Sports THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANS
FRIDAY,OCTOBER 9,2009
WWW.KANSAN.COM
KU Invite to be last for fall Four colleges travel to Lawrence for competition. SOFTBALL| 8A
COMMENTARY
Follow Jordan
Williams at twitter
com/salvio_hexia.
Athletics enrich the campus experience
Athletes receive awards Basketball players get preseason Big 12 honors. BASKETBALL | 9A
Edited by Megan Morriss
The mutually beneficial relationship between athletics and academics in the public university setting is something worth cherishing.
CHASING REESING
PAGE 10A
Kansas has a storied sports history, of course, and many other notable universities have garnered national media attention because of great achievements in athletics.
But some students may feel inclined to bemoan a supposed unequal share of limelight between their university's athletics and academic accomplishments. I believe national attention from one aspect highlights the other.
When researching schools with high academic prestige attached, I tend to find one thing in common: a sports narrative overpowered by academics. For example, the University of California-Berkeley is my dream law school and it occurred to me that I forgot what the school mascot was. After reintroducing this fact to my brain, I further discovered that the Cal Bears have a strong contender for the Heisman trophy in junior Jahvid Best. Furthermore, Berkeley has three swimmers on the 2009 U.S. national swim team, a feat only accomplished by placing in the top six times at one of four qualifying swim events.
I suppose all this information surprised me because all I ever read about in articles and newspapers concerning Berkeley is politics or medicine. Of course I think the discoveries and advancements made at schools like Stanford and MIT are wonderful, but I often feel that the student experience during those four or five years is different than those at places like Kansas or Oklahoma.
Originally I came to Kansas because it was the only school to offer a degree in atmospheric science in the state. I soon came into contact with a school rich in tradition. The chants, the tailgating, the camping for tickets, the list could go on and on.
Another benefit for universities with successful athletic programs is the possibility of endowment for academics, perhaps something like the little $40 million gift Kansas Athletics promised to the University. This is a clear example of a relationship functioning at its best. Gestures like these are great for university morale because it reaffirms the fact that learning research and growth are paramount.
So even though I'm not the biggest Kansas football or basketball discipline by any means, I appreciate the culture and life that has grown from the noteworthy effort of these and other sports. Because of this national attention, people will research Kansas and will find out that it's no coincidence that a school with a national title in basketball also has high national rankings for its law school, study abroad program and journalism school writing competitions — among many other things.
Freshman offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson blocks a player from the University of Northern Colorado on Sept. 5 as senior quarterback Todd Reesing makes a run. The football team will play Iowa State this weekend at Memorial Stadium.
Improvisation necessary for line
Kansas' offensive line works together to ensure success
BY JAYSON JENKS
jjenks@kansan.com
It's 2007, the year of the Orange Bowl, and Kansas is playing at Oklahoma State on Nov. 10.
On second and long early in the second quarter, then-sophomore quarterback Todd Reeing floats to one side of the field, runs to the other and side steps two defenders before firing a pass to an open
Follow Jayson Jenks at twitter.com/JaysonJenks.
wide receiver.
During such plays when improvising rules, most eyes lock on Reesing and his tackle-dodging run. Some may focus on receivers working to get open down the field.
With his tendency to weave and
Hardly anyone notices the linemen who, in the chaos of it all, are zigzagging and blocking right along with Reesing.
keep plays alive, the responsibility of protecting Reeing takes on a new and slightly unorthodox wrinkle for 300-pound linemen.
"Todd's going to make plays and he's going to figure out where he has to go to make plays," junior offensive lineman Brad Thorson said. "Some games he can do that from the pocket. And then sometimes you're blocking a guy and he starts sprinting away from you for no reason."
He smiles and snaps, indicating the instantaneous nature of Reesing's decision-making.
"You're just like, 'Todd's scrambling,' so it's a whole other deal protecting him and giving him
time. It's tough but, at the same time, it's so rewarding when he walks that 60-yard
bomb. You just think, 'I'm so lucky to be playing in front of this guy.'
new starters Through
Entering the season, Kansas' line was the
"Todd's going to make plays and he's going to figure out where he has to go to make plays."
offense's most glaring question mark. With playmakers back at every skill position, the only unit lacking experience was the offensive line, which ushered in three
BRAD THORSON Offensive lineman
tour games, though,
the line has opened
running lanes and
allowed Reesing
enough time to
find open receivers:
Kansas' offense is
averaging 511.5 yards
per game.
Offensive line coach John Reagan said the group has progressed slightly
quicker than he anticipated. The unit will receive another challenge when Kansas plays host to Iowa
SOCCER
SEE FOOTBALLON PAGE 8A
Sophomore midfielder Emressy plays a ball down the field. After an 0-3 Big 12 start, the Jayhawks will focus on defeating Techs Texas and Colorado this weekend.
Jayhawks vie for vindication
BY JOEL PETTERSON jpetterson@kansan.com
Jerry Wang/KANSAN
Coach Mark Francis knows one thing about his starting lineup this weekend: 11 players will take the field. Other than that, it's up in the air.
After a disappointing 0-3 start to Big 12 play, Francis needed a way to increase his team's focus and intensity for two crucial games at home this weekend against Texas Tech and Colorado. He told his team that no player's starting position was safe.
"Everyone's going to have to earn their spot based on their effort and also the quality of what they're doing," he said.
His team has certainly gotten the message. Senior midfielder Monica Dolinsky said the practices were noticeably more intense.
Francis said he was trying to reduce the amount of mental errors that have cost the team in its past few games. The team gave up four penalty kicks this year. One of
"Everyone's been working a lot harder in practice and challenging each other more than we have been the last couple weeks," she said.
those kicks gave Texas the gamewinning goal against Kansas last Sunday. Senior defender Lauren Jackson said such momentary lapses of focus were responsible for the team's mistakes.
"I think it's just an individual thing," she said. "You have to mentally prepare within yourself before a game."
Follow Joel
Petterson at
twitter.com/
j_petter.
Francis also tweaked practices this week to highlight the players' lack of focus and correct it. Any time players commit mental errors, they paid with sprints
on the sideline while their team played a man down. So far, it's made a difference — at least in practice.
"I think that's helping us focus a lot better," Jackson said. "We're not
SEE SOCCER ON PAGE 8A
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Morningstar apologizes to Kansas basketball fans
KU basketball player Brady Morningstar released the following letter to the media in order to apologize to jayhawk fans.
Jayhawk Basketball Fans:
Recently I made a regrettable
Recently I made a regrettable
mistake that has let down my family, friends, coaches, teammates, fellow KU student-athletes, the University, KU basketball fans and the
Morningstar
state whose name I proudly wear across my chest. I used extremely poor judgment in driving after drinking and violating curfew.
I know the consequences of my poor and embarrassing decisions and want to apologize. Every day in practice, Coach Self and our coaching staff talk to us about the importance of making good decisions whether on the court or off.
I sincerely regret the "black eye" I have given to all of you who have supported me, the University, and especially Kansas basketball.
Over the years, my parents and
coaches have repeatedly warned me about the consequences of drinking and driving. I am extremely thankful that I did not hurt anyone else that night. I have learned an important lesson and I will never forget it. When you drink and drive you are affecting others on the road, as well as the people who love you and are involved in your life. Even if you think you're OK, getting behind the wheel after having any drinks is a dangerous and terrible decision. As I face the consequences of my decisions, I intend to be a good role model by my actions and hope that young people will learn from my mistakes.
I know how lucky and privileged I am to be living my dream and to be part of the best college basketball program in the country. Please accept my sincere apologies for my bad judgement and the embarrassment it has brought to our program. I want you to know that moving forward I will "represent" this University and basketball program in a very positive way.
Sincerely, Brady Morningstar