2015-16 K CLUB REVIEW By The Book . . . A look at how the Jayhawk experience has touched so many lives. 2015-16 IN THIS ISSUE
K Club Executive Board of Directors
Jeff Long 2 ATHLETICS DIRECTOR DR. SHEAHON ZENGER President [email protected] (816) 500-2339 3 K CLUB LEADERSHIP
Liz Dobbins 4 ABOUT K CLUB, BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP Vice President [email protected] 5 2016-17 K CLUB BOARD DIRECTORY (785) 312-0314 6 K CLUB BOARD STRUCTURE Bob Lockwood Immediate Past President 7 SAVE THE DATE [email protected] (785) 840-8002 8 NATIONAL LETTERWINNERS ASSOCIATION David Johnston Special Assistant to President 9 PRESERVING HISTORY [email protected] 10 K CLUB LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (785) 979-6167 11 DEBRUCE CENTER, BOOTH HALL OF ATHLETICS 12 SHARING SUCCESS 13 HALL OF FAME Kansas Athletics Staff 14 TRADITIONS NIGHT
Candace Dunback 15 SUPPORTING CURRENT STUDENT-ATHLETES Senior Director of K Club and Traditions JAYHAWK SENIOR CELEBRATION [email protected] 16 (785) 864-7446 18 WILLIAMS EDUCATION FUND 19 COMPLIANCE “ASK BEFORE YOU ACT” Dino Bell 20 ROCK CHALK CHOICE AWARDS Director of K Club Outreach 21 KU LEADS AND CAREER CONNECTIONS [email protected] 22 GAME TICKETS (785) 864-7312 23 K CLUB CONNECTS JAYHAWKS Tayler Hammersmith K Club Intern 24 KCLUB FIRST GAME TAILGATE AND SPRING GAME TAILGATE Mailing Address: 25 K CLUB WEEKEND Kansas Athletics- K Club 26 ONCE A JAYHAWK 2460C Wagnon Student-Athlete Building 27 THE POWER OF SPORT 1651 Naismith Drive 28 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM & SPORT REUNIONS Lawrence, KS 66045-4069 30 LOVED ONES LOST
Stay Connected 31 K CLUB MEMBERSHIP FORM Website: KUAthletics.com/kclub Facebook: /KansasKClub Twitter: @KansasKClub LinkedIn: University of Kansas Athletics Alumni Network Email: [email protected]
CREDITS: Editor: Candace Dunback / Editorial Assistance: Erin Penning, Kansas Athletics Communications Office, K Club Executive Board and Student-Athlete Development / Photography: Jeff Jacobsen and Student-Athlete Development Staff Additional/ Photography: Booth Family Hall of Athletics Archives / Layout and Design: Jackie Berra / Printer: Pittcraft Printing 1 Athletics Director Dr. Sheahon Zenger
Dr. Zenger and the Jayhawk Nation celebrated John Hadl’s lifelong commitment to the Unversity of Kansas.
Dear K Club Members,
Thank you for taking an active role in the lives of our highly anticipated event embraces the rich tradition of the K Ring student-athletes. Through your membership as an active while connecting the seniors to generations of Jayhawks. K Club member, you play an integral part in our student- athletes’ success. We appreciate those who make it a Instilling a true appreciation of Kansas traditions helps each priority to attend K Club events, whether it’s the Senior student-athlete understand the responsibility of wearing a Kansas Celebration, a K Club tailgate, a reunion or Alumni uniform and accepting the honor it brings. Through K Club and weekend. Your time and participation makes a difference student-athlete development programs, we count on you to help and we thank you. preserve tradition, support our current student-athletes and stay connected to your Jayhawk roots. K Club performs an instrumental role in continuing the legacy and traditions of the University of Kansas with our Once a Jayhawk… Always a Jayhawk. student-athletes – specifically with the Jayhawks After Competition (JAC) and the Jayhawk Senior Celebration. Rock Chalk! For those new to K Club, JAC is a program developed for seniors wherein K Club members facilitate seminars on topics ranging from athletic identity to career networking. Sheahon Zenger The Jayhawk Senior Celebration is designed so all senior Director of Athletics student-athletes receive their K Ring from a K Club representative who participated in their sport. This annual,
2 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW K Club Leadership
Dr. Sheahon Zenger and K Club Immediate Past President, Jeff Long K Club President, Liz Dobbins, and Allison Long
Dear K Club Members, Dear K Club Members,
It has been an honor to serve this organization the last two It is an honor and privilege to take the next step from Vice President to years. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity. I wish more President of K Club. Jeff Long has driven our organization to the next level progress could have been made, but I am truly excited about of excellence with the continued involvement of our subcommittees. the direction we are headed, and confident that Liz Dobbins, K Club now has three primary operating subcommittees, which are K Club’s next president beginning July 1, will continue down Preserving History and Traditions, Supporting Current Student-Athletes, the path toward being the best letter winners association in and Connecting Jayhawks. America. This coming year K Club will continue to work on several projects. Our new structure encourages greater participation by our board and the membership, so I encourage you to become One of the projects impacting student-athletes is developing a plan for more involved as your life allows. We have found that as the endowing a few traditions, spearheaded by the Support subcommittee. years from competition multiply, we naturally gravitate more to The Preserve subcommittee will concentrate on securing merchandise our roots. At the same time this is occurring for many of us, our for our membership and continuing dialogue with Kansas Athletics to time commitments lessen. This is the perfect time to dive into K help create a letter jacket ceremony. The Connect subcommittee will Club, to reconnect with your teammates, and regularly venture continue to reach out to our K Club-eligible individuals and involve them back to campus and feel right at home. in a variety of ways.
Your board will continue to look at ways to support our current In the K Club Board meeting minutes from 1947, Otto Schnellbacher student athletes, provide fun and meaningful events for you to started the meeting with the same goals as we are trying to keep attend, and campaign for places for our membership to gather instilled today: at home and away competitions. The world’s most recognizable mascot ought to have the most noticeable support. “To encourage cooperation and feeling of brotherhood and fellowship among its members.” Rock Chalk! I look forward to meeting and hearing from you in the future.
Rock Chalk! Jeff Long Immediate Past President, K Club Board of Directors
Liz Dobbins President, K Club Board of Directors
3 About K Club
K Club’s mission is to help preserve the history and traditions of Kansas Athletics, support current student-athletes, and connect former participants, coaches, student athletic trainers and managers of varsity sports at the University of Kansas.
K Club began when the first baseball letter was awarded in 1877. The faces of Benefits Include: varsity athletics at the University of Kansas have changed through the years, • Earn active status in the Williams Education Fund but the “K” each of them wore proudly on their chest binds them forever. There and start earning Priority Points (10 pts for initial are currently over 7,000 former KU coaches, athletes, managers and student membership, 1 pt for renewed membership) athletic trainers worldwide representing 24 sports. • Receive K Club publications • Ability to purchase exclusive K Club merchandise Kansas Athletics and K Club are extremely proud of our tradition and we thank • Special seating option in section 22 for KU football those who helped build the foundation that supports our current student- season tickets and discounted season tickets for athletes. You can continue to contribute to the legacy by becoming and Olympic sports season tickets remaining an active member of K Club. Together we can successfully bridge the • Priority in purchasing Kansas football past and present by welcoming each class of Jayhawks into our family. single-game tickets • Assistance with K Ring repair and letter jacket, K Club strives to gain a diverse membership base across all sports and all watch or blanket replacement generations of Jayhawks. Help K Club better represent your sport and remain • Career and social networking a leader among peer letter winner associations across the nation by becoming a member today! • Exclusive invitations to K Club activities: • First Game Football Tailgate on the Hill Membership Dues Support: • K Club Weekend (Homecoming Weekend) • K Ring Letter Award for Senior Student-Athletes • Spring Football Game Tailgate • Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame Display and Induction Ceremony • Career Development Night • K Club Events and Sport Reunions • Jayhawks After College
“I’m going to miss walking around campus hearing, ‘Rock Chalk!’ I’m going to miss the tough camps and workouts with my teammates. I’m going to miss the feeling of accomplishing things with this amazing team. I’m going to miss having KANSAS stitched across my chest.”
PERRY ELLIS MEN’S BASKETBALL
4 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW 2016-17 K Club Board Directory
The K Club Board of Directors is composed of former student-athletes from the University of Kansas. The Board strives to represent all varsity sports that have ever been sponsored by Kansas Athletics and consists of no more than 25 members at one time. The group meets quarterly to discuss topics such as Hall of Fame inductions, membership, K Club functions, sport reunions, and ways to support the current student-athletes.
Please contact any members of the Board with comments, suggestions or to simply inquire how YOU can help celebrate our Jayhawk legacy. We are here to serve you, K Club and the University of Kansas.
Liz Dobbins Brad Wells Willie Amison* K Club President Swimming and Diving Football/Track and Field Golf/Gymnastics [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Brian Cooper Ali Brox* A SPECIAL THANK YOU Eric Patterson Gymnastics Rowing/Basketball Vice President [email protected] [email protected] Football/Track and Field K Club would like to thank those members [email protected] Jeff Hawkins Jill Dorsey-Hall* rotating off the Board this year. Their many Basketball Volleyball Jeff Long [email protected] [email protected] years of service to the K Club organization and Immediate Past President Kansas Athletics, in general, have been critical to Baseball/Football Natalie Hoogveld-Krueger Jill Larson-Bradney* [email protected] Soccer Volleyball/Softball/Basketball our success. [email protected] [email protected]
David Johnston Beth Llewellyn Jim Heeney* Bob Lockwood, Volleyball, Wrestling, Cross Country/Track and Field Track and Field/Field Hockey Baseball Men’s Gymnastics, Women’s Gymnastics, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Men’s Tennis Chip Budde Ally Stanton Maggie Mohrfeld* Dino Bell, Football Football/Track and Field Softball Volleyball [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Al Kelley, Men’s Basketball Nancy Fankhauser, Basketball Tracy Bunge Mike Rivera Jabari Wamble* Softball Football Track and Field Jim Sauer, Swimming and Diving [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Rick Ensz Also, congratulations to our newly-elected Cross Country/Track and Field K Club Board members marked by an asterisk [email protected] next to their name. Thank you for your interest Scott Huffman in serving in this new way. K Club looks forward Track and Field [email protected] to working with you to continue increasing our impact on the Jayhawk Nation. Lee Ice Baseball [email protected]
Matt Kleinmann Basketball [email protected]
Vickie Lowe Basketball/Softball [email protected]
5 K Club Board Restructure
Last year the K Club Board announced a restructuring in how worked tirelessly to see the restructure thru and lead the subcommittees board activities are handled. It had become obvious that while in setting and accomplishing objectives. in the midst of great growth in K Club activity that we needed to be organized differently to handle the advances. The K This year has seen Preserve progress on offering improved K Club Club Executive Board met several times before announcing a merchandise, policies on jersey retirements, and creation of a letter subcommittee structure with operating procedures to accomplish jacket ceremony. Our Support Subcommittee made strides in programs the three primary functions of K Club: Preserving History and to endow K Rings and Senior Celebration, and continued to support Tradition, Supporting Current Student-Athletes, and Connecting our career development night, mock interviews and Traditions Night Jayhawks. activities for our current student-athletes. The Connect Subcommittee completed a reunion checklist for all our programs to use for planning, and realized gains in outreach programs and recognizing Jayhawk Milestones.
Our new structure offers more members of our Board of Directors to have direct impact on our objectives and goals. The feedback received about how we operate has been positive, and we continue to have a great deal of interest in board participation. It is our hope that you will have the opportunity to serve in the future. It is an honor to be entrusted to care for the well-being of an organization in which we are all a part.
We need to send a great deal of gratitude to our board members for embracing a fairly dramatic change in how we operate without hesitation. They kept an open mind and applied an aggressive get-it-done approach, just like you would expect from Jayhawk athletes.
Also, please recognize current President, Liz Dobbins for chairing the Preserve Subcommittee, former K Club President David Johnston for chairing the Support Subcommittee, and former President Bob Lockwood for chairing the Connect Subcommittee. This group along with Candace Dunback and now Dino Bell has
6 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW Save the Date
September 3, 2016 October 22-23, 2016 First Game Tailgate K Club/Homecoming Weekend
This event is an annual event to help kick start the competitive season This event is K Club’s premiere weekend-long celebration centered on for all sports. It is important the current athletes feel the K Club Homecoming. Throughout the weekend K Club will celebrate those who presence. Join us for a tailgate on the Hill two hours prior to the game. helped build the foundation of Kansas Athletics. Events will include a 25 and Game tickets will be offered through the event registration. 50-year letter pin ceremony, Hall of Fame inductions, the Traditions Golf Tournament at Alvamar Golf Course, the first annual K Club Dominoes and ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOUBLETREE BY HILTON Spades Tournament, a fun social and the ever-popular tailgate prior to the (FORMERLY THE HOLIDAY INN) - UNDER K CLUB football game versus Oklahoma State University. Game tickets, again, will be 200 McDonald Drive offered through the event registration. (785) 841-7077 - Room Rate: $149/night Reserved for September 2-3 ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOUBLETREE BY HILTON Please make reservations by August 3, 2016 (FORMERLY THE HOLIDAY INN) - UNDER K CLUB AND KANSAS Event invite will be sent at a later date. FOOTBALL REUNION 200 McDonald Drive Spring 2017: (785) 841-7077 - Room Rate: $179/night Spring Football Game Tailgate/ Reserved for evenings of October 22-23 Football Reunion Please make reservations by September 22, 2016 This event includes a golf tournament, for former football players, one Event invite will be sent at a later date. day prior to the Spring Football Game, and tailgate on the Hill, for K Club members, one and a half hours prior to the annual Spring Football Game. It is a great family atmosphere with plenty of activities on the Hill for the young and old alike. The date is to be determined, K Club will inform you as soon as the date is set.
UPCOMING SPORT REUNIONS & EVENTS SUPPORTED BY K CLUB & WHO TO CONTACT FLOYD TEMPLE BASEBALL ALUMNI GAME AND SOCIAL . October 22 Marcia Bagby [email protected] ROWING JAYHAWK JAMBOREE ...... October 23 Carrie Callen ...... [email protected] MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TENNIS REUNION ...... November 18-20 . . . . Dino Bell [email protected] Note: Other reunions will be scheduled after the printing of this publication. Further information regarding all reunions will be sent at a later date.
7 National Letterwinners Association
Notre Dame 2010 University of Tulsa 2011 University of Texas 2012 University of Mississippi 2013 University of Louisville 2014 Louisiana State University 2015 University of Kansas 2016
Since 2010, K Club has been an active member of the National Letterwinners Association (NLWA). Each summer, the NLWA hosts a national conference, attended by peer Division I institutions on a member campus.
In June 2015, K Club representatives attended the annual conference hosted by Louisiana State University. K Club was once again invited to present at the event. Director of Traditions Candace Dunback, nearly 30 Division I schools were present and were blown away by the buy- K Club President Jeff Long, Vice President Liz Dobbins and Past in, access and connection to the athletics department. Not all schools are as President David Johnston shared some of the recent efforts K Club fortunate. Needless to say, K Club was Rock Chalk proud to host. has made in the area of diversity outreach. While we are compelled and will do more for K Club, it is critical to note the topic raised a “We at the University of Oregon look at great deal of dialogue amongst our peers that created a higher level the K Club of Kansas as a model to help us of understanding and awareness. build our letter winner club. Having the opportunity to connect, be involved, and be informed of the university that they K Club’s structure is unique among its peers, with strong support from competed and attended is very important the athletics department, making it a model for other institutions. As for all former student-athletes. Giving a result of its reputation as one of the premier letter winner clubs in back to our school that did so much the nation, K Club was selected to host the 2016 NLWA conference for all of us is a must. The Jayhawks are this past June. Sessions were hosted in the impressive Capitol flying. Rock Chalk and Go Ducks!” Federal Hall and K Club was also able to showcase the outstanding BILL THOMPSON, PRESIDENT athletics facilities on and around campus. Sixty-five individuals from ORDER OF THE O, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
8 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW Dr. James Naismith’s grandson and great-grandson enjoying the newest bronzed addition to campus.
K CLUB PRESERVES . . . the history and traditions of Kansas Athletics
9 K Club Lifetime Service Award
The K Club Lifetime Service Award was established in 2011 Past Recipients to formally recognize a K Club member who has shown 2011 . . Don Fambrough (football) continued service to Kansas Athletics and its student 2012 . . Floyd Temple (baseball), Bob Timmons (track and field/cross country) athletes. The recipient of this award upholds and advances 2013 . . Jerry Waugh (basketball, golf, administration) the K Club mission: preserving history and traditions, 2014 Bill Hougland (basketball) supporting current student athletes and connecting former 2015 . . Gary Padgett (baseball, basketball) student-athletes.
The award is presented annually at the Jayhawk Senior Celebration in the spring. Open nominations are welcome and can be e-mailed to [email protected].
About the 2016 Recipient
Gale Sayers, the “Kansas Comet,” established himself throughout his collegiate and professional career as I don’t care to be one of the great running backs in the history of football. A remembered as the two-time All-America selection for the Jayhawks, Sayers led man who scored KU in rushing, touchdowns and kickoff returns all three years six touchdowns in he was in the lineup. He also led the team in receiving and a game. I want to punt returns as a junior and senior. Sayers became the first be remembered as a player in NCAA Division IA history to record a 99-yard run winner in life. when he broke loose against Nebraska in Lincoln during the GALE SAYERS 1963 season. He also had a 96-yard kickoff return in a 15-14 upset of Oklahoma his senior season. Sayers also ran track at Kansas, competing in the high hurdles, 100-yard-dash and even setting a school record for the long jump.
Sayers was a first round draft pick of the Chicago Bears (and Kansas City Chiefs) and had an abbreviated seven-year NFL career that was cut short by a knee injury. He led the league in rushing in 1966 and 1969. He retired in 1972 with a career total of 4,956 rushing yards.
In 1973, Sayers was hired as the assistant athletic director Throughout his life, Sayers has remained active in his community working for at Kansas. Soon after, he became director of the Williams charities, including the Better Boys Foundation and was inducted into the Pro Education Fund, the fund-raising arm of the KU athletic Football Hall of Fame in 1977 at age 34, the youngest person ever selected. department. Other awards kept coming his way, as well. He was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Black Athlete’s After exploring other professional opportunities, he returned Hall of Fame. Most recently, the National Association of Collegiate Directors to KU in 2009 as Director of Fundraising for Special Projects, of Athletics (NACDA) inducted Gale Sayers into the John McLendon Minority and remained until 2012. Athletics Administrators Hall of Fame on June 19, 2009.
10 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW Hall of Athletics & DeBruce Center
Hall of Athletics One of the responsibilities of the Preserve Subcommittee of the K Club Board is to function as the Collections Review Committee (CRC) for the Booth Family Hall of Athletics. The purpose of the CRC is to assist the Director of the Booth Family Hall of Athletics by monitoring activities related to the Kansas Athletics collection of artifacts. This includes vetting potential donations and loans, approving the removal of items from the collection, and proposing potential purchases under rare circumstances.
CONTACT: Abbi Huderle Director of the Booth Family Hall of Athletics 785/864-7966, [email protected] @KUBoothHOA Facebook.com/BoothFamilyHallofAthletics KUathletics.com/boothhall
The DeBruce Center Is Open! After more than a year of construction, the DeBruce Center opened in April of 2016. This stunning facility offers dining facilities, the Original Rules Gift Shop, exhibits that cover the worldwide impact of individuals with ties to the University of Kansas had on the game of basketball and examine the lives of James Naismith and Phog Allen. Be sure to visit soon and witness the founding document of basketball – James Naismith’s Original 13 Rules!
David Booth gifted the Original Rules of “Basket Ball” to the University of Kansas. www.debrucecenter.ku.edu
11 Sharing Success
What will 2016-17 bring? There have been many additions to the trophy cases and banners in the past year.
BANNERS At the north end of Allen Fieldhouse hang a series of banners representing All-Americans (Consensus First and Second Teams, Wooden All- Americans), Academic All-Americans (First, Second or Third Teams, as selected by CoSIDA), Naismith Hall of Fame individual inductees, basketball Olympians (players or coaching staff, any country), and team national championships. These banners were updated in 2015 to make them more easily readable and create space for future additions. Red lettering or edging is designated for women’s achievements and blue lettering or edging is for men’s achievements. Quite an impressive list of names!
12 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW Sharing Success Hall of Fame Class of 2015
Former student-athlete and assistant coach Tom Harp and Members of the 2008 women’s indoor track and field team. Jordan Scott.
“Jordan stayed in the moment, Before a standing-room only crowd inside Under Head Coach Stanley Redwine, the was a competitor, cleared the Booth Family Hall of Athletics, KU pole 2008 Kansas women’s track and field team the bar and won the (NCAA) vault great Jordan Scott, the 2008 KU set a then-record team finish at the NCAA championship. When he had women’s indoor track & field team and the Indoor Championships. It earned 18 points a chance to be on the biggest stage, he took it.” 2010 men’s outdoor track and field team to place 10th overall, beating KU’s previous were inducted into the Kansas Athletics high team placement of 15th at the 1996 ASSISTANT COACH TOM HAYS Hall of Fame in the fall of 2015. The emcee NCAA Championships. Led by junior for the ceremony was Don Steffens, voice of Nickesha Anderson (second, 200-meter the Kansas Relays for 41 years. dash and sixth, 60-meter dash), the rest of the scoring for the women came from junior A two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Stephanie Horton (eighth, shot put) and Team member, Scott ranks third on the senior Kate Sultanova (third, pole vault). all-time KU indoor pole vault list with his 18-2 1/2” vault at the 2009 Big 12 Indoor The 2010 Kansas men’s track and field team Championships and second on the all- earned a seventh-place finish at the NCAA time KU outdoor list with his 18-8 ¾” jump Outdoor Championships. Led by Scott, at the 2010 Texas Relays. Vaulting as a a junior on that team, who won the pole professional in 2013, Jordan took the USA vault championship, and freshman Mason Indoor Championship at a height of 18-4 ½”. Finley, who took second place in the shot put and the discus, the Jayhawks collected The Kansas Athletics While competing for the Jayhawks, 26 points. The finish was the highest team Scott dominated the Big 12 pole vault finish at the NCAA meet since it placed fifth Hall of Fame was established to scene, winning seven of eight possible in 1975. It was also the first time the men formally recognize outstanding individual and Big 12 indoor and outdoor titles. finished in the top-10 since they placed team achievements, and to preserve the heri- eighth overall at the 1980 NCAA Outdoor tage and tradition of the university’s intercolle- Championships. giate athletics program. The Hall of Fame display is located in the Booth Family Hall of Athletics, on the east side of historic Allen Fieldhouse and K Club serves as its keeper. 13 Traditions Night
At the beginning of each new academic year, the K Club Board of Directors is invited to gather with the new student-athletes prior to their participation in the University-led Traditions Night in Memorial Stadium.
The following are pieces of the message shared with the new Kansas student-athletes:
The Jayhawk Journey is a lifelong commitment. It begins right As a senior, a ring will connect YOUR journey with theirs. here, right now and never ends. The K Ring symbolizes a uniquely shared experience What will your journey look like? Today, you begin between generations of varsity letter winners at writing your legacy. the University of Kansas. As a Jayhawk you are expected to uphold tradition and retain the characteristics of a champion At the beginning of your journey, the letter awards you earn while continuing to create your own legacy. The crimson in the ring as a student-athlete at the University of Kansas represent your depicts passion with purpose as you maintain your lifelong devotion fight to become a piece of theJayhawk legacy. to excellence. The blue in the ring signifies loyalty to your university and your enduring commitment to integrity and service. The “K” But do you know what it takes to letter in your sport? Why stop personifies the spirit of the mentally tough competitor who came there? Do you know the school records in your sport? Do you before you and the one that lives within you. know your sport’s Hall of Fame members…how they got there… and how you could get there? Don’t let your first day be your best day.I dare you to honor yourself and those who have proudly earned the K by maximizing In fact, those who came before you have taken this same your effort. Every day, every play. Remember, Once a Jayhawk…always a journey. They, too, chose to work hard. They bled. They cried. Jayhawk. Protect it. They triumphed. Your journey begins today.
14 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW Traditions Night
Former football player Pack St. Clair embraces the chance to personally connect with senior student-athlete De’Andre Mann.
K CLUB SUPPORTS . . . current student-athletes
15 Jayhawk Senior Celebration
Kansas recognized some of its top student-athlete performers - past and present - and presented another class of soon-to-be graduating seniors their K Rings at the Senior Celebration in April.
Wichita native Perry Ellis (men’s basketball) and Thai golfer Yupaporn “Mook” Kawinpakorn were named Dr. Frederick Senior Scholar Athletes while rowing’s Tessa Scott from De Soto, Kansas, and cross country›s James Hampton, also of Wichita, were presented with the Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship during the ceremony, which followed a reception inside the Union Ballroom.
Ellis and Kawinpakorn were recognized as the top senior scholar-athletes and given the award named for Robert E. Frederick, former Director of Athletics and Professor at the University of Kansas. The award, presented Monday night by Dr. Bernie Kish along with Chris Frederick, pays tribute to Dr. Frederick’s dedication to excellence at KU and was named in his honor when he retired as the Director of Athletics in 2001. Tessa Scott, Gale Sayers, Mook Kawinpakorn, James Hampton Ellis will go down in Kansas basketball history as one of the most decorated student-athletes to don a KU uniform. During his senior this year Kawinpakorn has claimed titles at the Schooner Classic, setting season Ellis shot his way to eighth on KU’s all-time scoring lists boasting a tournament record for lowest 18-hole score with a 63 (-8); Chip-N Club an impressive 1,798 points during his career. Ranking 12th on the KU Invitational; Palmetto Intercollegiate; DAC/SMU Invitational; and Red Raidir career rebound list (834 rebounds), Ellis is one of only four players in Invitational, where she set the KU record for lowest 54-hole score of 209 KU history to rank in the top 12 in both points and rebounds as he joins (-7). former KU greats Danny Manning, Nick Collison and Raef LaFrentz. Kawinpakorn’s success this year and throughout her career has helped The two-time Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team (2013 her claim several individual records at KU, including career top-5 finishes, and 2016) selection was not only a leader on the court, but in career top-10 finishes and season stroke average (a record she has set the class room as well. Ellis is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 every year at KU). A three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection, selection, including first team his junior and senior seasons, the Kawinpakorn’s Kansas career started off with a bang, setting the school 2014-15 and 2015-16 Big 12 Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year, record for season stroke average in her freshman year and earning Big and a 2015-16 Senior CLASS Award finalist. He added consensus 12 All-Tournament honors by placing 10th at the league championship. It All-America Second Team honors to his resume in 2015-16. was the beginning of a career chock full of team and individual success. Kawinpakorn recently finished tied for fifth at the Big 12 Championship, Kawinpakorn has gone on a tear in her final season, placing in the top- earning Big 12 All-Tournament honors for the fourth-straight year. 10 of all but one of her stroke-play events, including a school-record Additionally, Kawinpakorn has contributed to Kansas’ lowest 18-hole team five individual titles. The 2016 Marlene Mawson Award recipient, score and lowest 54-hole team score. Prior to Monday night’s festivities she was selected, along with teammate Pornvipa Sakdee, to compete in the field for the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.
To honor the lifetime service of Prentice Gautt, the late Associate Commissioner of the Big 12, the conference established 24 postgraduate scholarships to be awarded to two seniors from each institution that have demonstrated their commitment to excellence in academics and have pledged to continue their education in graduate school. Hampton and Scott were presented the award by Paul
2016 K Ring Presenters
16 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW Buskirk, associate athletics director for student-athlete support services. Kansas senior track and field athlete Rhavean Anderson presented the senior address, highlighting the change Hampton finished among KU’s top five in all five meets he competed in on campus and among the senior class over the last four years. during the 2015 cross country season, including contributing as a scoring member to the Jayhawks’ Big 12 and NCAA Midwest Regional efforts. He was The ceremony closed with the final presentation of the K Rings, which also a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection in cross country. were distributed by K Club representatives from each Kansas sport as student-athletes were announced by their coaches. K Rings are Scott is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and the recipient presented not by team, but by recognizing the class members of various of the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award in 2015 – the sports, demonstrating their uniquely shared experience. The ceremony is highest academic award in the Big 12. Scott parlayed her experience two-fold to signify the conclusion of the collegiate athletic career while as a competitive powerlifter to become an elite rower at the collegiate introducing the prospective graduate as a new member of the Jayhawk level. She rowed in the First Varsity Four boat as a freshman, the First family, reinforcing the message of “Once a Jayhawk... Always a Jayhawk.” and Second Varsity Eights as a junior, and has been a leader on the First Varsity Eight boat as a senior. K Ring Class of 2016
“The same way that construction on campus has not changed the fact that this is the University of Kansas, the changes we will face as we disperse to pursue careers, have families, and chase our dreams will not change the fact that we will always, and forever be Jayhawks.” RHAVEAN ANDERSON, TRACK & FIELD
17 Thank You K Club Members! ALL MEMBERS OF THE K CLUB RECEIVE AN OUTLAND LEVEL MEMBERSHIP TO THE WILLIAMS FUND.
With your membership, the legacy of Kansas Athletics lives on through our current and future student-athletes who proudly wear the Jayhawk uniform. Learn more about Williams Fund benefits by visiting www.WilliamsFund.com.
ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK
18 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW Compliance “Ask Before You Act”
QUESTIONS? WHAT CAN YOU NOT DO? KU Athletic Compliance Office RULE 16.01.1 – Eligibility Effect of Violation. “A student-athlete shall [email protected] not receive any extra benefit. …If the student-athlete receives an 785.864.4200 extra benefit not authorized by NCAA legislation, the individual is Twitter: /jayhawkcomply ineligible in all sports.”
RULE 16.02.3 – Extra Benefit. “An extra benefit is any special WHAT CAN YOU DO? arrangement by an institutional employee or representative of the institution’s athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or student-athlete’s relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized PERMISSIBLE FOR YOU TO DO: by NCAA legislation. Receipt of a benefit by student-athletes or • Be a great resource on dealing with University of Kansas their relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it expectations. is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the • Offer academic advice and help within the normal ethical boundaries of your position as a faculty member. institution’s students or their relatives or friends or to a particular • Be a trusted friend when the student-athlete does not know who segment of the student body (e.g., international students, minority to communicate with. students) determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability.” • Offer the best advising information available anywhere. • On an occasional basis you may: NOT PERMISSIBLE FOR YOU TO: • Provide a meal for a student-athlete or the entire team. The • Pay student-athlete upfront for an employment opportunity. meal can be prepared in your home, on the institution’s Student-Athlete must be paid for work actually performed. campus or at a facility regularly used for practice activities. • Pick-up the tab of a student-athlete(s) if you run into them at a All occasional meal requests must be approved by the KU restaurant or any other commercial entity or location. Compliance Office. • Buy a student-athlete, their friend(s) or relative presents or other • Provide local transportation for a student-athlete to attend a items (e.g., gift certificate for dinner or a movie). meal only if the meal is hosted at your home. • Allow the student-athlete to use your “discount” or other special • Send a student a reasonable token of support (card or flowers) in benefits at a local club, business or any other establishment. the event of a serious injury, serious illness, or death of a family • Loan the student-athlete your calculator, palm pilot, iPad, Nook, member. This must be approved by the compliance office prior to Kindle, or other electronic equipment to use and return later. providing such a benefit. • Guarantee a bond or co-sign a loan for the student-athlete, their • Continue to have contact with an established family friend or friends or relatives. neighbor who is a prospective student-athlete (9th grade or older). • Let a student-athlete use your car or other personal items for any Contact Compliance for pre-existing relationship form. purpose. • View a prospect’s competition on your own initiative. • Offer a ride in situations other than when an occasional meal is • Receive a call from a prospect only if the prospect initiates the call provided or when an emergency exists. and it is not for a recruiting purpose. • Buy any items (e.g., new suit) for graduation, or make payments on • Notify the Kansas Athletics coaching staff of prospects. a car following graduation. • Allow a student-athlete to use your office or personal phone to make phone calls (e.g., long distance calls). • Help pay medical or dental expenses for a student-athlete or their family. • Allow a student-athlete to live or store their possessions at your house, including any semester break or institution vacation period (e.g., summer vacation, spring break). • Contact or call a prospect that you have not had a pre-existing relationship with from prior to the 9th grade. • Contact or call a prospect’s parent, coach, principal or counselor. • Assist with the evaluation of talent at the direction of a Kansas Athletics coaching staff member. • Promote Kansas Athletics in any way to encourage a prospect to attend the University of Kansas (e.g., social media). 19 Rock Chalk Choice Awards
On a night appropriately themed, “History Makers and Record Breakers,” Michael Stigler a runner-up at the NCAA meet the last two years before breaking through in 2015, was tabbed as the top male Jayhawk for the third year in a row, a mammoth task on its own. The Canyon, Texas native, became Kansas’ 36th individual NCAA outdoor champion when he ran to the 400-meter hurdle title and also became the first Jayhawk in program history to “It means a lot to me and my coaching earn First Team All-America honors in a single event in four- staff who put in a lot of work - and for track and field to be recognized consecutive years. That moment was also selected by the at this award show. I was just glad audience as the Rock Chalk Moment of the Year in a text vote. that I could be the guy to do it for them - bring a National Championship Chelsea Albers was chosen from nine standout female home. It’s a great feeling.” performers. She helped Kansas volleyball to its third-straight MICHAEL STIGLER NCAA Tournament appearance while becoming just the seventh player in team history to record more than 900 kills and 800 digs during her career. The Papillon, Nebraska native closed while founding the state of Kansas. A junior guard from Petersburg, her Jayhawk career by collecting All-Big 12 First Team honors, Virginia, Mason was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team after starting as well as AVCA All-Midwest Region First Team recognition. all 36 games at the point for KU’s NCAA Tournament team last season. The Best Jayhawk in a Supporting Role Award, presented to a Specialized awards in seven different categories were presented student-athlete who demonstrates extraordinary sportsmanship, by a collection of some of Kansas’ great former student-athletes. support and loyalty to teammates and Kansas Athletics went to Presenters included Bryan Sperry (football) for the Jayhawker Award; football’s Michael Cummings. A senior quarterback from Killeen, Ernie Shelby (track and field) for academics; Steve Renko (baseball, Texas, Cummings played in 23 games with 12 starts for Kansas over basketball and football) for best Jayhawk in a Supporting Role; David the last three seasons while throwing for more than 2,000 yards and Jaynes (football) for the Crimson Climb; Tammy Thomas-Ammons 13 touchdowns. He has continued to support the team and contribute (swimming and diving) for the True Blue Award; Billy Thomas from the sidelines after a knee injury in the team’s spring game. (basketball) for athletic All-America recognition; Holly Gault (soccer) and Aaron Miles (basketball) for Female and Male Athlete of the Also claiming an award from the Kansas football team was De’Andre Mann. Year; and Andrea Geubelle (track and field) for Moment of the Year. The senior running back from Miami, Florida, was honored with the Crimson Climb Award, given to the student-athlete who has served as an inspiration to Individual winners of conference and All-America academic and others by overcoming challenges and exceeding academic expectations. In athletic honors were recognized throughout the program, but addition to making significant strides in the classroom, Mann has overcome specifically, Kansas’ soccer and swimming and diving teams shared injury and was one of the Jayhawks’ options in a talented backfield. the Best Team GPA award after posting a 3.37 GPA. Jayhawk swimmers and divers also claimed the Sophia Templin, a softball pitcher from DeSoto, Kansas, was given CHAMPS award, given to the Kansas the True Blue Award, honoring a student-athlete who demonstrates program most engaged in five community devotion to excellence in academics and athletics while advancing service and spirit related categories. Kansas Athletics through participation in student organizations or community service projects. Active with a number of student Kansas basketball’s Frank Mason was organizations and Greek life, Templin also provided a change presented with the Jayhawker Award, given of pace and direction in the circle for a Jayhawks team that in honor of the pioneers who held true to their advanced to its second-straight NCAA Tournament last season. values through devastation and hardship
20 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW KU Leads & Career Connections
KU Leads believes student-athletes should utilize their competitive spirit developed in their sport and transfer that competitive mindset to their professional career to compete everywhere. KU Leads encourages Kansas student-athletes to participate in university career development initiatives alongside KU Leads student-athlete career development activities because they are specifically designed to utilize their unique sport experience. KU Leads offers a career development experience available for all student-athletes. Career development activities are provided throughout each year of the student-athlete experience to offer a yearly progressive development.
“This whole event is a little nerve-wracking because you want to present yourself the best you can. The perspective that they (former athletes) were once here and are here to help us, that kind of calms the nerves a little bit.”
GREG LUPTON, TRACK AND FIELD SENIOR
Forty former athletes, managers and trainers returned to KU’s athletic facilities, giving back of sorts, along with nearly 50 organizations to help connect current Kansas Jayhawks with career opportunities during the KU Leads annual Career Development Night in the Booth Hall of Athletics. The timing of this event fell before several major career fairs on campus, serving as further preparation for student-athletes looking to go pro in something other than their respective sport. A diverse group of companies offered part-time, full-time and internship opportunities, like NASCAR, the Federal Reserve Bank, Kansas Highway Patrol, Koch Industries, UPS and Payless Shoe Source.
“An event like this gives athletes an opportunity to work around their schedule. A lot of career fairs, for whatever reason, you can’t attend – this is critically important. And it gives student-athletes a chance to see a lot of different employers in the area, get a lot of different ideas.”
NIKKI MAPLES-WOOLFOLK, SWIMMING AND DIVING ALUM
Networking is a key component of supporting the current student-athletes. Our Jayhawks from years past have been very active and present in this interaction. We are thankful for the connections already made and are excited to offer many more in the future.
21
The beauty of K Club events is that you move from coach-athlete relationships to friends, just as Coach Ted Owens and his players do year after year.
K CLUB connects . . . Jayhawks Spring Game & First Game Tailgates
Participants of the 2016 Alumni scrimmage
The K Club First Game and Spring-Game Tailgates are similar events logistically but serve different purposes. The First Game Tailgate takes place at the first football game of the season (September 3, 2016, 4-6 p.m., kickoff 6 p.m.) and is designed to symbolically celebrate the start of another competitive season while enhancing the game day experience and showing unconditional support for our sport programs. The Spring Game Tailgate, on the other hand, is a more family-oriented atmosphere with many activities taking place on the Hill. Some years have featured events such as a bike fair, a football clinic hosted by the current players called “Train Like a Jayhawk,” autograph sessions and the always-entertaining Alumni Football Game. Be sure to wear those letter jackets and K Rings. Your presence and visibility is a powerful connection in so many ways. Please contact Dino Bell at [email protected] with any questions.
24 SPRING 2015 K CLUB REVIEW Spring Game & First Game Tailgates K Club Weekend & 25/50 Year Pins
This event is K Club’s two-day celebration centered on Homecoming. On Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, K Club will celebrate those who helped to establish a firm foundation for Kansas Athletics. Events will include Hall of Fame inductions, a 25 and 50-year letter pin ceremony, the Traditions Golf Tournament at Alvamar Golf Course, a first-ever Dominos and Spades Tournament, a fun-filled social gathering, and a pregame tailgate prior to the homecoming football game versus Oklahoma State University. Game tickets can be purchased through the event registration, which will be sent at a later date.
25 Once A Jayhawk Features
“Once a Jayhawk, Always a Jayhawk” features on former athletes and coaches have Much of the content in these features will no doubt increased visibility for each of KU’s sport programs while allowing us to celebrate some remind you of your time as a student-athlete. It’s also of the individuals behind the Kansas Athletics story. Twice a month the communications evident that the values learned as an athlete certainly staff interviews former athletes about their playing days, their professional careers and carry over to one’s profession. the impact sports have had on their lives. The interview is then shared on the Kansas Athletics website, in “Rock Chalk Weekly” and shared via social media. To browse all the interviews in their entirety, visit www.alwaysajayhawk.com.
2015-16 features: Bryan Sperry, football David Johnston, cross country
Delvin Williams, football “All the training taught me that I can do anything I want. Tammy Thomas-Ammons, swimming & diving I just have to be willing to Clinton Johnson, men’s basketball put in the work and make the sacrifices. There is no doubt Chris Thompson, men’s golf in my mind that I learned that from being at KU.” Mike Elwell, wrestling Emily Martin, rowing TAMMY THOMAS-AMMONS
It is important to note the influence coaches and staff members had on us as well.
“KU was home to the beginning of the vision of where I could go in life. Martin Luther King’s speech, ‘I Have a Dream,’ is a dream that we all are challenged to live, and because of basketball at KU I was able to live that dream.”
NOLEN ELLISON
The effect of empowering those who wear the uniform after you is immeasurable.
“All the things that I enjoy, the community, college basketball, being around good people; I can do that here. It’s always felt like home.”
CHRIS THOMPSON
26 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW The Power of Sport
THE POWER OF SPORT: A CONVERSATION ON BUSINESS, RACE AND SPORTS SECOND ANNUAL EVENT PRESENTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS THE LANGSTON HUGHES CENTER AND KANSAS ATHLETICS
FEATURING A KEYNOTE ADDRESS, “RACE, SPORTS AND SOCIETY” BY DAVE ZIRIN SPORTS EDITOR FOR THE NATION
Former basketball player Wayne Simien, Director of the Langston Hughes Center Shawn Alexander, Dr. Sheahon Zenger, former track and field athlete Ernie Shelby, keynote speaker Dave Zirin (The Nation), former basketball player Lisa Braddy and then-Dean of Business School Neeli Bendapudi. , “To be a leader means the world looks to us for the best diversity practices, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 AT KANSAS UNION BALLROOM and we, in turn, can look to one VIP RECEPTION 5:00 P.M. ★ 6:00 P.M. INTERVIEW WITH FORMER KU STUDENT-ATHLETES ★ KEYNOTE ADDRESS another to share practices and 7:00 P.M. ★ ideas that will help us become better students, researchers, scholars and colleagues to one another. We are One Team. We are KU.”
E. NATHAN THOMAS III, VICE PROVOST FOR DIVERSITY AND EQUITY
Members of the basketball team and many other sports listened to the experi- ences of our former athletes.
Visit LangstonHughes.ku.edu to view the event in its entirety. 27 Championship Teams & Sports Reunions
People are the business of our business. Through reunions you are able to connect to one another on a personal and sometimes professional basis. Perhaps as important, current student-athletes see that they, too, will be welcomed throughout their Jayhawk Journey. Your presence at these events creates a more visible unity and support system for the generations of student-athletes and the University of Kansas as a whole. Reunions are what you, as an individual, make them. Reach out to your teammates and coaches and join us for your sport’s next gathering. Your K Club dues help, in part, fund sport reunions. Thank you for helping make these events such a success. Softball
Reunions hosted in 2015-16 included: August 21, 2015 Volleyball Alumni Match September 5, 2015 125 Years of KU Football October 9, 2015 ...... Soccer Reunion October 31, 2015 ...... Floyd Temple Alumni Game January 23, 2016 John Hadl Recognition February 26, 2016 ...... Women’s Basketball Reunion April 9, 2016 ...... 10th Anniversary of 2006 Big 12 ...... Champion Baseball Team April 8 – 9, 2016 ...... Spring Football Golf Tournament, ...... Alumni Game, and Reunion April 22 – 23, 2016 Kansas Track & Field Cross Country Reunion April 22-24, 2016 Bob Timmons Remembrance Events April 30, 2016 Baseball Alumni Day Floyd Temple Alumni Baseball Game May 6 – 7, 2016 Softball Reunion/10th Anniversary of ...... 2006 Big 12 Champions
FOOTBALL ALumni Game
28 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW Football Volleyball Alumni Game
John Hadl Recognition Baseball
Women’s Basketball Football
Soccer 29 Loved Ones Lost
We are family. From the moment we put that uniform on for the first time and wear KANSAS across our chests, to the many milestones we reach thoughout our lives, we are family. Please take a moment to remember all our brothers and sisters we have lost this past year and previous years.
Clyde Lovellette Bill Bridges 1929-2016 1939-2015
Brandon Bourbon Bob Timmons 1992-2016 1924-2015
30 SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW 2016-17 Membership Form K Club’s mission is to help PRESERVE the history and traditions of Kansas Athletics, SUPPORT current student-athletes, and CONNECT former participants, coaches, student athletic trainers and managers of varsity sports at the University of Kansas.
Personal Information
First Name: M.I. Last Name: Maiden Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Cell Phone: Email: Sport(s)/Year(s): KU Degree(s): Postgraduate Degree (s): Profession:
Membership Type (CHECK ONE) c ANNUAL $40, expires February 28, 2017 c THREE YEARS $105, expires February 28, 2019 c LIFETIME $700 c SENIOR LIFETIME $350, must be 65+
Other c ADDITIONAL SUPPORT I would like to donate $______to assist K Club in supporting its mission. I would like information about (check all that apply): c Becoming a career mentor for current student-athletes. c Participating in the Student-Athlete Career Fair on behalf of my company. c Assisting with mock interviews for student-athletes.
Payment Options c CREDIT CARD c CHECK (PAYABLE TO KANSAS ATHLETICS)
Card Number: Exp. Date: Security Code: TOTAL: Sign Name as it appears on card:
PLEASE RETURN FORM TO: KANSAS ATHLETICS | ATTN: K CLUB | 1651 NAISMITH DRIVE | LAWRENCE, KS 66045-4069 FAX: 785-864-1223 | PHONE: 785-864-7915 | [email protected] For replacement K Rings, watches, blankets and letter jackets contact K Club.
Candace Dunback Senior Director of K Club and Traditions [email protected] 785-864-7446
KUAthletics.com/KClub
University of Kansas /KansasKClub @KansasKClub Athletics Alumni Network