6
University Dalilv Kansan
Wednesday, February 23, 1977
'Gong Owens' is just grumbling
The thing to do these days seems to be to start a new rumor concerning the future employment of KU basketball coach Ted Owens. This isn't anything new.
It seems that, at any school, when an athletic team doesn't treat the fans to a perfect season and consistent tournament wins, the logical reaction is to demand a new coach. Simple enough. Except it's not simple or logical.
I wasn't at the Kansas-Nebraska game, but I assume the "Gong Owens" T-shirt wearers were there. I talked to a sampling of those students last week, and they assured me they would continue to demonstrate their opinion at the games.
EVIDENTLY *T* the "concerned students and alumni" who distributed leaflets during the Kansas State game calling for a new basketball coach who didn't so conceive night.
The rationale behind these efforts—the shirts and the leaflets—seems questionable. Anyone can have a shirt printed, And, from talking to some shirt owners, the largest estimate of the students involved is 25. There are more than 20,000 students at KU—25 hardly represents a significant groundwell of opposition.
And about those concerned alumni and students. Numerous efforts were made to determine the identity of this group: a check of printing services, a call to the alumni association, calls to alumni who were in distress, calls to anonymous people, guessing, anything.
AND THE T-shirt people said they knew nothing of the leafleters' identity either. The groups certainly aren't coordinating their protest efforts so far.
If these people are so concerned about KU's basketball program, why didn't they or haven't they identified themselves? A university doesn't lend credibility to a cause.
Owens has said he's busy coaching the team and doesn't think every dissident grumbling deserves a comment. And he's probably right. The team isn't perfect, and his time to be spent with it. Also, this team will be open to anti-Owens rumblings have been heard.
However, after the Iowa State game, Owens did close his dressing room to the press for the first time this season. It could be worse; we discussed his job situation with the league.
CLIYE WALKER, athletic director, isn't commenting on the situation or on Owens' status. That in itself would seem to indicate that he isn't wearing blinders, and, by and large, he's not defending or endorsing the basketball staff. That may or may not be significant.
Five the Gong Owens shirt owners were interviewed last week, including the person who was diagnosed.
All five said they thought Owens had done a good job, had a good recruiting and coaching reputation, and record. They weren't what you'd call adamant or fired. They did have two replacements in their roster, but probably wouldn't want to come to KU.
IT APPEARS that then the main thrust of the argument is change for change's sake. This is obvious.
Consider Owen's' count. At 240-112 (a 848
winning percentage), it is an inviolable one,
and many fans have become spilled by his past successes. Most coaches would settle for those statistics without quibbling. And Kargas has said the same-Jack Hartman of Kansas State for one.
The concerned group's leaflet points to a declining record in non-conference games.
A check of statistics for the past 10 years doesn't support this accusation.
During these years (1966-76) KU has had seven winning seasons, two losing and one even. And the winning years were big in 1968, when it was only one gm record. 8-14, in 1972-73.
GRANTED, KU'S record in non-
nCREATION play has not been as good as in
AGAIN, ALL of the shirt wearers interviewed said that they thought Owen's recruiting reputation was excellent and that his talent over the years had been good. And aren't playwrights like little, Nern Cook, Dove Hewlett, Dove Hewlett and John Douglas outstanding talent?
What makes a good reputation—just what works? Standardized methods and personnel play a part, too.
It has been said, by a member of this year's basketball squad, that KU loses premier recruits because it doesn't offer those players money, cars or other luxuries.
It seems, though, that college athletics was meant to be less than a business venture. The problem is that it does not work.
The season is about over and word has it that if 'things' are going to happen, they'll hurt you.
So perhaps changes are in the works. But this whole thing seems like a bunch of problems to deal with.
Fifth Quarter Courtney Thompson
And who said so few complainers
denied or needed so much publicity in the
world?
Big Eight play. But they have had winning or even records for these games. And since 1970 the competition has been getting better. Indiana and UCLA on the schedule, Indiana and UCLA on the schedule.
It's true that KU hasn't had a winning record against these schools. Also, this year has had an abundance of "minor" opponents.
Courtney Thompson Associate Sports Editor
In conference play seven of the last 10 seasons have been winning ones.
The contention that KU has been a trifle inconsistent is correct. Going from an 8-18 year to a 2-7 season is a jump. It but it's hard to stay great—we all have our off years.
It's true that attendance at home games has decreased especially within the last two months. You might not expect a minor—approximately 1,500 fans—from a decade ago. It should be mentioned, though, that the season starts earlier now, with a day off on Monday to celebrate Christmas break (a six-week period).
The Jayhawks, now 17-8, have had their problems this year, but the team must be considered one of the most entertaining to watch—albeit unpredictable.
AND TO Owens' credit there have been five NCAA tournament appearances, two second-place finishes in the second-place finals and only one second-division finish in his 13 years. He's also been the winning coach in Big Eight holiday games, someone who supposedly isn't cut it.
it seems that the fans are lamenting the fact that KU is no longer the automatic kingpin in the Big Eight. Neither, apparently, is K-State. And Missouri has also been beaten this season. So spoiled KU fans themselves to competition in the conference.
THE LEAFTER also lists decreasing attendance at home games.
And it gets increasingly difficult to lure fans back to Lawrence unless the team is next to perfect. Ticket prices also have risen markedly from a few seasons ago.
Recruiting reputation also is a concern. In a reputation is a word lacking in precision.
CAMPUS VETERANS GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, Feb. 24th
4:30 Meadowlark Rm., Union
Abe Miller from the Topeka Veterans' Hospital will show a film and talk about part-time jobs at the VA Hospital. John Hall from IBM will be looking for graduating seniors for possible jobs with IBM. All vets are urged to attend.
things—and not the institution, coach or education—perhaps they should head for the press. Collegiate athletes if getting into a sport are assuming a big business role anyway.
ITS OBVIOUS that KU and K-State don't have the edge they use to have. They are more aggressive. Everyone has or is getting improved facilities, has a good coach and recruits with championships in mind. The standings are an indication of this increased competition.
Maybe the dissatisfied fans are right. Certainly an athletic director cannot ignore the factors of decreasing fan and alumni engagement by dissatisfaction with the coaching staff.
919 Massachusetts
Lawrence
Phone 841-2995
Warranted, Master Che
WISHING TO APPLY FOR FUNDING FROM THE STUDENT SENATE/STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE:
Budget Request forms for Fiscal 1978 are now available in the Student Senate office, 105B Kansas Union, Level 3.
Notice to All Organizations
These requests must be completed and returned
BUSINESS/ECON GRADS NOW WANTED FOR BUSINESS POSITIONS OVERSEAS AND AT HOME
to the Senate office NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 28,1977.
Paid for by the Student Activity Fee.
Ex. Opportunities with good response for highly motivated individuals. Peace Corps and VISTA service highly regarded by both domestic & interpersonal, bus. firms, looks good on resume. Challenging work in Africa, Asia, Latin Amer., and in the U.S. Volunteers free trav.: health care; pd. vac.; $3000 term, pay end 2 yrs, service in Peace Corps, $600 and 1 yr. serv. in VISTA; must be citizen for PC, have permit. res. visa or be citizen for VISTA.
a "crucifying indictment of ward conditions." Filmed in a state Psychiatric Hospital.
Sign up now for interviews. Recruiters on campus at Business Placement Office on March 3.
Thurs., Feb. 24 - 7:30
Forum Room (Kansas Union)
Partially funded by Student Activities
present
SUA and the Contemporary Writers and Poets Series
... in a reading of their works:
John Kessel, fiction writer
4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 23 Kansas Union, Parlor A
Victor Contoski, poet
Information at SUA 864-3477
4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 Kansas Union, Parlor A
BUY
TWO SANCHOS GET ONE FREE
with this COUPON
Expiration date March 15, 1977
Taco Grande
9th and Indiana 1720 W. 23rd
WEDNESDAY, FEB.23 7:30 and 9:30 p.m $1 tickets available at SUA office
Tuesday, Mar. 1
7:30 p.m.
SUA Forum presents Alger Hiss on "The McCarthy Era"
Tickets available at the SUA office
University Theatre Admission 50c
Special Jazz Concert For 1 night only Thursday, Feb.24
PAUL GRAY'S Jazz Place
926 Mass.
Jay McShann BAND featuring Claude "Fiddler" Williams
Accom ment s are of sex. e BRING
Jay & Claude have recorded in each of the last 6 decades, and are leaving next week for an extended concert tour of Europe!
Admission only $4.00
Call 843-8575 or 842-9458 for reservations.
(Due to this concert, the Jam session will be tonite, Feb. 23rd.)