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SPORTS
17
www.kansan.com
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN—WEEKLY SUMMER EDITION
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Kansan File Photo
Junior third baseman Travis Metcalf records the out by tagging the opponent from the University of Southern California.
Two 'Hawks drafted
By Joe Burke jburke@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
The dream of playing Major League Baseball has become a little clearer for two members of the University of Kansas' baseball team. Junior third baseman Travis Metcalf and senior pitcher Ryan Knippschild were each drafted in last week's first-year player draft.
The Texas Rangers drafted Metcalf in round 11 and the Cleveland Indians selected Krippschild in the 35th round.
Metcalf said being drafted put him one step closer to his ultimate goal of playing big league baseball. He was also excited to be drafted by the Rangers.
"It is a great feeling to be drafted by such a great organization," Metcalf said. "The Rangers have a great minor league system and I am very excited about the
situation in front of me."
Metcalf will report to the Spokane Indians — the Rangers minor league affiliate — in the Northwest League later this month. Metcalf is the highest drafted Jayhawk since the St. Louis Cardinals took John Nelson in the eighth round in 2001. During his junior season Metcalf broke the single-season and career home-run records that had stood for more than 20 years.
He broke the single-season home run record by knocking out 18 home runs this season and set a new University career mark by hitting 29 home runs during the past three seasons.
Metcalf was drafted after last season in the 38th round by the Minnesota Twins, but opted to stay at the University for one more season. He said the extra time in college helped to increase his place in the draft.
"I had only played one full season at KU when I was drafted last year. This year was a big help because I had a chance to play more baseball and get more repetitions," Metcalf said.
Knippschild was selected on the second day of the draft as the No.1,037 overall player. The left-handed starting pitcher led the Jayhawks with seven wins, 111.1 innings pitched and 79 strikeouts.
Baseball coach Rich Price said this would be a great opportunity for Knippschild, who came to Kansas after two seasons playing at American River Community College in Sacramento, Calif.
"I am really excited that Ryan will get a chance to further his career," Price said. He's just been tremendous for us during the last two years. I couldn't be happier for him."
— Edited by Miranda Lenning
New coach known for good recruits
By Joe Burke
jburke@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
University of Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self has never rushed to make a decision concerning his program, including the hiring of a new assistant coach, Kurtis Townsend.
Self announced last week that Townsend would replace former assistant Norm Roberts, who left the University to become the head coach at St. John's University on April 13.
"I have never been in a hurry to hire guys. People probably think I have drug my feet, but I think we have got the right guy," Self said.
Townsend joins the KU coaching staff after serving as an assistant coach for one season at the University of Miami under coach Perry Clark.
After beating out more than 60 other applicants, Townsend accepted the offer.
"I am truly excited about the Kansas tradition and having the opportunity to work with Bill Self and his staff," Townsend said. "To be a part of this program is a great honor."
Prior to Miami, Townsend spent two seasons at the University of Southern California and helped it to an NCAA Tournament bid during his first season.
Townsend has had the opportunity to coach and recruit many current NBA players including Jason Kidd, Lamond Murray, Tremaine Fowlkes, Shareef Abdul-Rahim, Ed Gray, Jamal Crawford and Lou Bullock.
Self knows Townsend will be able to continue helping the University to recruit from around the country.
"He has been actively involved in recruiting and coaching some great prospects who have gone on to very successful professional careers," Self said. "He brings Midwest and West Coast ties and brings a solid national reputation to our program."
Before coaching at USC, Townsend was an assistant coach at the University of Michigan for three seasons. He was an assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky University and University of California.
- Edited by Abby Tillery