Jayhawks tickled about decision

By Levi Chronister     Jul 8, 2000

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo
KU fans gather to watch a broadcast of KU basketball coach Roy Williams on the MegaVision video board Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. At a press conference at the stadium, Williams announced he would remain at Kansas.

Kansas University basketball players Jeff Carey and Eric Chenowith were watching the Angels play the Mariners in Anaheim, Calif., while Roy Williams announced he would remain at Kansas mainly because of his players.

“It makes me feel good as a player. It brings my self-worth up as a player when he mentions us as a reason to stay,” Carey said by cell phone from Edison International Field. “I’m extremely happy, and I feel real good about it, too.”

Chenowith also placed his seal of approval on Williams’ decision not to jump to North Carolina.

“I’m extremely happy,” Chenowith said. “I’m relieved a little bit. I was never really nervous or uptight about it because I was 90 percent sure he was going he stay.”

Carey, who lives in Camdenton, Mo., but is visiting Chenowith at his Orange, Calif., home this week, admitted he wasn’t quite as confident.

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo
Kansas fans celebrate after KU coach Roy Williams announced Thursday night he will remain at KU.

“In the past, every time him going to North Carolina had come up, I said there’s no way he’s going to go,” Carey said, “but it kind worried me this time that he might.

“You’re thinking things might change drastically and we might lose a coach, but it’s very relieving to know that he’s staying.”

Added Chenowith: “He’s always preached loyalty. All he’s asked of me is loyalty and patience, and I knew he’d give that back.”

Guard Jeff Boschee wasn’t at his Valley City, N.D., home, but his mother, Rosann, said she was relieved.

“Oh, great,” she said after hearing the announcement. “That’s good news. Jeff will be just elated.”

Mrs. Boschee said her son, who is in Marysville with teammate Kenny Gregory for a basketball camp, thought Williams was North Carolina-bound.

“Yesterday afternoon he (Jeff) was here and he had spoken with a sports writer out of North Carolina,” Rosann said, “and yesterday he was under the assumption that (Williams) had verbally committed and he was kinda downhearted when he left.”

Other KU players were also on egg shells.

Sophomore Nick Collison and his parents were concerned about the outcome, but also felt for Williams.

“We knew it had to be a gut-wrenching decision,” Nick’s mother, Judy, said from Iowa Falls, Iowa. “We understand what a tremendous decision this was for coach, and we would have supported him either way, but we’re happy it came out on our side. We’re looking forward to next year”

Collison was visiting a friend in Des Moines when the announcement was made.

Luke Axtell was on the highway during Williams’ announcement.

“My parents called me while I was driving from Austin to Dallas,” he said by cell phone. “They (KU) tried to call me, but couldn’t get a hold of me. We’re all excited.”

Axtell, who transferred to KU two years ago from Texas, echoed Collison’s mother, saying he wanted Williams to do what was best for him.

“I think it’s great,” Axtell said. “I’m excited, especially for me with obviously the changes I’ve had to go through already with transferring. It would be like another transfer, but at the same setting.

“As far as basketball goes, it’s the biggest part of your life as a college basketball player. A lot of things would change with a new staff and new philosophy. It’s very good for me to have a little stability.”

Axtell missed the last third of the 1999-2000 season with an undisclosed ailment, but will return for his senior year in 2000-2001.

During his Thursday announcement, Williams joked that the players would have to respond.

“It’s going to be tough for me to get an Eastern Carolina barbecue sandwich now,” Williams quipped. “They’d better play their butts off.”

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