David Lawrence has walked the sideline at Kansas University football games for 10 seasons as a reporter for the Jayhawk Radio Network.
The former All-Big Eight Conference lineman will be even closer to the action today at Memorial Stadium when Kansas plays its first alumni game prior to the spring scrimmage.
“I’m a jogger,” said Lawrence, who last suited up for the Jayhawks in 1981. “I’m still in reasonable shape, but who knows what that’s good enough for?”
The 1 p.m. game will be played in a seven-on-seven, two-hand-touch format. KU split the teams into age groups to limit mismatches and reduce the risk of injury.
That’s good news for the 45-year-old Lawrence. The South Junior High teacher is one of the youngest players among the group of older players.
“There might be a few people dying to get out there and prove something,” Lawrence said. “I wouldn’t be one of them. Harrison Hill is in town. I don’t think I’d want to be covering him in man on the outside.”
Hill, 25, might be among the more than 100 former players expected to attend, but the former receiver won’t be able to participate. KU assistant coach Clint Bowen, who organized the event, restricted participation to players who finished their KU careers before the 1999 season because of the injury risk the youngsters might present to others.
That won’t be a problem for former tight end Jim Moore (1993-96).
“It should be a blast,” said Moore, 30, who is an insurance agent. “I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends I haven’t seen in years.”
Lawrence said that an older generation of Jayhawks — many of whom played for former coach Don Fambrough — has had opportunities to reunite at KU. That had not been the case for the group that played for former coach Glen Mason. That will change today thanks to Bowen, who played for Mason from 1992 to 93.
“It was really cool to get that letter,” said former all-conference kicker and punter Dan Eichloff (1990-93). “I was like, ‘I’m there.’ It will good to see all those guys.”
Eichloff, a 31-year-old concrete-pump operator for a construction company in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is ready to get back on the field.
“I’ve been playing a lot of soccer, so I’m in pretty good shape,” he said.
Eichloff likely will have to share punting duties with Bucky Scribner (1980-82) — another former all-league selection.
“I’m excited about that,” Eichloff said. “I’ve never met him before.”
Eichloff, who played on AstroTurf at Kansas, was eager to kick on KU’s newer AstroPlay surface. He still kicks occasionally in his role as a volunteer coach at Cardinal Gibbons High in Ft. Lauderdale.
“I get a little workout there,” he said. “I’m still good from 50 (yards).”
At least 80 former players are expected to participate in today’s game, which will have four 12-minute quarters. KU’s spring scrimmage will follow the alumni game at 3 p.m. There is no charge for admission to either event, but KU officials are encouraging fans to make $2 donations to the marching band at the gate.
