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Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Kansas recruit improves leap by way of yoga

By Dugan Arnett

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Lately, members of the Olathe North High football team have been getting an earful from standout defensive end Kevin Young about the benefits of this new, highly beneficial training tool that works wonders for agility and leaping ability.

The pitch sounds interesting enough - until, that is, they find out that Young's can't-miss regimen happens to be yoga.

"I try all the time," said Young, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior-to-be who recently took up the practice as a way to supplement his training. "I got a couple kids that said they would come out and try it out, but I don't know if they're really going to."

Hey, if it works, it works. And for Young - who credits yoga with increasing his vertical leap by four inches - it certainly hasn't seemed to hurt.

The newest commitment in the Kansas University football team's Class of 2009, Young is coming off a junior season in which he recorded 80 tackles and 12 sacks for the 10-2 Eagles, who came within a victory of playing in the Class 6A state championship game.

After earning offers from a number of Div. I schools - including Illinois, Kansas State and Iowa State - Young decided on the Jayhawks, largely because he felt comfortable with the team's coaching staff.

"I really like the campus, the coaches, everything," Young said. "I thought (hard) about it, and Kansas really showed the most interest."

What's more, when he arrives on campus next December (Young plans to graduate high school a semester early and begin classes at KU this winter), he shouldn't have to look far for a friendly face.

Brother Jason plans to enroll at KU next year, while another brother, Marquis, who is currently stationed with the U.S. Marines in Okinawa, Japan, is hoping to finish his schooling at Kansas when he returns to the U.S.

Add to the mix mom Michelle, who is waiting to hear back after applying to KU's School of Nursing, and Young's tenure at Kansas truly could be a family affair.

"I don't think so," said Young, asked if the prospect of having his mom on campus threatens to cramp his style. "Because I'm going to be at football. It's going to be football and class work, so that shouldn't affect me too much."

¢ New Mangino contract 'almost done': The main components of a new contract for KU football coach Mark Mangino appear to have been agreed upon, and the deal was in its final stages as of Tuesday night, said associate athletic director Jim Marchiony.

"It's almost done," said Marchiony. "(We're) waiting for a couple signatures ... It's not going to be in the next couple days, but it's going to be soon."

Mangino, who before the start of the 2006 season signed a five-year contract that would pay him $1.5 million per year, is expected to see an increase in pay after leading the Jayhawks to a 12-1 season and winning nearly every national coach-of-the-year award in 2007.

¢ Fambrough recovering from surgery: Former Kansas football coach Don Fambrough said he was feeling well Tuesday, a day after undergoing knee-replacement surgery.

He said he will transfer from Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center in Topeka on Thursday to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he expected to spend "two or three days" while undergoing physical therapy.

Comments

Mr_Sandman (anonymous) says...

Anyway that we can get an address to send Coach Fam our get well wishes?

July 9, 2008 at 5:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkfan20 (anonymous) says...

The next time you talk to Marchiony, do you think you can get a season ticket sales total so far out of him?

July 9, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawkclassof02 (anonymous) says...

Get well Coach Fam! Your one tough son of a gun thats for sure.

July 9, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ttoulouse (anonymous) says...

Anybody hear about Self's contract? Seems like they've agreed in principle but I don't remember hearing details.

July 9, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hometownhawk (anonymous) says...

School of Nursing is in KC. So he's probably not concerned at all about mom being on a totally different campus.

July 9, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

etanking (anonymous) says...

Best Wishes to Coach Fam!
heismanduds.com

July 9, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tkeegan (Tom Keegan) says...

Coach Fam checks into Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine, Lawrence, KS 66044 on Thursday and said he will be there for two or three days. I visited him in Topeka yesterday and he was doing well, telling one funny story after another. Should have brought my note pad. ... Self's contract isn't signed yet.

July 9, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

FlaHawk (anonymous) says...

Mangino's contract negotiations started in Jan/Feb. I would assum that Self's is next in line.

July 9, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

GoBadgers (anonymous) says...

Don't be a stickler hometownhawk. The only reason you know the kU School of Nursing is in KC is probably because your butt ugly girlfriend goes there.

July 9, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

derringer29 (anonymous) says...

what a punk-why the hell is gobadgers on this site the is there any way we can ban a a$$hole like that there is no room for insulting peoples spouses on here-i am so tried of no respect having mother f--ers.....plz is there any way to stop this crap

July 9, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

OlatheJayhawk (anonymous) says...

Great story. I would have never done yoga in high school. I can't believe that many family members will be attending KU. Probably never happened before with an athlete. Man, I hope this kid blows up for the Hawks!

July 9, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

everyone make sure to go to espy.tv to vote for ku as the "best team" and "best game!" voting closes the 12th so everyone get on it!

July 11, 2008 at 12:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

GoGators (anonymous) says...

On the real though, Kansas sucks. So does yoga. Florida football players are too busy hooking up with girls to do yoga. But I'm sure this guy will get laid eventually.

July 13, 2008 at 1:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

OlatheJayhawk (anonymous) says...

No, Florida players are too busy dealing crack and livin the "Thug Life!" Now, go away.

July 13, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

GoGators (anonymous) says...

Have there been any recent Florida players dealing drugs? Or did you just think to yourself "Man, I have the perfect insult for that Florida guy if only Florida players sold drugs...whatever, I'll use it anyway." What I said was funny because it draws on truth. Yours was dumb because you have the IQ and wit of a bottle of whiskey, only you're much less useful. Now go finish your coloring book. On a lighter note, did Mangino's new contract include a gastric bypass every three-four months? Or a deep-fryer in his office? Maybe just an IV filled with chocolate milkshake?

July 13, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

GoBadgers (anonymous) says...

I heard it included the right to rename every menu item at McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and Hardee's as well as a future sandwich yet to be created.

July 14, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

I get it, i get it!

You're not a Gator ...

you're a Purp, a Feline, a Mildcat.

You couldn't even find G-town with a map or a Garmin.

If you really ARE from Florida or Gainesville, please tell us ...

*** What did Gale Lembard Drive used to be called? ***

July 17, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )