Stories for July 2006

Cavaliers frustrated by Gooden talks

Simien heads to Jamaica to take part in program designed to help youths

The Cleveland Cavaliers may be growing impatient in contract talks with forward Drew Gooden, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Walters piecing FAU together

Former Kansas University standout Rex Walters talks slowly, never taking his eyes off the players at the Price Chopper K.C. Prep Invitational.

Bedore: Bedore: So much for the offseason

Who said it’s the offseason? There are plenty of college basketball items to discuss 21â2 months before the start of the 2006-07 campaign.

Arizona to honor deceased KU grad

Cardinals to reveal Schoenfeld Press Box

The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals have announced plans to name the press box at the new Cardinals Stadium in memory of Kansas University graduate Steve Schoenfeld, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in October 2000 in Tempe, Ariz.

6Sports video: Big 12 North on the up-swing?

Is the North Division ready to regain supremacy in the Big 12 Conference?

6Sports video: Piper tapped as Falkenstein’s replacement

After months of searching to replace the irreplaceable Max Falkenstein as color commentator, KU Athletics found its man in former b-baller Chris Piper.

Woodling: Woodling: KU QBs, Mangino cursed?

As far as I know, Mark Mangino never has done anything to infuriate the God of Quarterbacks, if such a deity exists.

Gatlin failed test after Kansas Relays

Decorated sprinter denies steroid use

Another American champion was hit with a shocking positive drug test Saturday - Olympic and world 100-meter champion Justin Gatlin.

Piper tapped to replace Falkenstien

Chris Piper, a four-year letter-winner who played forward on Kansas University’s 1988 national-championship basketball team, will replace Max Falkenstien as analyst on Jayhawk radio broadcasts next season.

Piper named KU radio analyst

Kansas University and ESPN Plus officials announced this morning that Chris Piper will take the seat next to play-by-play announcer Bob Davis next winter as analyst on Jayhawk radio broadcasts.

‘Finesse’ not flattering to KU lineman

Jayhawks would prefer different terminology to describe their work in trenches

Calling an offensive line “finesse” is like calling a man “pretty” or “delicate like a flower.”

Going the distance?

Releford likes idea of leaving home for college

Kansas University basketball prospect Travis Releford enjoyed the comforts of being close to home at the Price Chopper K.C. Prep Invitational on Friday.

Reebok tourney loaded

Promoter Sonny Vaccaro says 21 future first-round NBA Draft picks competed at his just-completed Reebok Big Time AAU Tournament in Las Vegas.

Wood: Wood: Zaniness rampant in Big 12

Three days. Twelve coaches. Thirty-five players. Some 60 million questions with the words “confidence,” “momentum,” “outlook” or “Kerry Meier” somewhere in it.

Jayhawks add to ‘07 class

Kansas University’s football team received another oral commitment for the 2007 class, this time from defensive lineman Patrick Dorsey.

Pigskin plans

Facility will not obstruct view of hill

The location and floorplans are all but finalized, and the brainstormers of the Anderson Family Football Complex did keep in mind the one absolute must.

6Sports video: Freshman QB to run KU offense

Redshirt freshman quarterback Kerry Meier will run the offense for the KU football team this fall, the first time since 2003 a freshman has had the position.

6Sports video: Jayhawks hope to solve road woes

Mark Mangino has accomplished many things as the head coach at KU, but he’s yet to figure out how to consistently win on an opponent’s home field.

6Sports video: KSU QB transferring to NAIA school

Kansas State University senior quarterback Allen Webb announced his intention to transfer to a NAIA school in Texas, leaving KSU with only three scholarship quarterbacks.

MU centers offense on : tight ends?

Now that Brad Smith is gone, Rucker, Coffman could be key to Tigers' new-look offense

Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman each caught 47 footballs last season.

Kansas has 10 in NFL

Patriots' Davis dean of Jayhawks in league

Ten former Kansas University football players are on National Football League rosters as preseason camps get under way.

OU’s Adrian Peterson has his sights set on big numbers

Adrian Peterson did the math when setting up his 2006 aspirations.

6Sports video: Fine looking to pick up passes

The No. 1 pass catcher in Kansas football history is gone: Mark Simmons ran out of eligibilty in 2005. Gone too is Charles Gordon, who ranked 7th all-time in Kansas after three years under Mark Mangino. Now, it’s up to someone else to make place through the air for the Kansas offense, and junior Derek Fine hopes he’s that guy.

6Sports video: Big-time expections surround Cornish

There are some impressive pre-season expectations surrounding Kansas running back Jon Cornish - and they’re coming from the senior himself.

Texas-sized void awaits Brown

Longhorns coach must pick replacement for Young

Call Texas coach Mack Brown optimistic to a fault. But even after Vince Young dazzled the college football world in a heroic Rose Bowl effort, Brown thought it wasn’t the last he’d see of his prodigy quarterback. “I thought Vince would come back, very honestly,” Brown said Tuesday at Big 12 Conference media days.

Pollard pleads guilty to boating violation

A former Kansas University basketball star known for his painted fingernails and mutton-chop sideburns apparently ran afoul of state boating regulations earlier this month.

Rock chalk talk

Mangino excited about KU's attitude

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino thinks his team has that much-needed attitude. Good thing. It’s going to be crucial if one of the program’s big aspirations is going to be attained. Speaking at Big 12 Conference media days at the Marriott Country Club Plaza on Tuesday, Mangino and a couple of his players admitted being puzzled by the inability to win on the road in past years, despite overcoming the deficiency and reaching two bowl games.

Vegas tourney has new home

KU will play twice at Orleans Arena

The site of the Las Vegas Invitational, to be played over Thanksgiving weekend in Glitter City, has changed. Kansas University’s men’s basketball team will meet Ball State on Nov. 24 and defending national champion Florida on Nov. 25 in Orleans Arena, located outside the hotel with the same name.

Sharp makes early impact

After spending his prep career impressing high school football fans all over the state, freshman Jake Sharp made quick work in impressing his college coaches at Kansas University. So much so that, 10 days before preseason practices even begin, KU coach Mark Mangino doesn’t see a need to red-shirt him this season.

Keegan: Keegan: Meier has Jayhawks’ respect

He hasn’t played a down of college football and already Kerry Meier, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound red-shirt freshman from Pittsburg, is Kansas University’s most-hyped football player. Since he hasn’t taken a snap, it’s too early to call him a leader, yet not too early to predict he’ll be one soon. “A leader?” echoed James McClinton, a 6-1, 283-pound defensive tackle out of Garland, Texas. “I really don’t know, but we respect him a lot.”

Hinrich off to Asia with Team USA

Former KU guard makes 15-man roster for World Championships in Japan

Former Kansas University basketball guard Kirk Hinrich has made the U.S. national team’s 15-man traveling roster, announced by coach Mike Krzyzewski on Tuesday. Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls beat out Luke Ridnour for what is expected to be the third-string point guard spot behind Chris Paul and Gilbert Arenas. Hinrich was slowed by a hamstring injury during training camp, but apparently did enough to impress Krzyzewski.

Pollard pleads guilty to boating citation

A former KU basketball player known for his painted fingernails and unusual hairdos ran afoul of state boating regulations earlier this month. Scot Pollard, now with the Indiana Pacers, was due to appear in District Court today after getting a citation at Clinton Lake.

6Sports video: KU picks a QB

One big difference heading into this season coming off a Fort Worth Bowl win in 2005 is at the signal-caller position. Last year, take your pick at quarterback: Adam Barmann, Brian Luke, Jason Swanson or Marcus Herford. Even Coach Mangino joked that it might have set an NCAA record for quarterbacks used.

6Sports video: Jayhawks attend Big 12 Media Day

The countdown to the 2006 College Football season is on. This morning, four more teams took their turns at the podium at Big 12 Media Day, including the Kansas Jayhawks.

KU radio broadcasts switch stations

Kansas University Athletics officials and Jayhawk Radio Network officials announced Tuesday that broadcasts next season will move to new radio stations in Kansas City and Topeka.

Hinrich survives team U.S.A. tryouts

Shawn Marion, Adam Morrison and Luke Ridnour were left off the U.S. national team’s roster Tuesday before its trip to Asia for the world championships next month. Amare Stoudemire and Kirk Hinrich were the only moderately surprising inclusions on the 15-man roster, which will play five warmup games in Las Vegas, China and Korea before opening the world championships in Japan on Aug. 19.

Manning content to continue hoops education

Non-coaching role at KU allows another summer at camp

Danny Manning some day will be named a full-time college assistant basketball coach - likely at his alma mater - and won’t be able to run his annual camp for Lawrence and area youths.

Woodling: Woodling: Tickets for the taking

Ah, those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, those days of soda, pretzels and Kansas University season football ticket sales.

Man with a plan

Prince ready to rebuild Kansas State program

Ron Prince has philosophies he’s not straying from. That much is for sure.

KU softball team adds JUCO transfers

Kansas University softball coach Tracy Bunge has dipped into the junior college ranks to flesh out a roster depleted by the loss of six seniors.

A passing fancy

Morriss installs spread offense at Baylor, wants to see Bears fling it like Texas Tech

Seeing the success Texas Tech football has had with a pass-happy spread offense under coach Mike Leach, Baylor coach Guy Morriss felt it was time for a change near the end of last season.

Media guide offers look at KU football complex

Kansas University’s 2006 football media guide was made available for the first time Monday during the Big 12 Conference media days at the Marriott Country Club Plaza.

6Sports video: Dreher proving himself versatile with T-Bones

Former KU baseball player Doug Dreher is making a name for himself with the Kansas City T-Bones.

6Sports video: Jayhawk rival coach addresses media

Today kicked off the annual Big 12 football media day in Kansas City, as new Kansas State head coach addressed the conference.

Wright, Chalmers mix it up

Jayhawks use camps to expand games

Mario Chalmers, who thrived at the off guard position, and Julian Wright, who held his own as an undersized power forward last season, expanded their games earlier this month serving as camp counselors at the Adidas Super 64 and Nike camps.

Mangino at QB Club meeting

Head football coach Mark Mangino will speak at the Kansas University Quarterback Club preseason kickoff party, which will run 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 1 in the Boots Adams Alumni Center.

6Sports video: KU basketball schedule released

The KU Athletic Department announced the 2006-2007 men’s basketball schedule.

KU basketball schedule ‘highly competitive’

Odds are good Kansas University’s men’s basketball players, coaches and fans today will be circling Nov. 25 on their calendars.

Jayhawks finally set at QB

KU has no controversy for first time since '03

There are no big battles to be had and no pestering from the media about which quarterback throws the better football, calls the better audible or listens to better music.

Keegan: Keegan: Building the ultimate KU golfer

Coach picks best attributes from pupils of last 27 years

Ross Randall has been recruiting and instructing talented golfers as coach of the Kansas University men’s team for 27 years.

The Bonnie Bunch

Big incoming class has bigger ideas, talent

Kelly Kohn says to hold off on the nickname - at least for right now.

KU releases 2006-07 basketball schedule

Jayhawks will play on 16 national telecasts

Kansas University released its 2006-07 basketball schedule this morning, which will feature sixteen national telecasts, a match-up with defending NCAA champion Florida and a home game against 2006 NCAA Sweet 16 participant Boston College.

Clothes don’t make the man

It's Hinrich's solid game, not fancy threads, that landed him on U.S. national team

LeBron will be there. Team LeBron, actually. Heck, one of the media outlets covering the NBA playoffs was LeBronJames.com.

Mayer: Mayer: ‘50 sophs easy group to enjoy

Some first loves you treasure more with each passing year. That’s how I regard the 1950 Kansas football team, the first one I covered full-time with the Journal-World. These guys were emblematic of the best things you can imagine about Jayhawk football.

Talib lands on preseason Big 12 squad

Kansas University sophomore Aqib Talib was named to the preseason All-Big 12 Conference football team, the league office announced Friday.

Brown willing to lend a hand

Self excited about having former boss weigh in on current KU program

Out of coaching for now, maybe forever, Larry Brown will stay involved with the game of basketball during the 2006-07 season.

Woodling: Woodling: Settlemier adjusting to pros

Serena Settlemier will go down in history as one of the most splendid players ever to put on a Kansas University softball uniform.

Media say Nebraska, Oklahoma lead league

Jayhawks tapped fourth in North in preseason poll

The media have spoken. Nebraska and Oklahoma are the Big 12 Conference’s top two football teams on paper.

K-State hoops slate includes TV dates

The national spotlight that already has defined the short tenure of Kansas State basketball coach Bob Huggins doesn’t appear to be dimming.

A banner day for KU barn

New signage unfurled in Allen Fieldhouse

Bill Self, on a late-afternoon stroll Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse, gazed at the building’s four new national championship banners hanging high in the north rafters.

6Sports video: Collins offers glimpse of acrobatics to come

Ranked as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Sherron Collins is the type of player who should create special memories for the Allen Fieldhouse faithful. But until the freshman guard steps into the Phog this fall, most fans will associate him with one moment of aerial acrobatics.

Lawsuit revises blame in Mizzou case

New allegations surface surrounding sudden death of Missouri linebacker one year ago

A revised lawsuit filed Tuesday by the parents of a Missouri football player who died during preseason workouts last year targets the unfamiliarity of the team’s trainers and assistant coaches with the symptoms and exercise-induced complications of sickle cell trait.

Little brother joins Moody on U.S. team

The Moody family will bring home two gold medals from the Williams Jones Cup tournament in Taipei City, Taiwan.

Ignorance bliss for blossoming Rose

Chicago prep star just discovering how good he truly is

Sprawled on a rumpled bed in Room 325 of the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton, bloated right ankle dangling toward the floor and straining against layers of medical tape, Derrick Rose is still unbelievable.

‘50s KU great Fiss dies at 75

Galen Fiss, an All-Big Seven fullback and one of Kansas University’s most well-known football and baseball players, died Monday night. He was 75.

Oklahoma State dismisses forward

Torre Johnson averaged 10.1 ppg in reserve role in '05-06

Torre Johnson has been dismissed from the Oklahoma State basketball team, coach Sean Sutton said Tuesday.

Frequent-flier miles add up in July

Self, staff crisscrossed country to hit summer hoops hot spots

The first 10 days of the July college basketball recruiting evaluation period took Kansas University coach Bill Self to six cities: Indianapolis; Atlanta; Kansas City; North Augusta, S.C.; Teaneck, N.J.; and his favorite stop of all - Miami.

Pierce lands three-year extension

Boston forward to earn extra $59 million

Paul Pierce, the Boston Celtics captain whose prolific but occasionally troubled career put him on the trading blocks last summer, signed a three-year, $59 million contract extension Monday that would keep him in Boston through the 2010-11 season.

Chicago prep Rose shines in summer circuit

Ballyhooed prospect in no hurry to pick college - or decide to head overseas for year of professional ball

Chicago’s Derrick Rose continues to blossom during the summer evaluation period in recruiting.

Ex-Jayhawk Moody on winning team

Former Kansas University basketball forward Christian Moody and his Athletes In Action teammates are Jones Cup champions.

Keegan: Keegan: QB Club a labor of love

The glamorous life of a college football assistant coach includes plenty of travel. And we’re not talking about road games. We’re talking about picking up the family and moving to the next job.

The next great thing?

Allen leads new-look defense

One year ago, Kansas University football defensive coordinator Bill Young glowed about athletic end Charlton Keith, a promising player who at the time had zero career starts at KU.

Hadl sounds off on QB greats

Ever the center of attention without ever trying to be that, cool as can be without necessarily being aware of that, John Hadl enjoys having lunch and dinner at the Eldridge Hotel, where the restaurant, Ten, is named after the number worn by another former Kansas University quarterback of note, Bobby Douglass.

Kinsey signs deal with ABA Wrangelers

Mario Kinsey, a two-sport standout who started his college career at Kansas University, became the first player to sign with the Waco Wranglers - his hometown team in the American Basketball Assn.

Gooden antsy about contract

Cavaliers have yet to make offer to restricted free-agent forward

The Cleveland Cavaliers settled their major offseason issue by signing LeBron James to an extension earlier this week. Now their focus is directed on signing restricted free agent Drew Gooden, but the negotiations are dragging.

Mayer: Mayer: NBA talk should be silenced

Let’s hope a 2006-07 Kansas University basketball team with all the ingredients to dominate its league and even win a national title does not face constant distractions because of speculation about who will and won’t turn pro.

Langford suits up for Sonics summer team

Former Kansas University guard Keith Langford is on the roster of the Seattle SuperSonics team that opened play Friday in the Rocky Mountain Review and will run through July 23 in Salt Lake City.

Hinrich hopes to cash in

Former Jayhawk will stay busy with Team USA this summer

In an ideal world, Kirk Hinrich would have his contract extension out of the way by the time he begins practicing Wednesday with USA Basketball’s Senior National Team.

Pierce’s contract extended

The Boston Celtics have agreed to terms with forward Paul Pierce on a three-year contract extension worth almost $60 million, pending league approval.

Woodling: Woodling: Shocker football had high

Now-defunct squad hit its stride vs. KU

Every school kid knows Gettysburg was the high-water mark of the Confederacy.

Jayhawk wins KWGA

Annie Giangrosso birdied the final two holes for a final-round 69 Thursday to win the Kansas Women’s Golf Association Amateur Championship, played over three days at Independence Country Club.

KU golf assistant takes over at CU

Colorado University will announce today that it has hired Kansas University assistant golf coach Roy Edwards to head its men’s golf program.

6Sports: Jayhawk golfer wins amateur championship

Jayhawk golfer Annie Giangrosso is the top amateur in the state after winning the Kansas Women’s Amateur Championship this afternoon.

Vaughn signs with Spurs

Jacque Vaughn, who played a key reserve role in the New Jersey Nets backcourt last season, has signed a free-agent contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Hinrich on U.S. team

Former Jayhawk seizes second chance

Former Kansas University guard Kirk Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday landed a spot on the U.S. Senior National Men’s Basketball Team.

Keegan: Keegan: Overseas migration not killer

The loudest noise made this week at ABCD camp in Teaneck, N.J., came out of the mouth of Reggie Rose, brother of Chicago recruit Derrick Rose, a Kansas University recruiting target who reportedly is leaning toward Memphis.

6Sports video: Lee polishing shots with Globetrotters

Basketball tradition seems to follow Michael Lee, first with his college career with the Jayhawks and now with the Harlem Globetrotters.

6Sports video: Hinrich to attempt to take game to international level

USA Basketball named former Jayhawk Kirk Hinrich to its men’s national team roster today. Hinrich will join 23 other NBA players who will try out for Team USA in preparations for the world championships later this summer.

Impact of Mizzou lineman’s death lingers

At a time of day when many are still settling in for their first morning coffee, a cacophony of sound floods the University of Missouri’s football training complex.

Paying the price

Jayhawks swelter through summer drills

Welcome, everyone, to the ugly side of being a college football player.

Woodling: Woodling: Jayhawks avoiding Fishkill

Surely one of these years I’ll be able to watch a former Kansas University baseball player perform in Dutchess Stadium. Currently, however, I’m 0-for-2.

Legacy haunts Pierce

Veteran feels pressure to win title

Paul Pierce spent the morning of July 6 shuttling between local television and radio stations, promoting “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the charity event he co-hosted with Baron Davis last weekend.

Gooden focus for Cavs

Behind the scenes, the entire Cavaliers organization celebrated Saturday when LeBron James announced that he would accept a contract extension.

Roberts wraps up LAGA tourney championship

Before wrapping up the LAGA City Championship, former KU golfer Conrad Roberts helped lead the Jayhawks to their last Big 12 title in 1999.

Soggy, but superior

Ex-Jayhawk Conrad Roberts wins Big Event

Small puddles surrounded the eighth hole of Alvamar Golf Club on Sunday. Rain caused soggy, darkened bunkers and thick rough.

Kansas target Rose injured at camp

Notes from the first weekend of the July college basketball evaluation period in recruiting. …

Keegan: Keegan: Not the same old Jayhawks

Here is the formula for mediocrity in college football: When one plowhorse uses up his eligibility, the next, almost indistinguishable from the last, takes his place.

Building blocks

Will athleticism outperform experience?

In many cases, you just don’t know what you’re going to get with the 2006 Kansas University football team. How will quarterback Kerry Meier respond in game situations? How will better athletes negate lesser experience at linebacker? Will teams focus on Jon Cornish? Throw away from Aqib Talib? What could that mean?

NCAA denies Butler’s appeal

College career over for defensive tackle

Kansas University defensive tackle Eric Butler has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA and is no longer on the Jayhawk football team.

Mayer: Mayer: Success spices up recruiting

Football recruiting will get increasingly competitive for Kansas and Kansas State as Mark Mangino works to continue his Jayhawk renaissance and Ron Prince seeks to match Bill Snyder’s legacy.

Former KU fullback dies of heart attack

Members of the Kansas University football family mourned the loss of a friend Friday. Mike Fisher, who didn’t let a broken neck end his football career half a century ago, died of heart failure Friday morning in a Veterans Administration hospital in Tucson, Ariz., according to friends. He was 70.

KU football’s Butler ruled ineligible

Kansas University defensive tackle Eric Butler has been ruled inelgibile and is no longer on the Jayhawk football team.

Keegan: Keegan: Chicagoan targeted by Self

Bill Self, Public Enemy No. 1 among fans of Illinois basketball, incurred Illini wrath when he bolted Champaign for Kansas University.

KU football hires new trainer

Grant to relocate from OSU; Ballard still committed

Kansas University hired former Oklahoma State aide Murphy Grant to be head football trainer last week.

6Sports video: Miles still searching for permanent NBA spot

His NBA stint may have been shorter that he prefered, but former KU basketball player Aaron Miles continues his efforts to earn a permanent roster spot.

Former SM East star leaves Evansville

Christie coming to KU, but not for hoops

J.D. Christie, a first-team all-state basketball player out of Shawnee Mission East who signed a letter-of-intent with the University of Evansville in April, has left the Indiana school and decided to enroll at Kansas University.

Self, assistants hit recruiting trail

Travel bag over his shoulder, Bill Self walked hurriedly to his car in an Allen Fieldhouse parking lot, Kansas University’s basketball coach needing to hustle to catch a late Wednesday afternoon flight at Kansas City International Airport.

Gooden camp to remain patient

Former Kansas University forward's future in Cleveland may depend on whether James stays

General manager Danny Ferry and Cleveland Cavaliers fans are not alone when it comes to waiting on LeBron James’ decision to sign a five-year extension with the Cavs.

6Sports video: Adding muscle focus for Chalmers

Back in town for his second summer, sophomore Mario Chalmers looks to increase his skills for next season, but also his weight.

Keegan: Keegan: Kansas’ summer heats up

The bank thermometers reach for 97, 98, 99, 100. The walks from the office to the parking lot grow slower, sweatier. Sighs. Wiped brows. Into the car to blast the air conditioner. That’s most of us.

Keegan: Dynamite dozen

These Jayhawks may explode in 2006-07

Charlton Keith is gone, and so are Josi Lima, Charles Gordon, Serena Settlemier, Don Czyz and Caroline Smith.

At UNM, Giddens ‘gets it’

Sometimes, it’s not all about the ring. Sure, winning championships should be every player’s goal. And don’t get J.R. Giddens wrong, he said leading the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team to unprecedented heights was his top basketball priority this season.

A new rush for Self

IRL could return to speedway in April

Bill Self gave a single thumbs-up after contorting his body into the back of the IndyCar.

Mayer: Mayer: Sunflower rivalry juiced up

How’d that trucker on the old recording put it? … “Mercy sakes, we got ourselves a convoy!” You might substitute “rivalry” for “convoy” the way the Kansas-Kansas State football-basketball linkage is shaping up. Lots of fun ahead.

News

Monday, July 31