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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, January 31, 1997
9B
Sports E-mail TalkBack
The following are comments received by the sports desk via e-mail. If you have any suggestions or comments, e-mail the Kansan sports desk at sports@kansan.com
Coach Williams expressed some concern that other than students, fans did not acknowledge Vaughn's assist record when Howard Hill announced it as he exited the Texas A&M game. I sit at the southeast side of the field house on the first row. Everyone around me was very excited about Vaughn's always incredible team-play. Sometimes in that area, because of the band and the students on the south end, we can't hear all of the announcements, so it is understandable that some people didn't stand. However, there was no lack of cheering. Granted, my section, for the most part, isn't as active as the student areas, but we are proud of the team and share the Jiahawk spirit.
In response to Spencer Duncan's column on women's basketball attendance:
■ I work for women's basketball ... your thoughts have been mine for two years now! When I "brag" on the women's team, people think I do and say the things I do just because I work here. I did bet a friend that I used to work with, (also a HUGE men's basketball fan) that if he came to the women's game he would enjoy it. Guess what? He came up to me at halftime and told me how much fun and how exciting the game was; it just so happened to be the game that we hosted last year for the first round of the NCAA Tournament vs. Texas. What a game!
I suggested in the Lawrence Journal- World chat room today that the best player of both teams seems to be Tamecka Dixon and that most of us would have precious little time left to see her in action here before she probably hits the pros and will be out of the area. When students hear that they might be missing out, they become curious and might show up. In other
words, the women's team has had a long-standing group of followers, alas, very few students. For years, I've had a very, very sad thought about all of this: The coach and many of the players are not "only" women but also African-American. And I can just hear the angry protests to that from almost everyone. Are we honest?
I am a fifth year senior here at the University of Kansas, which means I have been reading the *Kansan* for almost five years now. Every year around basketball season I have witnessed the same moans about attendance at the women's basketball games and it seems to have little effect. There are reasons for this, as I'm sure you might know, and they have nothing to do with the women's team personally. The fact is, women's basketball is a minority sport, and that has not changed. What may be even more disheartening is that the team has improved since I was a freshman, and yet it is still a minority sport. So what can be done about this? The truth is, not much. We have the No.1 men's basketball team in the country, and that is going to get more attention than anything on this campus. We are used to seeing the razzle-dazzle plays of Jacque, the spin moves of Raef, and the in-your-face slam dunks by Paul. I am not afraid to say that they are much more exciting to watch than watching a 5-inch vertical jump shot by one of our women basketball players. Roy Williams has more power in this state than the governor, and that will not change. Marian Washington is a very good coach (she should be if our team is No.12), and probably a very respectable person. But Washington's articles in the paper complaining about attendance are getting too repetitive to the point of annoyance. Sad, but true. Besides, I have barely enough time to go watch a men's basketball game this year (I went to one so far), let alone find time to go watch a women's basketball game with about half as much excitement. Am I biased? Probably, because I am a male and I've grown up in Kansas.
and KU basketball has been a household name since I can remember. Am I knocking on the athleticism and effort of the women playing for KU? Absolutely not.
In response to John Erck's column on camping out:
In regards to your Field House campers are wimp column on Jan. 22, I would just like to say that I agree with you and that KU students should "camp out" longer for the basketball games. However, Just a short five years ago this practice was abolished by the Athletic Department. KU students used to camp out by the field house with their tents, sleeping bags, stereos, televisions and the whole nine yards, but because our die-hard student fans would camp out in the bone-chilling cold, the Athletic Department put an end to camping for "safety reasons" and implemented the system we have now. Roy Williams even brought the campers doughnuts in the morning. So please don't call us KU students wimps for not camping out. It is not because we don't want to, it's just that we can't.
Regarding the subsequent frenzy Mr. Erck's column created, many of the students and fans criticized his geographical intelligence and historical background. And they were right about his general lack of intellectual exertion. However, those fans have overlooked some history of camping. During the 1992-93 basketball season, an incident of violent nature occurred at K-State while students were camping out for the games. Because of the incident, Kansas and K-State administrators felt it would be prudent to end the all-night camping. It was later suggested, possibly by Coach Roy Williams, that the camping move indoors during the hours it was permitted. Now, while this may be one more reason to bag on K-State, maybe it should be a lesson that, instead of throwing stones, we should love one another in the glorious light of Allen Field House. Go 'Hawks.
Woods, Costner tee off
The Associated Press
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.
The Pebble Beach Pro-Am never had a celebrity pairing like this. Tiger Woods and Kevin Costner made the tee time yesterday feel like the last group on the last day of the U.S. Open.
Playing before a wildly enthusiastic crowd serenaded by the constant whir of cameras, the two combined to shoot an 8-under-par 64 four back in the team competition.
In the pro tournament,
Woods shot a 70 at Spgallglass
Hills and trailed Jesper
Parnevik and David Duval by
five strokes. Parnevik shot a 7-
under-par 65 at Poppy Hills,
probably the easiest of the
three courses with its five par-
holes.
The day at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am belonged to Woods and Costner.
From the moment the announcer on the first tee said, "From Hollywood, California, please welcome Kevin Costner," the entire day had the feeling of a movie.
"I'm hitting it better than I was three days ago," Costner said. "You pick up a lot playing with these guys."
Woods was not at his best and at times was distracted by the constant movement in the gallery and the click of cameras.
HOROSCOPES
Todav's Birthday (Jan. 31)
You could achieve security in you career this year. Decide what you want now. Take whatever additional classes you need in April. June would be excellent for love, but work demands may get in the way. A challenge will be fun in September. You'll be tested in October or November. If you have studied, you'll advance to the next career level. Fall in love in December. Get started on a tough but exciting project next January.
into initial complications
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Today is an 8 You haven't convinced everybody. You'll have to be strong in your beliefs to make that happen. It would also help if you're right, so check your fingers carefully. If you've really figured this out well, you win if the other person does.
russes (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7 if you can't get away today, at least contact an associate long-distance. You may be able to work out a deal that benefits everybody. That's even more important if you have a big debt coming due. Don't give up if you run
Aries (March 21-April 19): Today is a 7 Although things might look peaceful, there could be trouble beneath the surface. Be especially careful of people who are clinging to an old life in the face of impending change. Speaking of change, make plans to get out of town to visit friends.
raurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7 You might not get a lot of different things done today. If you can make one big decision and act on it, consider that enough. You don't have to do it alone, either. Get together with a person who can help you.
Gemini (May 21-June 21): Today is a 6 You may have to choose between an excursion with a friend or doing a job you hate. Simple? Not really, if you need that paycheck. Take comfort in the fact that this weekend will be perfect for a party. Call a few friends, then get back to work.
Cancer [June 22-July 22]: Today is a 7 Look at not only what you want for yourself, but the way you would like to see the whole world turn out. You
might be able to solve a problem while you make a profit. Be patient if your sweetie doesn't have time for you today. Try again late night.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):Today is an 8 This would be a good time to build an alliance between factions that were previously at war. If you sign the papers today, the union should be strong, if somewhat controversial. Money, or the lack of it, may be an issue in your love life. Proceed with caution.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Today is a 7 There might be some changes ahead, but if you concentrate on what you do best, you'll slide right into a new system without a problem. Keep your eye out for a hard-working, tough-talking character who is a cream puff inside. That one can teach you a lot.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): Today is a 7 Don't get in the middle of an argument today if it doesn't really concern you. Let your friends work it out between themselves. Financial constraints could temporarily disrupt your plans for romance. The conversation might be
even more interesting if held at home.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Today is an 8
Your best time for business is early
this morning. Although you're very power-
ful, you may run into some resis-
tance. To get your way, you may have to
let the other person win, too. You'll be
luckiest late tonight, so schedule your
time accordingly.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Today is a 6 This is not a good time to travel. Even cross town traffic may be snarled, so put off your errands until later. It is a good day for you to study, however. If you take time to read the manual, you may solve a problem that's been plaguing you.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Today is a 6 Although you'll still be asked for your good ideas, the focus is shifting. Watch out for a last-ditch effort and advise against it. Your experience will be helpful to the winner of a power play. Do something to make sure the person realizes it.
NOTE: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and should be read for entertainment only.
Nothing is as it seems, including the beloved NBA Thanks to Dictator Stern now even free throws are rigged
The NBA is fixed. You gotta believe me.
Every roundball season, despite the soap operas and scandals — this year's revolving around a well-placed Nike and a cameraman's suddenly traumatized groin — folds up nice and neat with a storybook ending to fit snugly into our sports history books forever.
Over the last few years I have become convinced that there is a conspiracy of Oliver Stone proportions involving the entire National Basketball Association.
COLUMNIST
It is my heartfelt conviction that everyone involved in the whole crooked league — from King Michael Jordan on down to the cocky kid who wipes up the sweat on the court at Madison Square Garden — agrees to put aside egos for the sake of padding their wallets.
As a result, games, series, seasons and careers (two words: Danny Manning) are scripted and rigged to achieve the bottom line. Players, coaches, referees, owners and Marv Albert are all blindly taking orders from the mastermind of the whole scheme, diabolical NBA commissioner David Stern.
Ever since Stern — whose suspicious grin unmistakably screams, "I look like a great guy but in private I kick my dog around" — took over the heavy reins of the league, everything has gone according to his villainous grand plan without fail.
Even with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson putting on showtime every night in the 1980s, basketball had a serious image problem and inferiority complex. Baseball and football were the TV sports in front of which America loved to get juiced and pass out on the Lay-Boy.
So Stern — who is so evil he is said to awaken his wife in the middle of the night, mumbling "redrum, redrum"
rigged the crippling '94 baseball strike, toppling the vulnerable major league without even breaking a sweat. His next order of business was to pull his influential strings to find the best witch doctor money could buy to put a 40-year curse on the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Then he convinced every NBA player to take a top-secret oath, added some brilliant marketing and overly baggy shorts, and suddenly the NBA was fantastic. Out of nowhere, everyone from Dr. Ruth to Nelson Mandela "loves this game."
Soon the Chicago Bulls became America's team. Michael Jordan became more recognizable than Ronald McDonald. A series of memorable but predictable endings in the playoffs has convinced me that players aren't even allowed to set a pick unless Stern says it's OK
When it seemed that the NBA was stagnating and people began to tire of the Bulls' domination, Stern again wielded his wicked influence, forcing Jordan to pretend he really, really wanted to play baseball. We saw him on the diamond. He had about as much drive out there as the Stone Temple Pilots guy's attempts to kick his crack habit.
So after permitting Hakeem Olajuwon, an NBA public relations wet dream ("He's kind to children? He's African?" He speaks 58 languages fluently? Let's give him Clyde Drexler so he can win it all.) to win a few NBA titles, Dictator Stern decided it was time to let Jordan back on the court – with a new number on his uniform of course, so the NBA could make zillions of dollars selling his new Jersey to dumb kids.
With Michael back we had renewed classic confrontations, all ending with MJ triumphant, because Stern knew what was best for ratings.
No one complains about throwing the games because they're all getting rich off David Stern's mischievous money making.
Don't believe me? Next time Shaq misses a free throw on purpose watch his eyes. Or ask Dennis Rodman. He's the only one who's crazy enough to tell the truth and bring the whole league down.
But he just might kick you for asking.
February 1 & 2
FREE
Sat. 9-5
Sun. 10-4
*Military
*Hunting
*Fishing
*Guns
LAWRENCE GUN & KNIFE SHOW
-Knives
*Knives*
*Blow guns*
*Blow darts*
- Exhibitors from 5 states
What to do?
Where to go?
What to bring?
Check out our February 4 edition
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
[relax, you've still got 51 days)
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THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC Where talent meets opportunity
locations. Our
We offer competitive salaries and benefits, and the prestige of working for a company that plays a key role in shaping the future of the energy and communications industries.
We will be conducting interviews on campus on Wednesday February 19th. We're looking for students majoring in computer science, and management information systems. Please notify the placement office if you are interested in scheduling an interview. For more information about our company or job opportunities visit our Internet site at http://www.twc.com.
companies consist of the nation's largest-volume system of interstate natural gas pipelines; business units offering a complete array of traditional and leading-edge energy solutions; and single-source providers of national business communications systems and international satellite and fiber-optic video services.
THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.
P. O. Box 2400 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74102