Drive money-changers from field house In which we observe a day in the life of a freshman athlete, or KU program salesmen are really 'hawkers'
By JOHN KIELY
If the spectators came to see the sport, they missed part of it by not noticing the red-sweatered lettermen pushing programs.
"Hey," said one of those program pushers, John Towner, Leawood sophomore, "I just discovered a new way to sell these."
HE TIPPED A program slantwise, closed in race-track tout style and, in the cultured semi-whisper of a soft-sell TV pitch man suggested: "Program?"
"I tried this same thing Saturday on three older men. They didn't buy any, so I gave up. I really blew it. I can probably sell out tonight."
He saliied forth attempting to sell out. He had 250 programs. They sell for 25 cents a piece and he makes a nickel on every one he sells.
POCKETING THE proceeds from some sales, he returned saying, "People are funny. If they got the money they'll spend it. A guy with a date who really wants to do it up right is most likely to buy a program."
Another likely program buying bunch are the non-students who pay full price for tickets and enter through the main doors. This night, Towner's post was a main door.
"I got here before any of the other guys and I told my boss I wanted to sell here and he said, 'OK.'"
Towner sold another couple and directed a man toward the ushers. "They always ask you where the
seats are," he lamented. "Hell, I don't know where any of the seats are."
HE DID KNOW where some of the customers were. They were all around him and more were expected soon. Suddenly the band behind him exploded with "I'm a Jay-Jay-Jay-Jay-Jayhawk." He checked his watch. Half an hour to game time. He checked his reserve supply of programs. Over a hundred and fifty to go.
After asking five women and getting five no's, he changed his mind. "Well yeah. Women never buy programs. They absolutely won't buy them."
"This is when the rush comes. I ought to be able to sell out." He worked hard at selling soft. "I can't believe this. I couldn't sell a one Saturday night. Now I'm afraid to stand back and hold up a program and shout. It's all in how I ask them if they take it or not."
Then the announcer announced the National Anthem and the Pinkerton blocked the flow of traffic. Some left the line at that door and entered via the next one where a less patriotic Pinkerton still took tickets.
THE ROCK CHALK chant came next, then applause signaled KU's arrival on court. But even if the other game had begun, Towner's wasn't over. He still had 27 programs.
"Thought I was gonna' make it. Still might. Not too many come in late. It's really surprising but they slack off after the first ten minutes."
He prepared for a final push. "If they don't buy a program they practically have to walk over me tonight. I'm really sucking for money."
HE HAD 24 LEFT now. "I might be able to get it if enough stragglers come in." He tried again. He still had 24. "These women look at you like you're trying to kill them. It's like trying to sell a program to the same woman all night."
He had 21 left when another salesman came up, "How many did you sell, anyway?" he asked. "I've got a new sales technique. . ." Towner started and the other lettermen tucked his many left-over programs under his arm.
"I thought I'd make it," he said after all stragglers seemed in and he had 17 programs left. "Well it's been a lucky night"
The luck hadn't ended. At the far end of the hall the last visible customers had entered. They were two women.
"THOSE LADIES WON'T buy one." Towner shrugged and walked toward them anyway.
He walked back. "Now that was something. That one woman said, "You don't want one of those," to the other woman.
"And she said, 'Well we didn't have one last time. This time we need it.' The first one said, 'Yeah, I guess you're right.'
"This sure has been a lucky night."
He walked away carrying 16 programs and chuckling to himself.
Peace Corps-
Continued from page 1
and Chris Byers, majored in sociology and theater arts respectively at Pennsylvania's Allegheny College, only to find themselves working in urban community development in Peru.
The Byers, who worked in Chimbote, Peru, home of the famous Peace Corps "before and after" advertisements, found their work entailing "a lot of talking and listening."
"I SUSPECT URBAN community development is one of the toughest jobs to work in, although very challenging." Byers said. "It's tough because it is so undefined and because it's very difficult to measure any actual differences. On the other hand, it is extremely challenging because the only thing you have to draw upon is yourself."
Mike and Ree Riley used their physical education training from San Diego (Calif.) State College, to teach the course and set up physical education programs in Maturin, Venezuela. Like all of the recruiters, the Rileys had had no previous education in their assigned country's language before joining the Peace Corps,
Gabrielle Winzurk, who like Connerley, was stationed in Mbeya, Tanzania, got her degree in speech and drama. Her Peace Corps assignment was an upper primary school teacher in Mbeva.
BECAUSE THE DESIRE to help is the greatest qualification for prospective Peace Corps volunteers, many traditional job qualifications are irrelevant, the recruiters said. Grades, for instance, are not considered in accepting an applicant.
"We had a big rush at San Diego State right after mid-terms and downs," Riley said.
Another advantage to the Peace Corps is the possibility that it will become a permanent draft alternative, rather than the mere deferment it is now.
"There is a presidential committee studying this right now."
Experimental Theatre
THE ROGUE'S TRIAL
Dec. 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16
75c with Registration Certificate
Murphy Hall Box Office
By Ariano Suassuna
Byers said. "And their recommendations is to come out January 1."
"The arrest turned out to be for participation in a civil rights demonstration." Byers said. "It showed he was involved in social problems and made him a perfect Peace Corps candidate."
Besides manning information booths in Strong Hall and the Kansas Union all week, the seven Peace Corps recruiters will speak to about 30 classes, show Peace Corps movies every night except Wednesday in the Kansas Union and administer the language aptitude test each day.
THE APPLICANT who has a police record may also find hope in the Peace Corps, Byers said. He cited one boy whose rumored arrest was investigated as a part of the basic security check run on all prospective volunteers.
"Happiness Is tryouts will be held Thursday
Anyone with a talented definition of happiness should tryout for the sophomore class' campuswide variety show "Happiness is . . ." from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. or 7 until 10:30 p.m. Thursday at Swarthout Recital Hall in Murphy.
4
Daily Kansan Tuesday, December 6, 1966
ATTEND
with LIVE ORCHESTRA
International Club's
CHRISTMAS FORMAL DANCE
Friday, Dec. 9, 1966 Union Ball Room
Tickets:
$2.50 (couple)
$1.50 (couple) members
Tickets available at Union Information Desk or International Club's office,109 Union (3:30-5:30 p.m.)