8
Thursday, March 24, 1977
University Dally Kansan
Ted Owens: on coaching, KU and himself
By GARY VICE
Sports Editor
Kansas basketball fans have been watching Ted Owens direct the Jayhawks for 17 games.
KU coach Ted Owens
Most of what they know of Owens, 47, and only the fifth coach in KU history, is based on what they see of him in Allen Field House. He arrives dressed in conservative vested suits and becomes deeply engrossed in the ballgame—perched on the edge of his chair, down on one knee at the edge of the court, or paused to communicate with the officials and players with words and motions, working to win at coaching.
And ne's been 88 per cent successful at that while at KU.
HIS LATEST campaign has been called a disappointment, however, as his squad, which occasionally displayed a brilliance of championship callier, finished with an 18-10 record. The glimmer of superiority faded into only an inch of doubt and to make the Jayhawks' traditionally strong basketball program into more than a mirage.
Owens is leaving today on a recruiting trip that will keep him on the road across much of the country for four years. Owens, his greatest asset to attract top quality high school prospects—his charm. Owens is naturally cordial, often addressing others with kindness.
Although facing an onslaught of details before beginning his trip, Owens took time to prepare.
"The fact that someone else is critical of my work isn't going to get me."
record. Primarily, he guarded himself against saying anything he might later regret making public and was adept at using political coaches' statements in his speech.
KANSAN: What is the future of the Kansas basketball program?
KANSAN: What will it take to accomplish that goal?
OWENS: I think the first thing that we consider a goal is to be Big Eight champions again. That's our most immediate challenge, the attain that it will allow us to go further.
OWENS: There are two things we need to do. Each man returning next year must attain the maximum improvement he can and We need new talent to attain our goals.
To play the kind of basketball I want,
we're going to have to have athletes who can play a pressure defense, have good movement on offense and a great deal of quickness in reaction on the court. Some of those ingredients are present in some of our players now. We are also in touch with some very fine basketball players who are going to visit.
KANSAN: Who are they?
OWENs: I can't say right now. I'd like to know right now what players we can get. Every coach would like to know how his recruiting is going to be. We sure are要注意 games to play for us.
KANSAN: Do you enjoy recruiting and the other responsibilities of coaching?
OWENS: Yes. I think it's a life that you there doesn't seem to be a life. I'm trying to get to know you. You don't reach levels where you're a little bit happy or a little bit sad. You're either overwhelming happy or sad. The peaks and valleys are high and deep when you're
KANSAN: You've called the past season
disappointing. Would you blame the press for making too much of it when reporting that your job situation might be somewhat shaky?
OWENS: I try to condition myself not to blame anyone. You can blame the officiating, the players or whatever. I think the thing to do is you must say to yourself that no matter what the conditions are you've just got to overcome them.
I wish everyone in our society would approach everything with a positive attitude, which I don't think the media, or society, do. A negative approach doesn't do any good. The fact that someone else is critical of my work isn't going to get me. No
I believe the media have a responsibility to report the facts and to report the news, but I don't think the media should repeat them. In some facts then I don't have any objections.
one can be more critical of me than myself,
I demand a lot from myself. The important
thing for me is that I strive for reachable
goals as a coach.
OWENS: There's always a feeling that when you play at a school and you're interested in coaching, there's always the right time to do it. Sometimes the worst place you can coach is back at your home. It's a dream many have, but it's maybe not the best thing. It's best to go away for several years and establish a business. Jack Hartman has done at Kansas State.
KANAN: But you've established a
country. Would you consider returning to Oklahoma?
OWENS: No, I love the University of Kansas. My 17 years here have been the greatest time of my life. The experiences haven't been pleasant ones, however.
What I want to do in this program is reach the maximum possible for ourselves. I don't feel we've reached that in the last couple of years. I want to get us to the point where we can take our place on the material. We really weren't that far away this year. Obviously we were a year ago.
KANSAN: When your team isn't reaching
standardizes you expect of it, what do you
do?
OWENs. It's important for a team to have goals in front of them. If a part of them
KANSAN: Would your goals include moving onto another coaching position, say to coach at your alma mater, like Jack Hartman considered?
"I think I'm rather demanding but that's the way it should be."
--goal is no longer attainable, then you readjust your goals.
KANSAN: What do you do to unwind when things aren't going well?
OWENS: For years I didn't do a very good job of that and, as a result, I ended up with an ulcer. But now I know it's important that I resolve inner conflicts since I'm responsible for 14 or so young men and my attitude has some affect on their attitudes. So if we want to make them it up, we need to respond better. If you're the only one involved, you can mop around. But when you know you're responsible for 14 young men, you can't.
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J.C.C. Building, 9th & Highland
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Sunday, April 3, 6:00 p.m.
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For more information or to make reservations, contact Brian Salvay 841-3789
Deadline is Friday, March 24, 6:00 p.m.
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KANAN: What do you really do then?
How do you get release from the pressure?
OWENS: First of all, if you discipline your mind you can relax without having any real outlet. You can control your mind. It's a wonderful machine if you use it. You're going to be disappointed at times- it's hard to say to yourself 'What's next' and go on.
KANSAN: Are you a difficult coach to plav for?
Pure physical activity is the best thing. If things build up I can play 30 minutes of racquetball and feel much better. But what's important is that you don't let yourself become entrapped by your troubles.
OWENS: I think I'm rather demanding, but that's the way it should be. I'm not sure the players will look at it this way, but my expectation of them should be very high.
Tigers beat Royals, 3-2
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—Jason Thompson singled in two runs and Wockenfank doubled in another as the Detroit Tigers jumped on the Kansas City Royals in the eighth inning yesterday for a 3-2 Grapefruit League victory.
The Tigers ganged up on veteran pitcher Roger Nelson after being shut out for seven innings by Andy Hassler and Marty Patten. The Rangers won two scoreless innings, picked up the victory.
Royals second baseman Frank White and designated hitter Darrrell Porter each won a solo home run.
Kansas City scored in the first inning on White's leadoff single, a ground out and Pete LaCock's single. A single by Porter, a single and Al Cowens' singled in the fourth inning accounted for the Royals' final run.
theLawrence OperaHouse & 7S Spirit Balcony
Thurs., 24th . . JUMP, BOOGIE & GET DOWN No cover. bring your own L.P.'s
Fri., 25th . . . ON TAP $1^{50} COVER
FAST EDDIE QUARTET 12:00-3:00,7th Spirit balcony
Sat., 26th . . JUMP, BOOGIE & GET DOWN $1% COVER
FAST EDDIE QUARTET
FAST EDDIE QUARTET
12:00-3:00, 7th Spirit balcony[
THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER OF LAWRENCE
Films of Peter Watkins Peter Watkins in person!
Edvard Munch FREE
Tues., March 22, 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., March 24, 7:30 p.m.
Woodruff Auditorium
Wed., March 23, 7:30 p.m.
also - The War Game
The Trap
Forum room—Free
Presented by SUA and the following departments: English, History, Speech and Drama and Art History
POPULAR FILMS
Al Pacino Robert Duvall Diane Keaton Robert De Niro Talia Shire Morgana King John Cazale Mariana Hill Lee Strasberg
Francis Ford Coppola Maria Peza 'The Guiltless' Maria Peza
Francis Ford Coppiade CO PRODUCERS Grey Frederickson and Fred Ross Nine Note
REINSTITUTED Technicolor* FINISHING AVAILABLE ON LOCKS A Paramount Picture
FRIDAY, MAR. 25 & SATURDAY, MAR. 26 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. 3:30 Matinee each day
Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union
$1 Tickets Available At SUA Office