GOLF
The Kansas women's team hopes youth can provide success, Page 3.
SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1995
Defense is a concern for Kansas
SECTION B
The countdown clock at Memorial Stadium is slowly ticking down. I saw it Monday while picking up football tickets. Right now it's set to blast off at 1 p.m. on Sept. 2.
It's the new Kansas football passing offense. Introduced in a test flight of sorts at the spring game in April, this stunning new product of aeronautical skill has been under wraps ever since.
Lawrence, we may have a problem. It doesn't matter how many yards the new offensive rocket travels this season because the Jayhawks won't have the defense to back it up. There is just too little size or depth to be effective.
I don't totally buy the change from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense simply because the new defensive coordination
nator and the
defensive backs coach used it last season while both were at Colorado. I think it has something to do with personnel.
ASSOCIATE
SPORTS
EDITOR
A long-term solution would be to stop stockpiling running backs in every recruiting class, hoping to turn them into defensive backs. But it's too late for that now.
Only two of Kansas' defensive linemen weigh more than 270 pounds. Many first-string players have switched positions in the new scheme. Starting defensive tackle Dewey Houston was a tight end last season, and a decent one at that, for crying out loud. Add in the season-ending shoulder injury to senior linebacker Ronnie Ward as well as the redshirting of junior defensive back Tony Blevins.
And things could get even worse.
Any birds could get even worse. The Kansas defense never held its opponents to less than 300 yards last season, including two miserable outings against Nebraska (603 yards) and Colorado (699 yards). With a relatively light first four games, the Jayhawks should enter the Big Eight Conference portion of their schedule at 3-1 or 4-0.
But don't let that deceive you. Three of Kansas' first four conference games are with Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas State — all strong contenders to win the conference if Nebraska slips up.
Here are some other things I've been thinking about:
But for now, the clock keeps kicking. My prediction for these 'Hawks is a 6-5 season — enough for a trip to the Copper Bowl and another year for Coach Glen Mason.
The impact of Cal Ripken on Major League Baseball is bigger than most folks think. Players who stay with one team and avoid the pitfalls of free agency are close to extinction in the game today. I hope Ripken keeps going for three or four more years after breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive-games streak next month. Anyone who criticizes Ripken or the streak is off the deep end.
I really hate the NBA. Then again, I've never really liked it. On top of its wonderful ability to elevate the status of certain teams and players to gigantic proportions (i.e., Michael Jordan's "magical comeback" last spring and summer), now there may not be a 1995-96 season because of guys like Mike who can't live on $30 million a year. It's too bad there are too many Chris Webbers and not enough Danny Mannings in that league. But it's all about image — forget the friendly competition and team spirit. Chris just wants to look good on television.
It may be old news to bring this up, but former Kansas baseball coach Dave Bingham is not to blame for the team's miserable 1995 season, and I don't think he was being forced out. The fire and intensity just got to this competitive coach. Don't look for Bingham to find another program and hide. He'll be back at the College World Series in five years.
And at 5-8 and 155 pounds, I might find a home in the new Kansas defense.
New coach will help with football defense
By Robert Sinclair
Kansan sportswriter
Why did the Kansas football team hire defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz?
The 1970 Michigan graduate has been involved with several successful football programs. He played in the 1970 Rose Bowl, helping Michigan win the Big 10 Conference championship. After graduating, he became Michigan's junior varsity coach before being hired as the defensive coach in only his second year.
The question has been asked repeatedly. But maybe the question should be, "Why did Hankwitz come to Kansas?"
After his time with the Wolverines, Hankwitz became the linebackers coach at Arizona (1973-76), Purdue (1977-81) and Colorado (1985-89). He also has been the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan (1982-84) and under Bill McCartney at Colorado (1988-94).
While with the Buffaloes, Hankwitz earned a lot of respect for Kansas and Glen Mason.
Hankwitz was the defensive coordinator for the Buffaloes when they won the 1990 national championship.
"When the opportunity came, I knew I had a high regard for him as a coach and the things he has done," Hankwitz said. "I felt like I was going into another situation."
Since Hankwitz came to Kansas, the learning process hasn't been one-sided, either. Hankwitz had several years of experience with Colorado's 3-4 defense before becoming a Jayhawk. Senior outside linebacker Keith Rodgers said Hankwitz used that experience to his benefit while helping Kansas make their defensive transition.
"I think that he's one of those (Arizona Cardinals coach) Buddy Ryan defensive geniuses," said Rodgers, who was recently voted defensive captain by his teammates.
"The stuff that he draws up and he thinks up is pretty intelligent."
Hankwitz might have his work cut out for him this year. Kansas lost two returning defensive starters to injuries — senior linebacker Ronnie Ward and junior safety Tony Blevins.
"It wasn't until the seventh year Mac was there that we really got it turned around," Hankwitz said of his time at Colorado. "You know it took time, just like here."
The Jayhawks are hoping that, with time,
Hankwilt will strengthen the team.
Injury sidelines Blevins for season
where I could learn some things from a different individual."
"He really knows what he's talking about as far as defenses and stuff, obviously, because he's proven that at Colorado," Blevins said. "I think he's a great coach, and he knows how to get his players to do what he wants them to do."
Scott Harper/KANSAN
By Robert Sinclair
Kansas defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz runs players through drills during practice.
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas coach Glen Mason announced yesterday that junior free safety Tony Blevins would be redshirted for the 1995 season.
"It was always an option going into two-a-days. Some days I'd play, some days I'd sit out," Blevins said. "I was playing at about 80 to 90 percent. But it wouldn't be back to full strength until October."
Blevins has been rehabilitating his knee after suffering a season-ending injury last year. Although the coaches have been pleased with his progress, he has not been practicing twice a day because he is still experiencing soreness.
Right now Mason's depth chart, in order,
has sophomore Maurice Gaddie and seniors
Thad Warren and Marlin Blakeney at free
safety, with sophomore Charles Davis and
freshmen Freddie Hammonds and Michael
Mason also said that senior Dorian Brew and sophomore Avery Randle would be starting at cornerback and would be backed-up by freshman Jamie Harris and sophomore Jason Harris. However, nothing is final.
"We're going to switch a lot of guys around," Mason said. "We're going to experiment with a couple of guys. In my job, you'd better not worry about things you can't control; injuries you can't control."
Allen — who was recently moved from linebacker — at strong safety.
"This is better for Tony," Rodgers said. "It would be a shame for him to rush back too soon, reinjure it and then be out indefinitely."
Losing Blevins for the year, in addition to already having lost senior linebacker Ronnie Ward, means that Kansas only has three starters returning from last year's squad: Gaddie, Brew, and senior outside linebacker Keith Rodgers.
International hoop dreams lead Jayhawk to Taiwan
Kansas women's senior guard plays nine games in just 10 days
By Bill Petulla
Kansan sportswriter
Every summer countless numbers of students flock to internships so that they can get their foot in the door of a business. Hard work, long hours and little thanks are nothing new for interns.
This summer, Kansas basketball senior Charisse Sampson was what you might call an intern. However, her job took her to Taiwan to play international basketball in the Jones Cup Tournament.
Sampson, who would like to earn a living playing international basketball after college, admits her summer job wasn't easy.
"The toughest thing about playing international basketball is every team is going to play their best against the U.S." Sampson said.
She said the type of play was similar to the Big Eight Conference competition — rough and physical. Also, Sampson believed that many times the U.S. Jones Cup team was playing five-on-seven, an expression that refers to biased officiating.
The team was coached by Linda "Lynn" Dunn, women's basketball coach at Purdue. The members practiced for two weeks before leaving for Taiwan on July 24 to play nine games in 10 days.
In her limited time away from the basketball court, Sampson and her teammates toured a small portion of Taiwan.
Andrew Dierks / KAMBAH
Problems with the language occurred when the interpreter for the team wasn't there.
Sampson said that during the trip she bought a small statue of Buddha, which is supposed to bring luck when its head is rubbed. She vows she will rub it before every Kansas same next season.
However she does it, Sampson is going to be called upon to fill the leadership void left by Angela Aycock, a 1995 Kodak All-American.
After playing basketball in Taiwan this summer, Kansas senior guard Charise Sampson is preparing to play again this season in Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas women's basketball coach Marian Washington was pleased that Sampson played oversensi
last summer.
"Chariise is a complete player," Washington said. "She can drive or hurt you from the three-point line. She has a lot of different weapons and moves very quick without the basketball, but she needs to add consistency to her game this year."
Women's rowing team begins varsity status
Luckily for the St. Louis, Mo., graduate student, she was wrong. The Kansas women's rowing team is beginning its first year in NCAA-sponsored competition.
Rozalija Kozul expected that eventually women's rowing would become a varsity sport at Kansas—but not during her time here.
Kansan sportswriter
"It came just in time. I prayed hard that it would make it," Kouol said of the transition of women's rowing from a club sport to a varsity sport.
"Basically it's a whole new program," Catloth said. "It's coming from the club, but it's a totally different team."
Now that women's rowing has become a varsity sport at Kansas, the athletes no longer have to pay their own way to travel and compete in regattas.
Catloth said time once devoted to fundraising efforts and part-time jobs could now be used for practices.
By Erin Johnson
Starting after Labor Day weekend, the Jayhawks will spend about 20 hours a week practicing at Clinton Lake. Until then, the team will have 8-hour practice weeks with intense training and higher demands than in past years.
"it's going to be less of a hobby and a lot more work," Kozul said. "I'm definitely looking forward to the intensity."
Catloth is looking for good student-athletes to fill openings on the freshman team. All female Kansas students who have the desire to be rowers have a chance and no experience is necessary, Catloth said.
Cattail plans to be in front of Strong Hall next Monday and Tuesday displaying the teams' new boats and answering students' questions. There will be a meeting for all freshman interested in women's rowing at 5 p.m. on Aug. 30 in the Parrott Athletic Center expansion behind Allen Fieldhouse.
Despite having novice rowers on the team, Catloth expects the freshman team to finish in the top 10 nationally this year.
"There are teams that always are tough to compete against." Cattho said. "They're not going to say 'here it is.' We're going to have to earn it."
With 10 years coaching experience at Kansas, Catloth knows what it takes to win. His team finished fourth at a national championship last year and is looking to win a national championship in Cincinnati next June.
Kozul said Catloth had spent several years volunteering as the Kansas rowing club coach and had what it will take to lead the Jayhawks to a national championship.
"With that dedication, he's going to take us there. He really wants this and so do we," Kozul said. "We've been rowing too long not to want it this bad."
The Jayhawks can expect competition from East Coast teams as well as Wisconsin, Iowa and Wichita State, which also recently became a varsity team.
"I think we're a lot more in the public eye being a varsity sport," Catloth said. "As a club we were more peripheral to the University."
"It's going to be exciting to look back and think we were the first women's rowing team at the University of Kansas," Kozul said.
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