THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2. 2007
NEWS 3A
ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
Team nears bowl eligibility, silences critics of schedule 4-0 start justifies nonconference slate
BY THOR NYSTROM
tnystrom@kansan.com
A 4-0 start to the football season has quelled Kansas fans' criticisms about the ease of the nonconference schedule, the way Larry Keating sees it. Keating, senior associate athletics director, said most fans were happy to have the team on track to bowl eligibility.
"There are far more Kansas fans that enjoy the fact that we are winning and playing at home than there are upset about the quality of the teams" Keating said. "The four non-conference games have provided us a base for a successful season."
Although the strength of Kansas nonconference schedule has been weak — the four teams currently have a combined record of 4-15 — the Jayhawks have positioned themselves to becoming bowl eligible for
the fourth time in five years.
"I think it is better to play easier teams, because at the end of the season it will allow you to advance to the postseason," said Carissa Osner, Conway Springs junior. "Basically, we will be better off in the end."
The Central Michigan contest was scheduled six years ago, before
would have told you we would play three home and one away game."
"There are far more Kansas fans that enjoy the fact that we are winning and playing at home than there are upset about the quality of the teams."
Because one game with a Division FCS, formerly I-AA, opponent can count toward bowl eligibility each year and because those games are cheaper to play and against easier competition, it has become common practice to schedule them. Keating said Kansas planned to continue scheduling one per year.
Toledo owed Kansas a game this year to complete a previous two-for-one contract, which brought the Rockets to Lawrence in 2004 and sent the Jayhawks to Toledo last season. The contract called for a payment of $125,000 to cover the road team's traveling expenses for each of the first two games, and a $300,000 payment to Toledo for this season's game.
Division FBS, formerly I-A, teams can become bowl eligible with six victories. Schools with six victories can fulfill conference agreements with bowl games, but must wait behind teams with seven or more victories during at-large selections. Kansas missed a bowl last year after finishing 6-6.
LARRY KEATING
Senior associate athletics director
"Seven wins would have gotten us a bowl spot last year," Associate Athletics Director Jim Marchiony said. "If you aren't selected for a conference-affiliated bowl there is nothing you can do as a six-win team."
Keating and the current administration came to Kansas. The game should have been played in 2003, but was postponed at the Chippewas' request. Kansas paid CMU the same $300,000 they had agreed to originally.
Keating, who is in charge of scheduling nonconference matchups, said a unique set of circumstances allowed Kansas to play four nonconference home games. Keating's original plan was to play three homes and one road game. Two years ago, after having two nonconference games for 2007 already scheduled, against Toledo and Central Michigan, Florida International canceled a 2006 tilt between the two schools and agreed to play two games in Lawrence — one in 2007 and 2008.
"So we had three home games and we still hadn't done our DI-AA game," Keating said. "If you had asked us a year ago at this time, I
"Five years ago, the whole scene was a lot different," Keating said. "You can't get a game for $300,000 today. You are lucky if you can get a game for $500,000 today."
FIU's original contract called for a $400,000 guarantee for one game to be played in 2006 at Memorial Stadium. After FIU canceled that game to open a spot on the schedule to play in-town rival Miami, Keating negotiated to play FIU in 2007 and 2008 for $250,000 each game.
That left only one spot on the schedule. Keating quickly signed a deal with Division FCS Southeastern Louisiana for $275,000.
Although some fans would like to see a marquee opponent on the non-conference slate, Keating said one of his primary jobs through the schedule was giving the team a chance to make a bowl game.
"I don't think it would do any good to play four games that this fan looks at and says, 'Oh that was great to see X-team come in,' and we go 2-2 and don't make a bowl," Keating said. "I think making a bowl is very important to making a program. Our schedule is anchored in the Big 12, and that is what is really important."
Edited by Tara Smith
the cost of 4-0
The Athletics Department paid its four nonconference opponents a combined $1.075 million to play at Memorial Stadium this year.
Date Opponent Payout Result
Sept. 4 Southeastern Louisiana $275,000 Won 62-0
Sept. 8 Southeastern Louisiana $275,000 Won 62-0
Sept. 12 Florida International $250,000 Won 55-3
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ACTIVISM
Awareness week helps look for cure
With $5,000 donated so far, University tries to aid breast cancer research
BY DYLAN SANDS
dsands@kansan.com
Josef Fetzerling/KANS Students feel cancer breast models to raise awareness about the disease as they enter Alderson Auditorium Monday night. A four-person panel spoke to students about surviving breast cancer as a part of Breast Cancer Awareness Week.
Jesse Fetterling/KANSAN
Pink ribbons abound this week as students observe Breast Cancer Awareness Week. The Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center is offering several events to give students the opportunity to benefit breast cancer research.
Stefani Gerson, Overland Park graduate student and intern at the center, coordinated a breast cancer awareness committee. She said she and other members of the committee had been affected by loved ones dealing with breast cancer.
"When you're passionate about something, you want to do it right," Gerson said. "I wanted to make it as big as possible, a massive event. I just kind of blew it up."
Last year, the center reached its goal of raising $1,200 to benefit breast cancer research. This year, Gerson said she wanted to set the bar higher. Her committee already has received more than $5,000 from its first event
The money raised so far has come strictly from donations made during the first Jayhawk Pink Classic softball tournament, which was held on Saturday and Sunday. The Kansas softball team played Emporia State, Iowa Central and Washburn at Arrocha Ballpark. Players wore pink hair bands and arm bands, and the bases were colored pink to echo the pink ribbon symbol that has come to represent breast cancer awareness.
On Wednesday, the committee will give students the opportunity to get their portraits taken with a pink backdrop for a small donation during an event they call Picture Perfect Pink. The pictures will be taken on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union.
The second annual Jayhawk 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness will wrap up the week's events on Sunday. Participants can register before the race at www.myappleku.com. Offline registration will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and the race will begin at 2 p.m. at the Burge Union.
Participants will get the opportunity to win prizes donated by Apple and free sports messages after the race. The organizers request a donation of $5 to participate in the race, and T-shirts will be available for an additional $5. All proceeds from Breast Cancer Awareness Week will benefit the Susan G. Komen
Foundation, a network of breast cancer survivors dedicated to contributing to breast cancer research.
Tiffany Spriggs, Princeton, W.Va., graduate student and awareness committee member, said students could show their support in other ways aside from donating money.
be able to donate," she said. "But it can help just to attend all of the events."
Will Sellers, Sterling, Va., senior, said students should take the opportunity to support those dealing with the common disease. He agreed that donating money was not the only way to help.
"Just show you care by coming out to events and wearing the ribbons," Sellers said.
"I know most students don't have a lot of money, and they might not
— Edited by Tara Smith
Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence
A reception will be held today for sixteen professors from the University of Kansas' Lawrence and Edwards campuses who received $5,000 fellowships from the Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence. The reception is 6 a.p.m. in the Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union. During the first week of the fall semester, the "Surprise Patrol," including Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Provost Richard Lariviere, surprised professors during class to pass out the awards.
The professors are:
Victoria Corbin, associate professor of molecular biosciences
David Bergeron, professor of English
Charles Epp, associate professor of public administration
Marsha Haufler, professor of history of art
Patricia Hawley, assistant professor, psychology
Paul Johnson, professor of political science
Mark Mort, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary bioloq
Krzysztof Kuczera, professor of chemistry
Michael Roberts, professor of applied behavioral science
Lee Skinner, associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese
Holly Storkel, associate professor of speech-language-hearing Ellen Sward, professor of law Anthony Walton, associate professor of geology Bryan C. Young, associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering Yan Bing Zhang, assistant professor of communication studies
James Stiles, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science
— Erin Sommer
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