Former Jayhawks
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Isaac Byrd
PETER RUCKER
June Henlev
Sports
Former Kansas running back June Henley, after being cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, joined the St. Louis Rams practice squad yesterday. Former wide receiver Isaac Byrd, cut by the Chiefs on Monday, was named to the Kansas City practice squad.
Wednesday
August 27,1997
Section:
B
Page 1
SEE PAGE 5B
The Pittsburgh Pirates are making an impressive end of the year run.
Pro Baseball
Pro Football
Linebacker Kevin Greene signed a $13 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
SEE PAGE 5B
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Try someone else's shoes besides Nike's
Welcome to the most recent branch of Nike University.
With shoe corporations signing lucrative deals with universities and professional teams, I don't like what I see in the business of sports.
More than two weeks ago, Chancellor Robert Hemenway said Nike was not interested in plastering the swoosh across campus.
"Their primary concern is that the logo be on
I think. Tenemway said, "Some corporate sponsors are interested in signage. They are not. What means the most to them is having athletes in competition with logos on the jerseys and pants."
Signage.
What better way to showcase your product than to having the swoosh on the jerseys and pants, making the Kansas football team one giant, walking billboard?
Tommy Gallagher
tgallagher@konsan.com
Associate Sports Editor
Then there's all the
photo opportunities beyond the obvious revenue sports.
As the school newspaper, we cover Kansas' non-revenue sports better than anyone else. That also means that if we have a photo to accompany a story about women's soccer, chances are you'll see a swoosh on the woman's practice shirt as she attempts a slide tackle.
Back to Nike
Note. I don't care that the Spice Girls have a "GeneratioNext" commercial for Pepsi. I refuse to drink what Hemenway has chosen for us. I have nothing against Coca-Cola, but I do appreciate freedom of choice.
Nike and the Steelers signed a deal making Nike the exclusive team supplier.
Now comes confirmation that Nike can alter a team's marketing scheme. They did so for one of the NFL's most traditional franchises — the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Apparently my No. 95 Greg Lloyd jersey and "Terrible Towel" are both outdated.
The Steelers then gave their jerseys, which had not been altered since the 1950s, a new look with some help from Nike. Then they redesigned the famous "Terrible Towel," adding the swoosh and making other minor changes to the towel.
I know those changes were made in a partnership to attract younger fans who will follow the team for years to come. And I know that the business side of sports is quickly becoming more and more important.
But a new jersey, a change in color scheme and Nike apparel will not keep a solid core of fans around if that team loses year after year. The most marketable teams today — the Chicago Bulls, Green Bay Packers, Colorado Avalanche, etc. — are those who have built winning traditions and have the championships to prove it.
While the Nike deal has put a grin on the faces of Kansas administrators and coaches, I worry about the long-term implications of the deal.
I wish I could read the sports page as an avid sports fan instead of having to read "The Wall Street Journal," wondering if Nike has added another team or school to its dynasty.
Recruit commits to Kansas hoops
The Associated Press
Boschee, a high school senior and two-time all-state selection, was a first-team pick after his junior year. The 6-foot guard averaged 25 points, four assists and two steals a game.
Valley City guard Jeff Boschee has verbally committed to play basketball for the University of Kansas.
"I just liked Kansas, and I always wanted to play for them." Bosche said.
Dean Buchan, Kansas sports information director, said it violated NCAA rules for the program to comment on a reported commitment. He said the program can comment only after receiving a signed commitment.
Bosche will sign a letter of intent in November. In three games at the Nike All-American Camp this summer, he scored 40, 25 and 22 points.
Johner gains confidence at helm
Security of starting spot takes away distractions, frees quarterback's mind
Tommy Gallagher
tgallagher@kansan.com
Associate sports editor
Kansas senior Matt Johner said he has found renewed confidence as a starting quarterback since Kansas football coach Terry Allen came to Lawrence last January.
Johner, who competed for the starting spot with then-senior Ben Rutz last season, said he's eager to show Jayhawk fans what he can do.
"At quarterback, you can never concern yourself with whether a mistake here or there will get you pulled out of a game," Johner said. "Whatever happens happens. I think we can sneak up on people, like we did two years ago, and make something happen this season."
Not since Chip Hillary started at quarterback from 1990 to 1992 has someone repeated as the season-opening starter. Johner is scheduled to repeat as the Jayhawks' starting quarterback when the team plays Alabama-Birmingham at 7 tomorrow night at Memorial Stadium.
Johner started seven games last season. He completed nearly 52 percent of his passes for 1,232 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
When a postseason bowl bid was nothing more than a dream, Rutz started the last four games and Johner became the backup. Johner saw playing time in three of those four games.
Johner said that while last year was stressful, Allen has brought a new attitude to his quarterbacks.
"At quarterback, you can never concern yourself with whether a mistake here or there will get you pulled out of a game."
Matt
Johner
kansas senior quarter-
back
"Being named the starter and knowing that I won't be pulled after a mistake or two, that gives me confidence," Johner said. "Last year we were in competition every week, every practice for the starting spot. I won't be second-guessing myself this year."
Regardless, Allen said the race between Johner and sophomore Zac Wegner was won by the slimmest of margins.
"We had an excited battle this fall at the quarterback position," Allen said. "Matt's riding the pony as compared to the stallion at this point. But Matt has the confidence of his teammates and of the coaching staff, so we will expect him to succeed now that he has the reins."
"Since I'm the senior, I'm going to be looked upon to step up and make things happen," Johner said. "We have a lot of guys who have to keep their heads straight and make the proper checks. We just have to work through it together so we can become a stronger offense and a stronger team."
Matt Johner, senior quarterback, hands off to Eric Vann, senior running back, during last tuesday's scrimage under the lights at Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks open their season tomorrow against Alabama Birmingham at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Photo by Geo Krieger/KANSAN
Volleyball team looking to better 10-24 season
Nancy Bell, freshman right side hitter, tries to slip the ball past Moira Donovan, Junior outside hitter, during practice in Robinson gymnasium on Tuesday. The team was warming up for its first match versus Oregon in Reno, Nev. Photo by Geoff Krieaei/KANSAN.
Coach relying on returning starters, expects to finish in top half of the Big 12
By Matt Gardner
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportwriter
After three seasons as coach of the Kansas volleyball team, Karen Schonewise is ready to see her program rise to the top.
"This year and next year are pretty key years for us as in terms of where we are headed with our program," Schonewise said. "We saw great strides happening over the course of last year, and we're really excited to get out and start competing and see where we stack up against other teams."
Coming off a 10-24 season, the best in the Schonewise era, Kansas has set its goals high.
"We want to finish in the top half of the conference, qualify for the NCAA tournament and play at a consistent level. Last year we played very well at times and very poor at times and we just want to play at a consistent level.
"Most of the times last year, when we had opportunities to be successful in matches, we were beating ourselves," she said.
The squid returns 12 players from last year, including all six starters.
(2)
Yet, with two days until Kansas opens its
season at the Nevada-Reno Tournament,
the starters still are not set for this year.
Laura Rodhe, a 5-foot 9 junior, will return for her second season as the startling setter.
Kendra Kahler will return for as the right-side hitter. The 5-foot-11-inch senior, ranks ninth all-time for kills in a season with 348
and recorded the fourth most block assists in school history with 89.
Moira Donovan and Mary Beth Albrecht will play outside for Kansas.
Donovan enters her junior year after an impressive sophomore year. She was named Big 12 Conference player of the week
and to three all-tournament teams.
Albrecht, a sophomore, led the team in service aces and ranked third on the squad with 2.83 kills per game.
The middle blocker positions are not set. Senior Maggle Mohrfeld and sophomores Amanda Reves and Anne Kreimer are batting for the startine spots.
"They all three have different strengths and it may just depend on the opponent and what we need out of that position to determine who starts." Schonewise said.
Schonewise said the players worked hard at competing for positions.
"We have a lot more depth on the team this year, so it's exciting because they're fighting for positions and really pushing each other." she said.
Bringing back 12 players could be the Jay hawks biggest strength
"We have a lot of seniors and juniors who have a lot of playing time under their belts. We have great leadership and we have experience in the conference and know now what to expect." Schonewise said
Schonewire expects Nebraska, Texas and Texas A&M to lead the Big 12, but said the Jayhawks would be competitive if consistency holds up.
"We know we've improved a lot, we just need to be able to get out there and compete." Schonewise said.
Kansas starts the season in Reno this weekend competing against the University of Oregon, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the University of Nevada-Reno.