4B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2006
Ceremony
CONTINUED FROM 1B
Earlier in the evening Rush was named Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen Most Valuable Player, after he was the first freshman in Kansas basketball history to lead the team in scoring and rebounding. Rush averaged 13.5 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game.
"I feel pretty good about it. I thought it was going to go to Russell or someone like that. It's a good award to win." Rush said.
The ceremony focused on the team's accomplishments, but Self and master of ceremonies Dave Armstrong also talked about next season.
"Going into the season, we're hoping to be pretty good," Self said. "This next year, I know we are going to be good."
The event was a lighthearted affair, with Self joking about Rodrick Stewart's new girlfriend, and Armstrong joking that Kansas athletics director Lew Perkins did not require those in attendance to pay for tickets.
The ceremony was the last team event for Kansas' senior class — Stephen Vinson, Christian Moody, Jeff Hawkins and Moulaye Niang. The seniors said that they would miss the team's camaraderie.
About 700 fans showed up for the event at the Kansas Union.
Sophomore guard Russell Robinson took home the Danny Manning "Mr. Jayhawk" Award, given to the player that showed the most leadership.
Kansas broadcaster Max Falkenstien was honored with a tribute video and was given a bicycle.
The bike that he rode daily came up with a flat tire during his ride to Clinton Lake yesterday.
Basketball Notes:
SPORTS
Kansas assistant coach Joe
AWARDS
Koenigs Academic Award
- Christian Moody
Dutch Loebberg Free Throw Percentage Award – Mari Chalmers
Harp Field Goal Percentage Award - Julian Wright and Sasha Kaun
Clyde Lovellette Most Improved Player Award - Mario Caimers and Julian Wright
Bill Bridges Rebounding Award - Brandon Rush
Cedric Hunter, Jacque Vaughn and Aaron Miles Assists Award - Russell Robinson
Ted Owens Defensive Player Award - Russell Robinson
Danny Manning "Mr.
Jayhawk" Award - Russell
Robinson
James Neismith Captain's Award - Jeff Hawkins, Christian Moody, Moulaye Nlang, Stephen Vinson
Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen Most Valuable Player Award - Brandon Rush
— Ryan Colaianni
Dooley said that he was still in the running for the UNC-Wilmington head coaching job that he interviewed for last week.
Self said that he planned to continue recruiting throughout the spring and could sign two more players for next year's freshman class.
Kansas is a finalist for forward Darrell Arthur who is the highest rated player yet to be signed to a letter of intent. Today is the first day of the second signing period.
— Edited by Kathrym Anderson
Pitching has been the one constant for the Jayhawks lately. Last weekend, junior pitcher Kassie Humphreys, Kansas' likely starter against Missouri, had a career-high 13 strikeouts in a victory against Baylor. She backed that up with three strikeouts in two innings of relief on Sunday.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
Those performances on the mound have been the only way for Kansas to win with the offense struggling lately. After scoring 12 runs against Oklahoma State on April 1, the Jayhawks have managed only five runs in their last four games.
Wednesday against Missouri, Kansas could be in for another difficult time at the plate with
Missouri pitcher Jen Bruck likely taking the hill. Bruck is 16-12 on the season and is averaging barely fewer than five strikeouts per game.
"It's important for us to stay together," senior outfielder Heather Stanley said. "We need to be mentally tough to hit well."
- Edited by Matt Wilson
A. J. Wolfe/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
CRIME
Logan Young, an Alabama booster convicted of bribing a high school football coach to get a top recruit for the Crimson Tide, was found dead Tuesday in his Memphis home, and police were investigating it as a homicide. Police hadn't yet confirmed the body was that of Logan Young, but his defense attorney said it was the Alabama booster.
Police investigate death
BY WOODY BAIRD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A University of Alabama football supporter convicted of bribing a high school coach to get a top recruit was found dead in his home, police told Tuesday.
Police would not say how Logan Young, 65, died, but they were investigating it as a homicide and had no suspects or motive, said Sgt. Vince Higgins. The killing appeared to have happened overnight Monday.
"The nature of the attack was brutal," Higgins said. "The entire house is a crime scene."
Young was free while he appealed his 2005 federal conviction on money laundering and racketeering conspiracy involving the recruitment of defensive
lineman Albert Means.
Former high school coach Lynn Lang pled guilty to the racketeering conspiracy, and testified that Young paid $150,000 to get Means to sign with Alabama in 2000.
Means' recruitment led to an NCAA investigation and sanctions against Alabama in 2002, costing the school scholarships and bowl appearances.
NCAA
Nevada extends coach's contract
BY SCOTT SONNER
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
"I never thought I would leave. I never entertained the thought of leaving," Fox told reporters at a news conference on campus.
RENO, Nev. — Nevada basketball coach Mark Fox, who led the Wolf Pack to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and a 52-13 record in his two years in the top job, agreed to a new five-year contract Tuesday.
Fox, 36, the Western Athletic Conference coach of the year the past two seasons, had one year left on a three-year contract that would have paid him $270,000 next season.
Nevada athletic director Cary Groth announced the new contract will keep Fox on through 2011.
"Over the past several months, we've discussed ways in which we can continue to build on the success of our men's basketball program. But one key issue was the retention of our men's basketball coach." Groth said
"He's done a heck of a lot for this institution, for this athletics program, men's basketball program and the community of northern Nevada — not to mention the national exposure that we get for our institution because of the success we've had," she said.
Fox suggested he received a commitment to improve the school's athletic facilities.
"It's a very exciting day for me and my family," said Fox, a native of Garden City who has two children with his wife, Cindy, an assistant athletic director at the school.
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