COACHES HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE
Photo by David Gump
KU track coach Bob Timmons, left, discusses track with journalism student Mark Cerkovnik shortly after a press conference Monday at which Timmons and Ted Owens, head basketball coach, right, were present.
Coaches Talk Shop
By DENNIS STOUSE and BONNIE SOLOW
"Whatever you do in life, im athletics or in other fields, you must have a goal to succeed. Nothing important in life just happens, you must plan for it," stated Bob Timmons, head KU track coach.
Timmons made the remark at a joint press conference with Ted Owens, head basketball coach, held earlier this week with journalism camp students.
Coach Timmons used Jim Ryun, record miler, to illustrate the importance of seeking and attaining goals. "Jim must believe in himself to run a good race," said Timmons.
Ryun, holder of world records in the mile and 1,500 meters, has also run the half-mile faster than anyone in history, although the record has not been accepted by the American Athletic Union.
"I doubt if Jim will ever get credit for his 880 world record," said Timmons, referring to the discord between the NCAA and AAU which has prevented the record's recognition. "Jim's been good about it, but no one in his right mind can understand what is going on."
Both coaches gave the prospective newsmen insight into the power and influence of mass media.
"Most people expect Jim Ryun to break a world's record every time he runs," Timmons said. "I don't blame the people for this attitude—I blame the media. Most people don't know anything about track and field, but are influenced by what they read."
Owens remarked on the responsibility of the future journalists to report and interpret the news.
The brunt of the questions asked of Timmons was centered around Ryun.
Asked about Ryun's response to the enthusiasm of his sporting audience, Timmons commented that that was a question to which he also would like an answer. "Ryun has some deafness, though he says it does not affect him. I don't know how much he hears with the noise and preoccupation of the races. As for myself, I still get goose bumps seeing Ryun run, even after watching him for five years."
Speculating about Ryun's future, Timmons expressed his desire for the star to compete in longer races. "He's not yet psychologically oriented to a six-mile race," said Timmons, "and if he doesn't believe it himself, he'll never run a great long distance race."
Kamper Kansan
4
Friday, July 28, 1967
Asked about this season's cross country team, Timmons commented, "I think the squad will be improved. We lost Tom Yergovich through graduation, but we've got some good things going for us this year. We switched from a six-mile race last season to a three-mile race."
Coach Owens weighed the prospects of next season's team with the inclusion of David Nash, a 6'10" Dallas Baptist Junior College transfer. "Nash is quick and he's got a good touch," stated Owens, "but he lacks a good background in basketball. He has a lot of potential, but right now he is somewhat immature as a basketball player."
Commenting on the recruiting process KU and other colleges undergo to secure high school athletes, Owens said, "Recruiting athletic talent is a vital part of our program."
Recruiting is centered first in Kansas and then in the highly populated areas in nearby states. "I wish we never had to go out of the state for recruits, but I still must use my judgment and bring the best boys for the team," said Owens.
Owens mentioned scouting services, newspapers and other publications to be the first source of high school talent.
In a closing statement, Owens remarked on the responsibility of the future journalists to report and interpret the news. "There is a tremendous amount of good a newspaper can do," said Owens, citing as an example the efforts of the Kansas City Star to pass the bond issue for athletic appropriations.
"With the command of such a large audience, journalists must search for the truth and fight for the good of society," commented Owens.
Man With Information
Simon Writes Sports
By RICK FOLKMIRE
Not taking anything away from the sports writer—it might be said that sports writing can be the easiest work around—that's if the writing is just average. But these days a good sports writer must dig deep for interesting material because he no longer spends a lot of time finding the usual information about sports spotlighters.
There is an individual associated with every major sports individual or team or school in competition as such, who, in a sense, eliminates the average sports writer and creates the good writer. KU is no exception to this and Jay Simon is that individual.
After graduating, Simon served as sports editor for two years on a Coffeyville daily newspaper. When World War II came, the U.S. Air Force acquired Simon's service as a weatherman.
SOMETIMES CALLED the public relations man for the Jayhawks, sometimes labeled the director of sports information. Simon came to KU last August with nearly 25 years of professional sports writing under his pen.
A Kansan, Simon began his sports writing career in high school. He went to KU as a journalism major and became sports editor of the Daily Kansan.
Following the service, Simon became sports editor for the Topeka State Journal and remained there for nearly two
years. He had a brief stay with the Associated Press before moving to Oklahoma City to serve 18 years on the Daily Oklahoman. The latter three of those years were spent as sports editor.
Simon points out that his main function as sports information director at KU is to serve as an information bureau for news media of all types. He must present the KU teams, athletes and the department of athletics to the sports writers and broadcasters so they can, in turn, present these people to the public.
Then last summer, Simon was contacted to take the position he now holds.
SIMON SAYS he took the job in the dark, even though he worked 25 years "on the other side" and knew what newsmen expect from public relations. But, he says, "I've changed my thinking, somewhat."
During his year at KU, Simon has spent an unusual one, in that there have been a complete change of football staff, a highly successful basketball team and, of course, the famous Jim Ryun. Simon has also restyled the football, basketball and track information booklets.
Simon is a public relations man. He is one of a breed of journalists who turns from the average sports writer who spends his time scraping up the usual information into the writer who now has time to spend presenting university sports to the public.
Concert Program
Saturday, July 29, 2:15 p.m.
Concert Orchestra
Gerald M. Carney, Conductor
Victor Alessandro, Guest Conductor
Kenneth Thompson, Guest Conductor
Kenrod Schull, Guest Conductor
Saturday Concert
Irish Tune from County Derry ... Percy Grainger
Symphony in C Major, No. 1 ... Ludwig v. Beethoven
First movement, lento and allegro
Herod Overture ...
Carmen, Suite ... Georges Bizet
Les Dragons d' Alcala (The Dragons of Alcala)
Les Tonedores (The Toreadores)
Mr. Alessandro, Conducting Varsity Band LeRoy Esau, Conductor Charles Lawson, Guest Conductor Victor Alessandro, Guest Conductor
The Spirit of Pageentry Percy Fletcher
Kansa - A Suite for Band Lloyd Conley
High Flains
Home on the Range
Jacques Offenbach
Mr. Lawson, Conducting
Mr. Alessandro. Conducting
Finlandia ... Jean Sibelius
Semper Fidelis John Philip Sousa
Irish Tune from County Derry Percy Grainger
Mr. Esau, Conducting The Chorale
The Chorale James Ralston, Conductor
Cheryl Warren - Gail Hayes, Pianists
Neue Liebeslieder (Waltzer) ... Johannes Brahmss
A Red Red Rose ...
Jav Maddox, Tenor
Witness John Halloran
Another Summer Gone Willard Straight
Sunday Concerts
Sunday, July 30, 2:15 p.m.
Concert Choir
Darrell Benne, Conductor
Weston Noble, Guest Conductor
Jane Fager, Accompanist
Zadok The Priest ... G. F. Handel
Three Ancient Frayers ... Ron Nelson
III Cause Us O Lord
A Tribute Song ... Norman Dello Jojo
Mr. Noble, Conducting Chamber Choir James Ralston, Conductor Weston Noble, Guest Conductor Jane Fager, Accompanist
Emma Lou Diemer
Three Madrigals
I O Mistress Mine
II Take, O Take Those Lips Away
III Sigh No More, Ladies, Sigh No More
This Little Light 'O Mine...John Work
Song Of The Open Road...Norman Dello Joio
Stephen Kent Charmie, Trussell Ciano
Stephen Kent Charpie, Trumpet Solo Mr. Noble, Conducting
Combined Choirs
To Saint Cecelia...
With Brass Choir
Mr. Ralston, Conducting
Symphony Orchestra
Gerald M. Carney, Conductor
actor Alessandro, Guest Conductor
Chorale from "The Easter Cantata Bach-Stokoroski
Symphony in B Minor, No. 2 Borodin
Mr. Carney, Conducting
Feste Romana ... Ottorino Respighi
Irish Tune from County Derry ... Percy Grainger
Sunday, 7 p.m. Symphonic Band Kenneth Bloomquist, Conductor Richard Brummett, Guest Conductor Victor Alessandro, Guest Conductor
Stars and Stripes Forever John Philip Souza
Music for a Festival Gordon Jacob
Richard III. Overture Edward German
Finale from "Symphony No. 5" ... T. Tschaikowsky
Concert Band
Overture to "Riensi" ... Richard Wagner
Finale from "Symphony in E Minor (The New World)" Anton Dvorak
1812 Overture ... P. Tschalkowsky
Irish Time from County Derry ... Percy Grainger
Mr. Wiley, Conducting Russell L. Wiley, Conductor
Overture to "William Tell" Gioacchino Rossini Mr. Wiley. Conducting