THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 12A
For recording victories
Kim Andrews/KANSAN
D. L. Smith Companies employee Louis McCarter finishes his work with the new electronic scoreboard at Memorial Stadium. KU fans will be able to enjoy the new addition at the game this Saturday, against Florida Atlantic.
BIG SKY TO BIG TIME
Brandon Rush has enrolled at the University of Kansas. He's as good as in, a done deal, a lock. Just one more academic clearing from the NCAA Clearinghouse and Jayhawk basketball fans can put to rest their Rush doubts for good.
Starter selection a tough call for Self
good. The Jayhawks couldn't be more fortunate to find this "gold rush" so late in the recruiting season. With the addition of the 6-foot-6 Rush, this young KU hoops team just gained so much more potential.
If the theory of "basketball skills run in the family" holds any water, then this kid has some scary potential. Throw him
When coaches have so much talent that it's a tough decision to choose starters, that's what they call a "good" tough decision.
into an already outstanding recruiting class that includes McDonald's All-Americans Mario Chalmers, Micah Downs and Julian Wright, and suddenly Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self's dilemma is that there are too many players capable of starting.
Moody and the sophomores have some experience under their belts, and the freshmen don't, but the crazy thing is that every one of these freshmen has the ability to start.
TIM HALL thall@kansan.com
How many freshmen classes
Let's not forget about the five sophomores that are returning to the squad. Guards Russell Robinson and Jeremy Case and big men C.J. Giles, Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson are all going to battle for starting positions. Senior Christian Moody is the team's only returning starter, and he's not going to want to give up his spot in his final season.
contain three McDonald's All Americans and a player who decided not to go into the NBA?
This is something that isn't often seen in college basketball. There are no Stephen Vinsons or Nick Bahes in this class. Those guys didn't have a prayer of starting as freshmen. All of these freshmen have NBA talent and are here to get playing time
There are no Stephen Vinsons or Nick Bahes in this class. Those guys didn't have a prayer of starting as freshman. All of these freshmen have NBA talent and are here to get playing time immediately.
immediately.
This upcoming season could see a starting five of freshmen and sophomores, but the question of which ones is entirely up in the air. Another positive from these battles for starting positions will be the development of quality backups. The Jayhawks are going to have a long bench with
plentv of talent.
If Self isn't happy with the way his starting five play, he could bench all of them and throw in five other players with just as much speed and size. You might think you're watching a line change in a hockey game.
Hoops fans can prepare to watch four impact freshmen mixing in with the other second-year youngsters. If nothing else, they'll be fun to watch.
This is why Self is here. This is what this guy is capable of when it comes to recruiting.
Hall is a Woodbridge, Va., junior in journalism.
FOOTBALL Fans to benefit from special offers
The Kansas Athletics Department announced several giveaways and promotions for the first three football games, starting this Saturday against Florida Atlantic.
The first 25,000 fans at the first game will receive a 2005 football magnet schedule, courtesy of Dodge. For the second home game against Appalachian State, Sept. 10, the first 25,000 fans will receive a Jayhawk football T-shirt, courtesy of adidas and
FOOTBALL
The third home game against Louisiana Tech, Sept. 17, is Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night. All University faculty and staff can purchase tickets for $15, by contacting the ticket office.
Crown Automotive
The Sept. 10 game, will also be Band Night, featuring a half-time performance by over 30 area high school bands.
Mangino names starters
That weekend will also be Family Weekend, and families are welcome to participate in numerous campus activities, including the football game.
Ryan Schneider
BY RYAN COLAIanni
rcolaianni@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
Adam Barmann was named starting quarterback for the 2005 season. He earned the position over freshman Kerry Meier and seniors Brian Luke and Jason Swanson.
Kansas football coach Mark Mangino named junior quarterback Adam Barmann the team's starter during the weekly Big 12 teleconference yesterday.
"He has performed at a high level throughout August," Mangino said of Barmann, who will start Saturday's game against Florida Atlantic at Memorial Stadium. "Adam has won the job and has had a great summer and a really efficient month of August."
Barmann started eight games last season and completed 53.8 percent of his passes. He had 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Mangino said that the competition is still not finished, though.
"That doesn't mean you won't see some quarterback play from some others." Mangino said.
Also competing are senior Brian Luke and freshman Kerry Meier.
"Kerry Meier is very much competing for the position as the number two guy right now," Mangino said. "He is not out of the mix so we are just going to wait and see."
Mangino also announced that senior comberback Ronnie Amadi will start with junior Charles Gordon at the cornerback position. Amadi will take the place from senior Theo Baines, who started nine games last season.
"Ronnie looks sharp. He is a company guy." Mangino said. "He has worked hard since he has been here, he has made himself a really good player."
Amadi started the team's final four contests last year and had 34 tackles.
Baines suffered from injuries during the end of last season as well as throughout training camp. This enabled Amadi to see more time working with the first team. Baines had one interception last season.
Mangino said that competition was ongoing, specifically at guard, defensive tackle and safety. "I think competition at various positions is an ongoing thing, and I think that is healthy and I think that is good." Mangino said.
"The intense competition at these positions raises the level of play for our team," Mangino said.
Jerome Kemp will start at strong safety on Saturday with Rodney Fowler starting at free safety, Mangino said.
— Edited by Ty Beaver
SOCCER
Forward shrugs off her laurels
BY ALISSA BAUER
abauer.kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
She has been an All-American twice, not counting ESPN the Magazine's academic All-American 2nd team nod in 2004.
Caroline Smith hasn't experienced a season at Kansas that wasn't followed by a shower of awards and accolades.
The senior forward holds the all-time scorer role with 45 career goals and 104 points.
Eve ride
Smith was named Big 12 academic All-American; All-Big 12 first team; and Big 12 All-Tournament selection.
Tavlor Miller/KANSAN
Senior forward Caroline Smith answers questions from reporters during a press conference last week. Smith is the all-time leading scorer in KU women's soccer with 45 goals.
Each not once, but twice.
Still trying to fully grasp just how valuable this 5-foot-2 Minnesota native is? Smith was also named to the 2002 All-Big 12 newcomer team, was an All-American and named to the Central Region all-freshman team in the same year.
It is nearly impossible to think of the Jayhawks recent success without bringing up her name, not to mention her statistics.
So, what is the big deal about Caroline Smith?
Each not once, but twice.
THE
VOL
The press constantly hounding her after games means little to Smith. Even in the long list of awards that she's earned, she said her favorite award wasn't amongst those.
"People that score goals get a lot of attention," she said.
"It wouldn't be an award." Smith said. "It would be our Big 12 Championship from last year. That was special for us, we won games that we were supposed to win. I think that's the best one."
She said she had no trouble seeing through the hype and the talk surrounding her name and instead listens to those who mean the most to her.
"The most important compliment I've ever gotten is that my teammates like to play with me," she said. "I don't want to be one of those people that scores goals but people hate stepping on the field with."
And that stepping on the field is something the senior doesn't take for granted, especially since she has battled injuries for much of her career. She now wears a head piece to protect her from another concussion.
"She's a tough kid," Coach
Smith can't remember her life before her first soccer game at only three years old. She said she had no idea what her life would be like without it.
Mark Francis said of his fouryear starter. "She gets knocked around a lot. That's her style of play, but she always gets up."
"I absolutely love it," she said. "Soccer is the most demanding and the most complex sport out
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there. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have it. It takes up so much of my time and I love that."
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Soccer takes up so much of her time because of the hours she spends training and thinking about the game. Her skills come from a lifetime of dedication to a sport that she loves. Extra
SEE FORWARD ON PAGE 8A
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