Wednesday, February 16, 1977
9
ater Hal
starting
r Tom
r Pete
ear with the only ry Kap- f taking
University Daily Kansan
Basketball coaching staff under the 'Gong'
By COURTNEY THOMPSON and GARY VICE Sports Writers
There are apparently groups of students and alumni that think a change is needed in the basketball coaching staff at the University of Kansas. The change they have in mind is the replacement of head coach Ted Owens and his staff.
Rumblings of dissatisfaction with the KU head coach have been present for several years. The university's first head coach
Several (estimates vary from 15 to 25) students wore T-shirts to the game with the words "Gong Owens" on the front. The students moved to an unveil of Owens in favor of "new blood."
expressions of disapprovat last Saturday during and after the Kansas-Kansas State
Also, sometime during the K-State game,
also an autonymous group of students and alumni
from the university.
Women cagers win
AFTER TAKING over the KU helm in 1962, Reamon turned out 218 Big-Eight swimmers, 107 conference gold medals and 15 All-Americans. Reamon himself was voted District Five Coach-of-the-Year in 1970.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.-The KU women's basketball team made its first visit to Kemper Avenue a successful one with a 71-61 victory. Missouri University here last night.
Under Reamon KU kupas won eight straight Big Eight conference championships between 1968 and 1975. Last year Hawks dropped to third in the conference.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my work at KU," said Reamon. "There is no other coaching job I could have wanted or enjoyed more. I feel as if the time I spent at Kansas has been richly rewarding, and I want to make it more." My I'm leaving strictly for personal reasons."
Reamon also is investigating several other private offers.
Dick Reamon, head coach of the Kansas men's swim team, resigned yesterday from the post he has held for 15 years. Reamon said in an announcement that he resigned for personal reasons and that the resignation would be effective at the end of the season.
Reamon, a KU graduate, had a very impressive career at Kansas. He was a first-year student three times in the butterfly and individual medley. At the time, Reamon held every school record in those events, and he also was named an honorable mentor All-State.
The 37-year-old coach from Topeka said he would enter private business. Reamon currently is owner and manager of Holiday Hills Swim Club in Lawrence.
The win by the Jayhawks, now 11-14 on the season, was the first over the Bakerskirk in
Kansas athletic director Clyde Walker said the search for Reasonan's successor
Swim coach resigns post
"Naturally I'm disappointed Dick has decided to resign," said Walker. "He has done an excellent job in building and maintaining a superior swimming program at KU. All of us wish him the best of luck in the future."
Reason started the 1976-77 season with an 87-31 lifetime record in dual meets as KU coach. The Jahayhws' dual record so far this season is 3-5.
Two meets remain on the KU schedule this year. The last dual of the season will be Saturday against Oklahoma State in Robinson Natorium. The Big Eight Conference Championship meet is slated for March 3- in Lincoln, Neb.
Schwinn products are for all seasons DELUXE EXERCISE by Schwinn
Built in Speedometer
Timer & Tension Control
Recommended By
Many Doctors
Relieves Arthritis
Reduces Weight
Retards Arteriosclerosis
Low Cost Clamping
Relieves Mental Fatigue
Strengthens Back Muscles
Helps Your Heart Pump Blood.
ASSEMBLED & SERVICED
ASSEMBLED & SERVICED SUPERIOR QUALITY
Le Tours 10-Speed bicycle men's & women's Frame - was 169.95 Now 149.95 while 11 last LAWRENCE SCHWINN CYCLE SHOP We're open daily 9-6, Thursday until 8:30 Sunday 1-4 1820 W. 6th 842-6363
10 games dating back to the 1972-73 season. KU had it easy going in the first half but struggled in the second half to remain on top of the basketball match ever played in the arena.
parking lots of allen Field House. The flyers advocating Owens' removal cite a "noticeable decline in basketball excellence at the University of Kansas."
In the first half, the 'Hawks shot 47 per cent from the field as they led by 10 points at half time but led at one time by 14 points, 18.5 points in another. The second half was a different story.
THE LITERATURE further states that a poor record outside the Big Eight conference, poor recruiting reputation among premier high school players, decreased recruitment and opportunities points all are reasons for "a completely pew basketball coach staff."
"It's so nice to win the first one, that I don't care if we ever win again," KUU said. "I'll be happy."
"They were a good team but we played our game and went out after them tonight,"
KU cooled off from the field and hit only 29 per cent as NWSI1 was lifted to within four feet of the ground.
Adrian Mitchell led KU in scoring and rebounding with figures of 18 points and 14 rebounds. Koleber and Sanders followed in scoring with 12 and 11 points respectively.
Free throws kept the 'Hawks in front as they scored seven of their last 11 points from the foul line with guard Cheryl Burnett scoring three times from the line while guard V. C. S. Sanders scored twice and forward June Koleber added one.
The game was a preliminary contest before the Kansas City Kings-King-Phoenix Suns in the NBA. The teams were tied 7-7.
Within the past five years, KU has won 50 per cent of its non-fence games, 59 per cent of its conference games and 59 per cent of its total games played. But against them in most games, KU was Kentucky, Indiana, the Jayhawks have a 1-2 record during that five year period.
There hasn't been a steady yearly decline in "basketball excellence" in the last five years according to won-lost figures. (1967-72) KLU won 70 per cent of its games.
"My job is to assist our players in every way possible and to have the best possible team."
BUT WHY are no prestige schools scheduled to play here? It's been reported that teams avoid scheduling games in favor of being more efficient quality high school talent in the area.
Owens said he was disappointed that fans chose to express their disappointment over game losses in the form of T-shirts and leaflets.
Owens has been head coach at KU for 13 years. Sam Miranda, assistant coach, has been at KU for 13 years, and Duncan Red, an assistant coach, is in his fourth year here.
"I think Dr. Forrest 'Phog' Allen made a comment several years ago which seems appropriate at this time. Owens said, "The dog has been the best barking dog, he would never get his mail delivered."
And teams set their schedules so they can play before potential toni recruits.
BACKGAMMON Tonight, 7 p.m. Kansas Union
The distributors of the flyers didn't identify themselves but they urged supporters of their opinion to write Clyde McClellan. The athleticists, to lend support to oust Owens.
1
TWO TACOS GET ONE FREE with COUPON
WHEN ASKED whether he had received complaints from such supporters, Walker said, "I would have no comment to make on that, sorry."
BUY
9th & Indiana $\cdot$ 1720 W. 23rd
Taco Grande
Expiration date: February 28, 1977
Concerning complaints aimed directly at Owens, Walker said, "I don't intend to comment on anything related to that subject."
WEARE!
Finally, when questioned about Owens' future as KU's head basketball coach, he said, "I've never considered committing to a team. I wouldn't dignify that with a comment."
THE STABLES
1401 WEST SEVENTH NOON-MIDNIGHT "Home Of The KU Student And Budweiser"
A check of the printing services in Lawrence gave no indication of the sponsor of the leaflets. None of the shops knew the printing request by KU alumni or students.
THE WEARERS of "Gong Owens" T-shirts, in contrast to the identified "concerned students and alumni," don't hesitate to explain their position.
A spokesman for the KU Alumni Association said the association knew nothing of the distribution of the flyers and wouldn't approve it.
John Bush, Lawrence junior, who was the first to wear a "Gong Owens" T-shirt, said, "I really miss being a power in basketball. If Kansas is going to be a winner; let's do it." I am tired of being a second division team in a second-grade conference."
Explaining the origin of the T-shirts, Bush said, "I got one a long time ago for myself after seeing some Gong (Al) Onofrio (Missouri football coach) once. It was just a joke. Other people saw it and thought it was funny and wanted one."
said that they would like to see Gale Caitlett, new head coach at the University of Chicago, return to KU. Caitlett was formerly an assistant coach at KU.
All of the T-shirt objectors questioned
Jeff Nelson, Salina senior, said, "The recruiting and talent are good, but we are dissatisfied with what Owens has done with this potential he has not being fully utilized."
Bush said he didn't know who was behind the publishing of the leaflets.
Sunday, Feb. 20
5:00 p.m. Banquet 6:00 p.m. Cultural Show Kansas Union Cafeteria Woodruff Auditorium Tickets: $4.50 at S.U.A. office JAPANESE ASSOCIATION Sponsored by K.U. International Club
---
UNIVERSITY THEATRE—MURPHY HALL Feb.18,19,24,25 at 8:00 p.m.Feb.20 at 2:30 p.m. Ticket Reservations: 864-3982 KU students admitted without charge upon receipt of current Certificate of Registration. This program is partially funded by the Student Activity Fee.
GIBSON'S DISCOUNT CENTER 2525 Iowa Street, Lawrence, Kansas Prices good now through Sunday, Feb. 20, 1977