KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012
PAGE 11
...
n in just
in the
eyes
Hlavacek
me
OSTE/KANSAN ing the game
S
NSAN.COM
HOUSING
BR house. $400/mo
share 1/3 units.
3 tamps on Illinois St.
/D provided.
785-341-4592
Arizona. South of Clim
Lone Star Lake, Su.
$850 per month
@930-1327
ATHLETICS
Coaches update crowd on upcoming seasons
CHRIS SCHAEDER
cschaeder@kansan.com
Thousands of passionate Jayhawk supporters gathered in Corinth Square in Prairie Village Friday evening for the annual KU Kickoff event.
Kansas Athletics and the KU Alumni Association hosted the event. Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, athletic director Sheahon Zenger, football coach Charlie Weis, women's basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson and men's basketball coach Bill Self addressed the crowd.
The three coaches discussed the football program extensively as they praised the job Weis has done so far and the importance of going to Memorial Stadium to support the team.
Men's basketball coach Bill Self takes the stage to speak during the annual Kansas Football Kickoff rally in Prairie Village on Friday evening.
Weis was the first coach to address the crowd, and he focused on getting the crowd excited for the beginning of the season.
"We open the season with three home games: September 1, September 8 and September 15," Weis said. "Let's see if we can pack this place and start making a home field at Memorial Stadium feel like Allen Fieldhouse for a
game."
Weis ended his address with a lighthearted jab against fans who plan on leaving football games
CLAIRE HOWARD/KANSAN
early.
"And if you leaving at halftime, you and I are going to get into a fist fight," Weis said.
Henrickson also reiterated the importance of supporting the football team to the crowd.
"Nothing sets the year off like a
great football season and a good crowd," Henrickson said.
The speakers also mentioned the athletic success for Kansas
over the past year, with the men's basketball team going to the national championship game, the women's basketball team going to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament and several student-athletes competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Self and Henrickson are also looking forward to basketball season after both teams made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament last season.
"It's hard to believe that it's already here," Henrickson said. "We have been doing a lot of good work this summer. We got some kids healthy and they are excited as I am, which is good for everyone."
FOOTBALL
After returning from their European trip where the Jayhawks took on teams from Switzerland and France, Self acknowledged what will be ahead for his squad.
"They are talented, they are fun, they are athletic," Self said. "I believe that if we stick together and everybody's on the same page, we are going to shock a lot of people come March."
—Edited by Andrew Ruszczyk
Ragone follows Weis for sixth and final year
FARZIN VOUSOUGHIAN
fvousoughian@kansan.com
Ragone is reuniting with Kansas head coach Charlie Weis after playing for him at Notre Dame. Despite having a collegiate career filled with injuries, Ragone has left his struggles behind and wants to make the most out of his
Missing the entire 2008 season and a majority of the 2011 season with knee injuries has limited senior tight end Mike Ragone's opportunities in college football. The former Notre Dame tight end was granted a sixth season of eligibility from the NCAA and decided to play it at Kansas.
last season, remaining optimistic while
vying to win as a lawynhawk.
"Injuries are injuries." Ragone said. "I've had some bad luck with that, but I'm moving forward and I'm here playing football. I just want to be part of something special and win a lot of games."
Tight ends coach Jeff Blasko said he was impressed with the progress Ragone has made since injuring his knee in the third game of the 2011 season. Blasko is not only impressed with Ragone's ability as a player, but also how he works with his teammates.
While coaches were away in July, Ragone spent time with tight ends
Ragone's leadership has also been
Charles Brooks and Jordan Shelley-Smith, getting accustomed to Weis' offense. Since Ragone was familiar with Weis' offense, he shared his knowledge with Brooks and Shelley-Smith, who were not with the team during the spring, allowing Blasko to have fewer problems working with his tight ends.
"He brings a sense of toughness to the entire offensive unit," Blasko said. "He brings an incredible amount of leadership to the table because of all of the experience that he has, and he knows the offensive system. It's been a great fit for our offense up to this point."
noticed by senior quarterback and captain Dayne Crist, who had no problem connecting with him on a couple of passes during Fan Appreciation practice on August 11.
While claiming to be laid back, Ragone has been characterized by his coaches and teammates as a funny Jersey guy. However, when it comes to Ragone on the gridiron, the coaches know he's hungry.
"He knows this is his last shot." Wels said. "He has had a very unfortunate
"Mike's been great," Crist said. "He's done a great job both on the field and also as a leader. He is incredibly motivated."
career, because every time he has gotten in position to be in contention, he got injured. That's not the case this time. I think that Mike could be one of the people that help us as much as anyone on offense as long as he stays healthy. And right now, he's as healthy as he has been in a long time."
"If I don't get the ball in my hands and if we win every game, then I'm happy," he said. "I just want to win."
Ragone is looking forward to his first game as a Jayhawk. And like any player, he wants to succeed. But as far as how Kansas picks up their wins this season, Ragone does not mind how they come.
Edited by Laken Rapier
TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
Senior tight end Mike Ragone runs a drill at Saturday morning's practice at Memorial Stadium.