wednesday, may 12, 2004
sports
the university daily kansan 38
PROJECTS: Improved Fieldhouse not a possibility for fall return
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
At the end of this month, the department will send all season ticket holders a letter explaining the points system and informing them what their seating would have been this past season, had the system been in effect.
Ticket holders have until the end of the summer, Aug. 31, to increase their points for next season.
Renovations
Planning for Allen Fieldhouse renovations is in full swing and will continue throughout the summer.
The department scheduled the renovations after receiving a $12 million donation from the Ward family of Russell Stover Candies and two anonymous donors. The money will also help create a
Kansas Hall of Athletics, which will stand adjacent to the Fieldhouse.
Don't, however, expect to see a new and improved Fieldhouse in the fall.
in the law. Jim Modig, director of design and construction management for the University, said there was still a lot of planning to be done and construction was a long way off, possibly not beginning until after next year's basketball season.
years' bureaucracy. Modig said the architectural firm, HOK Sport, had been hired as a consultant, and along with the University, was deciding what needed to be done and how it needed to be done.
it needed to be done.
"We have a pretty good laundry list of work that needs to be done," Modig said. "We just have to go through and prioritize."
Modig said potential improvements could be made on bathrooms, windows and in a variety of other areas.
He said the University would likely start accepting construction bids between January and March of next year.
Promotions
The other significant summer priority of the department is promoting fall sports, Marchiony said, particularly football and volleyball.
He said the marketing push to sell football season tickets had already begun and would continue full force this summer. The campaign consists of radio and television advertisements, outdoor advertising and direct mail
"Our goal is that you won't be
able to make a left turn or hit a button on the radio without seeing or hearing something about KU football," Marchiony said.
Marchiony said everything combined to give the department a full slate of work for the summer.
Marchiony said the department would also work on strategies for selling season tickets for women's basketball. In addition, he said, game schedules for the men's and women's basketball teams still needed to be finalized.
In terms of volleyball, Marchiony said the emphasis would also be on marketing season tickets. Season tickets haven't been available for volleyball in the past.
"We're not going to be resting much," he said.
Edited by Paul Kramer
RECRUITS: Strong players on Texas teams could strengthen lineup
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1P
While Tatum eventually projects as a star free safety, he has the speed and size to play cornerback immediately and should force his way into the lineup. If he adds 30 pounds, he might develop into one of the top safeties in the Big 12. Nathan Jones is a polished wide receiver who is ready to hop into the starting lineup. Texas signed several pass-catchers in this class, but Jones is the most ready. Okam should bid for playing time at defensive tackle right now. Decent sized defensive tackles have a history of playing early at Texas, and Okam, 6-5 300, certainly fits the bill.
Developmental prospects:
Cedrick Dockery, offensive line,
Andrew Kelson, safety
Kelson could combine with Tatum in a couple of years to give the Longhorns a scary safety combination. Kelson was one of the most athletic safeties in the
Dockery's brother is already in the NFL, but Cedrick could be the best guard in the nation. At 64315, he has the size to be a monster on the interior.
nation, but does not have the versatility yet to play cornerback, so he will have to wait until the safety position is ready to be his. Kelson already has ideal size, 6-3 210 for a safety, and with 10-20 added pounds, he could be a dominant strong safety.
Impact
players:
Deqawn
Mobley,
wide
receiver,
Terrence Brown, linebacker
Mobley has good size 6-2, and speed, and caught his passes from Kansas quarterback Jason Swanson in JUCO. The Aggies must replace several wide receivers, which opens the door for playing time. Brown is the best of the three top-notch JUCO linebackers Texas A&M signed. He should plug immediately into a defense that struggled last season.
Developmental prospects:
Stephen McGee, quarterback,
William Morrisey, defensive tackle
Both players are top 100
national prospects. McGee gives the Aggies a run-pass threat at quarterback that should help coach Dennis Franchione open up his offense. McGee has a good frame for a quarterback at 6-3 210, and his 4.65 speed makes him dangerous in the open field. Morrisey is not as tall as a prototypical defensive tackle at just 61, and he weighs just 279 pounds. But Morrisey has cat-like quickness off the ball combined with great speed, 4.88, that makes him a disruptive force all over a field. You can knock his size, but definitely not his effectiveness.
Texas Tech
Sylvester Brinkley, linebacker
Johnson was the top JUCO quarterback in the nation, and his speed gives Texas Tech a running threat at quarterback that they haven't had since Mike Leach took over as football coach. He was fighting for the starting position through the
spring, and going into the fall, it's still anybody's job to win. Brinkley has ideal size, 6-4 235 and speed, 4.6, for a Big 12 linebacker. He is one part of this stellar class that should help to improve Tech's horrid defense.
Developmental prospects:
Marcus Smith, linebacker, Darcel McBath, cornerback
Smith was the top linebacker in the state of Texas, a true honor. He has excellent strength and the frame to be an excellent middle linebacker. The only two knocks on him are his height which is listed at a generous 6-2 (He's probably closer to 6-0) and his injury history. When healthy, he is a great playmaker. McBath turned down several big time football programs to come to Tech. His stock was rising over his whole senior season, and McBath has a decent size and speed combination which should help Tech's abysmal pass defense. Both of these prospects should team with the junior college players next year at the latest to make Tech's defense up to par.
Edited by Robert Perkins
Lakers' Bryant pleads not guilty
The Associated Press
EAGLE, Colo. — Nearly 11 months after his arrest, NBA star Kobe Bryant pleaded not guilty yesterday to a rape charge that could land him in prison for life.
i. e. Standing before District Judge Terry Ruckklegle as the parents of the accuser looked on, Bryant said four words during a brief arraignment carried live on national cable television.
"Yes sir," he said, bending slightly to speak into a microphone when asked if he understood the charge and potential penalty. Asked for his plea, he answered "not guilty" and sat down shortly afterward.
The judge adjourned the hearing moments later, saying he expected to set a trial date during a May 27 hearing. Bryant left, with plenty of time to fly back to Los Angeles for last night's playoff game against San Antonio.
The parents of the 19-year-old accuser watched the arraignment from the gallery, sitting about 20 feet from the Los Angeles Lakers star. As they walked out of the courtroom, they smiled and nodded at acquaintances.
the woman, who made a sur
prise appearance Monday to watch pretrial arguments, was not in attendance yesterday.
Bryant, 25, had said he had consensual sex with the woman last summer at the Vail-area resort where she worked. If convicted of felony sexual assault, the married father of one would face four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation.
years to life or pro-life.
Ruckriegle read Bryant the formal charge and penalties though defense attorney Pamela Mackey waived Bryant's right to hear the details. Legal experts said there was no significance to the judge's decision, other than possibly adding drama to a legal formality.
formally.
The last time Bryant spoke in open court was Aug. 6, when he said "No, sir" when asked if he objected to giving up his right to have a preliminary hearing within 30 days.
30 days. The trial must be set within six months unless Bryant waives that right. Both sides have told the judge a trial would take two to three weeks.
Key issues remain unresolved before there can be a trial.
before there can be a the quick pace of this week's pretrial hearing prompted the cancellation of a court session scheduled for today.
STATE
Chiefs, Royals approve new lease extensions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals have approved extensions on the leases of their stadiums in the Truman Sports Complex, pending approval of a proposed bi-state tax.
the leases on Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums, which now run through 2015, would be extended to 2030.
Efforts are under way to get the quarter-cent sales tax pro
posal on the November ballot in five metropolitan area counties, on both sides of the state line. It must be approved in at least Jackson County in Missouri and Johnson County in Kansas.
The tax would raise an estimated $1.4 billion, which would be used for renovations as well as for fine arts projects.
The lease extensions need to be approved by the Jackson County Legislature, which plans hearings on them next week, as well as the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority, the NFL and MLB.
The Associated Press
Red Lyon Tavern
944 Mass. 832-8228
A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence
- Studios Available Now!
- On KU Bus Route
- Now On-site Management
- Laundry Facility
- Small Pets Welcome
Near 15th & Kasold call for details 830-8121