Sports Heroes nonetheless Kansas athletics is not without unsung heroes. Athletes of non-revenue sports represent the University in competition with low fan bases and low publicity. Read their stories in tomorrow's Kansan. 1B The University Daily Kansan Thursday, April 1, 2004 SHOULD HE STAY OR SHOULD HE GO? Simien faces win-win situation Zach Newton/Kansan If basketball doesn't pan out, Kansas junior forward Wayne Simien could have a nice political career. Not only is he one of the most wellrounded young men on campus, but he is great at telling the people what they want to hear. Simien did just that on Senior Night, Feb. 15, when he surprised the media by making it clear he intended to return for his senior campaign. While seniors Brett Olson, Jeff Graves and Bryant Nash gave their post-game speeches, Simien simply sat sprawled on the floor, stared blankly and took in the moment. The sheer emotion of that evening helped fuel his post-game announcement. Following Simien's comments, coach Bill Self addressed the fact that a final decision would not be made until the season concluded. season continued. "I would recommend him to not do anything unless people tell him he should do things." Self said. "I would never try to convince Wayne to stay and not go into the draft and I would never try to encourage him to." For Simien the questions loom. Spend that late June evening shaking sports commentary Ryan Greene rgreene@kansan.com NBA Commissioner David Stern's hand or fishing back at home? Live on millions of dollars or receive meager scholarship stipends? Be the rookie hauling the veterans' duffel bags off the bus or be the King of Lawrence? As much as it would hurt the Jayhawk faithful. Simien's smartest decision at this point would be to test the NBA waters: declare for the draft, but don't sign with an agent. It's the new way to handle the decision over the past few years for college basketball's superstars, because there's no obligation and they can pull their names out of the draft following the Draft Camp. Simien is a 6-foot-8 power forward who has an NBA body. He is great on the boards and has an incredible touch with the ball around the basket. In the undersized Eastern Conference, Simien could play a big role as a rookie, where Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal and Detroit's Ben Wallace reign as the only two dominant big men. In the West, it would take some time to adjust. Coach Self announced Tuesday that Simien would be "shut down" for the next 4 to 5 weeks to let his sore groin and abs heal. That would give Simien nearly four weeks to prepare for the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Chicago, SEE SIMIEN ON PAGE 6B Amanda Kim Stairrett/Kansan Sandy Smith, Kassie Humphreys, Dani May, Destiny Frankenstein, Nic Washburn and Jessica Moppin mat on the mound when Kansas played No. 21 Nebraska at Arrocha Ballpark yesterday. Nebraska led the game 3-0 after six innings, when the game was called because of darkness. It will resume April 28 when the Jayhawks travel to Lincoln, Neb. Darkness halts Kansas softball By Jonathan Kealing jkealing@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter After the sixth inning, the coaches and umpires met and decided to suspend the game and consider it halted. The only problem is that no knows if this is allowed. Darkness fell before the game against the University of Nebraska could be completed, a problem because Arrocha Ballpark does not have lights yet. Lights will be installed during the next offseason. The longest softball game of the season at Arrocha Ballpark ran so long yesterday that the game did not even end. this is allowed. "We are not absolutely sure, neither the umpires, nor I, nor the Nebraska coach are sure what the Big 12 Conference rule is in regards to a halted game," Kansas coach Tracy Bunge said. "It could be a completed game, and I will be calling the conference office tomorrow for a ruling." According to Rule 6-16, a game can be considered completed after five innings if some outside force, in this case darkness, interferes with the play of the game. Rule 6-17 states that coaches and umpires can agree to use the halted game rule in the pre-game conference. While the Big 12 does not post its softball rule book, the NCAA rules do have definitions for a game in this situation. As of right now, the two teams plan to resume the game on April 28, when they meet in Lincoln. The game had already gone on for two hours and 42 minutes, and five scoreless innings. Both Kansas and Nebraska stranded SEE SOFTBALL ON PAGE 6D Quarterbacks battle for starting position By Kevin Flaherty kflaherty@kansan.com Kansan senior sportswriter Graduating senior Bill Whittemore was named Big 12 Conference offensive newcomer of the year as a junior and third team All-Big 12 as a senior. He set a Kansas record last season with 18 touchdown passes despite missing four games with injuries. After two seasons of relative security at quarterback, the Jayhawks must search for a new starter for 2004. "Everybody has to earn their way here, they will have to compete," Mangino said. "I'm not getting caught up in any quarterback controversy." Even more than the stats, what may be missed most about Whittimore is his leadership. Kansas went 6-3 last season with Whittimore at the helm and 0-4 without him. Kansas coach Mark Mangino said the race was wide open going into the spring. Adam Barmann is the experienced completed 67 percent of his passes Jayhawk quarterback after starting Barmann's main compositit back after starting three games as a three games as a freshman last season when Whittemore was injured. He started his career with a record setting performance by throwing for 294 yards and four touchdowns against Texas A&M. Barmann has great size, a strong arm, quick feet and confidence. Despite playing small town 2A football in Missouri, Barmann was unfazed against the hostile crowd of people at Texas crowd of people at texas A&M's Kyle Field in his first start and A LOOK AT NEXT SEASON'S QUARTERBACK HOPEFULS.
HeightWeightYear
Adam Barmann6-foot-4210Sophomore
Most experienced quarterback has arms, legs and confidence to succeed.
Jason Swanson6-foot-0190Junior
Swanson is one of the quickest quarterbacks and his ability to improvise is very Whittemore-like.
Brian Luke6-foot-6225Junior
Prototypical sized back-up has good experience and displayed ability against Oklahoma State.
John Nielsen6-foot-3215Senior
Heady quarterback does not make very many mistakes.
Joe Hogan6-foot-2185Sophomore
Good arm, and was offensive scout teamer of the week as a redshirt freshman.
Marcus Herford6-foot-3205Freshman
Elite athlete (4.4 seconds in the 40-yard-dash) needs to mature and could see time at other positions.
come from junior college transfer J as o n Swanson. As the starting quarterback for the N ational Junior College Athletics Association National Champsions, Swanson played in a similar offense to Kansas' and Mangino said he felt like Swanson was a good fit. As for now, Swanson is trying to pick up the new system. He's certainly unable after passing for 3652 yards and 27 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Mangino has repeatedly compared Swanson to Whittemore for his ability to improvise with both his arm and his legs. At 6-feet-tall and weighing 190 pounds, he also is about the same size as Whittimore. As the competition heats up, Swanson said it's good for the team. "I'm looking forward to it, and I know he's looking forward to it." Swanson said. "There's no animosity between us, it's just a friendly competition." While those two are the most likely candidates for next season's starter, Mangino understands the need for SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 4B TALK TO SPORTS: Contact Henry C. Jackson or Maggie Newcomer at SPORTS@KANSAN.COM --- 1