University Daily Kansan / Friday, January 15, 1988 9B Sports Extra Jayhawk gridder goes to the hoop By Elaine Sung Kansan sports writer Clint Normore doesn't mind being compared to a modified version of Bo Jackson. "Yeah, I just don't get paid," he said, grinning. Normore, like Jackson, has the talent for two sports. He was the fifth-leading tackler last season for the Jayhawk football team with 62 tackles, two interceptions and two recovered fumbles. Normore joined the team Dec. 14, after Coach Larry Brown asked him last spring to consider playing basketball for Kansas. Now, he is trying to become a force as a point guard for the Kansas basketball team. "I had said 'no' before. I only planned on football. Then I told him I'd think about it only after the football season." Normore said. "I've always wanted to play under Coach Brown," said Normore. "He's got a great style. He coaches the way we do in football, of the break, aggressively and fast." Two things changed his mind: Brown, and winning. "And he has the winning attitude we need around him. I want to win. Winning had a part in my decision to join. I consider myself a winner and it's great to know that I'm on a mission and that I had a part of it." he said. Brown was not unfamiliar with Normore's talent. In fact, the Wichita junior was one of many Brown tried to recruit four years ago in the same class as Mark Turgeon and Cedric Hunter. Brown wanted an early answer from Normore, but Normore delayed his decision, and thus, Turgeon and Hunter were signed instead. In fall 1986, he switched to football, and started all 11 games that season, finishing second on the team with 114 tackles. 59 of them unassisted. Normore went to Wichita State, playing only basketball his first two years there. He averaged 3.3 points and 12.4 minutes a game. Clint Normore scrambles for a loose ball against American University. The Shockers suspended their football program after that season, so Normone transferred to Kansas to continue playing football. Brown approached him with the idea of playing basketball again as soon as Normore arrived. "I wanted him to come and try out if it was possible, but I knew football was first on his mind." Brown said. "I know he loves to play and he's a great competitor. I have a lot of respect for him and even when he was a high school player, I always felt he had the ability." Normore made his first appearance for the basketball team when Brown put him in the Kansas-North Carolina State game at Reynolds Coliseum, just five days after he officially joined the team. He played only three minutes, during which he made one field goal, but he said just being allowed to play was the most important so soon was a welcome surprise. "At first, I didn't expect to play. I was pumped up just to be there. He's testing me out really early, and I'm glad he is," Normore said. "I'm not one to come to a team and sit on the bench all the time." The physical demands on him are a little different as a basketball player. He is easy to spot on the court, with the wide build of a football player. "In basketball, you have to be in better condition than in football, because you have to run up and down the court, but in football you go in to play for a while, and you get your wind back." he said. Normore will go straight into Swimming couple receive Big 8 honors "When we played Missouri, I was coming out to shoot in warm-ups, and everyone stood up to clap. I said, 'Wow, I like this,'" he said. spring football once basketball season is over. But for now, he's enjoying the feeling of being part of a nationally-ranked basketball team Kansas swimmers Glenn Trammel and Barbara Ann Smith, winners of the men's and women's Big Eight Swimmer of the Month awards for December, spend time with each other after practice. Sue Schellie/KANSAN Bv Tom Stinson Kansan sports writer In some relationships people end up feeling inferior. For Kansas swimmers Glenn Trammel and Barbara Ann Smith, who have been dating for about a year and a half, this doesn't seem to be a problem They were both recently named Big Eight Swimmers of the Month for December. The award is given in recognition from the Big Eight coaches. According to Coach Gary Kempf, Smith is one of the nation's top distance swimmers and is the owner of the nation in the 1000-vard freestyle. "I was really shocked," said Smith, Mequon, Wis., junior. "I couldn't figure out why I got it. It was really neat though, considering Glenn won it also." "She has just been fantastic this year." Kemnf said. Trammel is currently ranked second in the nation in the 100-yard backstroke and has already qualified for the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis scheduled later this year. "I'm really honored by this because there are some outstanding swimmers in the conference," said Trammel, Topeka junior. "I didn't expect it but I'm very happy for receiving it." The only competition the Jayhawks saw during the vacation was in the U.S. Open Invitational Meet in Orlando, Fla., on December 20-22. Kempf said Kansas finished 10th out of about 30 college teams in the collegiate competition. Trrammel placed fourth in the 100-yard backstroke and 14th in the 200-yard backstroke at Orlando. Kempf also said the women's 400-yard medley relay and the men's 500-yard medley relay also scored in the meet. "It was a real incentive boost to see that kind of competition," said Smith, who planned on competing with the others later that the event wasn't offered. "We took nine swimmers and finished really well." Kempf said. "Our showing was good, and the exposure to international competition was excellent." The Jayhawk's next meet is Saturday against Arkansas at Robinson Natatorium. In November the men lost at Arkansas by one point, and the women have split the two meetings between the squads this year. Kempf said the Jayhawks were focusing toward the Big Eight Conference Championships in Lincoln, Neb., March 3-5. Last year both teams finished runner-up in the Big Eight to Nebraska, who Kempf was once again the favorite this season. Ex-assistant to coach women's golf squad Bv Tom Stinson Brad Demo, assistant golf pro at Alvamar Golf & Country Club, was named the new women's golf coach Wednesday. Demo replaces Kent Weiser who left the position to enter private business. Demo spent two years at Coffeville Junior College before attending the University of Kansas and was a two-year letterwinner for the Jayhawk golf team in 1982 and 1983. He then served as an assistant coach with the Jayhawk program from 1984 to 1986. Dave Niebergall/KANSAN "I traveled with the girls for three years," said the Arkansas City native. "But then I didn't help out last year. I've wanted to get into coaching for a long time so when the job oopened, I applied." The women, whose spring season begins with the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational Tournament, March 17-20 in Orlando. Fla., are currently a strong squad, according to Demo. "We've got a good base to start with," Demo said. "The girls are all competitors, which is very important." We know, we can do nothing but get better." The Jayhawks finished fourth in last season's Big Eight Championship, which was won by Oklahoma State University. Oklahoma State is again the favorite in this year's tournament, April 23-26. Dave NieberghalKANSA Brad Demo, new KU women's golf coach. "One of these years we'll get them," Demo said referring to the Cowboys. "I want to get some strong walk-onts to go along with the blue-chip recruits. I'll have to match the talent we lose this year or get better talent to compete well." Demo said recruiting will be a key for the Jayhawks. He said he planned to increase the number of walk-ons in the program while maintaining a consistent level of top-caliber players. He also said he was striving for a squad of six blue-chip players and three to five strong walk-ons. Pless returns to Kansas after a standout season By Craig Anderson Assistant sports editor The numbers indicated that Toronto to Argonaut linebacker Willie Pless should have received honors for a standout 1987 season in the Canadian Football League. Pless wasn't voted to any division or league all-star teams despite finishing third in the league in tackles. The former Kansas star also had five interceptions and five fumble recoveries by Packers tacklers in both categories in the CFL. Unfortunately, the media that cover the CFL thought otherwise. The only nomination for an award Pless did receive was voted on by his Toronto teammates. The Argonauts chose Pless as their candidate for defensive player of the year. Now try to figure why Pless wasn't notied to any of the league's all-star team. Jim Fender, who serves as Pless' agent, has a theory on the snubbing the former CFL rookie-of-the-year received from the Canadian Media. "The guys that were chosen in front of him were great interviews," he said. "They were the Brian Bosworth-type of guy with the media. They always had great stories or great lines. For the record, Pless said he was only slightly disappointed with his lack of recognition. Kansas' all-time leading tacker said it would only serve to make him work harder in the future. Frustration probably followed along with the disappointment of being an unrecognized man in a highly-visible sport. Fender estimated the lack of awards cost Pless $30,000 in potential bonus money. "Willie's laid back and as a consequence he was sometimes ignored." "He's not the kind of man that would say it hurt him, but I know it hurt him," Fender said. "He was disappointed." At the present time, though, Fender said he thought Pless was deeply hurt. For now, Pless is living for the future and not dwelling on the past. Pless recently purchased a house in northwest Lawrence and plans to make it his off-season home. The Anniston, Ala., native will also attend classes at Kansas in the spring to finish his degree in education. Pless is 18 hours short of graduation. Since becoming a professional football player, Pless has enjoyed playing the game more than when he was at Kansas. It has been more of a mental adjustment than anything else. Besides going to school, Pless would like to help coach the Jayhawks during spring football drills. Pless would also like to become a football coach. "I enjoyed playing in college, but I'd just get so uptight before games," he said. "I didn't want to talk to anyone or look at anyone, and this was 12 hours before a game would start. "I want to get a taste of it this spring," he said. "I'll do anything to help KU football. The program can be successful again." "In the past two years, though, I've been able to relax more. I'm better able to control any tenseness that I have before games." Football isn't the only career Pless would like to pursue. He recently recorded a song, "I Wait for Love," with the help of a CBS Record executive. The record was written as a ballad to Pless' girlfriend. "It was something I did for fun." Pless said of the recording session. "It's something I've always enjoyed doing." Pless will return to Toronto in late January to work on another song in hopes of being able to press it into a record. While Pless' first song was a slow love melody, he said the next production would be a more upbeat recording. I'd need to work a little bit with (KU band director Ron McCurdy), but I think it would be fun to do it," he said. "It's a possibility." Earlier in the football season, Pless was faced with the possibility of missing several games because of a broken toe. Fender said the injury Rumor has it that Pless might sing the national anthem before a Kansas basketball game in Allen Field House. He said he would welcome the chance to sing in front of the home-town crowd. made Pless more restless than ever. Pless missed two games, but would have no more of being just a spectator. For now, Pless is just trying to get the best out of his ability to play football. Those who omitted him from any post-season laurels were the same type of people who questioned whether he even had the ability to be a major-college football player six years ago. Pless has a tackling trophy named after him for his efforts in college. "It's the same kind of thing I've had to overcome all my life," he said. "If I keep improving and giving it all I have, then, the good Lord willing, I will be able to look back and be satisfied with my career — in football and in everything else." "I was talking to Toronto's coach and he said Willie was like a caged lion when he wasn't able to play." Fender said. "Finally the trainer had to hide Willie's practice gear so he wouldn't suit up and practice. They said Willie would miss at least five weeks, probably more, but he missed only two games." Big Eight Conference standings The Associated Press
ConferenceAll Games
WLPct.WLPct.
Oklahoma101.000141.933
Iowa St.101.000141.875
Kansas11.500114.733
Kansas St. O00.000114.636
Nebraska00.00087.533
Colorado00.00049.308
Missouri01.00093.750
Okla. St.01.00076.538