KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010 / SPORTS
3B
COMMENTARY
Altered fight song should unite KU
BY NICO ROESLER
nroesler@kansan.com
The soap opera that was the summer of 2010 for the Big 12 Conferences ended
Big 12 Conference ended with a pleasant, anti-climactic agreement to keep most of the conference intact. But the departure of Nebraska and Colorado, to the Big 10 and Pac 10 respectively, has actually changed the history of the University forever without many people noticing.
After three years of going to home football games, I've sung until my lungs didn't have any more air during the "Rock Chalk Chant." I've waved the wheat. And I've tried to master the "I'm a Jayhawk" clap during every lull of every game. But I've never known the lyrics to "I'm a Jayhawk," which, now that I've learned them, I think it makes the fight song one of the University's most special traditions.
The "I'm a Jayhawk" fight song that everybody claps along to at football and basketball games is now changing because of the imminent departure of the Cornshuskers and the Buffalooes.
The fight song shows a competitive tradition, challenges the University's Big 12 rivals and rings with Kansas pride for not just the school, but for the state as a whole.
I find it surprising that the lyrics to this chant, which has been around for almost a century, are never sung. Doing so could add an extra fighting spirit and another unique showing of school pride at football games, which can sometimes be lacking in enthusiasm as evidenced by the crowds that leave at halftime.
The lyrics that will be changed this year are: "Husk some corn and listen/ to the Cornhuskers wail," "Talk about the Sooners, the Cowboys and the Bucks" and "Talk about the Wildcats, and those Cornhuskin' boys."
The Alumni Association is holding a contest for students to submit new lyrics. The winner will be announced at the homecoming game on Oct. 23 and the new lyrics will be put into effect in the 2011-2012 season.
I suggest emphasizing tradition and the strength that is left in the remaining ten teams of the former Big 12. "Tradition" is a perfect three-syllable word to substitute in for "Cornhusker."
Something like: "Got a beak that's big enough to twist the tiger's tail. We the crimson and blue, shine as tradition prevails." It wouldn't be a direct stab at either of the teams for abandoning one of the most historically strong conferences in the country. But it would show the values of a school proud of its history.
Kansas and Nebraska had the longest continuous series between two schools in the country during their time together in the Big 8 and Big 12. They have played each other 104 straight years, for a total of 116 times since 1892.
Sometimes money and TV contracts overrule tradition, but not in Kansas, and thankfully not in Texas. This is exactly why the new fight song should emphasize the importance of tradition for Kansas and should be more of a part of game day experiences in the future.
Edited by Dana Meredith
Gill makes positive changes to team dynamics
FOOTBALL
BY COREY
THIBODEAUX
cthibodeaux.kansan.com
Coach Turner Gill talks with the media before the start of Kansas' first practice of the season Aug. 4. Kansas opens the 2010-2011 season. Sept. 4 against North Dakota State at Memorial Stadium.
The Kansas football team has a completely new feel this year.
Ryan Waqqoner/KANSAN
Last season, the internal issues of the Jayhawks were well documented. Players claimed to have suffered all kinds of distress, leading to a complete remodeling of the coaching staff.
With first-year coach Turner Gill at the helm, senior cornerback Chris Harris senses an overwhelming change within the team.
"He's a loving coach that wants the best for us," Harris said. "Other college coaches are just like a robot."
Gill's positive idealism was evident during the recruiting process. Instead of focusing solely on the Xs and Os of football, he communicated faith and good human qualities.
Senior defensive end Jake Laptad had nothing bad to say about his new coach. It struck him how caring his coach is to the students athletes.
"He's more concentrated on your personal life," Laptad said, "not only just getting you a better football player but a better person."
With that mentality, Gill has instilled some unusual, but positive, customs.
For instance, he had players stand up and discuss the most influential person in their lives. He said it was an effort to build relationships and looking inside yourself will help others see you as you truly are.
"I wanted to make sure that we got a chance to know that there's a lot more in common that we have with each other than we have differences," Gill said.
Cursing is discouraged, which could be a difficult transition for some.
"We try not to cuss" Harris said. "We've been around it so long."
And when a player does something wrong, the punishment is not as bad. Harris said. Former coach Mark Mangino would tell players something once and they
would have to figure it out on their own. Gill walks players through the learning process.
"If we mess up on the field, he teaches us." Harris said. "They come at us in a totally different way."
Through the tumultuous summer, Gill could only do his job as a coach since the realignment and
ticket scandal were all out of his control. And it didn't affect his life's purpose.
Gill said his purpose on Earth is to work with men 18-22 years-old. It's what he loves.
"As long as I was going to be able to be coaching and teaching young men, that's all that mattered to me," Gill said.
Senior lineman Brad Thorson loves his new coach. Gill has entrusted a leadership role to him and the other seniors, and even more than that.
"He's truly a mentor to me right now," Thorson said. "He's what I want to become as a man."
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Edited by Clark Goble
Washington coach adds five walk-ons to scholarship roster
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
SEATTLE — They weren't really sure if it would ever happen for them.
Each proved the beneficiary of
And if it were to happen, they certainly didn't know when.
So long snapper Brendan Lopez, linebacker Jonathan Amosa and three other walk-ons to the University of Washington football team initially didn't know how to react when they heard the news Thursday night that they had been put on scholarship for the 2010 season.
"I had no idea," said Lopez, from Bellevue, Wash. "I was just like 'really?' I was speechless, like what?
good timing and hard work.
Division I football teams are allowed to have 85 players on scholarship at a time, Washington, however, fell to 78 in recent weeks with the losses of several players (such as tight end Kavario Middleton's dismissal, linebacker Alvin Logan's retirement due to a knee issue, and lineman Scott Shuerger's decision to transfer).
So Washington coach Steve Sarkissian announced Thursday night that he had put the five players on scholarship during a team meeting.
Also awarded scholarships were senior center Greg Christine of Camarillo, Calif., and two players from Edmons, senior linebacker Brandon
Huppert and sophomore offensive lineman Daniel Kanczugowski.
The additions mean UW
"We had room to put guys on, and (we) put five guys on that I think were deserving of it and have worked extremely hard," Sarkisian said.
now has 83 scholarship players. Sarkistian saying that "you always got to have a little wiggle room."
Christine and Huppert were on scholarship last season, and having worked their way up to backup status and seeing action in games, each seemed likely to get a scholarship again. Still, such scholarships are one-year renewable — technically, all scholarships are, though players who sign letters-of-intent live much more securely — and each entered this year not completely sure they would again get one.