Sports
Tomorrow Senior sportswriter Kevin Flaherty picks the Kansan's pre-season selections for All Big 12 in football.
1B
sports commentary
Tuesday, May 4, 2004
The University Daily Kansan
"How is that fair?" he asked. "I mean how is that fair? Will you tell me?"
He opened his paper bag, his breath blowing cold smoke. He tried to calculate how much profit the store made from that one jersey alone. Enough to pay for another fish sandwich, he was sure of that.
Webber and his friend Shonte Peoples, a defensive back from the football team, were between classes one day, late in the fall semester, and stopped at a take-out place for lunch. They each ordered a five-piece chicken meal, two fish sand-wiches, and a drink. Then Webber reached in his pocket.
"Wait a minute," he said to the cashier. He counted his money. "Uh, just give me the three-piece chicken and one fish sandwich, all right?"
On the way out, he zipped his coat, looked at Shonte, and shook his head. "I can't believe this shit, man. I gotta put back food and look at that over there."
Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com
Athletes shouldn't get profits
He pointed to a shop where his jersey hung in the window.
This excerpt was taken from Mitch Albom's book Fab Five: Basketball, Trash Talk, the American Dream. The book followed Chris Webber and the rest of the greatest class ever recruited during their two seasons together at the University of Michigan.
If the piece from the book makes you feel bad for C-Webb, credit Albom's immaculate ability to tell a story, not the fact that Chris Webber had to sacrifice some chicken and fish. It's the same amount of guilt you should feel when other college athletes complain that they deserve jersey money — none, because being poor is something that every student goes through at some point, not just basketball players.
basketball players.
For some unknown reason, people portray college basketball and football stars as untouchable peasants. They are student-athletes, and just like you and me — students. And, yes, competing in athletics after high school is indeed a privilege and not ability-based. There are plenty of students on this campus who have exceptional athletic ability, and, if able to put the time and work in, could contend for spots on almost any varsity team at Kansas. However, it all comes down to the path we choose for ourselves. Some students decide to make the most of their classes and study time, some focus on athletics as the ticket to graduation day, and some just decide to waste their parents' money and make college a four-year frat party.
SEE PROFITS ON PAGE 6B
lege a four-year law degree.
Before giving my argument, allow me to clarify one thing: I have nothing against Keith Langford. He's a nice guy, but his views in Friday's column were skewed.
Much like Langford has dedicated his college experience to the sport of basketball, I have put in close to all of my time over the past two years becoming seasoned as a reporter and sportswriter at The University Daily Kansas, have gone on countless road trips to cover games, put thousands of miles on my Camry and gradually let my focus in my classes slip from where it was when I was a freshman or sophomore. Have I ever been paid? Other than reimbursements for gas mileage, no. But what I have taken from these past two years are experiences that have taught me more about my profession and career aspirations than I could ever learn in a classroom, as well as memories I'll never forget.
Moulaye set to return
Forward rejects other offers, stays at Kansas
By Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
Kansas men's basketball player Moulaye Niang will not be transferring this summer as had been expected.
this summer as he had Instead Niang, a 6-foot-10 sophomore from El Cajon, Calif., will return to Kansas to fight for playing time, he said yesterday in a media release.
"I didn't have the opportunity to play much my freshman and soophore more years," Niang said, "but I'm willing to work hard and do anything I possibly can to help Kansas be the best team we can possibly be."
After being granted a release to talk
to other schools, Niang visited Texas Christian and San Diego State. Both schools had attractive offers. Texas Christian is coached by former KU assistant Neil Dougherty, and San Diego State is closer to where Niang played high-school basketball. Both schools also likely would have offered Niang more guaranteed playing time. After weighing his options, Niang said Kansas was where he wanted to be.
Kansas was where making Niang's decision to stay easier was the unexpected transfer of 6-foot-11 freshman David Padgett. A center, Padgett was either a starter of the first post player off the bench for Kansas last season. His departure could mean more playing time for Niang. Off
the court factors also may have influenced the decision. Niang has excelled in the classroom at Kansas, making the All-Big 12 Academic Team this year and has often talked about how much he enjoyed life in Lawrence.
enjoyed life in Lawrence.
On the court Niang has struggled for playing time in two years at Kansas.
Last year he averaged 0.9 points and
1.1 rebounds per game in 4.7 minutes
per contest and fell behind walk-on
forward Christian Moody on Bill Self's
depth chart.
Kansas men's basketball coach Self said he and the team were pleased to have Niang back in the fold for next season.
SEE MOULAYE ON PAGE GR
Kansas file photo Kansas sophomore forward Moulage Niang put up one of four shots against Oregon Dec. 13,2003, in the first half. Niang scored 2 points, both off free throws, in 19 minutes.
Kansan file photo
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
Hybrid style wards off enemies
By Laura Francoviglia
By Laura Francoviglia
lfrancoviiglia@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
If Ryan King ever finds himself at a bar faced with the raised fists of an angry and drunk man, he knows he can stay calm until he decides it is necessary to fight.
sary to light. King, Kansas City, Kan., sophomore and member of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club, has learned this self control and fighting skill through the club, which teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn't traditional martial arts, but it isn't wrestling, either. Dave Durnil, the club's coach, said Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was a hybrid of fighting disciplines that constantly evolved. The combative sport developed in the streets of Brazil where competitors fought no-holds-barred. The rules in this sport are few — one eye-gouging, hair pulling, or kicks to the groin, among others. There is only one focus: to win a fight.
Club member Rick McClure, Dallas freshman, said the club had given him confidence. He said his primary reason for choosing the University of Kansas was its Brazilian Iiu-Jitsu club.
was its Brahminah McClure said the club taught him how to fight.
how to fight. "I walk through a dark alley without fear." McClure said.
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a 170-pound man can fight a 300-pound man and win. The fighting style pairs competitors of different weight categories to fight using skill rather than strength.
SEE JIU-JITSU ON PAGE 6R
Robert Riley, top, practiced moves with Mike Sothan Wednesday night during the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club meeting at the Student Fitness Recreation Center.
ANALYSIS
Golf team works together
By Eric Sorrentino
esorrentino@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
The popularity and ratings of golf have flourished ever since Tiger Woods won eight majors, including three Masters Tournament titles.
These particular accomplishments have defined the career of a champion and arguably the best PGA Tour player to ever grace the green.
player to ever grace the great What about golf at the collegiate level? Is golf really thought of as an individual sport to the No. 24 KU men's golf team?
"You may back off and not be as aggressive because of the effect it will have on the team," senior Tyler Hall said. "I'll usually take more risks and shoot at more pins in summer tournaments when I play individually. I'm more consistent during team play because I go into the round looking at it as playing for KU."
The way the scoring works when the University participates in golf tournaments relies upon its play as a unit. Each round, the Jayhawks have a "starting lineup" of five players
SEE GOLF ON PAGE GB
Gary Woodland, Topeka freshman, followed through during a practice round at Avamar Country Club. 1809 Crossgate Drive, while teammates Joey Mundy, Mission Hills freshman; Andrew Price, Lake Forest, Ill., junior; and Kevin Ward, Leawood junior, watched.
BASEBALL
Kansas defeats Baker in additional game
Kansas exploded for 13 hits in its 9-2 victory over Baker last night.
Baker (21-34) scored the first two runs in the game in the second inning, but did not score again. Instead, the Jayhawks (26-25-1) put up three runs in the bottom of the third inning and never looked back, adding two in the fourth, one in the sixth and three in the eighth.
Just after a series that featured Kansas and Texas Tech drilling home runs all over Hoglund Ballpark, the Baker game was played at a more relaxing pace. Neither team could muster a single home run. In fact, both of Baker's runs were unearned achieved through poor defensive play by the Kansas fielders.
Ritchie Price, sophomore shortstop, was 3-4 and had four RBI, while Matt Tribble, senior center fielder, added two hits and three RBI.
Kansas pitcher Chris Smart (5-6) threw seven innings and allowed eight hits while striking out three and picking up the victory. Meanwhile Baker didn't have a single pitcher throw more than 1.2 innings. Nathan Schweitzer received the loss.
The game was added to the Kansas schedule after the cancellation of an earlier game at Baylor on April 24.
Kevin Flaherty
TALK TO SPORTS: Contact Henry C, Jackson or Maggie Newcomer at SPORTS@KANSAN.COM
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