THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SPORTS
MORNING BREW|9A Mavericks on a playoff tear
It wasn't just the fact that the Dallas Mavericks upset the defending NBA champion L.A. Lakers last week that was shocking, it was how they did it
TUESDAY, MAY 10,2011
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 10A
Former pitcher, pole vaulter to Hall of Fame
INDUCTED
Pole vaulter Amy Linnen and pitcher Don Czyz will be inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame this fall. Linnen and Czyz were each named All-Americans during their careers.
BY GEOFFREY CALVERT
gcalvert@kansan.com
Two former Kansas All Americans, pole vaulter Amy Linnen and pitcher Don Czyz, will be inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend next fall.
Linnen competed for the bulk of her career at the University of Arizona, but transferred to the University of Kansas for her senior season. Although she was in Lawrence for only one year, Linnen's accomplishments as a Jayhawk warranted her induction into the Hall of Fame. She was named an All-American in the pole vault as a Jayhawk in both the indoor and outdoor seasons
Linnen
in 2005 and
Czyz
in 2005 and win the indoor national championship that same season. Her top height of 4.30 meters is still a Kansas record.
Linnen earned the distinction of Female Jayhawk of the Year in 2005, and she graduated that spring with a degree in communications.
"When you have someone like Amy come into our program like she did, it elevates everyone
associated with that program," said assistant coach Tom Hayns in a press release. "She is a quality person and has done everything the right way."
Czyz played four seasons for Kansas, from 2003-2006. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named him a first team All-American after his senior campaign in 2006. He earned two All-Big 12 honors and won the NCBWA's Stopper of the Year award in 2006.
His best season was his senior year in 2006. He set the school single-season record with 19 saves, which helped spur Kansas to its first conference title in almost 50 years. He posted a 6-0 record, boasted a 1.56 ERA and allowed only 11 earned runs in
63 1/3 innings in 2006.
Czyz ended his Jayhawk career with multiple school records. He holds the school single season and career appearances record with 37 and 128, respectively, and also holds the school career saves record with 31.
The Florida Marlins selected Czyz with a seventh round selection in the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. Czyz spent three seasons pitching in their system.
"I am thrilled for Don," coach Ritch Price said in the press release. "He was not only an All-American performer on the field, but an All-American student-athlete as well."
Edited by Tali David
Amy Linnen competes in a pole vault competition for Kansas during her senior year. Linnen only spent one year with the Jayhawks after transferring from Arizona following her junior year.
Jeff Jacobsen/KAI
Jeff Jacobsen/KAI
Don Cryz throws a pitch during his time as a pitcher for the Jawhacks. Cryz, who set several school records in his career, will be inducted into the Kansas Hall of fame this fall.
Notable Kansas Hall of Famers
Baseball:
Jeff Berlinger
Stirling Coward
Matt Gundelfinger
Josh Kliner
Steve McGreevy
John Trombold
Track and Field:
Scott Russell
Jim Ryun
Karl Salb
Wes Santee
Tom Scavuzzo
Herb Semper
Herb Shelby
Randy Smith
Dennis Stewart
Charlie Tidwell
Jay Wagner
Cliff Willey
Steve Wilhelm
COMMENTARY
Reflecting on mistakes, memories and meaning
BY COREY THIBODEAUX
thibodeaux@kansan.com
He thought his two years at the University of Kansas would be defined by all the people he let down.
The most important things in a man's life — family, friends, significant others — were thrown to the wayside so he could make a name for himself.
Instead, there are piles of point less papers. From the top of the dresser to the insides of drawers and shoeboxes, there are enough sheets of paper to recreate a forest. At one point, these were very
His desk and its drawers aren't filled with cards from the father or great-grandmother who never got to see him. And there are no pictures or memorabilia of any loved one. Those were trashed or packaged long ago.
important documents. As he looks at them today, they hold no meaning.
"No. 04 Collins, Sherron, g:
5/7 ... 1/1 ... 5 ... 12 ... 2"
That was Sherron's stat line from the game against Memphis last year. The box score doesn't talk about how he came back from an injury to heroically lead Kansas to a 57-55 victory. That was a fun night. The story had to be done in 15 minutes after the press conference.
Nothing will ever have the same surreal sentiment as getting hired as the men's basketball beat writer the first time he stepped on the University's campus. The chills he received from stepping onto the Allen Fieldhouse floor at the 2009 Late Night in the Phog remain unrivaled to this day, and it never got old. And though the heartbroken locker room after a second round loss to Northern
After each game, Kansas Athletics gave him access to pages upon pages of notes and stats needed to write his story. Those stories were written and filed ages ago, or at least that's how it seems. He has every box score and press pass, but they will never hold the same value.
Those were the days.
Iowa isn't a fond memory, it was a valuable lesson: seize the opportunity when you have the chance.
One day, it might be gone.
Now what? At age 21, he has experienced more than some people do in a lifetime: the Lakers' locker room at the Staples Center, Dick Vitale telling his life story at Washburn University, an interview with his idol, Jason Mraz, during an impromptu visit to campus.
He thumbs through his press passes to recall all the places he has been: L.A., Dallas, Philly. He opens his laptop. Some people collect sand from the places they visit. He collects Wi-Fi connections.
There just wasn't anyone to share it with. At least he was having fun.
He is less than two weeks away from graduating and all this regret consumes him. While he was having fun interviewing NBA players, his best friend broke off his engagement with the love of his life. His grandfather was constantly in and out of the hospital because of health complications. His family, who lived only 40 minutes away, wondered when they were going to see him next.
On Sunday, he forgot it was Mother's Day. He scurried home to see his mother amid all of his last-week-of-school projects and tried to convey his sorrow for not being there for those who needed him most.
She understood. It wasn't selfishness that led him to this success, but rather the support of his home and everyone around him. It changed his whole perspective on his college career. Don't regret a thing you do here as long as you are doing it for them.
Somewhere in Lawrence there is a recycling bin in an elementary school filled to the brim with box scores and game notes.
Those people matter. These tangible artifacts of a past life don't.
I am grateful for everyone who has contributed to the greatest two years of my life
I hope that I have made you all proud.
Edited by Marla Daniels
SOFTBALL
Season ends with abrupt cancellations
The Jayhawks' regular season is now over, ending in a very abrupt manner. The doubleheader that was scheduled for Thursday, May 5 against Drake was also canceled
The softball team was slated to face UMKC today in Arrocha Ballpark, but because of scheduling conflicts between the two schools, the game has been canceled.
Even though the Jayhawks last two games were canceled, they are still hopeful that their 31-22 overall record will carry them into post-season play in the NCAA Regional Tournament. The Division I softball selection show will air on ESPNU Sunday at 10 p.m.
BY HANNAH WISE hwise@kansan.com
-Edited by Jacque Weber
because of severe thunderstorms throughout the Lawrence area for the majority of the day.
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN file photo
The softball team's season ended abruptly with the cancellation of a doubleheader against Drake and a single game against UMKC. They will await the NCAA Regional Selection Show Sunday at 10 a.m. on ESPN31.
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