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Kansas center Cole Aldrich backs up against Radford center Artsiom Parakhouski during the first half, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.
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Work hard, play hard
KU hoops Academic All-Americans:
1971: Bud Stallworth
1974: Tom Kivisto
1977: Cris Barnthouse, Ken Koenigs
1978: Ken Koenigs
1979: Darnell Valentine
1980: Darnell Valentine
1981: Darnell Valentine
1982: David Magley
1996: Jacque Vaughn
1997: Jacque Vaughn, Jerod Haase
1999: Ryan Robertson
Cole Aldrich says he’s focused on two things — and two things only — this week.
“Finals and Michigan,” Kansas University’s 6-foot-11 center said emphatically, not ranking one over the other in terms of importance.
The Bloomington, Minn., junior — who has three final exams today and Friday and an 11 a.m. home basketball game against the Wolverines on Saturday — on Wednesday made public for the first time a goal he’s had for some time now.
“To be an Academic All-American,” Aldrich stated.
“It’s going to come down to the wire. I’ve put myself in a good position to do that.”
The Communications major, who reported his cumulative grade-point average as 3.2, needs to hike it to 3.3 after this semester to be eligible for Academic All-America voting.
If he reaches 3.3, Aldrich will have his name submitted to the College Sports Information Directors of America. A panel of voters studies players’ performance on the court and the classroom, then subjectively select first-team, second-team and third-team Academic All-America squads.
“I think it was Jacque (Vaughn) maybe,” Aldrich said, asked to identify KU’s last Academic All-American in basketball.
“Or Ryan Robertson. Maybe one of those two.”
It’s been 10 years — 1999 — since KU combo guard Robertson earned first-team Academic All-America honors. Vaughn and Jerod Haase both were first-teamers in 1997.
Aldrich shared the reason he’s so focused on the academic honor.
“Just for the fact in my immediate family we’ve never had anybody graduate from college or even attend a university,” Aldrich said.
“So one huge goal of mine is to graduate, also to do really well in the classroom, to show people the stereotype that basketball players or athletes are just in it for the sport is not true. There are a lot of guys in it for academics, too.”
Aldrich, who is expected to declare for the 2010 NBA Draft, does not think he’ll be able to graduate after three years in school.
He’s enrolled in 16 hours of course work this semester after taking nine hours last summer and 15 in each of his previous semesters.
“Just for the fact I’d have to take quite a bit of hours with the (NCAA) Tournament and all that. It doesn’t make sense to really put that much time into both things,” Aldrich said. “I might be able to do it. I couldn’t give you a 100 percent answer on that.”
If any current KU player could graduate in three years, it’s Aldrich or Aldrich’s roommate Tyrel Reed. The Burlington junior guard hasn’t been an Academic All-American yet only because he hasn’t played a big enough role on the court.
“I think he’s a fabulous student. He’s a hard worker and is willing to take on anything he needs to,” Scott Ward, KU’s associate AD for academic and career counseling, said when asked specifically about Aldrich.
“A good word is he is a ‘conscientious’ student. When we are traveling, he is one of those students who lets his professors know everything. He talks to them and keeps them informed. Cole often spends time in my hotel room studying.”
Part of the reason is the big guy’s desire to be a first-team Academic All-American.
“He’s earned it,” Ward said. “He’s a kid who has worked very hard and values his relationship with the university. He respects what is going on with him as a student as much as a basketball player. He doesn’t want to slight either.”
Aldrich actually is seeking to become the first player in KU history to be both a first-team AP All-American and Academic All-American in the same season.
To that end, he’s anxious for this week to come to an end.
“It’s about as hard as everybody else’s is,” Aldrich said. “It’s not fun. It’s one of those things you’ve got to grind through. You’ve got practice. You’ve got to study hard and end the semester on a good note.”
Self launches Web site
Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self announced Wednesday the launch of his Web site, www.BillSelf.com. The new site is produced by CBSCollegeSports.com, the same provider of Kansas’ official Web site, kuathletics.com. On the Web site, Self presents a look at KU basketball through video, feature stories and photo galleries.
Self and Lester discuss Perkins resignation, part 2 September 7, 2010
Self and Lester discuss Perkins resignation, part 1 September 7, 2010
Selby cleared to attend class September 5, 2010
Former Jayhawk Henry still unsigned August 25, 2010
Gameday returning to Allen Fieldhouse August 25, 2010
Comments
murph (anonymous) says…
That's a wonderful goal. Hope he can make it. The fact that he thinks it's important says very good things about him, and about the values his family gave him.
dihrdhwk86 (anonymous) says…
Well said murph. It wouldn't be that unlikely for a player with those kind of values to stick around for his senior year...
FairgroveJayhawk (anonymous) says…
Way to go Cole. This kid's got a lot going for him. AP All American, focus in the classroom, and a very likeable people person. That's one heck of a back up resume if the league doesn't fulfill his goals.
Self's web site is Impressive.
KU (anonymous) says…
Go Cole!
Yide (anonymous) says…
I thought I would post something to brighten everyone's day. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing this. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kesOk3...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrG3BY...
Smasher88 (anonymous) says…
Cole's the man. Plain and simple. He just continues to climb my list of all time favorite players for KU. I'd feel like i won the lottery if he stayed for his senior year.
Bill Self.com , I got chills.
Rock Chawk
Yide (anonymous) says…
We don't give Kaun enough love on this board. How important was Sasha to Cole's developement?
truehawk93 (anonymous) says…
What a goal and example!
RCJHKU
drgnslayr (anonymous) says…
Imagine if Cole stuck around for his senior year?
And this time he stuck around with X...
What if the Hawks don't win it all this year?
Cole is the kind of guy who doesn't like unfinished business...
MitchumMan (anonymous) says…
What a sweet goal to have! Most guys in Cole's shoes would just be thinking about Michigan and trying to impress those NBA scouts. Not this guy! Gotta love a true student-athlete!!
mikendal (anonymous) says…
drgnslayr--
I agree that if KU doesn't win it this year (which would be a hella surprise to me), that Cole could stay for his Senior year. I think it might be 50/50 that it could happen.
gthejayhawk (anonymous) says…
+1 murph.
OakvilleJHawk (anonymous) says…
Part of Condor's make-up is his love of family. That is why he loves KU but, also, why he will sacrifice his own personal goals to help his family.
I truly believe that if his family was in good financial shape, he would stay for his senior year, NC or not, because he loves it and he has mentioned several times how no one has ever graduated from college in his family.
I'm afraid one of the best, all-around guys [athletics, academics, attitude] in Kansas BBall history will be gone after this season, because he'll always do the right thing!!
lighthawk (anonymous) says…
+2 Murph.
ottspace (anonymous) says…
Great goals big man! Great example to set for your family, your team, your classmates, community and young people. These should be the goals of every student athlete, and ta boot, a good academic and college student makes for a smart and good bball player!
bradynsdad (anonymous) says…
i believe cole will stick around. i also come from a family where i was the only one to graduate from college and it means alot to family. i also strongly believe when cole stays xavier will stay to play another year with his brother they the henrys dont seem to be people worried about money.
drgnslayr (anonymous) says…
Not to change the subject...... but just look at what KU lost a few years ago....
Ol' giddy Roy, up to his old antics.
I'm glad Deputy Dan doesn't wear crimson and blue any longer....
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colleg...
"After winning the 2008 Maui Invitational, Williams chastised a young boy, a volunteer who helped his father with clerical work for the tournament, for seeking Tyler Hansbrough's autograph as Hansbrough exited a news conference.
Kirschner said Williams, on the road for a book signing, was unavailable for comment."
Thank you, Coach Self, for becoming a Jayhawk!
jayhawkinmullen (anonymous) says…
The only goal that Cole should have is winning another championship.
100 (anonymous) says…
In tandem with Turner Gill taking over our football program, hearing Cole's goal has made this one of my favorite weeks to be a Jayhawk.
Such class. Such integrity. Such character. Such Jayhawk-ness.
"Character Wins Championships"
40-0.
BrockIII (anonymous) says…
You guys are high if you think Xavier Henry or Cole Aldrich are coming back next year. I will pray to Santa or Jesus that they will, but that just ain't happening. Don't get your hopes up two years in a row. The dynamics of the team will change next year and will be a little more uncertain with Sherron gone and with Cole and/or Xavier gone and their stock will not be any higher will a solid finish to the season.
keithii (anonymous) says…
Cole has such a great attitude. He's a big time winner. And, I know there are others on the team who project greatness beyond basketball. Scholarship atheletes project another dimension and reason to make us proud of Kansas University sports.
truehawk93 (anonymous) says…
BrockIII- I totally hear you and you're probably right. I thought Hansborough was gone too! I also thought Ty Lawson was gone earlier. I know that B Rush would have been gone without his injury keeping here for another year.
But, it did them all some good to stay. If you asked them, they'd all tell that it didn't make too much difference.
I say it's possible, but unlikely. I wouldn't say it's totally out of the realm of possibilities. I think their points are valid about Cole staying and X may stay if a NC is not achieved. Obviously, if a NC is won, they are guaranteed gone!
Either way, I'm not worried. We'll reload with who we have coming and start looking to 2011.
OakvilleJHawk (anonymous) says…
Check out yahoo sports for more antics from Uncle Roy.
It appears HCRW kicked out a Presbyterian Univ fan while his team was up by 30 for yelling "don't miss it" to one of his players at the foul line. Feelin' a little pressure there, Roy???
TheTruth08 (anonymous) says…
KUSports should have written a story about Brady or Tyrel. Just 23 comments? Shooot! You just mention Brady's name and you've got an instant 105 comments in a day, 35 by 8 a.m.! If I were KUSports, I'd just run a story on Brady and Tyrel every day. I'd assign them each a beat writer. They have to be the two most talked about figures in KU athletics.
jaybate (anonymous) says…
Each year, under Bill Self, a few players have matured so much that I have been compelled to add Mister to their names before they have even left Lawrence.
Two years ago, it was Darnell Jackson. By seasons end, he was no longer DBlock, or Darnell, he was Mr. Jackson and ready to move on to his adult, professional life. Mr. Jackson became a man while still in school.
Last season, I felt Sherron overcame so much, and carried a team of youngsters on his back, and bore the weight of fatherhood (especially the separation) so well, that Sherron, aka Sherronatron, aka Sarge, became Mr. Collins to me. Sherron became a man to me, while still in school.
The big red head on last year's team, the young man who was studying architecture last year, and busting tail as a walk-on for 4 or 5 years, he became a Mister in my mind, also. He became a man, while still in school.
Cole has just made that transition in my mind. Cole, aka Cole Train, aka The Condor, is now Mr. Aldrich. Cole, too, became a man while still in school.
Surely, Bill Self and his coaching staff must have something to do with the frequency of these stunning maturations into manhood.
These players that I have cited impress me so much, because I did not mature into manhood until significantly after I left KU.
I have the utmost respect for any young person who can make this transition so young.
Rock chalk.
icthawkfan316 (anonymous) says…
One thing working against anyone who has a shot of being a first round pick this year coming back next year is the NBA's CBA running through the 2010-2011 season, but then expiring. The potential for a lower rookie salary cap/pay scale will in all likelihood lead to many players on the fence to declare. I'm simply enjoying these fine Jayhawks while we have them, grateful to watch them grace the floor of Allen Fieldhouse.
icthawkfan316 (anonymous) says…
Ugh - just read SI.com's all-decade team...surprise surprise, the ACC had 4 of the starting 5, 2 of the 7 reserves, and the coach of the decade - none other than Roy Williams (although technically I guess maybe the ACC get's what? 60% of the coach of the year since Ol' Roy was at KU thru the '03 season). Is SI owned by ESPN now? Run under the careful eye of Dick Vitale?
mikendal (anonymous) says…
Jaybate-- well said--my thoughts exactly!
jaybate (anonymous) says…
Usually I am a nonstop cheering section of Nick Krug's pics, but the one of Cole in an unconventionally contorted position, and towered over by APar, seems like one that should have been deleted, rather than pasted to a wonderful story about Cole.
Since Nick takes millions of pics, surely the editors could have selected something more favorable, or if not, at least something that expresses something deeper about Cole's character than this out-of-character out-take.
Cole is probably the best big man in America this year.
He obviously has enormous strength of character. When the going gets really tough, against good competition, this team still goes to two men to survive and advance--Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins--and the order of the names is interchangeable.
Cole's character is revealed not only in this story, but in the way he selected KU early, contributed a crucial ten minutes to the destruction of Baja KU in the '08 NCAA semifinal game his freshman year, grew up in the line of fire as a sophmore as the anchor of a conference champion and Sweet 16 team in which many opponents literally tried to injure him to stop him, and now he is an anchor and monster force in the paint for the best team in the country. He is destined to be drafted in the top five picks of this years draft, perhaps even number one.
No home town media of any Top Ten program in the country would hang a picture like this on a story like this about a player of Cole's superb character and incredible athletic gifts.
Please change it, or I will have to infer that some one at KUSports.com has some kind of axe to grind with the young man.
Cole Aldrich is a star. He is going to be a star all season. He's going to go to the L. He is going to have a long NBA career as a serviceable big man, sometimes a starter, sometimes a back-up. If he develops some reliable moves around the basket, or a trey, he is going to be an All-Star in the NBA.
Over the next ten years, he will make perhaps a thousand times as much money as the entire sports reporting staff of the LJW/KUSports.com staff.
This could be a special season. The photographic record of KUSports.com, especially with a superb photographer such as Nick Krug, ought to reflect it, not obscure it, or create dissonance with related stories.
Give Mr. Aldrich some respect.
The man deserves it.