KU football player injured in weekend incident; reportedly in good condition

Ben Lueken, a freshman football player at KU, is being treated at Kansas University hospital for injuries sustained during a weekend incident on the school's campus, a hospital official confirmed Wednesday.

A hospital spokesman Wednesday afternoon said Lueken is in good condition. A condition report had previously been unavailable.

According to Capt. Schuyler Bailey, a spokesman for the public safety office, a student was struck by a vehicle following a confrontation in the parking lot east of the Jayhawker Towers just before 2 a.m. Sunday. Lueken, the victim, was initially taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, but later transferred to KU Hospital in Kansas City, Kan.

Bailey said a suspect has been identified but that the investigation is ongoing. It is Journal-World policy not to identify suspects until charges have been filed.

Lueken's father, Jeff, could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

Lueken, an offensive lineman from St. Louis, played in nine games for the Jayhawks in 2008, and is expected to battle for a starting position in 2009.

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Jonathan Kealing 4 years, 1 month ago

Just a heads-up, Posts that attempt to identify the driver of the vehicle will be removed. It's a violation of our policy to identify suspects in crimes until they've been formally charged. So, please, just don't post his name.

Jonathan Kealing Online editor

Jaminrawk 4 years, 1 month ago

Too bad for Lueken. Two a.m. is a sketchy time and almost always associates with liquor or parties. Hope he recovers soon.

hometownhawk 4 years, 1 month ago

Everybody needs to just pray for Ben to recover. Speculation and criticism are really unnecessary at this point.

jhawkclassof02 4 years, 1 month ago

Agreed, hometown. There's nothing we can do about it now other than offer our hopes and prayers.

jayhawkinnc 4 years, 1 month ago

I heard the driver that had a confrontation with Ben is a KU football teammate. I have a name but I will obey Kealing's request not to post it. I hope you recover Ben. You're in my prayers.

DSommersby 4 years, 1 month ago

My thoughts and prayers go out to Big Ben Lueken. Hope he can have a smooth and speedy recovery from this. I am pretty sure I saw him at the KU Women's game against Illinois State and he was looking good. Hope the best for all involved.

Tribehawk 4 years, 1 month ago

Terrible news. Thoughts and prayers to Ben and his family.

FreddyD 4 years, 1 month ago

I didn't know Brandy frequented the parking lots at the Jayhawk Towers...

hometownhawk 4 years, 1 month ago

"Good condition" is GREAT news.

jayhawkr34 4 years, 1 month ago

like jim rome says "nothing good happens after midnight"

booze_buds_03 4 years, 1 month ago

http://www.rockchalktalk.com

Go to this site to see the rumored person and story. Can't post the full link as has be rumored players name in it.

Strikewso 4 years, 1 month ago

The Towers are the ghetto.

wolfy 4 years, 1 month ago

This happened Saturday night, and we are just now hearing about it. The athletic department needs to do a better job with public relations. Like it or not, this is news. You've got to stay in front of the story or else the rumor mill spins out of control. Get the whole story out fast and deal with it instead of letting the story take on a life of its own.

KEITHMILES05 4 years, 1 month ago

Mangino does NOT like to let our information. That's his MO.

sevenyearhawk 4 years, 1 month ago

Jim Rome says that, as do many others:

NOTHING good happens in the middle of the night ...

(worth repeating)

railer1122 4 years, 1 month ago

That rockchalktalk thing is garbage. They don't think the player will make it? And either way it's not like he was hit on purpose. This doesn't happen if nothing is said, and someone doesn't jump on the hood of a moving car. Dumb move by both parties if that is actually what happened.

gutter 4 years, 1 month ago

Jonathan - I respect your wishes but you have NOT removed posts that identify the driver. Why are you saying that you will?

Beak 4 years, 1 month ago

Dang Kealing and kusports.com

The 1st Amendment cringes. What good is a message board for? Whatever happened to defamation at one's own risk.

wannabe 4 years, 1 month ago

Beak The first amendment states that the GOVERNMENT will not limit your free speach. The newspaper can choose not to print anything they want. They allow us to post here, it is not our right. If you want to have a message board where anything goes you have every right to start one. Please usderstand the 1st amendment before you pitch a fit about someone violating it.

ThinBlueLine 4 years, 1 month ago

Well, if the LPD and the DA's Office are involved, then this paper will never print the name because he never will be charged. Then the DA and the Chief can get seat and suite upgrades.

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