FOOTBALL
College ranks make wholesale changes, Page 3.
SWIMMING
Kansas adds three new assistants, Page 8.
SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1995
SECTION B
Basketball team pumps iron
Sports page will feature new look
Often, change in athletics has not been welcomed with onen arms.
Take college football playing conference championship games, the Brooklyn Dodgers moving to Los Angeles and female sports editors for example.
But I hope the changes planned for the University Daily Kansas sports page this fall will not be cause for public concern. In fact, you might actually like them.
Some of the changes planned by myself and Kansan associate sports editor Tom Erickson will be obvious. Everyday on page 2B, you can find a scoreboard section. We will give you the most up-to-date scores
that we can as
that we can as well as team standings, TV listings and statistical leaders.
SPORTS EDITOR
On Monday, you'll find NFL standings and statistics as well as college football conference standings. Major League Baseball standings, the new Associated Press Top 25 college football poll and Kansas foot-
Wednesday will feature professional baseball and Big Eight Conference football statistical leaders. Listed in Thursday's section will be NFL statistics and standings. And to round out the week, we'll list in-depth statistics on the Kansas football team's next opponent, Sunday's NFL games and professional baseball standings.
In addition to these regular items, we hope to run Big Eight volleyball stands and national rankings for collegiate tennis, golf, soccer and cross country as they become available.
Another obvious change will be on the front page. Several times each week, a sports term will be explained in detail. The term may be connected to a current story or just something general to help everyone to know more about all athletics.
We've also decided to expand our intramural and club sport coverage. We hope to provide intramural results as well as information on upcoming events. In addition, sport clubs will be profiled throughout the semester so that you can learn about other recreational opportunities.
The next change in the sports page is something that we want you to help out with. The Kansan will accept all letters to the sports page. Write us and tell us what you think about the Kansas football team's new 3-4 defense, the NBA lock-out or whatever gets you talking.
Readers also can respond to columns written by any of the columnists. Four regular columnists will appear each week: Chris Austin, Matt Irwin, Erickson and myself.
Whatever's got you fired up, let us know. There is more information on submitting letters at the bottom of the page. Then, we'll print as many letters as we can on Thursdays, starting this week.
The final change is one that I am probably most excited about. For the last three semester, a male has overseen the production of the Kansan sports page. But a female is back in control.
Some of you might not think this is such a good thing. What can a woman know about sports anyway?
My background in sports started before birth. My dad played slow-pitch softball during the summer, and my mom traveled to the games when she was pregnant with me
Those days aren't something I remember really well. But I do remember many bitter-cold nights at high school football games, blistering afternoons at Legion baseball games and watching ESPN's Sports-Center like it was the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.
Most people aren't biased against women in sports journalism. However, I know from personal experience that prejudice still exists. But that's a whole other column.
Whether you agree with the changes this semester, we believe they are for the best. Heck, most people in Brooklyn even got over the Dodgers moving to Los Angeles.
The Jayhawk men trained vigorously with Virginia in mind
By Matt Irwin
Kansan sportswriter
For most basketball fans the Final Four is the end of the college basketball season. But for players that failed to reach college basketball's pinnacle, it is often the beginning of the next season.
Kansas junior center Scot Pollard was one of those players.
And for Pollard, it was the motivation to head to the weight room.
"I just knew we were going to the Final Four," Pollard said. "I thought we should have been
there. There was no way I thought we shouldn't have been there."
After losing 67-58 to Virginia in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, the Jayhawks were given two weeks off. Pollard said he got tired of watching other teams play during those two weeks and tired of hearing about Virginia
Virginia used their muscle to out-rebound the Jayhawks and hold them to their lowest point total and lowest field goal percentage of the season.
"Everybody gave us crap about being weak against Virginia," Pololl said.
The Jayhawks spent the summer trying to get stronger so they wouldn't face the situation again, Pollard said. Despite not being able to lift weights for part of the
summer after shoulder surgery, Pollard worked intensely. He gained back about 20 pounds he lost while recuperating from surgery, and he strengthened his healing right shoulder.
Hearing people say Kansas was outmuscled by Virginia also was in the back of senior forward Sean Pearson's mind when he lifted weights.
"It pushes you even harder when you don't feel like doing it," Pearson said and added that he had an extra motivation. "It's my last chance to win a national championship. You know that it's your last chance, and it just makes you work harder."
Pollard said that Kansas men's basketball coach Roy Williams and the rest of the team emphasized
getting stronger in the offseason.
"Coach Williams always says that players are made by off-season training," Pollard said. "I try to live by that."
While rehabilitating his shoulder, Pollard was thinking about the starting center position as well. Without Kansas center Greg Ostertag as competition, perhaps the loss to Virginia became a stronger motivation.
"I need somebody there to push me," Pollard said. "I want to prove to myself that I deserve to start. I want to feel like I've done everything I can."
Pollard did what he could against Virginia, grabbing 10 rebounds in 21 minutes. The Jayhawks will play Virginia on Nov. 29 as part of the Great Eight in Auburn Hills, Mich
Kansas Basketball Weightlifting
Bench Press
Leg Press
BENCH PRESS
1. Jerod Hase, 245 pounds
2. TSean Pearson, 238 pounds
3. Billy Thomas, 236 pounds
4. Jacque Vaughn, 220 pounds
5. Calvin Rayford, 215 pounds
1T. Jerod Haase, 500 pounds
1T. Sean Pearson, 500 pounds
3T. Billy Thomas, 466 pounds
3T. Jacque Vaughn, 466 pounds
5.C.B. McGrath, 455 pounds
Information provided by Bill Maxwell, assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Added to Kansas' switch in defensive schemes is the loss of Gerald McBurrows and Kwamie Lassiter. Both were seniors in 1994.
Paul Kotz /
KANSAN
New defense defies all definition
Jayhawks chose 3-4 set with personnel losses availability of Hankwitz
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas football team's new defense has been described as many things. It has been called a 3-4, something closer to a 4-3 and a combination of a 3-4 and a 4-3.
By Robert Sinclair
It makes no difference to the players what it is called. They are still excited about the defense.
The most obvious difference between this year's defense and last year's is in its appearance. However, even the coaching staff isn't really sure how to describe the new formation.
"I really think to describe what we are going to play defensively as a 3-4 may not be accurate," Kansas football coach Glen Mason said.
"Because of the injuries we had in the spring, you might think it looks more like a 4-3."
A "4-3" — which is what Kansas used last year — consists of four down linemen with three linebackers. Partially because of a shortage of linemen, this year the team will use only three linemen with four linebackers, or a "3-4."
Another difference is there really isn't a set formation the team will have to stick with, Kansas defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz said. Sometimes there will be three down linemen with a linebacker on either side and two more linebackers a yard or two behind them. At other times there will be three linemen, a linebacker on the line and three more linebackers.
"Well, it's different in that we'll still have three linebackers, but sometimes one will be on the line and two off. Where last year it was usually three in the back," Hankwitz said. "There's a lot of similarities, but at times there'll be some differences too. It's kind of a blend between a 4-3 and a 3-4. It really isn't one or the other."
Another difference between the two defenses is that last year the team was expected to sit back and react to the opposing team's plays,
Rodgers said. Kansas coaches are hoping Rodgers will have a big year in the absence of injured linebacker Ronnie Ward. That should be an easier task for him since the team has been given free rein.
"The new defense is more geared this year to attacking and making things happen instead of reacting to what's happening," he said. "Whereas last year it was, 'OK, what are they doing? Now this is what we do.' This year it's, 'We're going to do this and if they do that, then we'll do this."
Kansas did not decide to make changes because of personnel alone. The defensive change also was made because Hankwitz became available last year when the former Colorado head coach Bill McCartney retired. Because Hankwitz had been using the 3-4 at Colorado, he was a logical choice to lead the new Kansas defense.
"We are excited about it and the new coaches," junior defensive back Tony Blevins said. "The enthusiasm is returning to the defense, and I am looking forward to it."
No matter what the results are, it cannot be said that the team wasn't behind the defensive changes — even by those players in the relatively unaffected defensive backfield.
Women's soccer team will hold walk-on tryout
Walk-on tryouts for the Kansas women's soccer team will be held at 5 p.m. today at Hogfund-Murpin Stadium. All Kansas students are invited.
Ksnsan staff report
plans to add 10 walk-on players to the varsity roster. All candidates must report to the field by 5 p.m. with soccer cleats, shin guards and proof of insurance. Those trying out for the geals position also should have the proper equipment.
Kansas women's soccer coach Lori Walker said she plans to add 10 girls on an internship to the university water
The Jayhawks, who are beginning their first season at the varsity level, begin the year Sept. 3 at Evansville.
Sports editors welcome letters, give guidelines
Readers wishing to submit letters to the sports desk should make sure they are typed, double-spaced and less than 500 words in length.
Please include the first and last name of the author, year in school, hometown and a daytime phone number. Send all letters to the address below.
The sports editors reserve the right to accept or reject letters as well as edit them for style and content. Sports Editor
University Daily Kansan
111 Stauffer-Filht Hall
Lawrence, Kansas 65045
Kansas has new kids on 'block'
Volleyball newcomers may make early impact as team mounts comeback
By Bill Petuila
Kansan sportswriter
In an empty Burge Union cafeteria sits the future of Kansas volleyball. Fresh from a grueling Saturday morning practice, four newcomers act as if they'd just waken up from a long night's sleep_refreshed, upbeat and all smiles.
Cassandra Smiley, a junior transfer from Galveston College, even offered some chocolate cupcakes she'd baked.
But once these women pull up their knee pads and step on the court, they leave their laid-back and cheerful demeanor behind.
Along with Smiley, the incoming freshmen class of Anne Kreimer, Blue Springs, Mo.; Laura Rohde, Galesburg, Mich.; and Moira Donovan, Rolling Meadows, Ill.; play an important role for a young volleyball team which has only two seniors.
Kansas volleyball coach Karen Schonewise has been impressed with the newcomers so far.
"Laura Rohde is definitely slotted as a starter," she said.
Schonewise said that, although not immediately, each member of the incoming class should find their way into the starting rotation.
But to these four, individual goals take a back seat to the team goals, which include ranking in the
"I just hope we improve and can make it in the Top 20."
Laura Rokidie
Kansas freshman outside hitter
top 20 and winning the Big Eight Conference title.
"I just hope we improve and can make it in the Top 20." Rohde said, as the others nodded their heads in agreement.
With the exception of Rohde, the newcomers also said the college game is more demanding than what they have played in the past.
"College volleyball is a lot more intense and the plays are run a lot quicker," Donovan said.
Although the game now is more strenuous than the one before, the newcomers did not walk into this setting unprepared.
All four worked on their game this summer. Kreimer worked out and played volleyball in the Missouri State Games. Donovan and Rohde both trained and played Junior Olympic volleyball.
Rohde also spent some time playing beach volleyball. Smiley managed to find time to train in between going to summer class and working full time.
After being sought by many schools, these four chose Kansas this fall for reasons ranging from academics to the friendly campus atmosphere.
However, because the two-a-day practices ended Saturday, the friendly atmosphere is something the incoming class hasn't had much time to enjoy. Donovan, Rohde and Kreimer said they liked to spend their free time relaxing in their rooms and going to movies.
The older Smiley, however, doesn't seem to have quite the same energy. She said after practices she liked to eat and sleep.
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