Sports THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Xavier makes surprising KU visit Contract complications send Henry back to Lawrence for training. CAMPUS | 2B
Rowing continues with tryouts
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010
Coach is seeking athletes and says that no previous experience is needed ROWING | 3B
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A JAYHAWK'S JOURNEY
KANSAN FILE PHOTO Keith Langford passes to Nick Collison against Nebraska. Langford now plays for Khimki Moscow
Langford finds a home abroad
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
The former Kansas star has forged a career in Russia, while continuing to keep tabs on his alma mater.
BY MAX VOSBURGH mvosburgh@kansan.com
It's been nearly five years since Keith Langford played basketball for Kansas, but this summer he received a dose of nostalgia when he reunited with members of the Jayhawks' 2002 and 2003 Final Four teams at Aaron Miles' wedding.
"It just really reminded me of the camaraderie in the locker room." Langford said. "It was just kind of phenomenal. Just being there and seeing all those guys again made me miss, you know, the jokes, the chillin' on Wescoe, crackin' jokes, laughin'"
A lot has happened in the five seasons since Langford graduated. In addition to moving to Austin, Texas with his fiance, he was named to the 2008 NBA Development League All-Star team and enjoyed a brief stint with the San Antonio Spurs. He has played professionally in Italy and now makes a living playing for Russian Superleague team BC Khimki Moscow.
Last summer, Khimki signed Langford to a two-year, $2.6 million contract and although he said he isn't the type to talk numbers, he's grateful that his career has reached a point where he can make that kind of money overseas.
"I've been able to settle into a lifestyle that's taking care of me and my family and put my future family with me and my finance into a great position," he said.
Khimki finished second in the Russian Superleague Finals last season, losing to former Jayhawk Sasha Kauns CSKA Moscow. Langford and Kaun played together during the 2004-05 season.
"I already put it out there, man, that Khimki is going to take the title this year," Langford said. "So we'll see what they have to say about it, but I'm going to go out on a limb and claim the title right now."
Despite being busy with basketball in Russia, Langford still keeps tabs on how the Jayhawks are doing. Last season, Langford tracked Sherron Collins' trek into Kansas' top-10 all-time career scoring list. Collins, who finished his career fifth all-time, passed Langford, who is now seventh.
down to seventh — I mean it's not a bitter feeling at all."
Langford's career at Kansas was certainly filled with many notable achievements. In the 2003 National Championship game against Syracuse, he was the team's co-leader, scoring 19 points, and he was named to the All-Tournament Team that year after averaging 18.2 points through Kansas' six games. He will always be able to claim that he finished his career sixth all-time in scoring, which has led to
"Everyone was asking me, 'Oh, do you want him to pass you?' and things like that," he said. "I mean if I was number one maybe I might have a little chip on my shoulder about it, but the fact that I'm still in the top-10 — sixth all-time, going
SEE LANGFORD ON PAGE 4B
Keith Langford drives past Marquette's Todd Townsend during the second half of an NCAA tournament semi-final game in New Orleans. Langford finished his career at Kansas as the team's sixth all-time leading scorer.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
CAMPUS
Mike Gulboson/KANSAS
Coach Turner Gill presents NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer with a souvenir football helmet yesterday. Bowyer, a loyal KU fan and Kansas native, toured the football and baksetball facilities.
NASCAR star switches gears makes pit stop at KU campus
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN
BY KATHLEEN GIER kqier@kansan.com
Clint Bowyer, NASCAR driver and Emporia native, returned to his Kansas roots yesterday with a visit to the KU athletics facilities.
"Everyone knows that I am a big Kansas fan," Bowyer said. "But to be able to come out here and meet Turner Gill and see the football side of it and the basketball side of it — it is just a lot of fun to be from Kansas and be proud of your Kansas teams."
Bowyer is in town on a publicity trip for a second race being added to the Kansas Speedway schedule this fall.
His first stop was the Anderson Football Complex and Memorial Stadium, which he followed with a trek across campus to see Allen Fieldhouse.
"It is very interesting to see how everything gets to what we see on game day," Bowyer said. "No different from our sport on race day — there is a lot that goes into that."
"I's great to meet another person that's part of the KU family," Gill said. "It's exciting to see the passion that he shows for Kansas. He's passionate about the University of Kansas and all of the athletic programs, and that's a great thing for us. We really appreciate all of
Coach Gill had some kind comments for Bowyer as well after meeting Bowyer outside the field.
Along the way, Bowyer picked up a game ball, personalized jersey, helmet and some sideline clothes from football, and another personalized jersey and ball from the basketball team.
the things he does to support the Jayhaws."
Bowyer, who now lives in North Carolina, said he was excited to wear his new gear back home.
"For me, being a Midwestern boy and having such a great team to brag about back home, it is a lot of fun," Bowyer said. "It will probably not go over well back there."
During his trip to the fieldhouse, Bowyer was introduced to a very excited fan from the men's basketball team: Jordan Juenemann. The sophomore guard followed media in the hallway in an effort to meet Bowyer before the rest of the team.
"I am a big fan of yours," Juenemann said. "I have watched a lot of your races."
but I can promise you I will have it on."
juicemiaim talked NASOCAR
Patience is a virtue for sports fans as true excitement is almost here
SEE CAMPUS ON PAGE 4B
As six-point buck deer wandered aimlessly down Massachusetts Street on Monday and crashed through a Weaver's display case, prompting two questions to pop into my head: How does this buck get so lost that it wanders into the heart of Lawrence civilization? And is this a metaphor for sports enthusiasts during this time of year?
This is a time of limbo for many college or pro sports fans of football, basketball and pretty much any sport except baseball. It's a time when predictions are spit out like sunflower seeds. Players start talking trash before any games are played, and headlines are built around recently announced starting line ups.
Sure, all of these things can build excitement for the upcoming seasons of each sport, but it is all fairly meaningless prophetic banter. This is because anybody who views sports based on how players perform on the preseason field or court cannot truly be engaged in anything.
Like the lost deer, they are lost in a strange world. They do not know what to do other than try to break through the glass and cause a scene.
COMMENTARY
The NFL preseason is simply
BY NICOLAS ROESLER
nroesler@kansan.com
a frustrating teaser for the actual season when everyone holds their breath after a tackle, fearing that the player is injured from taking a hit to the ground. I'm sure Arizona Cardinal Larry Fitzgerald will hesitate the next preseason game before he extends himself for a high pass against the Houston Texans. He almost lost a whole season because of that play.
Everything about Brett Favre this summer will finally mean something when the Super Dome lights reflect off the back of his purple jersey on Sept. 9 when the Vikings play the Saints.
Reading pointless columns like this one and the stories on ESPN about how New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is set for a successful sophomore campaign will finally be no more. On the contrary, Kansas soccer has started and volleyball will begin this weekend
Sports fanatics are like deer caught in the headlights right now. The college football season and the NFL season have their brights on and are accelerating fast. The only thing that separates us from deer is that we will greet the lights with open arms.
There are, however, some great headlines to go along with the soccer team's recent achievements, including Emily Cressy's return for her junior campaign after winning a national championship in the U-23 Adult Association. After Friday, the next few games on the team's schedule are out of town and are not part of any tournament.
Again, I am frozen in the headlights.
Nobody really knows how the buck found its way to Massachusetts Street or why it tried to jump through a department store window. The important thing is that it made its way out of that craziness alive. This is also what sports fans must do now; survive and despite your urge to throw a remote at SportsCenter on your TV, stay calm until there are real competitions to watch and fantasy leagues to maintain.
Edited by Kelsey Nill
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