2015-16
K CLU B RE V I E W
By The Book . . . A l o ok at h o w t h e Jayhawk e xperience has touched so many lives.
2015-16
IN THIS ISSUE
K Club Executive Board of Directors Jeff Long President jefflong@ku.edu (816) 500-2339
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ATH LE TI C S D I R EC TOR D R . S H E AHO N ZE N G E R
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K C LU B LE AD E RS H I P
Liz Dobbins Vice President ldobbins@ku.edu (785) 312-0314
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AB OU T K C LU B, B E N E FI TS OF MEM BE R S HI P
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2 01 6 -1 7 K C LU B B OARD D I R EC TO RY
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K C LU B B OARD STRU C TU R E
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SAV E TH E DATE
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N ATI ON AL LE TTE RW I N N E R S ASSO CI AT I O N
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PR E S E RV I N G H I STORY
Bob Lockwood Immediate Past President kucoachbob@yahoo.com (785) 840-8002 David Johnston Special Assistant to President davidjohnston@kualumni.org (785) 979-6167
Kansas Athletics Staff Candace Dunback Senior Director of K Club and Traditions cdunback@ku.edu (785) 864-7446
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Dino Bell Director of K Club Outreach dbell@ku.edu (785) 864-7312 Tayler Hammersmith K Club Intern
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Stay Connected Website: KUAthletics.com/kclub Facebook: /KansasKClub Twitter: @KansasKClub LinkedIn: University of Kansas Athletics Alumni Network Email: kclub@ku.edu
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K CLUB LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD DEBRUCE CENTER, BOOTH HALL OF ATHLETICS SHARING SUCCESS HALL OF FAME TRADITIONS NIGHT
S U PPORTI N G C U R RE N T STU D E N T-AT HL E T E S
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JAYHAWK SENIOR CELEBRATION WILLIAMS EDUCATION FUND COMPLIANCE “ASK BEFORE YOU ACT” ROCK CHALK CHOICE AWARDS KU LEADS AND CAREER CONNECTIONS GAME TICKETS
K C LU B CON N EC TS JAYH AW KS
Mailing Address: Kansas Athletics- K Club 2460C Wagnon Student-Athlete Building 1651 Naismith Drive Lawrence, KS 66045-4069
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24 KCLUB FIRST GAME TAILGATE AND SPRING GAME TAILGATE 25 K CLUB WEEKEND 26 ONCE A JAYHAWK 27 THE POWER OF SPORT 28 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM & SPORT REUNIONS 30 LOVED ONES LOST
K C LU B ME MB E R SH I P FORM
C REDITS: 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
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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 student-athletes. Through your membership as an active K Club member, you play an integral part in our studentathletes’ success. We appreciate those who make it a priority to attend K Club events, whether it’s the Senior Celebration, a K Club tailgate, a reunion or Alumni weekend. Your time and participation makes a difference and we thank you. K Club performs an instrumental role in continuing the legacy and traditions of the University of Kansas with our student-athletes – specifically with the Jayhawks After Competition (JAC) and the Jayhawk Senior Celebration. 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. The Jayhawk Senior Celebration is designed so all senior student-athletes receive their K Ring from a K Club representative who participated in their sport. This annual,
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highly anticipated event embraces the rich tradition of the K Ring while connecting the seniors to generations of Jayhawks. Instilling a true appreciation of Kansas traditions helps each student-athlete understand the responsibility of wearing a Kansas uniform and accepting the honor it brings. Through K Club and student-athlete development programs, we count on you to help preserve tradition, support our current student-athletes and stay connected to your Jayhawk roots. Once a Jayhawk… Always a Jayhawk. Rock Chalk!
Sheahon Zenger Director of Athletics
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 years. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity. I wish more progress could have been made, but I am truly excited about the direction we are headed, and confident that Liz Dobbins, K Club’s next president beginning July 1, will continue down the path toward being the best letter winners association in America.
It is an honor and privilege to take the next step from Vice President to President of K Club. Jeff Long has driven our organization to the next level of excellence with the continued involvement of our subcommittees. K Club now has three primary operating subcommittees, which are Preserving History and Traditions, Supporting Current Student-Athletes, and Connecting Jayhawks. 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 more involved as your life allows. We have found that as the years from competition multiply, we naturally gravitate more to our roots. At the same time this is occurring for many of us, our time commitments lessen. This is the perfect time to dive into K Club, to reconnect with your teammates, and regularly venture back to campus and feel right at home. Your board will continue to look at ways to support our current student athletes, provide fun and meaningful events for you to attend, and campaign for places for our membership to gather at home and away competitions. The world’s most recognizable mascot ought to have the most noticeable support.
One of the projects impacting student-athletes is developing a plan for endowing a few traditions, spearheaded by the Support subcommittee. The Preserve subcommittee will concentrate on securing merchandise for our membership and continuing dialogue with Kansas Athletics to help create a letter jacket ceremony. The Connect subcommittee will continue to reach out to our K Club-eligible individuals and involve them in a variety of ways. In the K Club Board meeting minutes from 1947, Otto Schnellbacher started the meeting with the same goals as we are trying to keep instilled today: “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
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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.
varsity athletics at the University of Kansas have changed through the years,
Benefits Include: • 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. Kansas Athletics and K Club are extremely proud of our tradition and we thank
• Receive K Club publications • Ability to purchase exclusive K Club merchandise • 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.
K Club began when the first baseball letter was awarded in 1877. The faces of
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
generations of Jayhawks. Help K Club better represent your sport and remain
• Career and social networking
watch or blanket replacement
a leader among peer letter winner associations across the nation by becoming a member today!
Membership Dues Support: • K Ring Letter Award for Senior Student-Athletes • Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame Display and Induction Ceremony • K Club Events and Sport Reunions
“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
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• Exclusive invitations to K Club activities: •
First Game Football Tailgate on the Hill
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K Club Weekend (Homecoming Weekend)
•
Spring Football Game Tailgate
•
Career Development Night
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Jayhawks After College
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. Brad Wells Swimming and Diving bwells@kualumni.org
Willie Amison* Football/Track and Field whipper@ku.edu
Brian Cooper Gymnastics bcooper58@hotmail.com
Ali Brox* Rowing/Basketball broxali@gmail.com
Jeff Hawkins Basketball jhawkins@lawrenceks.org
Jill Dorsey-Hall* Volleyball jilldorsey@gmail.com
Natalie Hoogveld-Krueger Soccer nhoog@hotmail.com
Jill Larson-Bradney* Volleyball/Softball/Basketball jill22brad@me.com
David Johnston Cross Country/Track and Field davidjohnston@kualumni.edu
Beth Llewellyn Track and Field/Field Hockey bethllewellyn55@gmail.com
Jim Heeney* Baseball jim.heeney@pegasuskc.com
Chip Budde Football/Track and Field chip.budde@jbudde.com
Ally Stanton Softball allystanton@ku.edu
Maggie Mohrfeld* Volleyball mohrfeldm@gmail.com
Tracy Bunge Softball tracybunge@aol.com
Mike Rivera Football mike.rivera40@gmail.com
Jabari Wamble* Track and Field jwamble@hotmail.com
Liz Dobbins K Club President Golf/Gymnastics ldobbins@ku.edu
A SPECIAL THANK YOU K Club would like to thank those members rotating off the Board this year. Their many years of service to the K Club organization and Kansas Athletics, in general, have been critical to our success. Bob Lockwood, Volleyball, Wrestling, Men’s Gymnastics, Women’s Gymnastics, Men’s Tennis Dino Bell, Football Al Kelley, Men’s Basketball Nancy Fankhauser, Basketball Jim Sauer, Swimming and Diving Also, congratulations to our newly-elected K Club Board members marked by an asterisk next to their name. Thank you for your interest in serving in this new way. K Club looks forward to working with you to continue increasing our impact on the Jayhawk Nation.
Eric Patterson Vice President Football/Track and Field epatt@sbcglobal.net Jeff Long Immediate Past President Baseball/Football jefflong@ku.edu
Rick Ensz Cross Country/Track and Field rick-ensz@kc.rr.com Scott Huffman Track and Field usa.olympian@hotmail.com Lee Ice Baseball ice@lawrenceks.org Matt Kleinmann Basketball matt.kleinmann@gmail.com Vickie Lowe Basketball/Softball vlowe@sunflower.com
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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
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Save the Date
September 3, 2016 First Game Tailgate
October 22-23, 2016 K Club/Homecoming Weekend
This event is an annual event to help kick start the competitive season for all sports. It is important the current athletes feel the K Club presence. Join us for a tailgate on the Hill two hours prior to the game. Game tickets will be offered through the event registration.
This event is K Club’s premiere weekend-long celebration centered on Homecoming. Throughout the weekend K Club will celebrate those who helped build the foundation of Kansas Athletics. Events will include a 25 and 50-year letter pin ceremony, Hall of Fame inductions, the Traditions Golf Tournament at Alvamar Golf Course, the first annual K Club Dominoes and Spades Tournament, a fun social and the ever-popular tailgate prior to the football game versus Oklahoma State University. Game tickets, again, will be offered through the event registration.
ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOUBLETREE BY HILTON (FORMERLY THE HOLIDAY INN) - UNDER K CLUB 200 McDonald Drive (785) 841-7077 - Room Rate: $149/night Reserved for September 2-3 Please make reservations by August 3, 2016 Event invite will be sent at a later date.
Spring 2017: Spring Football Game Tailgate/ Football Reunion This event includes a golf tournament, for former football players, one 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.
ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOUBLETREE BY HILTON (FORMERLY THE HOLIDAY INN) - UNDER K CLUB AND KANSAS FOOTBALL REUNION 200 McDonald Drive (785) 841-7077 - Room Rate: $179/night Reserved for evenings of October 22-23 Please make reservations by September 22, 2016 Event invite will be sent at a later date.
UPCOMING SPORT REUNIONS & EVENTS SUPPORTED BY K CLUB & WHO TO CONTACT FLOYD TEMPLE BASEBALL ALUMNI GAME AND SOCIAL . . October 22 . . . . . . . . . Marcia Bagby . . . . . . . . . mlbagby@ku.edu ROWING JAYHAWK JAMBOREE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 23 . . . . . . . . . Carrie Callen . . . . . . . . . . . callenc@ku.edu MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TENNIS REUNION . . . . . . . . . . . November 18-20 . . . . . . Dino Bell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dbell@ku.edu Note: Other reunions will be scheduled after the printing of this publication. Further information regarding all reunions will be sent at a later date.
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National Letterwinners Association
Notre Dame 2010 2011 University of Tulsa 2012 University of Texas 2013 University of Mississippi 2014 University of Louisville 2015 Louisiana State University 2016 University of Kansas
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, K Club President Jeff Long, Vice President Liz Dobbins and Past President David Johnston shared some of the recent efforts K Club 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 great deal of dialogue amongst our peers that created a higher level of understanding and awareness. K Club’s structure is unique among its peers, with strong support from the athletics department, making it a model for other institutions. As a result of its reputation as one of the premier letter winner clubs in the nation, K Club was selected to host the 2016 NLWA conference this past June. Sessions were hosted in the impressive Capitol Federal Hall and K Club was also able to showcase the outstanding athletics facilities on and around campus. Sixty-five individuals from
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nearly 30 Division I schools were present and were blown away by the buyin, access and connection to the athletics department. Not all schools are as fortunate. Needless to say, K Club was Rock Chalk proud to host. “We at the University of Oregon look at the K Club of Kansas as a model to help us build our letter winner club. Having the opportunity to connect, be involved, and be informed of the university that they competed and attended is very important for all former student-athletes. Giving back to our school that did so much for all of us is a must. The Jayhawks are flying. Rock Chalk and Go Ducks!” BILL THOMPSON, PRESIDENT ORDER OF THE O, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
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
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K Club Lifetime Service Award The K Club Lifetime Service Award was established in 2011 to formally recognize a K Club member who has shown continued service to Kansas Athletics and its student athletes. The recipient of this award upholds and advances the K Club mission: preserving history and traditions, supporting current student athletes and connecting former student-athletes.
Past Recipients 2011 . . . Don Fambrough (football) 2012 . . . Floyd Temple (baseball), Bob Timmons (track and field/cross country) 2013 . . . Jerry Waugh (basketball, golf, administration) 2014 . . Bill Hougland (basketball) 2015 . . . Gary Padgett (baseball, basketball)
The award is presented annually at the Jayhawk Senior Celebration in the spring. Open nominations are welcome and can be e-mailed to kclub@ku.edu.
About the 2016 Recipient Gale Sayers, the “Kansas Comet,” established himself throughout his collegiate and professional career as one of the great running backs in the history of football. A two-time All-America selection for the Jayhawks, Sayers led KU in rushing, touchdowns and kickoff returns all three years he was in the lineup. He also led the team in receiving and punt returns as a junior and senior. Sayers became the first player in NCAA Division IA history to record a 99-yard run when he broke loose against Nebraska in Lincoln during the 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.
I don’t care to be remembered as the man who scored six touchdowns in a game. I want to be remembered as a winner in life. GALE SAYERS
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 at Kansas. Soon after, he became director of the Williams Education Fund, the fund-raising arm of the KU athletic department. After exploring other professional opportunities, he returned to KU in 2009 as Director of Fundraising for Special Projects, and remained until 2012.
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Throughout his life, Sayers has remained active in his community working for charities, including the Better Boys Foundation and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 at age 34, the youngest person ever selected. 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 Hall of Fame. Most recently, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) inducted Gale Sayers into the John McLendon Minority Athletics Administrators Hall of Fame on June 19, 2009.
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, boothhoa@ku.edu @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
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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 AllAmericans), 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!
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Hall of Fame Class of 2015
Former student-athlete and assistant coach Tom Harp and Jordan Scott.
“Jordan stayed in the moment, was a competitor, cleared the bar and won the (NCAA) championship. When he had a chance to be on the biggest stage, he took it.” ASSISTANT COACH TOM HAYS
The Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame was established to formally recognize outstanding individual and team achievements, and to preserve the heritage and tradition of the university’s intercollegiate 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.
Members of the 2008 women’s indoor track and field team.
Before a standing-room only crowd inside Under Head Coach Stanley Redwine, the the Booth Family Hall of Athletics, KU pole 2008 Kansas women’s track and field team vault great Jordan Scott, the 2008 KU set a then-record team finish at the NCAA women’s indoor track & field team and the Indoor Championships. It earned 18 points 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 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 allearned 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 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 scene, winning seven of eight possible in 1975. It was also the first time the men Big 12 indoor and outdoor titles. finished in the top-10 since they placed eighth overall at the 1980 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
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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 here, right now and never ends.
As a senior, a ring will connect YOUR journey with theirs.
What will your journey look like? Today, you begin writing your legacy.
The K Ring symbolizes a uniquely shared experience between generations of varsity letter winners at the University of Kansas. As a Jayhawk you are expected
At the beginning of your journey, the letter awards you earn as a student-athlete at the University of Kansas represent your fight to become a piece of the Jayhawk legacy. But do you know what it takes to letter in your sport? Why stop there? Do you know the school records in your sport? Do you know your sport’s Hall of Fame members…how they got there… and how you could get there? In fact, those who came before you have taken this same journey. They, too, chose to work hard. They bled. They cried. They triumphed.
to uphold tradition and retain the characteristics of a champion while continuing to create your own legacy. The crimson in the ring depicts passion with purpose as you maintain your lifelong devotion to excellence. The blue in the ring signifies loyalty to your university and your enduring commitment to integrity and service. The “K” personifies the spirit of the mentally tough competitor who came before you and the one that lives within you.
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 your effort. Every day, every play. Remember, Once a Jayhawk…always a Jayhawk. Protect it.
Your journey begins today.
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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
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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. Ellis will go down in Kansas basketball history as one of the most decorated student-athletes to don a KU uniform. During his senior season Ellis shot his way to eighth on KU’s all-time scoring lists boasting an impressive 1,798 points during his career. Ranking 12th on the KU career rebound list (834 rebounds), Ellis is one of only four players in KU history to rank in the top 12 in both points and rebounds as he joins former KU greats Danny Manning, Nick Collison and Raef LaFrentz. The two-time Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team (2013 and 2016) selection was not only a leader on the court, but in the class room as well. Ellis is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, including first team his junior and senior seasons, the 2014-15 and 2015-16 Big 12 Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and a 2015-16 Senior CLASS Award finalist. He added consensus All-America Second Team honors to his resume in 2015-16. Kawinpakorn has gone on a tear in her final season, placing in the top10 of all but one of her stroke-play events, including a school-record five individual titles. The 2016 Marlene Mawson Award recipient,
2016 K Ring Presenters 16
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Tessa Scott, Gale Sayers, Mook Kawinpakorn, James Hampton
this year Kawinpakorn has claimed titles at the Schooner Classic, setting a tournament record for lowest 18-hole score with a 63 (-8); Chip-N Club Invitational; Palmetto Intercollegiate; DAC/SMU Invitational; and Red Raidir Invitational, where she set the KU record for lowest 54-hole score of 209 (-7). Kawinpakorn’s success this year and throughout her career has helped her claim several individual records at KU, including career top-5 finishes, career top-10 finishes and season stroke average (a record she has set every year at KU). A three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection, Kawinpakorn’s Kansas career started off with a bang, setting the school record for season stroke average in her freshman year and earning Big 12 All-Tournament honors by placing 10th at the league championship. It was the beginning of a career chock full of team and individual success. Kawinpakorn recently finished tied for fifth at the Big 12 Championship, earning Big 12 All-Tournament honors for the fourth-straight year. Additionally, Kawinpakorn has contributed to Kansas’ lowest 18-hole team 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
Buskirk, associate athletics director for student-athlete support services. Hampton finished among KU’s top five in all five meets he competed in during the 2015 cross country season, including contributing as a scoring member to the Jayhawks’ Big 12 and NCAA Midwest Regional efforts. He was also a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection in cross country. Scott is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and the recipient of the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award in 2015 – the highest academic award in the Big 12. Scott parlayed her experience as a competitive powerlifter to become an elite rower at the collegiate level. She rowed in the First Varsity Four boat as a freshman, the First and Second Varsity Eights as a junior, and has been a leader on the First Varsity Eight boat as a senior.
Kansas senior track and field athlete Rhavean Anderson presented the senior address, highlighting the change on campus and among the senior class over the last four years. The ceremony closed with the final presentation of the K Rings, which were distributed by K Club representatives from each Kansas sport as student-athletes were announced by their coaches. K Rings are presented not by team, but by recognizing the class members of various sports, demonstrating their uniquely shared experience. The ceremony is two-fold to signify the conclusion of the collegiate athletic career while introducing the prospective graduate as a new member of the Jayhawk family, reinforcing the message of “Once a Jayhawk... Always a Jayhawk.”
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
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Thank You K Club Members!
A LL M E M BERS O F THE K CLU B RE C E IV E AN O UTL A N D L E V E L M E M BE RS HIP TO T HE WILLI AM S F UN D . 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
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SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW
Compliance “Ask Before You Act”
QUESTIONS?
KU Athletic Compliance Office compliance@ku.edu 785.864.4200 Twitter: /jayhawkcomply
WHAT CAN YOU DO? PERMISSIBLE FOR YOU TO DO: • • • • •
•
•
• • •
Be a great resource on dealing with University of Kansas expectations. Offer academic advice and help within the normal ethical boundaries of your position as a faculty member. Be a trusted friend when the student-athlete does not know who to communicate with. Offer the best advising information available anywhere. On an occasional basis you may: • Provide a meal for a student-athlete or the entire team. The meal can be prepared in your home, on the institution’s campus or at a facility regularly used for practice activities. All occasional meal requests must be approved by the KU Compliance Office. • Provide local transportation for a student-athlete to attend a meal only if the meal is hosted at your home. Send a student a reasonable token of support (card or flowers) in the event of a serious injury, serious illness, or death of a family member. This must be approved by the compliance office prior to providing such a benefit. Continue to have contact with an established family friend or neighbor who is a prospective student-athlete (9th grade or older). Contact Compliance for pre-existing relationship form. View a prospect’s competition on your own initiative. Receive a call from a prospect only if the prospect initiates the call and it is not for a recruiting purpose. Notify the Kansas Athletics coaching staff of prospects.
WHAT CAN YOU NOT DO?
RULE 16.01.1 – Eligibility Effect of Violation. “A student-athlete shall not receive any extra benefit. …If the student-athlete receives an extra benefit not authorized by NCAA legislation, the individual is ineligible in all sports.” RULE 16.02.3 – Extra Benefit. “An extra benefit is any special 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 by NCAA legislation. Receipt of a benefit by student-athletes or their relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the institution’s students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of the student body (e.g., international students, minority students) determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability.” NOT PERMISSIBLE FOR YOU TO: • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • •
Pay student-athlete upfront for an employment opportunity. Student-Athlete must be paid for work actually performed. Pick-up the tab of a student-athlete(s) if you run into them at a restaurant or any other commercial entity or location. Buy a student-athlete, their friend(s) or relative presents or other items (e.g., gift certificate for dinner or a movie). Allow the student-athlete to use your “discount” or other special benefits at a local club, business or any other establishment. Loan the student-athlete your calculator, palm pilot, iPad, Nook, Kindle, or other electronic equipment to use and return later. Guarantee a bond or co-sign a loan for the student-athlete, their friends or relatives. Let a student-athlete use your car or other personal items for any purpose. Offer a ride in situations other than when an occasional meal is provided or when an emergency exists. Buy any items (e.g., new suit) for graduation, or make payments on 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 earn First Team All-America honors in a single event in fourconsecutive years. That moment was also selected by the audience as the Rock Chalk Moment of the Year in a text vote. Chelsea Albers was chosen from nine standout female performers. She helped Kansas volleyball to its third-straight 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 her Jayhawk career by collecting All-Big 12 First Team honors, as well as AVCA All-Midwest Region First Team recognition. Specialized awards in seven different categories were presented by a collection of some of Kansas’ great former student-athletes. Presenters included Bryan Sperry (football) for the Jayhawker Award; Ernie Shelby (track and field) for academics; Steve Renko (baseball, basketball and football) for best Jayhawk in a Supporting Role; David Jaynes (football) for the Crimson Climb; Tammy Thomas-Ammons (swimming and diving) for the True Blue Award; Billy Thomas (basketball) for athletic All-America recognition; Holly Gault (soccer) and Aaron Miles (basketball) for Female and Male Athlete of the Year; and Andrea Geubelle (track and field) for Moment of the Year. Individual winners of conference and All-America academic and athletic honors were recognized throughout the program, but specifically, Kansas’ soccer and swimming and diving teams shared the Best Team GPA award after posting a 3.37 GPA. Jayhawk swimmers and divers also claimed the CHAMPS award, given to the Kansas program most engaged in five community service and spirit related categories. Kansas basketball’s Frank Mason was presented with the Jayhawker Award, given in honor of the pioneers who held true to their values through devastation and hardship
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“It means a lot to me and my coaching staff who put in a lot of work - and for track and field to be recognized at this award show. I was just glad that I could be the guy to do it for them - bring a National Championship home. It’s a great feeling.” MICHAEL STIGLER
while founding the state of Kansas. A junior guard from Petersburg, Virginia, Mason was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team after starting 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 student-athlete who demonstrates extraordinary sportsmanship, support and loyalty to teammates and Kansas Athletics went to football’s Michael Cummings. A senior quarterback from Killeen, Texas, Cummings played in 23 games with 12 starts for Kansas over the last three seasons while throwing for more than 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has continued to support the team and contribute from the sidelines after a knee injury in the team’s spring game. Also claiming an award from the Kansas football team was De’Andre Mann. 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 others by overcoming challenges and exceeding academic expectations. In addition to making significant strides in the classroom, Mann has overcome injury and was one of the Jayhawks’ options in a talented backfield. Sophia Templin, a softball pitcher from DeSoto, Kansas, was given the True Blue Award, honoring a student-athlete who demonstrates devotion to excellence in academics and athletics while advancing Kansas Athletics through participation in student organizations or community service projects. Active with a number of student organizations and Greek life, Templin also provided a change of pace and direction in the circle for a Jayhawks team that advanced to its second-straight NCAA Tournament last season.
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.
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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 dbell@ku.edu with any questions.
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SPRING 2015 K CLUB REVIEW
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.
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Once A Jayhawk Features “Once a Jayhawk, Always a Jayhawk” features on former athletes and coaches have increased visibility for each of KU’s sport programs while allowing us to celebrate some of the individuals behind the Kansas Athletics story. Twice a month the communications staff interviews former athletes about their playing days, their professional careers and 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.
Much of the content in these features will no doubt remind you of your time as a student-athlete. It’s also evident that the values learned as an athlete certainly carry over to one’s profession.
2015-16 features: Bryan Sperry, football David Johnston, cross country Delvin Williams, football Tammy Thomas-Ammons, swimming & diving Clinton Johnson, men’s basketball Chris Thompson, men’s golf Mike Elwell, wrestling Emily Martin, rowing
“All the training taught me that I can do anything I want. I just have to be willing to put in the work and make the sacrifices. There is no doubt in my mind that I learned that from being at KU.” 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
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SPRING 2016 K CLUB REVIEW
The Power of Sport
SPORT: F O R E W O P E TH ERSATION ON A CONV , RACE AND SPORTS BUSINESS BY
TED SS EVENT PRESEN OOL OF BUSINE OF KANSAS SCH THE UNIVERSITY HUGHES CENTER THE LANGSTON ICS ATHLET AND KANSAS
SECOND ANNUAL
RESS, A KEYNOTE ADD FEATURING SPO AND SOCIETY” “RACE, RTS VE ZIRIN DA BY FOR THE NATION SPORTS EDITOR
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. ,
UARY 18, 2016 THURSASSDUNAYION, BALFELROBROM AT
KAN
TES RECEPTION STUDENT-ATHLE 5:00 P.M. ★ VIP RVIEW WITH FORMER KU 6:00 P.M. ★ INTENOTE ADDRESS 7:00 P.M. ★ KEY
“To be a leader means the world looks to us for the best diversity practices, and we, in turn, can look to one another to share practices and 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 experiences of our former athletes.
Visit LangstonHughes.ku.edu to view the event in its entirety.
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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 May 6 – 7, 2016 . . . . . . . . . Softball Reunion/10th Anniversary of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2006 Big 12 Champions
Floyd Temple Alumni Baseball Game
FOOTBALL ALumni Game
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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 1992-2016
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Bob Timmons 1924-2015
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:
City:
State:
Zip:
Cell Phone:
Email:
Sport(s)/Year(s):
KU Degree(s):
Street Address:
Postgraduate Degree (s):
Membership Type
Profession:
(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 | KCLUB@KU.EDU
For replacement K Rings, watches, blankets and letter jackets contact K Club. Candace Dunback Senior Director of K Club and Traditions kclub@ku.edu 785-864-7446
KUAthletics.com/KClub /KansasKClub
@KansasKClub
University of Kansas
Athletics Alumni Network