SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1994
Eichloff took shot at pro's; awaiting calls
SECTION E
By Cheesley Dohl
Kansan sportswriter
Dan Eichloff is back at Kansas — for now. But like many other professional free agents, he is playing the waiting game.
Dan Elchloff
Last April, when the NFL draft was nearing completion, Eichloff, who had high hopes of kicking field goals or punting professionally, said he spent two days waiting for the phone to ring — but it never did.
"I was thinking I was going to be drafted," said Eichloff, who is living in Lawrence with a few friends. "But I had to prepare myself not to be."
Kansas football assistant coach Vic Adamle said that despite the kicker's record-setting college career, he was not surprised Elchloff was not drafted.
"It's hard for kickers to be drafted," he said. "Professional teams can just wait until the draft is over and sign quality kickers."
Eichloff's Kansas career included 302 points, the Kansas individual scoring record, and a 61-yard field goal, the longest in school history.
But he missed the NFL draft.
However, a couple days after the draft, the Cleveland Browns offered him a free-agent contract.
This summer, Eichloff got his chance at professional football. He played and practiced at training camps with veteran NFL players.
The Browns evaluated and watched Eichloff for five weeks before he was released from the team. In those five weeks, Eichloff wore a Brown's' uniform in two preseason games.
Eichloff would have played in three games, but he pulled an upper-groin hip flexor muscle, which caused him to miss a mid-August game.
"I got a good chance. I think they gave me a fair shot," he said. "I could have done better, but the guy they have now is pretty technically sound. I'm still working on technique."
Prior to his final exams at Kansas last May, Eichlom and teammate Dwyane Tangle, a tight end, flew to Cleveland for rookie camp at Buria, Otio. The camp was five days of workouts, weigh-ins and player evaluations. Those players invited were either rookies, free agents or draft picks.
Eichloff said the camp was all business.
"It was all very impersonal," he said. "You could be out of there in 24 hours — there one day and gone the next. If you can't do it, there's always someone else to do the job. That's their philosophy."
Eichloff said he felt relieved in a way when he was officially released from the Browns. He said there was no more pressure, and he knew exactly where he stood with the team for the first time in five weeks.
But three weeks ago, Eichloff had already received a phone call to try out for a punting position with the Washington Redskins. He was on an airplane the next day to Washington. Eichloff said he didn't fare well in the tryout because he hadn't punted in six months.
"That's the way it works." Adamle said. "It's just a waiting game. They call you when they need you. Each team just needs one kicker and the Browns already have a very good kicker."
Four other former Kansas football players signed free agent contracts for the preseason. Chandler and center Dan Schmidt practiced with the Cleveland Browns, while wide receiver Greg Ballard played with the New England Patriots. But like Eichloff, all were officially released.
Former Kansas defensive tackle Chris Maumalanga currently has a contract with the New York Giants, and tackle Keith Loneker plays for the Los Angeles Rams.
While those players enjoyed the stability of a professional career, Eichloh said his life was in a constant state of flux.
Still, he acknowledged that this summer was one of his most valuable learning experiences.
"Everyone tells you you should be so thankful. You have this opportunity that other people would kill for," he said. "But as far as stability in your life—it just isn't there."
Completion of ball season doubtful
Baseball players owners fail to agree word to come today
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Saving the World Series seemed to be less important yesterday than how to announce its demise.
By fax? By telephone conference call?
Acting commissioner Bud Selig reviewed a draft news release yesterday.
baseball sources said, and was expected to announce the end today. Selig called union head Donald Fehr to talk about a termination date.
"He wanted me to sanction and agree with him that it was OK to pull down the season," Fehr said. "I told him if he wanted to pull down the World Series, that was Bud Selig's responsibility, not mine."
Selig was expected to remain in Milwaukee. Behind-the-scenes efforts to save the World Series subsided, according to many accounts.
"Iwould not hold out any hope," Boston Red Sox chief executive officer John Harrington said.
"It's obvious there's no season left to have," said Atlanta Braves president Stan Kasten.
"It was time to abandon ship," he said.
Agent Dick Moss, who proceeded Fehr as the union's general counsel, left New York on Monday night.
"It was time to abandon ship," he said. Around the country, baseball officials braced for the end of what had been one of the most memorable seasons in years.
Even though the World Series has been played for 89 consecutive years, Fehr said he wasn't surprised by the lack of public outcry over its likely cancellation.
"I think they've telegraphed it for so long that people expect it," he said. "That's why I think there hasn't been a lot of pressure to get the negotiations settled. The owners made it clear so loudly and early on that it wasn't to be ...
"There's no surprise, no upset, no serious efforts to reach a deal to avoid this result." In Washington, Sen. James Exon killed legislation that would have repealed the owners' antitrust exemption if they unilaterally imposed labor conditions, such as a salary cap. If the bill had become law, Fehr said he would have recommended an end to the strike.
Jake Corrigan, St. Louis sophomore, practices tackling with John Wiley, Overland Park junior, at a rugby practice Tuesday at Shenk Complex, 23rd and Iowa streets. The rugby club is just one of 33 sports clubs supported by Kansas' Recreation Services this fall.
Club sports organize for successful teams
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas soccer club member Magnus Kindstrom, sophomore, dribbles the ball in a recent practice.
Kansas' Recreation Services supports 33 clubs in ways ranging from paying tournament fees to supplying equipment and uniforms. To get part of the $66,825 total allotted for all clubs this semester, clubs have to get their requests in early.
Success in athletics takes determination and dedication. Club sports at Kansas have found those qualities helpful in trying to form a thriving team.
"The budget request for this semester had to be turned in at least three to four weeks ahead of time," said Rick Rosenengle, assistant director of Recreation Services. "We had requests for over $312,000, so we have to have time to make the cuts."
Clubs planning to use University facilities also have to send in requests for practice times at the end of the preceding semester. Those requests go through three offices taking up to three weeks to gain approval
"All the paper work they require is a real headache," said Matt Delargy, rugby club
president.
Restrictions on the space that is available has forced some clubs such as rugby to be adaptable to changing situations.
Lack of space isn't restricted to University fields. Rosenstengle said that space inside Robinson Center was even more restricted than outside the gymnasium.
"We have 12 karate clubs combined with rock climbing and fencing here," Rosenstengle said of the space inside Robinson. "We also want to keep the gym open for general public use."
"Being organized is a must." Delargy said of his club. "We have a 12-member main committee, a land acquisition committee and an alumni committee. We need all of them."
Those committees have helped the rugby club become one of the most successful on campus. The team has even gained national prominence in recent years.
Organization has helped clubs such as rugby, and the lack of organization has hurt teams, such as women's soccer. In the past, the women's soccer president has been
How to join a club
For information on joining any of the 33 sports clubs at the University, contact Recreation Services at 864-3546. Phone numbers of individual club presidents are available.
For a list of KU sports clubs, please turn to page 3B, col. 6.
KANSAN
depended on to deal with almost every aspect of the group's operations. That resulted in problems ranging from scheduling games to keeping people involved.
This year women's soccer will split the duties of running the club between two co-presidents and a treasurer.
"One person just can't do it all," said Karen Bibb, soccer club co-president. "Especially when you go to school on top of it."
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Texas Christian offense durable
By Matt Irwin
Kansan sportswriter
When the Kansas football team plays the 1-1 Texas Christian Horned Frogs at 7:05 p.m. Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas, the Jayhawk defense will be up against another high-powered offense — at least statistically.
The Javhawks are going to Frog Land.
The Homed Frogs, who will play their home opener against the Jayhawks, have averaged 442.5 yards and 30.5 points in the first two games.
Unlike the unproven Michigan State Spartans who were touted as having a large, powerful offense, TCU has proven in its first two games that its offense can gain yardage and score.
In TCU's second game against New Mexico, TCU scored 44 points and finished with 606 yards total offense. Junior running back Andre Davis rushed for 325 yards, and junior quarterback Max Knake passed for 236 yards.
A more accurate analysis of TCU for the Jayhawks might be a review of the Horn Frogs' season-opening performance against 16th-ranked North Carolina — a team similar in size and strength to Kansas.
The Horned Frogs scored 17 points and gained 279 yards in losing to North Carolina 27-17.
"They went down to North Carolina and gave them all they wanted," Kansas coach Glen Mason said. "They're very well coached, and they play very hard. It's going to be a tough contest for us."
The Jayhawks also have compiled strong offensive statistics. Kansas has averaged 441 yards and 26 points in winning its first two games.
The Horned Frog defense hopes to stop Kansas with the help of 1993 All-Southwest Conference and third-team All-American senior defensive guard Royal West.
Despite injury, player remains positive
By Chesley Dohl
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas senior outside hitter Janet Uher would like to put last year's valleyball season on the shelf and prepare for her senior year.
But this year it's the same story — second chapter.
She suffered a torn tendon in her right shoulder last year, which turned out to be the catalyst for major medical problems that still plague her.
As last season progressed, the training room became a familiar place for Uher. Her shoulder gradually became worse, and Uher saw less and less playing time.
"What happened was my shoulder was popping in and out of the socket," she said. "it got to where I couldn't even play, it hurt so bad."
Doctors told Uher that she was in a similar situation to that of a baseball pitcher who experienced wear and tear on the rotator cuff.
Surgery last spring on Uher's right shoulder left her with no other choice than rehabilitation and sitting on the bench her final year at Kansas.
"I haven't played for almost a year now. It's frustrating," she said. "It's hard, especially as a captain, to contribute when I'm not out there on the court going through the same things."
"Even if I do come back to play this season, I might never be able to give 100 percent and hit the ball full force," she said.
What's even more difficult for Uher is the fact that if she does heal this season, there are other players in her front row position.
Monday was the first day They practiced with the team since earlier this season.
When Uher came back this season, Schonewise said that they had discussed her health.
Even though Uher's shoulder is not ready for competition, she still contributes to the team, Kansas coach Karen Schonewise said.
"Coming into the season our objective was to use her somehow, even in the back-court." she said.
The healing process has been slow for Uher, who still attends all practices, travels with the team and gives positive feedback and reinforcement. Schonewise said.
Even though Uher's last year at Kansas on scholarship is not how she would like to remember it, Uher said there was one thing she never would forget.
"My teammates' support is the one thing that has made this easier for me," she said. "I'm glad to say I was a part of this."
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