Thursday, March 1, 1962 University Daily Kansan
Page 9
Coan Takes Ineligibility Ruling Calmly
By Terry Murphy
It was 9 o'clock. Bert Coan and his wife Dora Lee were sitting in the living room of their campus student housing apartment when the phone rang.
He was sitting in an arm chair dressed in a pair of pairt-spattered levis and his feet were shod in a pair of red slipper socks. Turning from the television he reached for the phone on a table next to the chair.
"It was Dean Woodruff. They've ruled me ineligible."
AFTER LISTENING for a few minutes he hung up. His wife looked to him expectantly.
That is how Bert Coan received the news which officially ended his collegiate football career. The controversial halftback from Pasadena, Tex., has played in only eight college games.
An hour later in an interview at his apartment, he was asked what his reaction to the news had been.
DOES HE FEEL any resentment towards the University or anyone connected with the controversy?
"I am relieved that some decision has finally been made. Of course, I'm sorry that it turned out as it did, but both of us are relieved."
"No, I'd be lying if I said that I did. Everyone has been wonderful and they've done everything possible to help me. After Dean Woodruff told me the news, the first thing that he did was urge me to go ahead and finish school. They've always backed me in the past."
What is he planning to do now?
"They pretty well made the decision for me. I'll sign with the pros; probably with the Chargers" (San Diego of the American Professional Football League).
COAN'S TRIP TO San Diego in December gave rise to the controversy that lead to the ineligibility ruling by a Kansas University faculty committee. The committee has jurisdiction over whether Coan can compete in KU collegiate athletics.
U.S. Makes Plea For Youth's Life
CHANUTE — (UPI) — The U. S. government has requested a stay of execution for convicted slayer Roger Ranney of Chanute who is in death row at a Greek prison, Ranney's mother, Mrs. John Lowen said today.
Mrs. Lowen said she received a telegram last night from Lee C. White, assistant special counsel to the President, who reported the State Department has interceded in the case.
WHITE SAID the State Department asked the Greek embassy in Washington to request a stay of execution pending an appeal on grounds of inadequate counsel and a review of the trial transcript
Ranney was convicted by a Greek court last fall in the deaths of two seamen. The Greek supreme court last Saturday rejected his appeal.
White said the White House will be kept informed on developments in the case.
MRS. LOWEN SAID she was "heartened by the action."
She sent an urgent telegram to President Kennedy Saturday asking for help to save her son. She said the outlook for help from the President was her last hope.
A National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rule prohibits college football players from accepting expenses or entertainment from professional football organizations. The controversy centered on whether Coan paid his own bills or if the San Diego team paid them.
Coan says that he paid his own way.
"Dad loaned me the money ($613)
and I paid them (the bills) myself."
Coan says that prior to taking the trip to San Diego, he checked with KU football coach Jack Mitchell who told him to go ahead and make the trip. At that time neither of them were aware that there was a ruling forbidding this.
"I was acting in good faith. As far as I knew I was not breaking any rules."
"WHEN I GOT back Coach Mitchell got hold of me and told me that I would have to pay my own way. I assured him that I already had
Asked why the committee ruled as it did, Coan said, "the circumstances of my trip to San Diego were of such a nature that the school officials could not possibly gather enough information to make a judgment in my favor."
REASONABLE SUSPICION is often enough to rule an athlete ineligible in cases such as Coan's. The ruling bodies take the position that a college athlete should not put himself in a position that would raise doubt as to his activities.
Coan says he plans to go home this summer and finish the work for his degree. Coan needs to complete a period of practice teaching as a social studies teacher and two other courses to earn his degree.
Now that his collegiate football career is finished, he says:
"My only regret is that I didn't make news with what I accomplish on the football field instead of what I did off the field.
"WEVE MADE LOTS of friends here in Lawrence, at least I hope that we have, I know that I've profited by my association with Kansas University. Anybody would that has come in contact with men of the caliber of Jack Mitchell and his staff."
Does he have any advice for a high school athlete that is being recruited?
"The only suggestion that I would have to make is for him to get acquainted with the rules and regulations. I could have saved myself lots of misery if I had."
Any advice on how to pick a school?
"IF EVERYTHING ELSE is equal, go to the school where you think you will be the happiest. Pick the
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Now that the decision has been reached, how does he feel about going back to Texas?
"There was lots of comment in the papers and stuff like don't turn your back on Texas because the doors will be shut when you get back. But they can believe it or not, I honestly have no regrets. I'm sorry that it turned out as it did, but no regrets otherwise."
No regrets even when he was
lying in the hospital with a broken leg that still threatens to end a promising career?
"No sir, no regrets."
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