Mark Mathews, a member of Kansas University’s 1970-71 NCAA Final Four team, died after a heart attack Monday in the Chicago area. He was 55.
Mathews served as student-manager on the 1968-69 KU team, then Ted Owens added Mathews, a 6-foot-2 Shawnee Mission North product, to the varsity roster the following season.
Mathews played in 21 games with the ’71 Final Four team, averaging 0.9 points and 0.6 rebounds. Mathews’ funeral will be Saturday in Overland Park.
W.R. “Bub” Shaffer, a former Kansas University basketball player and KU athletics benefactor, died Sunday at his home in Russell. Mr. Shaffer was 89.
In 1984, Mr. Shaffer and three other Russell residents — Helen Holland, Michael Holland and Nancy Gaines Holland — contributed $415,000 for the construction of a 6,000 square foot strength center for use by KU athletes.
The Shaffer-Holland Center was replaced this year by the Anderson Family Strength and Health Center.
A three-year letterman in basketball under Phog Allen, Mr. Shaffer graduated from Kansas University in 1936. He had served as president and chairman of the board of Home State Bank until 1988.
Services were Wednesday in Russell.
