THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2006
SPORTS
9A
1
Hockey team won't receive funding
NEW YORK - The Columbia men's ice hockey club team will be suspended for the first semester of the 2006-2007 season, and will be on probation for the next two years, after posting off-col recruitment fliers, the latest of several Athletics Department policy violations, officials announced on Tuesday.
The hockey team will not receive funding or be permitted to resume practices and games until Jan. 16, 2007. The punishment also requires the team to issue a formal apology to the Columbia community.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education said that the team must "acknowledge that it did not seek approval from Club Sports administrators before printing and posting the recruitment flier."
Columbia Daily Spectator
IRVING.Texas — Bvron
Famous golfer Byron Nelson dies of natural causes
IRVING, Texas — Byron Nelson, golf's courtly "Lord Byron" whose 11 straight tournament victories in 1945 stand as one of sports' most enduring records, has died. He was 94.
His wife, Peggy Nelson, told family friend Angela Enright that her husband appeared fine as she left for Bible study in the morning. As she left their Roanoke home, he told her, "I'm so proud of you," something he often said about her church involvement. When
she returned, she found him on the back porch facing his woodworking shop.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office said he died of natural causes.
Known for his graceful swing and gentle manner, Nelson had the greatest year in the history of professional golf in 1945 when he won 18 tournaments.
Associated Press
3
Cardinals quarterback Warner keeps starting job
TEMPE, AZ. — KUR Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said.
Green was responding to Monday's ESPN report that said rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner for Sunday's game at Atlanta.
Associated Press
Warner threw three interceptions, two while Arizona was inside the opponent's 14-yard line, and fumbled a snap at the St. Louis 18 with 1:46 to go in the Cardinals' '16-14 home loss to the Rams last Sunday.
Negro Leagues Legend Buck O'Neil hospitalized
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Buck O'Neil remained hospitalized Tuesday with what was described as extreme fatigue, and friends are becoming increasingly worried about the 94-year-old Negro Leagues legend.
official of the Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City said he visited Buck on Tuesday and that he was still very weak.
O'Neil spent about three days in the hospital in August, then was readmitted about 10 days ago. An
"He's very fatigued and he's lost his voice," said Bob Kendrick. "Buck can only talk at a whisper. It's my understanding that doctors are continuing to do tests and they still are not sure what the problem is.
"Everybody is very concerned. He's almost 95 years old, and he's been on an exhausting schedule since last February."
O'Neil barely missed being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in February when a special committee considered several dozen Negro League and pre-Negro League figures.
His many noteworthy accomplishments during an eventful lifetime of baseball include being a former star player and manager for the Kansas City Monarchs in the 1940s and '50s and becoming the first African-American to serve as a coach in the major leagues.
"Since February, he has not had the schedule that one would ever think that a 94-year old man would have," Kendrick said. "The wide array of emotion, and the mental and physical drain of not getting voted into the Hall of Fame I'm sure took its toll."
For many years, he has traveled the country keeping alive the legacy of the Negro Leagues and its unique niche in American history. He has become one of the most-sought speakers in all of sports.
Associated Press
5
American League playoff teams set OAKLAND, Calif. The American League playoff teams are set
All that remains to be determined are the first-round matchups.
After three days of waiting, the Oakland Athletics clinched the AL West title Tuesday night when they beat the Seattle Mariners 12-3, setting off a wild celebration in Seattle that lived up to the A's frathouse reputation.
bined with the Los Angeles Angels' 5-2 loss against Texas, sent the small-budget A's back to the postseason after a two-year absence.
Nick Swisher and Milton Bradley each homered in a four-run second to back Rich Harden's five shutout innings. The win, com-
"This is a team. We've had injuries all year long and people in baseball were wondering how this team was going to win," slugger Frank Thomas said. "We have a group of guys that care about each other and we stuck together all year long and found a way."
Oakland earned its first AL West crown since 2003 and the 14th in franchise history thanks to a sensational second half — a hallmark for this club in recent years.
The New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins already wrapped up playoff berths as well, but the division series matchups won't be certain until the AL Central race is decided.
The Tigers lead the Twins by one game with five to play. Detroit also won the season series against Minnesota and would win the tiebreaker if they finish with the same record.
The star-studded Yankees, with a $200 million payroll, are no surprise. But the Tigers ($82 million) began the season with the 14th-highest payroll in the major leagues, while the Twins ($64 million) ranked 19th and Oakland ($62 million) was 21st.
So much for small-market teams not having a chance.
Associated Press
Dallas Mavericks keep Dirk Nowitzki longer
DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki is sticking with the Dallas Mavericks at least through the 2010-11 season.
Nowitzki, 28, already was signed for the upcoming season and had a $16 million-plus option for 2007-08 under the maximum contract he signed in 2001. The new deal guarantees that season, plus tacks on three more. He'll turn 33 the summer his new contract expires.
Terms of the deal were not released.
Associated Press
athletics calendar
FRIDAY
Soccer at Creighton, 7 p.m. Omaha, Neb.
SATURDAY
Softball vs. UMKC, 2 p.m., KU Fall Invitational, Arrocha Ballpark
Softball vs. Emporia State, 4 p.m., KU Fall Invitational, Arrocha Ballpark
Humphreys
Player to watch: Senior pitcher Kassie Humphreys lead the team during the Fall Jayhawk Classic last weekend with 16 strikeouts in two games. Humphreys finished last season with a 4.81 ERA and a record of 5-6.
Football at Nebraska, 6 p.m., Lincoln, Neb.
Volleyball vs. Iowa State, 7 p.m., Horejsi Family Athletics Center
Rowing, Head of the Oklahoma, TBA, Oklahoma City, Okla.
SUNDAY
Softball vs. Johnson County Community College, noon, KU Fall Invitational, Arrocha Ballpark
Soccer at Nebraska, 1 p.m., Lincoln, Neb.
Softball vs. TBA, 2 p.m., KU Fall Invitational, Arrocha Ballpark
Rowing, Head of the Oklahoma, TBA, Oklahoma City, Okla.
NEBRASKA (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
Brown played there in the Shrine Bowl his senior year of high school. Kurtenbach was with Kansas two years ago when they played at Nebraska, but he didn't see any action. Being a junior, Saturday will be his last chance to do so.
Coach Mark Mangino hasn't guaranteed that either will get into the game Saturday. Brown said he had no idea if he would see the field, but he would be ready for the opportunity.
Even if Kurtenbach doesn't get to play in his final trip to Nebraska, the experience of being on the sidelines, surrounded by the Nebraska football atmosphere he grew up with, will be enough.
"It's probably one of the best places to play," Kurtenbach said. "When you run out there, there's this sea of red and it's so loud. It's a great opportunity to be there down on the field. Very few people get that chance and it's a blast."
Kansan sportswriter Shawn Shroyer can be contacted at sshroyer@kansan.com.
Edited by Natalie Johnson