Stories for June 7, 2008

Mister Popular

Mangino talks about upcoming football season as part of fundraiser

Wife Mary Jane at his side, Mark Mangino stood at the mouth of the Alvamar Country Club dining room and listened to the same message over and over Friday night as well-wishers walked through the greeting line: “We love you, coach. You’re doing a great job.”

Woodling: Woodling: Where are they now?

Names, names, names. Here are some names that might interest you… Willie Mays Aikens, a power-hitting first baseman and designated hitter for the Royals in the early 1980s, was released from prison this week after spending 14 years behind bars for selling cocaine to an undercover policeman. Sad.

KU football notebook

Memorial Stadium plan will add luxury seating: A new outdoor luxury seating section will be installed behind the south end zone of Memorial Stadium, KU athletic director Lew Perkins announced in a letter to Williams Fund members. The plan calls for the 56-seat section to include 22 flat-screen televisions, an exclusive hospitality area with complimentary beverages and upscale buffets, and luxury chair-back seating.

Five Jayhawks chosen in MLB player draft

Five Kansas University baseball players were selected by major-league organizations in the second day of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Left-handed pitcher Sam Freeman (St. Louis), outfielder Ryne Price (San Francisco), left-handed pitcher Nick Czyz (Seattle), right-handed pitcher Andres Esquibel (Seattle) and shortstop Erik Morrison (Texas) were selected Friday.

Celtics’ Pierce says he’ll play Sunday

Boston star's right knee still 'tender,' but has no structural damage

Paul Pierce heard a pop and had a thought. His NBA Finals, in a wisp and a crash, were over. An arena and this city collectively leaned in the same direction. Despite Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson hinting otherwise, Pierce says he was aching, not faking, when he went down in the third quarter of the NBA Finals Game 1 against the Lakers because of a sprained right knee.

Chalmers likely staying in draft

Mario Chalmers, who had his first of five workouts for NBA teams on Friday in Phoenix, told Suns beat writers he’ll likely keep his name in the 2008 NBA Draft. “I’m leaning toward staying in. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things, so I’ll probably stay in,” said the 6-foot-1 Chalmers, who just completed his junior year at Kansas University.

OU, Tulsa extend series

Football games in the in-state series between Tulsa and Oklahoma are about to become a more frequent occurrence. The schools announced Friday they would play annual games from 2013 to 2015.

Gary Bedore’s KU Basketball Notebook

Mario Chalmers commented to Phoenix Suns reporters Friday on his three-pointer that sent the national title game against Memphis into overtime.

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