Richard GwinIn 1998, Ray Bechard moved to Lawrence to become the head coach of the Kansas University volleyball program.
Two years later, just up the road in Lincoln, Nebraska, John Cook took the reins at Nebraska.
From that day on, for the next 13 years, Bechard and Cook had at least two showdowns on the volleyball court every year as members of the Big 12 Conference.
Every one of those matches went Cook’s way — Nebraska owns an 86-0-1 all-time record against the Jayhawks — but the outcomes did nothing to stamp out Cook’s respect for Bechard or their budding friendship.
That’s one of the things that makes this Final Four so special for the 16-year Nebraska head coach.
Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo“We were in a meeting already this morning,” Cook said with a smile. “And I think Ray’s one of the classiest coaches in the country. (In) coaching, you don’t have a lot of friends I guess you’d be close with within your conference, but I always felt like Ray had some connections.
“Like I said, he’s a classy guy. I’m really happy for him. He’s really built that program. So it’s great for Kansas. It’s great for the Big 12. It’s great for this part of the country. There’s not a more deserving guy than Ray to get there. I hope Lawrence is hopping right now because of him.”
As for whether coaching against such a close friend and known adversary would have much impact on Thursday’s 8:30 p.m. semifinal match between the Cornhuskers and Jayhawks, Cook got straight to the point.
“No, I don’t think it impacts it one way or the other. I’m a really friendly guy. I’ve got a lot of friends that are coaches. I just think it’s two classy programs, and the fact that it’s in Omaha and it’s Kansas-Nebraska. Again, I made the comment the other day, I bet you (former Nebraska football) Coach (Tom) Osborne is really happy right now because he gets Kansas-Nebraska, the old Big Eight days. Before that, it was the Big Six. I just think it’s a great traditional matchup, and the fact that it’s in volleyball is pretty unique.”
