. Monday, August 25, 1997 The University Daily Kansan Section B · Page 3 Kansas Crew: looking for a few good women There are no requirements, but height helps By Brad Hallier sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter Kansas rowing coach Rob Catloth is inviting students to walk on tryouts this week. There are no athletic requirements for attending the tryouts. "It helps to be tall," Catloth said. "We are looking for women about six feet tall — good, hardworking students who are serious about the classroom and are strong competitors." Tryouts for the third campaign of women's rowing are today, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. The team will meet at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the Allen Field House lobby. Catloth said most of the women on the team last year had never done any of the glamour sports, such as basketball or volleyball, and were mostly walk-ons. And the season went well. "We finished sixth in our region, and considering the team was consisted of mostly freshmen and sophomores, that's not bad," he said. This year's team has 39 returning members, losing only three to graduation. Key members of this year's team include junior Ashley Masoni, who was a first team Academic All-American last year; junior Becky Valburg; sophomore Risa Petty; and "Our goal for the season is to qualify at least one boat for the NCAA championships in May and to keep improving as a team," Catloth said. senior Jennifer Adams. Experience is not required. Catloth said he had only one member on the team with previous rowing experience — junior Orianna Strom. The team will have a light fall schedule that includes a trip Oct. 18-19, to Boston for The Head of the Charles competition. The team will then travel Oct. 26 to Iowa City, Iowa, for The Head of Iowa on the Iowa River. The final fall competition will be Nov. 8 against Kansas State in Manhattan. The schools will meet for a Sunflower Showdown in crew the same day as the annual football game between the rivals. The Basic Facts about Rowing ■ Number of people in a boat: Eight rowers plus a cox. ■ Length of boat: 58 feet. ■ Length of course: 2000 meters (About a mile and a quarter). ■ Oar (paddle) length: 12 feet. Each rower has one. What is a cox? Coach Catloth explains it: "The brains of the boat. They are the captains. They tell the rowers when to row, and the cox steers also." Suspended Cavalier ponders several alternative colleges Player considering Kansas program The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia's Courtney Alexander, suspended indefinitely after being charged with assaulting his girlfriend, said that he would not return to the Cavaliers and was reviewing transfer options. Alexander said from his home in Durham, N.C., that he would choose from a list that includes Connecticut, Syracuse, Kansas, UCLA and Georgetown. He denied a radio report that he already had chosen Big East power Connecticut. "Right now, I'm open," he said. "I'm looking at different schools. It's more of me finding the best possible school for me and my future. As far as the UConn rumor, there's other schools I'm interested in." Alexander led Virginia in scoring last season with an average of 14.8 points a game. UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun, in a statement to the "Hartford Courant," said that Alexander had contacted the Huskies about the possibility of a transfer. "We have received an inquiry ... and we have talked to him," Calhoun said. "That's all I can tell you." Cavaliers coach Jeff Jones, who banned Alexander from all team activities the day after he was arrested, declined to discuss Alexander's departure. "Until this whole thing is played out, I won't have any public comment," Jones said. Virginia released a statement that it had granted Alexander permission to contact schools where he might be interested in transferring. Such permission is required by the NCAA. Wherever Alexander transfers, he will be ineligible to play at any Division I school until the fall of 1998. NCAA rules state. Alexander was arrested July 18 after his girlfriend, Joiel Coleman, 21, told police that Alexander had hit her, had choked her and had kicked her in the ribs at their Charlottesville, Va., apartment. Coleman is the mother of Alexander's infant child. Alexander was charged with assault and battery. A court hearing is scheduled for today in the Albemarle County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. According to a document filed with the court by Alexander's attorney on Aug. 11, Coleman said she was willing to withdraw the charge. However, prosecutors are not obligated to drop the charge. Alexander said that he would not comment about his decision to leave Virginia until the criminal case was resolved. The 6-foot 6 forward had started 42 of 53 games since he arrived at Virginia two seasons ago. The team will survive without Alexander, center Colin Ducharme said. "I don't know if we're hampered at all. I really think we're going to come out and have a good year," said Ducharme, a sophomore from Richmond. "I hope Courtney does well at whatever school he goes to. I look forward to playing against him. Chancellor, coach encourage fans to embrace season Continued from page 1B Allen enthusiastically spoke about the new walking-down the hill tradition he will start with the team. "An hour and twenty minutes before kick off, we will be dressed and walking down from the Campanile to the locker room," Allen said. "This is an event that the whole University can become a part of. Now, I've heard a nasty rumor that says Kansas fans sit on their hands. "We're giving you exciting, hard-hitting football on the field. Get up on your feet and let us know it," Allen said. Kansas freshman place kicker Joe Garcia said he was pleased with the turnout. "I didn't expect that many people to come out here today," Garcia said. "It's nice to come out here and see what kind of support we have. I'm excited about Thursday night, but I'm nervous. I hope I can get all the nervousness out of my body by then." Kansas junior tight end Brian Gray also appreciated the fan turnout. "It's awesome," Gray said. "It's great to see the support for the staff and the new program. I hope it continues through the season." Kickoff for the Alabama-Birmingham game is at 7 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Stadium. Right: The KU football team is greeted by fans as it runs down the hill to Memorial Stadium. Photo by Lynn Kalender / KANSAN ALL STUDENTS PICK UP YOUR PREPAID Sunday $ \bullet $ August 24th $ \bullet $ 2:30-5:30 pm Memorial Stadium Look for us in the RED & BLUE TENT (Bring your KUID) Other Pick Up Times: Last Name A - I * Monday, Aug. 25th * Allen Fieldhouse * 9 am - 4 pm J - Q * Tuesday, Aug. 26th * Allen Fieldhouse * 9 am - 4 pm R - Z * Wednesday, Aug. 27th * Allen Fieldhouse * 9 am - 4 pm All Students * Game Day * Thursday, Aug 28th 9-12 Allen Fieldhouse * After 3 pm - Gate 20 Ticket Box at Memorial Stadium 9-12 Allen Fieldhouse * After 3 pm - Gate 20 Ticket Box at Memorial Stadium DON'T JUST SIT GET KU FIT! STRENGTH 1/2 SEMESTER $35 FULL SEMESTER $60 Recreation Services 208 Robinson 864-3546 1/2 SEMESTER $20 FULL SEMESTER $35 Classes start September 2nd. Sign up and attend any of our 50+ weekly fitness classes. SPECIAL! 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