PRO BASEBALL Cal Ripken, Jr. ties Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record, is set to break mark tonight, Page 8B.
SPORTS SITY DAILY KA
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1995
NCAA tames players' celebrations
Football players now must leave their helmets on, not dance in the end zone
By Robert Sinclair
Kansan sportswriter
The NCAA Football Rules Committee made several rule changes this past offseason, and one rule change in particular has attracted attention.
Rule 9-2-1-4-(e) makes it an unsportmanlike conduct penalty for players to remove their helmets during the game. On the first offense, the player would incur a 15-yard penalty. On the second offense, the player would incur another 15-yard penalty and would be ejected from the game.
The rule, however, goes beyond unsportsmanlike conduct and into the realm of taunting fans or other players.
"The idea was to take out some of the orchestrated acts the players go through that take away from the game of football," said McClintock, the Big Eight Conference supervisor of football officials. McClintock said those acts included prolonged or excessive celebration such as dancing in the end zone.
the NCAA produced a film showing examples of the kinds of individual attention which it is trying to stop. The film was viewed by Kansas football coach Glen Mason and the team last week.
"I believe in what they're trying to do," Mason said. "Football is a team game. That's what we all sell."
Kansas senior outside linebacker Keith Rodgers agreed.
"Football is a team sport," Rodgers said. "No one person can win a game."
Mason said that Kansas sophomore place-killer Jeff McCord asked a referee how the rule related to praying or kneeling. The referee said that if they caught players
McClintock, however, said that there had been a recent modification to the rule.
praying, they would be penalized, Mason said.
"The modification was prompted by a lawsuit out East," McClintock said. "Praying privately and quickly would be acceptable. But if they kneel down for, say, a two count, then they will be penalized."
"This stadium is a public place. Why should you — the NCAA — tell me where I need to pray?" Liberty football coach Sam Rutilziano told the AP.
The Associated Press last week reported that Liberty University — the Baptist college founded by Jerry Falwell — asked U.S. District Judge James Turk for an injunction.
McCord, a self-proclaimed follower of Christ, doesn't believe there will be much of a problem with the new rule.
"People will play inside the rules; people will adjust," McCord said. "It's not that hard to not celebrate on your own like that."
MAJOR FOOTBALL RULES CHANGES
■ Rule 9-2.1-a-1(e): "Players or replaced players commit unsportsmanlike conduct if they remove their helmets before they reach the team area, Exceptions: During team, media or injury time outs or for equipment adjustments."
Significance: Attempting to reduce taunting
SECTION B
Rule 9-1-3-a-G: "Running into or roughing the kicker or holder is not a foul if the contact results from an illegal block by the offense."
Significance: Quarterback or pointer can't spike the ball to prevent losing yards.
Rule 7-3-2-e: "A player may legally throw the ball to the ground to stop the clock if the ball has not touched the ground after the snake."
Significance: Not roughing the kicker if the defender is pushed into him from behind.
KANSAS BASKETBALL
Rayford returns for one last shot
Senior says he is ready to challenge for guard position
By Matt Irwin
Kansan sportswriter
Staring into the light, all Calvin Rayford could see was two men approaching him with knives.
Like most people, Rayford was scared.
And there wasn't much Rayford's speed and basketball quickness could do for him while he was lying on his back.
But Rayford wasn't just scared about the surgery to repair ligaments in his left knee. He also wondered whether his left knee would ever carry his 5-foot-7 inch, 155-pound frame past defenders in Allen Field House again.
"I always twisted my ankle," Rayford said. "I've never had to lay down for surgery. You kind of wonder if you'll ever be the same again."
As Rayford enters his fifth year at Kansas, this story sits as an example of the adversity he has endured while at a traditional basketball powerhouse.
Rayford's surgery on July 21, 1994 was successful, and, after rehabilitating his knee during the 1994-95 school year, he spent the summer zooming past defenders in the Kansas City Bell League and in Robinson Center.
Kansas men's basketball coach Roy Williams said that he admired Rayford for his attitude through everything he had gone through.
"He's had more of those kinds of things and handled it probably better than anyone I've ever been around." Williams said.
And, after beginning his career sitting out because of academic troubles in high school, Williams said he was proud of Rayford's academic success.
"I'm more proud of the fact that at the end of this year that young man is going to have his degree," Williams said. "He's worked extremely hard against some tough circumstances. A lot of people that watched him in high school didn't necessarily think that he would get
that college degree, and I think I admire his stick-to-it-ed-ness more than anything there is about him."
Life has changed since high school.
When Rayford was at Washington High School in Milwaukee, Wis., he was the type of player that everybody wanted. At 5-7, Rayford stood along side Glenn Robinson, Chris Webber and Cherokee Parks at the McDonald's All-American game, was named to the Parade All-American team and was the Wisconsin state high school player of the year.
But because he did not qualify academically,he was not allowed to play or practice with the Jayhawks his freshmen season. Rayford and senior forward Sean Pearson,who also was academically ineligible,spent much of their first year together playing basketball at Robinson.
Pearson has been given a year of eligibility back because they lowered the requirements to qualify academically on the ACT.
"It was hard," Rayford said. "It would have been tougher if I went through it by myself."
During their freshman year, Rayford and Pearson won the intramural basketball championship at Kansas and watched their teammates from the stands.
Rayford's sophomore season was promising. He played in every game while backing up senior point guard Adonis Jordan, and the Jayhawks made it to the Final Four.
After the season, junior Darrin Hancock also transferred from Kansas and eventually began playing professionally in Europe. Hancock now plays for the Charlotte Hornets.
But, early in the season, Rayford saw one of his best friends leave the team. Ben Davis, a 6-foot 10 sophomore who also played in the McDonald's All-American game, transferred to Florida.
With the transfer of Davis, Rayford saw the beginning of the breakup of his class. Along with Rayford, Davis and Pearson, Greg Gurley and Greg Ostertag also entered Kansas the same year. Gurley and Ostertag
"We were very close," Rayford said. "It was very hard. It was like losing a brother."
were the only two to complete their eligibility in four consecutive seasons. Rayford's expectations for the group as a freshman did not come true.
"I thought all the guys would be seniors, and we may all be starting, and we'd be in the Final Four," Rayford said. "But, things happen for a reason."
After spending his junior season as a backup to freshman point guard Jacque Vaughn and another season watching in street clothes from the end of the bench, Rayford stays positive with this outlook.
Rayford said he tried to learn by watching his teammates last season and saw his final season as a second chance.
"I don't think I've played to my capabilities," Rayford said. "I'm known for my defense, but I know I can score and do other things."
Rayford said that he had spent much of his time since the injury working on his jump shot. In past seasons he did not have confidence in his shot.
Williams said that his lack of confidence in his jump shot may have originated in high school.
"In high school he was so much quicker than everyone else that nobody could stop him," Williams said. "Even if they backed off of him, he could still take it to the basket because he was so much quicker. At the college level, he has found other guys who are really really quick that make it difficult for him to do that. That puts more pressure on his shot."
After shooting 99 percent and 33 percent in his sophomore and junior seasons, Rayford said that he was finally confident in his jump shot.
Now that he has more confidence, Rayford said he was ready to challenge Vaughn again to be the starting point guard.
Despite the challenge, Rayford takes the typical Jayhawk stance when it comes to the challenge — he'll accept whatever role that is given him.
Sophomore forward Raef LaFrentz said that in recent pick-up games Rayford and Vaughn have had intense battles.
"It doesn't matter who starts and who finishes as long as everyone
By playing in pick-up basketball games at Robinson Center, senior guard Calvin Rayford is preparing to contribute again the Kansas men's basketball team. He sat out last year after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament.
Williams sees Rayford's return as a second chance — to play Rayford and Vaughn at the same time.
gets to play," Rayford said. "We're so deep at every position. If one person doesn't show up, we've always got a back up."
"We've always played a fast tempo," Williams said. "Hopefully we'll play even faster."
Rayford may not be a back up all the time if Williams has his way.
College for education, not for cash
After being an All-American and rushing for 11 consecutive 100-yard games in 1994, Nebraska's Lawrence Phillips seems to be making a lot of money playing football this year.
If you don't know the story, Phillips, the Nebraska starting I-back, has been spotted driving around Lincoln, Neb., in a brand-new Mercedes convertible. His mother, Juunita, and the rest of the family are back in West Covina, Calif., on welfare.
Maybe it a friend's car, or maybe he was just out for a test drive, but either way, the NCAA is investigating.
Whatever the outcome, this investigation will re-open a big can of worms. Once again, we must endure another onslaught of reasons why college football players should be paid for their play.
Even without mentioning what this would do to college athletic budgets across the nation, the whole idea is ridiculous.
For one thing, most college football players already receive full scholarships. A free college education sure sounds like enough compensation for someone to just go out and play ball. Players also get free room and board, and they get to travel around the country at no cost to them.
Sounds to me like a real rough life.
Chances are, many players who would get paid are the same players who will be signing multi-million-dollar deals come draft time. There's no reason to pay them now.
If getting an education is not important enough for players, then they should head for the big leagues and open up that college space for someone who wants an education as well as a chance to play ball.
I'd like to see football players work two jobs and still wonder what CD to sell so they could buy a pizza. I think they need to count their blessings.
The argument I hear is that the players earn money for their university. The Kansan makes a little bit of money, and I don't see anyone offering to pay me for my talents.
I guess I'm a hypocrite, though,
because I'd probably take it.
A guy I grew up with in Kansas City won a full-ride baseball scholarship to Pittsburg State University. He played there for two years and then transferred to Wichita State University, where he continued playing baseball.
At the end of his college years he was drafted by a major league baseball team. Maybe it sounds crazy, but he turned it down and accepted a football scholarship to Central Missouri State University. Why? He wanted to get his master's degree.
He will get a heck of a lot more than a nice car out of the whole deal. He'll get a lifetime of enrichment and career opportunities from his college education.
Avcock in Alcamo
Former Kansas women's basketball player Angela Avcock is playing professionally in Alcao, Sicily.
Source: Kansan staff research
Former Jayhawk All-American exports game
By Bill Petulla
Kansan sportswriter
It's 6:30 p.m., and former Kansas basketball player Angela Aycock answers the phone.
Out of breath, a quick and unexcited, "Hello" comes across the air waves. The tired and run-down Aycock instantly perks up once she realizes that she is speaking to a fellow American.
Aycock is overseas playing professional basketball in Alcamo, Sicily. Weeks before the season begins, she is getting a crash course in international basketball — a course that was never offered at the University of Kansas. Internationally, the United States is considered the premier exporter of basket
suffered the premier exporter of basketball players.
The ear-to-ear smile that Aycock showed in so many game day programs can almost be felt over the thousands of miles and the seven-hour time difference.
The once-groggy "Hello" turns into an enthusiastic, "How are you doing? Thanks for calling me back."
"I'm playing a lot more than I did at Kansas," Aycock said, claiming that her coach is trying to give her as much international basketball experience as possible before the season begins.
Aycock chose Alcamo above other playing offers such as one in Spain. Aycock, 22, is a youngster in this league, but she doesn't come to Sicily lacking credentials.
Kansas women's basketball coach
Marian Washington once compared Aycock to the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, saying, "Not since Lymette Woodard has a player come in and made such a difference."
Aycock ended her time at Kansas and was named a Kodak All-American and Big Eight Conference co-Player of the Year in addition to earning many other awards.
Aycock said, however, she hasn't been singled out by opposing teams.
"The competition is extremely tough," Aycock said. "There are a lot of veteran players and a lot of older players."
Even though she came overseas with an impressive resume, the opposition isn't taking it easy on her.
"Everyone is just playing hard, and
everyone wants to win," she said.
The Dallas native, who even has a difficult time pronouncing her team name — she says it's something like "Don Bance" — admits that she's been able to avoid speaking much Italian.
"I don't worry about the language too much now because I have an interpreter," she said. "But I know that eventually I am going to have to learn some of the language."
The adjustment to the new country, however, has been more difficult than simply learning some Italian vocabulary. Although quick to admit she's happy playing basketball in Sicily, the former Kansas star is still a little homeschick.
---
"I really miss Kansas, my friends and my coaches," she said.