Inside Sports
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Sports
Marge Schott's 15-year reign as owner of the Cincinnati Reds ended as baseball approved the $67 million sale of the team to her limited partners.
Baylor blunders
Thursday September 16, 1999 Section:
After two fluke losses, the Baylor Bears will be looking for a win on Saturday against Oklahoma.
SEE PAGE 12A
Game postpones
SEE PAGE 12A
Hurricane Floyd forced the postponement of the Baltimore Orioles-Oakland Athletics baseball game yesterday in Baltimore.
SEE PAGE 11A
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Stadium bonus probably will be paid
By Mike Miller
sports@kansan.com
Kansas sportwriter
Because of problems beyond anyone's control, the deadline for the completion of Memorial Stadium has been moved again, said Pat Warren, assistant athletics director.
Originally, there were two deadlines that needed to be met for Walton Construction Co. to receive the $300,000 bonus: Aug. 13 and Sept. 20. When Walton ran behind, the University of Kansas accommodated by extending the first deadline to Aug. 31.
A second deadline, the final completion date for the stadium, has been
moved from Sep. 20 to sometime in the middle of October. Officials have not specified when, but they have said the money will still be paid.
"We haven't made the final decision to pay the bonus or not, but I'm assuming we'll pay it because it did what it was supposed to do, which was make sure it got done before the middle of November," said Warren Corman, University architect.
Simply put, the University had to pay the bonus to ensure the completion of the stadium — even though a liquidated damages clause was written into the contract.
Lawyers familiar with construction litigation said the clause was basically
a substitution for a court process, intended to assist the owner, in this case the University, with recouping any damages incurred. Both sides would agree in advance how much the owner would lose by the delayed construction, and what kind of penalties would incur if that happened.
It probably does not include the renovations on the stadium because it is a contract provision that would exclude certain delays such as weather or labor — both of which occurred during the construction of the stadium.
In February, construction was behind schedule because sand was washed away, which had to be replaced with concrete. In late August,
a one-day strike because of labor disputes slowed work.
So the University, agreeing with Walton that some problems were beyond its control, probably will pay the bonus because of excusable delays that occurred.
The money spent allowed for the use of the press box and scholarship suites Saturday.
"There were no significant problems and response was great," said Bob Frederick, athletics director. "There's just some typical punch-list type items that need to be done."
Items that Warren said will be done by the middle of October or sooner.
— Edited by Allan Davis
"Now we're in a clean-up and wrap- up mode," he said.
Kansas outside hitter Amy Myatt spikes the ball and scores a point for the Jayhawks in their match against Wichita State. The team's victory against the Shockers ended a short losing streak and helped improved the team's record to 6-2 for the season. Photo by Chad Cummings/KANSAN
Volleyball team defeats Shockers
By Shawn Hutchinson sports@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
There was no letdown this time. The Kansas volleyball team, coming off two heartbreaking losses last weekend, got back on the winning track last night against the Wichita State Shockers at the Horeksi Family Athletics Center. The Jayhawks swept the Shockers 15-10, 15-2 and 15-8, and improved to 6-2 on the season.
"It was an efficient win," said Kansas coach Ray Bechard. "We wanted to come out and play with a little more energy, but it's good to get a 'W' regardless of how it looks." Last weekend, Kansas blew leads for in its to Texas Christian and Auburn at the Hampton Inn Jayhawk Classic. Early in the match last night, Wichita State looked as if it were going to prolong the Jayhawks' two-game losing streak.
The Shockers started with a flurry by jumping out to a 6-1 lead in the first game, but there was a sudden change in momentum after the Jayhawks took a time-out to regroup.
The Jayhawks scored 10 of the next 11 points and went on to capture the game, 15-10. Junior outside hitter Amy Myrt picked up seven kills, senior middle blocker
Amanda Reves picked up five kills, and senior middle blocker Anne Kreimer chipped in with three kills.
"After a slow start in game one, we found a level that we needed to play at." Bechard said.
The Jayhawks took their play to another level during the second and third games. Kansas scored the first 10 points of the second game to cruise to a 15-2 win. Wichita State put up a fight in the third game but eventually fell to the Jayhawks, 15-8
"I think it was a solid showing of our consistency," Reves said. "Wichita State is not a real challenging team, but we played at a level we're happy with."
Reves led the Jayhawks with 14 kills and 26 total attacks. Myatt had 12 kills for the night, while Albrecht and junior outside hitter Danielle Geronymo both had eight kills apiece. Sophomore setter Molly LaMere recorded 47 assists.
"We played really well, and we were more consistent than last weekend," LaMere said. "This gives us a little more confidence heading into our next match."
The Jayhawks will be in action again this weekend when they play in the Tennessee Tournament in Knoxville, Tenn. Kansas will face off against Lehigh, Eastern Michigan and Tennessee.
Edited by Kelly Clasen
Despite losses, spirits remain high for soccer
By Chris Wristen
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Regardless of what its critics may think, the Kansas women's soccer team is confident that a bright future lies ahead.
"I'm still real positive," Coach Mark Francis said. "There's teams in our conference that are beatable. Colorado was one, and the other four teams I think are beatable we still have to play in October.
impression failures for the count — based on results alone. The team would beg to differ.
After a difficult loss to Big 12 Conference rival Missouri last week, many had the
"Everything we do is geared toward getting ready for when October rolls around, so we're playing as well as we can play." Perroville has reason to be excited.
The main cause for concern has been junior transfer Hilla Rantala's ankle injury. She is running at practice, and Francis is eager for her to return.
programs and was a game Francis said his team probably wouldn't have won. Other conference teams, such as Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech have, like Kansas, been struggling.
Although Colorado was a beatable opponent. Missouri is one of the nation's top
Senior Melissa Downing has been a solid reserve, netting two goals for the Jayhawks, and junior Johanna Larsson also contributed.
Sophomore Melanie Schroeder, who leads the team in points, has been taking over the offensive load.
The team is waiting for all of the pieces to fall into place, and it has maintained a positive attitude all along in an effort to keep its focus on the goal of qualifying for the conference tournament.
See COACH on page11A
has contributed to filling the void up front.
Mascot worries Winbush, not Colorado defenders
Bv Mike Miller
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
His 268-yard performance against the Buffaloos last year was a large part of Kansas' 33-17 upset win. The diminutive running back ran roughshod against the Buffaloos for three touchdowns, including touchdown runs of 38 yards and 65 yards. It served as a breakout game for Winbush, who finished among the league leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Colorado will be gunning for David Winbush.
When the Jayhawks travel to Boulder, Colo., to play Colorado on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (channels 9 and 49; 105.9 FM and 1320 AM), stopping Winbush will be a part of the game plan. But it's not the Buffaloes he's worried about.
It's Ralphie, the 825-pound buffalo that is Colorado's team mascot, that worries him.
"It almost ran me over my freshman year," he said. "They can't stop that thing. Those four guys with the ropes? It
David Winbush, junior running back, evades California State Northridge's Karalus Dayle, junior cornerback. Winbush had 186 all purpose yards in Saturday's game. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN
could get away if it wanted to."
could get away if it wanted to." That's how the Colorado defense must have felt last year.
See WINBUSH on page 11A
Wegner's job may be on line in Colorado
Zac Wegner will speak today
As it is, Wegner and Smith have been sharing duties, with Wegner starting and Smith — accompanied by more crowd support — appearing in relief at later stages in the game.
The Kansas quarterback might talk about cowboy boots or being a communications major, but his 11 a.m. persuasive speaking class would be the perfect time to convince his foes and fans that he is still the Jayhawk's top signal caller.
A big debate exists about that right now. Dylen Smith, a junior college transfer, has fans looking forward to next year, when he will be the starter. Many would love to see Smith playing full-time now with Wegner wasting his final season on the sideline.
Until Wegner is carried off the field, he should be the leader on it. For the past two seasons, Kansas coach Terry Allen has been faithful to Wegner, and for good reason. He has done nothing to be diminished to second-string status. The team has struggled, but placing all
There are only two groups, athletes and smokers, who can understand what Wegner is going through. Wegner sat out a few games last season because of two miserable concussions suffered in consecutive games, but he couldn't quit football cold-turkey even though he knows the long-term risks.
Jason Franchuk sports columnist sports@kaman.com
the blame on one player is scatterbrained.
Wegner probably will not speak of football or his controversy this morning. He spends enough time after practices and games gracefully answering questions about Smith, cordially saying what a good player the newcomer is. He notes, emphatically, that the competition is making him better.
Wegner will start again Saturday and parlay passes at Colorado. A poor outing by him and a solid one by Smith, who Allen guaranteed will see playing time, could mean the end of Wegner as Kansas' starter.
There have been comments around campus that the Jayhawks, who went 4-7 last year and are currently 1-1, do not believe in Wegner. Ironic how that team of supposed disbelievers voted Wegner one of its captains for a second year.
Still, Wegner has played well when it was most urgent: Touchdown scoreboard at Notre Dame: Wegner 2, Smith 0.
The media, this publication included, have credited Smith beyond reason. A headline Monday in the Kansan suggested that Smith led the Jayhawks to last Saturday's victory against California State-Northridge. However, it was Wegner who created the comfortable lead that Smith could nestle in. Smith threw three touchdown passes to Wegner's zero.
Speak now Zac, or forever hold your peace.
For now, Wegner must give the greatest oration of his life with his arm Saturday. If he fails, Smith could be married to the starting role.
Allen is itching to play Smith more as the season progresses, so Wegner needs to beat the Buffaloes to ensure he'll start the following week.
Allen is doing wrong by playing both right now. Yes, Smith eventually will get plenty of snaps. He has a pleasant personality, an infectious smile and an even livelier arm that will help Kansas next year and quite possibly give the team more options because of his ability to scramble
Wegner might be knocked out sometime this season, because a couple of concussions usually mean more will follow. Or he will struggle. Then, Allen can bench Wegner without criticism and start gearing toward next season when Kansas might contend for a bowl game.
Franchuk is a Boulder, Colo., junior in journalism.