Though Kansas University officials remain optimistic that big news is forthcoming regarding a major donation to the athletic department, nothing ground-breaking has emerged just yet.
KU football coach Mark Mangino said last week that help was on the way to add facilities to Memorial Stadium, including offices, meeting rooms and a weight room. The building would be located in the south end zone.
Mangino was hopeful the donation could be made official in the next couple of weeks.
“We’re pretty close on some really good news,” Mangino told reporters last week.
Sources told the Journal-World that a gift in the neighborhood of $20 million was being worked out, possibly led by Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, a long-time KU benefactor.
But nothing is official. KU associate athletics director Jim Marchiony said Wednesday there was nothing to report.
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Rodriguez faring well: KU recruit Jose Rodriguez, the younger sibling of current Jayhawk lineman Cesar Rodriguez, is having a solid senior season, according to his big brother.
“He’s doing great right now,” Cesar said of Jose, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound lineman out of La Puente, Calif. “He’s excited to come here and be with me. I’m excited to see him here.”
Jose Rodriguez is one of five known commitments to the KU football team, along with Ottawa lineman Caleb Blakesley, Newton lineman Adam Welty, Kansas City Washington defensive back Darrell Stuckey and Ozark (Mo.) linebacker Jake Schermer.
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New goalposts: The Memorial Stadium goalposts razed by fans following KU’s 31-28 victory Oct. 9 over Kansas State have been replaced.
Although most fans may not notice, the posts have a different hue than the ones carted off and thrown into Potter Lake by the rambunctious fans.
“They’re a lighter color,” KU linebacker Kevin Kane said. “They’re not as vibrant.”
The replacement cost of about $6,000 was contributed by Jack Clevenger, a Kansas City, Mo., investment consultant.
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Keenan leaves Huskers: Nebraska freshman Michael Keenan officially left the Husker football team this week, after being absent for more than three weeks, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
Keenan had been the subject of speculation that he was interested in transferring to KU. Out of high school, Keenan picked Nebraska over Kansas in a hard-fought recruiting battle.
The rumors picked up steam last month when a Kansas City television station reported his transfer to KU was all but done. The Gladstone, Mo., native denied it at the time.
Keenan still is enrolled in classes at Nebraska and hasn’t spoken publicly about his future. He was listed as one of the top linebacker prospects in the country by rivals.com his senior year at Oak Park High.
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