas "other" teams.
Kansas other teams
Moderick Johnson — Football — Freshman Wide Receiver
Johnson has not only shown the ability to play a big game, but talk one too. This 6-foot-5 freshman out of North Shore High School in Houston will not only spice up the Jayhawks' air assault this fall, but he has one rare quality found only in superstars: marketability. The media will be hyping his kid, and if the athletics department knows what it's doing, it will make sure his name spreads like wildfire.
Josi Lima — Volleyball — Sophomore Middle Blocker
Lima blew up on the Kansas athletics scene last season, and she has proven to be the leader on a volleyball team expected to make a lot of noise in the Big 12 Conference this season. Lima set a Kansas freshman record with 327 kills and became the first freshman to lead the team in kills since 1985.
since 1983.
Her thunderous spikes get the crowd on its feet, and her passion for the game charges up her teammates. Somebody's got to get this girl a nickname already.
Caroline Smith Soccer Sophomore Forward
Much like Lima, Smith blew up the Kansas record books with a phenomenal freshman year. Smith scored a school-record of 12 goals and led the Big 12 in goals per game. Even though a knee injury cut her season short, Smith is the brightest star on a team that ranks 31st in the nation to start the season.
son:
The only thing keeping her from becoming a star is that no one seems to go out to the games. If she gets the fan support, watch out.
John Randle — Football — Freshman Tailback
Ainback This guy is the long shot, but if he lives up to his potential, he could go down as one of the finest tailbacks to ever suit up for the Jayhawks.
Randle's sweet combination of size, speed and a plethora of moves could make him the prize of this year's freshman class.
year's freshman.
His toughest obstacle will be replacing Clark Green for the top spot on the depth chart. Green will more than likely start the season behind Bill Whitmore after an 813-yard effort while splitting time with Reggie Duncan last year.
Ryan Greene is a Vernon Hills, Ill., senior in journalism.
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