Sports
University Daily Kansan / Thursday, March 5, 1987
13
Swim teams ready for Big 8 meet after rest
By DAVID BOYCE
Staff writer
After three weeks without competition, Coach Gary Kempf said both the men's and women's swim teams were ready for the Big Eight Conference Championship in Lincoln. Neb.
Preliminary rounds begin today at the Bob Devyn Sports Center and continue through Saturday, with games at 6:30 p.m. Friday, and Saturday.
"I am really encouraged with how the team has responded to the last stages of tapering," he said.
"When the party starts on Thursday, we will be ready to dance," Kempf said.
Last year the men's and women's teams finished second to Nebraska.
The women finished 25.5 points behind the Cornhuskers with a 666 to 641 score. The men's team finished behind Nebraska, 653 to 454
"On the women's side, it should be between us and Nebraska," Kempf said. "Nebraska's men will be the favored and Iowa State, us and Missouri should narrow the gap."
The last time the Jayhawks were in competition, they faced the Corpuskers in Lincoln.
In that meet, the women lost 60-53. Kemp said the team could have won if the bottom half of the game would have performed better.
The men did not finish as close. They lost 66-44 and gave up all 14 points in the two relay events. Seven points are awarded to a
relay team for a first place finish and none for second place
To increase the times of the swimmers, the men's and women's teams have shaven off body hair, except for the head. Shaving is a common practice in collegiate swimming.
"If I was their coach, I would not shave the swimmers for this meet either." Kemfm said.
Nebraska, however, won't be shaving for the meet.
Nebraska already has swimmers who have defeated every other Big Eight competitor in the breaststroke.
In last year's meet, Tim Brimner of Nebraska placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke and his teammate Tony Poleo placed second. In 200-yard breaststroke Brimner placed first and Poleo second.
The women won the Big Eight title in 1984 when Kansas held the championship meet. But the next year Nebraska ended the women's string of 10 consecutive conference championships.
Although both of Kemp's teams were beat by Nebraska in Lincoln, Kemp does not think Nebraska will gain an advantage by catapulting at home.
The men have not won the Big Eight title since 1979. Since 1980 Nebraska has won seven consecutive titles.
Besides trying to win the title, both Kansas teams will try to have times fast enough to qualify for nationals.
Kemp said he is looking for his first qualifying time in this meet. He said that because of the shave, the times would be faster.
HYPKARBAR
Jenny Gabrielson, Omaha freshman, practices the butterfly Robinson Natatorium. The swim team practiced hard this week in preparation for the Big Eight Conference Championship swim meet that begins today in Lincoln, Neb.
Governor surprises SMU, NCAA
SMU board official denies all were aware of payments
United Press International
AUSTIN, Texas — Southern Methodist University officials reacted with anger and tensions to a disclosure by Gov. Bill Clements that the board of Governors knew in 1985 that football players were being paid.
The revelation at a news conference yesterday marked the first time that Clements admitted that the administrative body participated in the payments. Instead of immediately halting the payments, the board voted to "phase out" the money "in due course," the governor said.
In interviews Monday and Tuesday with The Dallas Morning News, Clements said, "It was with pain and agony" and after "the advice of counsel and collaboration" of others interviewed at the conference agreed to continue paying 26 students in direct violation of NCAA regulations.
The payments prompted the NCAA last week to suspend SMU's 1987 football season, the harshest punishment in college football history. The NCAA also imposed other sanctions that would cripple the program into the 1990s.
"At least half of the 17 members of the board, of governors understood the details of what we are talking about." Clements said.
"But the other half accept in good faith that we, in a judgment sense, made the right decision in the interest of the institution," he said.
The governor also implied that after the 1985 sanctions were leveled, the NCAA knew about the decision to continue funneling cash to those players already recruited. The NCAA denied any such knowledge.
Clements also told the Morning News that the system for paying athletes at SMU began as early as 1976. By mid-1983, he said, the board, athletic officials and the university president decided that the system needed to be shut down.
"This whole mess we have out there is a cumulative mess that was created by a lot of people, and I think it's a great injustice to try to pin b l a m e o n e one or t two individuals. . . ." the governor said.
William Hutchison, who replaced Clements as board chairman in January, denied the governor's assertion that the full board was aware of the decision. Acting SMU President William Kearse and the resignation of anyone involved in the payments made while SMU already was on probation.
Clements, an SMU alumnus, said that the Board knew of financial commitments to players and decided to honor them.
Clements said. "These matters were all considered by the board of governors and the administration at SMU.
"There was a decision made that we would phase out and eliminate in due course all of the arrangements that had been made in the recruitment of certain athletes at SMU, that we would return to a program of absolute integrity and that we would give that pledge to the NCAA.
"We also had a commitment from the athletic director, Bob Hitch, and Coach Bobby Collins that they would abide by that decision that we would return to an absolute clean program at SMU. So, yes, we did honor the agreements."
NCAA director astonished by Clement's involvement
United Press International
MISSION — The NCAA's director of enforcement said yesterday he may have had the "wrong people" in mind when the NCAA suspended the Southern Methodist University's football program for 1987.
'Surprise is the primary reaction. We had thought and believed and the investigator for the university thought we had the whole story and the right story.'
David Berst The NCAA's director of enforc
cement
we had the wrong people who were assuming responsibility for the plan
David Herst, whose staff directed the SMU investigation, said he was surprised by Texas Gov. Bill Clement's support for payments to SMU football players.
The NCAA investigation never turned up any evidence that Clements was involved in approving the payoffs.
"Surprise is the primary reaction." Berst said. "We had thought and believed and the investigator for some reason did not know who whole story and the right story. But
Clements said Tuesday that in his position as chairman of the SMU Board of Governors, he agreed in 1985 to honor "commitments" the university had made to pay football players. The NCAA determined that payments in 1985 and 1986 totaled at least $61,000.
Berst said the NCAA and SMU were aware of the plan to continue payments to players, even after the NCAA placed SMU on probation in 1985, but were not aware the decision reached to the school's governing body.
"We had identified key athletic department staff members and not individuals above that level," he said.
SMU, which on Feb. 25 was placed on probation until 1990, banned from fielding a football team in 1987, and assessed other penalties by the NCAA, has 15 days to give the organization proof that it has disassociated itself from nine boosters accused of providing illegal benefits to athletes.
Berst said the university has not yet delivered a report to the NCAA on its actions. He said that Clements' revelations probably wouldn't have an impact on the NCAA's continued involvement with SMU.
"I doubt that it has any impact, but I'm not prepared to give up any options at this point," Berst said. "I think our course of action will be to watch and see what happens in the near future regarding those revelations and revelations and any further actions that result from the revelations."
'Hawks looking for redemption at Big 8 tourney
By ROB KNAPP
Staff writer
Most members of the Kansas men's basketball team went to the Wagon Wheel Cafe last night after practice for cheeseburgers and a little relaxation, but their minds were not completely on their dinner.
The Big Eight Conference Tournament begins tomorrow at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., and the Jayhawks see a chance to rebound from a disappointing end to their conference season.
Kansas opens tournament play with a 6:10 p.m. game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Men's Basketball
"We're looking for a chance to redeem ourselves," junior forward Chris Piper said. "We had a chance in the Big Eight and we didn't do it."
Kansas entered the last week of the season tied for the Big Eight lead with Oklahoma and Missouri. But the Jahayhaws lost on the road at Colorado and Nebraska and tied fr second place with the Sooners at 9-5.
"They know I want them to win," Brown said, adding that it was up to the players, including Kansas for taking, to fine tune the team's attitude.
Getting the team to the right emotional level for the tournament is something Kansas coach Larry Yates had players had to do without his help
"I see Danny Manning taking charge," Brown said. "I might yell, and then Danny will say something positive."
Manning said he felt responsible for getting the Jayhawks into the rushing game.
"I've been there before, along with Pipe and Ced and Turg and some of
the other guys," Manning said
"You've got to be ready not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Emotion gives you that boost that allows you to play better."
"There hasn't been anybody to pick us up on the court when things go wrong." Piper said.
Piper said the team lacked that emotional punch late in the season.
Brown said he had stressed fundamentals in this week's practices.
"We need to get our confidence back," Brown said. "But the kids are playing now, they're playing harder."
The Jayhaws allowed an average of 68.2 points in 30 games, best among Eight teams, but they allowed 79 points in their last five conference games.
'We're looking for a chance to redeem ourselves.
Chris Piper
Chris Piper Kansas basketball player
"We really haven't played well defensively lately," Piper said.
Kansas finished seventh in the conference in steals with an average
The team also concentrated in practice on preventing turnovers. Kansas was third in the Big Eight in games ending 15.5 a contest over 30 games.
Guard Cedric Hunter and forward Keith Harris yesterday practiced for the first time this week and should be at full strength for tomorrow's game. They have been slowed by ankle sprains they suffered in early February.
Mitchell helps Purdue escape Michigan State
From Kansan wires
The Boilermakers, 24-3 overall, remained in first place in the conference with a 15-2 record. Michigan State fell to 11-15 and 6-10.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Todd Mitchell scored 20 points last night and Melvin McCants added 18, leading No. 3 Purdue to a 69-59 Big Ten victory over Michigan State.
Top Twenty
Lewis hit a three-point field goal with 2:31 remaining, giving Purdue a 60-55 lead. Michigan State no closer than four point after that.
McCants scored six straight points on close-range shots, giving Purdue a 38-34 lead, its biggest to that point, with 15:21 left in the game. Mitchell's three-play play with 13:26 remaining extended the lead to 43-36.
Michigan State jumped to a 125-
lead in the first half with a Vernon
loss.
Carleton Valentine, Michigan State's leading scorer with 15 points, brought the Spartans within two points, 57-55.
The Boilermakers, who shot 11 of 26 from the floor in the first 20 minutes, bounced back with five straight points and trailed 19-15 with 5:12 left in the first half. Lewis hit a three-point field goal as the first half
buzzer sounded,猜 Purdue a 27-26 halftime edge,其 first lead of the
Carr and Darryl Johnson each scored 14 points for the Spartans.
Illinois 89,
Michigan 75
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Ken Normankor scored 19 points last night and Tony Wysinger added 17, sparking a score of 48-75 Big Ten victory over Michigan.
Illinois improved to 22-7 overall and 12-5 in the Big Ten Michigan state.
Illinois hit 11 of its first 14 shots as it took a 27-8 lead. The Wolverines made only three of their first 15 shots but pulled within 17 points, 52-35 in. The Lions scored twice and second half. The Illima scored the next eight points and coasted after that.
Lowell Hamilton scored 12 points, Doug Altenberger had 11 and Jens Kujuwa added 10 as the Illini placed five players in double figures. Gary Grant led Michigan with 27 points, while Justin Williams's game's result was all but determined. Glen Rice scored 20 points and Antoine Joubert added 10.
Wysinger hit three three-point shots in the first half. The Illini made six of eight three-pointers in the opening half. Michigan posted its lowest halftime point total of the season.
KU's baseball season begins tomorrow after rain delay
Bv DAVID BOYCE
Staff writer
A doubleheader scheduled for Monday was cancelled because of wet grounds. Today's 1 p.m. game at Minneapolis College also has been cancelled.
After a month and a half of practice, mainly inside Anshutz Sports Pavilion, the Kansas baseball team will start its spring season with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. tomorrow on Quigley Field.
The Jayhawks will face William Jewell in Friday's season opener and Friends University at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The team has been practicing outside this week to prepare for the busy weekend.
"I think we will be ready," senior outfitter Hugh Stanfield said. "I'm elated to get outside. Working inside can get monotonous."
The team has been working daily in the sports pavilion on offensive and defensive skills to prepare for the spring season.
Head coach Marty Pattin said he had the pitchers do a lot of long distance throwing when practice
started to gradually get them in shape. The hitters worked on their timing in the batting cage at the sports pavilion.
Assistant coach Lee Ice worked with the infield on double plays and game-situation plays. Because of the outfielders are able to take fly balls,
After compiling a 25-34 record last year, some players this year think they will have a better record because of the improved pitching.
Last year, the team started the fall season with 15 pitchers. But when the spring season arrived, the team only had nine pitchers. This year, the team begins the spring season with 15.
Basically, Pattin said, winter training was to work on game-like skills.
"We are now hungry to get outside and play," he said.
"The overall talent of the pitchers is as good as I've seen it since I've been a player."
He said that the spot-starting role and short relief had improved since 1984.
Although the pitching is more solid, Pattin said the team was young and would have to work hard for runs.
The Jayhawks lost shortstop and team captain, Gary Lang, who was voted team MVP, and second baseman Geno Nebbitt. They also lost two outfielders, John Hart and Rob Peters.
"We will have to fight and scratch for runs," he said. "We lost four good players from last year's team who provided a lot of offense."
The four players accounted for 254 hits and almost 50 percent of the runs scored.
Pattin said he thought the team could compensate for the loss of oil at its refinery.
The Jayhawks picked up Kansas City Kansas Community College transfer Dave Smith, who Pattin will use a utility infielder and pinch runner.
"Smith is like our Pete Rose." Pattin said. "He's always bustling."
Another junior college transfer from Kansas City, who is in his second year, is Steve Estes. Estes will start at second base.
Last year, he saw much of his action as a backup behind Nebbitt.
"We have a good shot to finish in the top four in the Big Eight," he said. "We have a lot more balance, and we don't lose that many position players."
The top four teams in the Big Eight compete in the Conference Championship. Last season, the Jayhawks finished fifth in the Big Eight with a
Even though the Jayhawks lost four key offensive players from last season, they still return players who had big years.
Outfielders Standfield and Darrel Matthews return after solid seasons last year. Standfield hit .329 while Matthews hit .269.
On the infield, firstbaseman John Byrn returns after hitting .391 and catcher Joe Pfister returns after hitting .267 last year.
"We're a very young and inexperienced team," he said. "But if we work hard and keep a good attitude going through the whole season, we'll surprise some people with our playing ability."
William Jewell 1p.m.
Game 1:
Bill Skeet/KANSAN