10-year-old with lung disease gets to meet the Jayhawks

By Karrey Britt     Feb 19, 2009

Ten-year-old Kansas University fan Michael Douglas won’t forget Feb. 18.

It will go down as one of the best days of his life — or at least a close second to KU winning the national championship last year.

Michael, who is fighting interstitial lung disease, was invited into the Kansas University men’s basketball team locker room after the Jayhawks defeated Iowa State, 72-55. Coach Bill Self wanted to meet the Wellsville Elementary School fifth-grader after reading about him in a Journal-World article.

In the locker room, Michael listened as Self talked about him and used his story to inspire the team. The players then huddled around him and said, “1-2-3 family.”

Michael received autographs and had his picture taken with his favorite player, Sherron Collins, above. He also recalled meeting Cole Aldrich.

“He gave me a high-five, but he held his hand way up at the top of the ceiling and I couldn’t reach it,” Michael said.

Michael also got to meet Danny Manning and Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

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