Debbie Blattner
Debbie in action
8 KANSAN Mar. 17 1969
KU coed combines modeling with life on the hardcourts
By MIKE RIEKE
Kansan Sports Writer
You may not find her modeling cloches in the pages of Sports Illustrated, but KU's Debbie Blattner. St. Louis, Mo., freshman, is on the right track.
Unlike Rick Barry and Jerry West-who waited until professional basketball careers before working as models-Miss Blattner combines basketball and modeling in college.
A starting forward on KU's women's basketball team, Debbie spends the rest of her spare time working as a professional model.
Miss Blattner's father, Buddy Blattner, played a big part in her interest in sports. After retiring from a Major League baseball career, Blattner took up sports announcing.
After working with Dizzy Dean on the Game-of-the-Week, Blattner broadcast the California Angels games from the time the team was organized in 1961. This spring, Blattner will start work as the voice of the Kansas City Royals.
"I felt sorry for my dad," Miss Blattner said. "He was a professional athlete but he had three daughters."
If her father had any hard feelings about the composition of his family, Miss Blattner soothed them by starting her basketball career in the fifth grade. She continued competing in intramural basketball throughout junior high and high school.
Debbie's collegiate career began this semester with KU. Besides playing forward, she also jumps center. Miss Blattner's forte is rebounding.
"My biggest problem is avoiding fouls," Miss Blattner
said. "You have to be aggressive under the basket and it gets rough. I got kicked in the chin once this season."
Debbie plays basketball because she likes to be active. "Basketball is a challenge," she saidd, "and I enjoy the competition."
Modeling also provides her with a challenge and a chance to compete.
As a freelance model, Miss Blattner must find her own jobs. She belongs to the Models Guild in Lawrence but does her own legwork elsewhere.
"You have to get around to get calls," she said. "It takes breaks, but you can find jobs if you try."
During spring break, Debbie will take her portfoilio of photographs to the Kansas City area. She said Kansas City offers a variety of opportunities-illustrators, filmmakers and agents.
Miss Blattner started modeling in high school as a member of the fashion board of a large St. Louis department store. Among her duties were wholesale, retail and tearoom modeling. Debbie liked it and took assignments whenever she had the time.
NIT Results
NIT Results First round Florida 66
Temple 82, Florida 66
Kansas City 64
Tennessee 67, Ruggers 51
Ohio U. 82, West Texas St. 80
South Carolina 72, Southern III. 63
Washington University 72
Boston College 78, Kansas 62
Louisville 73, Fordham 70
Michigan 73
If things go well in her modeling career, Miss Blattner said she may give up her studies to become a full-time model. But whether she goes full-time or part-time, Debbie said she will always have time for basketball.
Tonight
Temple vs. St. Peters
Tennessee vs. Ohio U.
Night
South Carolina vs. Army
Boston College vs. Louisville
Thursday Night
Semi-finals
Saturday Afternoon
Finals (1:00 p.m., CBS-TV)
She hasn't made the pages of Sports Illustrated yet; but some time as you're leafing through a copy, don't be surprised if you see a tall, stately brunette shooting baskets—or wearing the latest sportswear.
Coed bath for star
It may be Debbie Blattner.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS, Eng. (UPI) — British film star Louise Rush showed up at the local sauna bath for her regular appointment.
She was enjoying the heat after a cold day on the set and wrapped in a huge towel when a portly man walked in, tightened his own towel around his waist and sat down. Due to a mistake by the reservationists both had been given the same appointment.
"All I could think to say was 'Do you come here often?' " Miss Rush said.
Your Psychology professor lives with his mother?
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