THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
SPORTS
INSIDE KU Athletics to implement gender-based violence training
Soccer looks to capitalize on No. 18 ranking, extend
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winning streak The University Daily Kansan
vol. 137 // iss. 3 Thurs., August 23, 2018
Kevin Willmott’s explains inspiration behind “BlacKkKlansman”
SEE SOCCER • PAGE 10
Survival of the System
p. 7
As Greek Life comes under fire nationally, what does the future of KU’s sororities and fraternities look like? NICOLE ASBURY @NicoleAsbury It’s Monday, Aug. 13, and the sun is starting to break over Fraser Hall. Walking down Jayhawk Boulevard, one can hear the sound of singing. Hundreds of voices joining in unison, floating over the campus. Lined up on the lawns of the sorority houses are hundreds of young women, preparing to welcome the freshmen who aim to join their ranks. Over the next week, they’ll partake in decades-old traditions, following in the footsteps of generations of women before them. But things are not as they have always been. Recent controversies have thrust the Greek system onto the local and national stage. Within the last year, four fraternities at the University were found in violation of the University’s hazing code. On the national scale, the alleged hazing death of a Louisiana State University freshman resulted in a $25 million lawsuit. In 2017, three schools banned Greek Life altogether. The University is not currently considering banning Greek life, according to director of news and media relations Erinn Barcomb-Peterson. However, the environment that incited a temporary freeze on social activities in March for all fraternities affiliated with the Inter-Fraternity Council remains “an area of significant concern to the health and safety of our students,” Chancellor Douglas Girod said. While most controversies revolve around fraternities, sororities have suffered too. Increased anxiety about social ste-
Hope Davis/KANSAN Sigma Kappa women singing their goodbye songs to potential new members during recruitment week. reotypes have left some women skeptical about the process. Claire Petty was one of the freshmen lined up behind her recruitment counselor, wearing the white t-shirt required for all potential new members. In recent years, she’s witnessed friends and her brother’s girlfriend join sororities, and her mindset began to change. “Once I talked to people and got a legitimate idea
of what the intentions are behind this, like the good aspects of it, that definitely changed my outlook,” Petty said. She’ll spend the next week as a potential new member — a PNM — adjusting to rules and regulations of Greek life. By Saturday, she hopes to be among the 1,300 women who will find a house to call their own — entering into a system of historic tradition and mired in
In August of 1991, Yvette Fevurly had just arrived at the University. Months prior, she graduated from Leavenworth High School and spent her senior year talking to alumni from sororities across the country. For Fevurly, there was no hesitation in going through the process
of recruitment, or rush, as Greek organizations referred to it then. “It was a way of making a good-sized university small,” Fevurly said. “You go in, and you have an instant bond with people who are going through a similar situation.” Despite the 27 year gap, Fevurly still vividly recalls watching the members of Alpha Delta Pi line up in the dining room and pass a candle down the line. Re-
cruits wrote wishes on little pieces of paper, which they placed in a wishing well. Her decision to join that sorority relied on instinct — she knew that was her “little home away from home” — but that anecdote from preference night remains a special moment for her. Fevurly doesn’t recall any controversies at the
PSO and LPD to allocate more resources and officers toward preventing the common practices. Wingfield thought the grant was needed after going through data related to underage drinking in recent years. “We looked at those numbers and we looked at citations issued for underage drinking and those have been on the increase in the last four years,” Wingfield said. Moreover, about 25 percent of motor vehicle crash fatalities in Kansas involve alcohol according to Kansas Health Matters. James Anguiano, deputy chief for KU PSO, said the department will assist the LPD in covering areas they think underage drinking is taking place. Lawrence Police Officer Drew Fennelly said typically the fake ID and underage drinking enforcement will come from bar checks — where officers
walk through a drinking establishment to look for people under the age of 21 consuming alcohol. “I don’t know what the plan is yet for this specific enforcement, but I imagine it will be something similar to that,” Fennelly said. “Officers typically have to have reasonable suspicion to believe that a crime is occurring, just occurred, or is about to occur before they can demand identification, so officers will not be standing outside of bars asking for identification.” Besides bars, officers will also check convenience stores and restaurants to ensure underage drinking laws are being enforced, according to Wingfield. “We don’t want students to get the impression we’re saying don’t drink, but we want you to be safe while you’re doing it,” Wingfield said. A similar grant was
offered in the 2012-2013 school year and was successful, Wingfield said. However, after the grant ended, alcohol-related crashes began to rise again. “Now we’re trying to get that number back down, and hopefully eliminate it all together,” Wingfield said. “We hope we’ll save some lives with this.” Although the new grant will be targeting areas where underage drinking could be present, patrols will also be around campus to ensure students are safe and getting home at night. The grant will run throughout the University’s school year and end in June 2019, Wingfield said. — Edited by James Buckley
modern controversy. “A LITTLE HOME AWAY FROM HOME”
SEE SURVIVAL • PAGE 3
LPD granted $30,000 to combat underage drinking
Kansan file photo Louise’s Bar on Massachusetts Street hangs fake IDs above the bar. KALLI JO SMITH @kallijosmith Starting this month, local authorities will place a special focus on enforcing underage drinking and fake ID laws, thanks to
a new grant for $30,000 from the Kansas Department of Transportation. The grant is known as Fake ID 101 and was created in collaboration with the Lawrence Police Department, KU Public
Safety Office and Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control, according to Norraine Wingfield, director of traffic safety for Douglas County Citizens Committee on Alcoholism. The grant allows KU
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Thursday, August 23, 2018
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Athletics mandates SAPEC training KALLI JO SMITH @kallijosmith
Beginning this fall, Kansas Athletics will require all student athletes to partake in annual mandatory training for gender-based violence, according to Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director for the University. The new training will come out of the University’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center (SAPEC) on campus. The training will include one hour of genderbased violence training, Marchiony said. “We think this is a very important topic,” Marchiony said. “It’s important for all students, not just student athletes. We have conducted education sessions on our own for our student athletes, and this was a chance to partner with the University with what we consider a very important initiative.” Jen Brockman, director of SAPEC, said the required seminar was a part of answering the call to action that was put forth by the 2015 Chancellor Sexual Assault Task Force. Training for the 2018-19 school year was created for all students, but Brockman said Kansas Athletics was the first to step up and
Kansan file photo Hundreds of white flags read “1 in 4” on the lawn of Watson Library in April to demonstrate the statistic that one in four women will be sexually assaulted. require student athletes to undergo the new training. However, this is not the first time Kansas Athletics volunteered to be involved in a program of SAPEC’s. Brockman said since the creation of the department in 2016, Kansas Athletics has been working with SAPEC to train student athletes. “KU Athletics had been doing the work already,” Brockman said. “They had partnered with departments on campus and off campus to provide a variety of education to their students. And so through that collaboration
over the course of two plus years is where we developed our initial relationship.” SAPEC is also working with the Interfraternity Council toward better education and policy procedures, according to Brockman. On the education side, Brockman said all pledges were trained in Consent at KU, one of SAPEC’s core training efforts. The training for IFC members was done last year as well, and included over 700 new members, according to Brockman. As far as policy goes, this spring SAPEC will be in
charge of training the entire IFC chapter with a core training programs it feels is applicable. Although the University itself does not require students to participate in SAPEC’s training, Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, director for news and media relations, said all students can benefit from the training. “The fact that KU Athletics is requiring all of its student-athletes speaks to how important KU Athletics and the University as a whole believe this topic is for students,” BarcombPeterson said.
Marchiony said he hopes this type of behavior will show other organizations on campus and around the country that sexual assault is a topic that needs to be discussed. “We certainly hope this concept will help spur other efforts of its kind,” Marchiony said. “I know, we know, this is a huge issue at colleges and Universities around the country. We all communicate to learn from one another, and this is certainly an example of a great program that is worthy of attention around the country.”
fewer with a geoscience focus,” said Assistant Program Director of PSM Terri Woodburn. Before this program, the KU Edwards Campus offered a PSM with a concentration in environmental assessment and associated certificates. Now, there is also an environmental geology concentration. “Our focus is hydrogeology, the study of the distribution and movement of groundwater, especially in regards to contamination and remediation,” Woodburn said. All courses for the PSM are offered online, aside from the short courses offered near the end of the program. In these
courses, students attend one day or weekend-long workshops to gain in-person and hands-on experience. “This is one of the first online master’s in geology in the country,” said Director of Science Programs’ Mark Jakubauskas. This program is especially helpful for working, local professionals, giving them the opportunity to stay in-state instead of having to travel. “We provide in-depth training to meet the growing need for geoscience professionals, with a focus on the Kansas City region and a potential national reach,” Woodburn said.
Laura Hines, who graduated from the University with a PSM degree in Environmental Assessment, said she thinks this new program will be a great benefit to Geology students at KU.
“In the sciences now, it is much more common for employees to have masters degrees, making jobs more competitive,” Hines said. “The flexibility of KU’s PSM program such as the night classes allowing students to work full time, or the 4+1 program allowing undergraduates to get a masters degree in just 5 years makes it really beneficial to KU students, but additionally the community.” Hines said the job market for geologists has gotten more competitive in recent years. This new program could give geologists an edge. “While not all geologists have masters degrees, I think that it is really beneficial for how competitive the environmental field has gotten in general. I believe employers are looking for more specialized skills, which this geology program can offer,” Hines said. Environmental geologists can work in many different industry areas — engineering firms, government agencies, environmental assessment and remediation firms, geological surveys and more. “These professionals evaluate, remediate, and monitor the impact or potential impact of human-derived and naturally occurring environmental hazards and contamination,” Woodbury said.
Geology department introduces new focuses LINDLEY LUND @lindley_mae98 Until recently, if a University geology student wanted to complete a Professional Science Master’s in Applied Science in a concentration of something other than environmental assessment, they were forced to travel out of state to places like the University of South Florida. Now, the Geology Department is looking to change that with its development of the new concentrations within the PSM program, which will begin in spring 2019. “There are limited options for those seeking a PSM degree and even
“I think that it is really beneficial for how competitive the environmental field has gotten in general.” Laura Hines former geology student
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Contributed photo Professors Mike Blum and Mike Taylor observe the landscape in Argentina, where they led a field trip for the University’s Geology Department. The department is offering new concentrations within the master’s program.
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SURVIVAL • FROM PAGE 1 time revolving around Greek Life. She’s positive certain behaviors, like hazing and drinking, still went on, but that information wasn’t as accessible or prevalent at the time. Even so, Fevurly believes recent national news stories aren’t a true reflection of Greek life. “They do so much good, not only for other organizations in their philanthropic endeavors, but also for the girls and boys who are going through school,” Fevurly said. THE INSIDE OF RECRUITMENT Sorority members and administrators are the first to tell anyone that joining a sorority is about sisterhood and support. But for the first week of recruitment, much of the focus will be on structure and rules.
The official guidebook and schedule gives a general outline of the dayto-day events for PNMs, and formal recruitment regulations. Every morning, PNMs are delivered their exact schedule for the day; once they accept, they’re expected to attend every round they are given and, in turn, accept Panhellenic policy. On the first two open house days, PNMs are led to all 12 Panhellenic chapters by recruitment counselors — sorority women who have chosen to disaffiliate from their sorority for the week. PNMs meet members of sororities, and give the same introduction repetitively over the course of the next 12 hours. Those 25 minute rounds determine whether or not the PNM will receive an invitation to that chapter’s event on Philanthropy Day. As the week continues, the amount of sororities they visit decreases each
day — eventually whittling down the list to only two houses. “I’ve been told that it’s a difficult process, but it’s worth it in the long run,” Petty said. In conversation, PNMs and sorority members can’t name-drop other sororities, sorority members can’t swear, or they’ll be fined — both of which are requirements of Panhellenic’s policy. The policies are meant to ensure personal perceptions of a chapter don’t influence other PNMs’ decision, as noted in the official guidebook. One of the most important rules is that all involved must swear off the “Three B’s” for the week — boys, bars and booze. The Kansan repeatedly reached out to Panhellenic representatives and the associate director of sorority and fraternity life, Amy Long Schell, over the course of two weeks for
Hope Davis/KANSAN Sigma Kappa says goodbye to potential new members during recruitment week.
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the story. Representatives declined to comment. THE FUTURE OF GREEK LIFE On Saturday, Aug. 18, the young PNMs crowd into the Burge Union; members of different sororities and recruitment counselors surround them. Years of hosting Bid Day on the Allen Fieldhouse lawn have been traded for a cermony at the Burge Union’s Forum on Aug. 18. “Fergalicious” by Fergie is booming from the loudspeakers, as the PNMs pile into a circle in the middle of the room. It’s nearing 4 p.m. when the countdown commences for PNMs to open their bids. In the next five seconds, the envelopes are opened and the newlyminted “biddies” run out to the parking lot, pouring into party buses and cars belonging to members of their new house — houses they have the potential to be affiliated with for the rest of their life. Petty’s envelope revealed her bid to Sigma Kappa, and she was amongst the women who sprinted out to the parking lot that day. “I was honestly ecstatic,” Petty said. After the weeklong process of recruitment, she said the process was a long and stressful one, and she still encountered some of the stereotypes she was weary of, although not within her own sorority. “It was a culture shock to me to see some of the chapters and houses, and see how different some
Hope Davis/KANSAN Recruitment counselors walk potential new members to their next round of houses. of these women were from what originally I anticipated,” Petty said. “At Sigma Kappa, none of them fell into the stereotypes of what I had expected. They were all such genuine people.” Despite recent controversies, Girod remains optimistic about the future of Greek life at the University. BarcombPeterson referred the Kansan to a statement Girod issued in the March regarding the future of Greek life at the University. “The greek community makes important and valued contributions to our university,” Girod said.
“Many students have a great experience in fraternity life, do the right things and engage in meaningful philanthropy, service and leadership. The University stands ready to support and partner with student leaders to improve and enhance Greek life at KU.” At midnight on Saturday, the ban on the three B’s will be over. Sunday night, they’ll head out to join members of fraternities at parties on and off campus — an evening colloquially referred to as Shark Night. For now, they’re going back to the houses to get to know the members of their new sorority.
opinion Thursday, August 23, 2018
Text your Free For All submissions to (785) 289-8351
FFA of the Day: wing it, life is meaningless The button just popped off my khakis, college is really taking a toll My aunt died the day before the inauguration, which like, goals Is your bae even bae if they don’t send you drunk dog pictures when they’re out fun fact about me, i don’t know shit about anything New York is really hard to live in, but on the bright side it’s also really expensive Christianity flies out the window when adobe software is involved. Also, I’m Jewish my favorite new hobby is seeing how dead the rest of the Monday 8 AM people are in wescoe i will 100% juul in front of a teacher at somepoint in the semester I just saw a wubba lubba dub dub bumper sticker and it activated my fight or flight response KU lets you in if they put a mirror in front of your face and it fogs up I really wish food wasn’t so expensive, because I’m really tired of starving Do you think it’s bad if I’ve been talking to my high school principal’s daughter? I have so much anxiety about all the anxiety that I am going to have can ku require freshman to learn how to use the buses
K A N S A N .C O M /O P I N I O N
Shondell: Yoder’s seat in danger JOSEPH SHONDELL @jshondy
Kevin Yoder, the incumbent Republican representative in the Kansas 3rd Congressional District, is stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one side, he faces pressure from fellow moderate conservatives to hold up his values despite President Trump’s far right conscience; on the other, he faces a Democratic party that has selected the progressive Sharice Davids to run against him. Yoder has spent too much time in a district that has turned more and more to the left since his congressional career began. His party has been lost to Trump Republicans for a while now, which makes this 2018 election pivotal. Both parties are swaying further afield toward more extreme ideologies, something Yoder, as a moderate, cannot connect with. The incumbent has had his time and place in both Washington and Kansas politics. It is time for a new face to lead the 3rd District; luckily, he faces a tough road. To hold on to the district, Yoder would have to deviate from his original moderate conservative course so as to not disturb the president. But he also needs the Democrats – and he is in the perfect spot to win votes from
Associated Press U.S. Congressman Kevin Yoder, R-Kansas, waves to supporters after winning the Republican primary on Aug. 7, 2018 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas.
those who may not agree with Sharice Davids’ progressive message. The trouble for him is that he cannot keep both the President and moderate Democrats happy. Without balance in his campaign, Yoder will lose his seat to the collected and composed Davids. Yoder has been able to stay away from the political discourse that has tanked so many other Republicans throughout the years. His bipartisan bills look good to a mostly suburban Kansas 3rd District. Right now, however, the wrong enemy to make as a Republican politician is the president, who is looking to replace Republicans who do not support him. Yoder may
struggle to distance himself from Trump without being lashed out at. On the other hand, Yoder’s opponent Sharice Davids is looking to hinder him by bringing up his recent policy choices. Davids mentioned that Yoder’s health care policies and tax breaks to large corporations have made him a pawn of Donald Trump, painting him close to Trump’s far right agenda. To win, Yoder must counter that by talking about actual policy goals he has achieved, rather than criticizing his opponent. Instead, he backed himself into a hole during his interview of Davids. Saying your Native Amer-
Assault Prevention and Education Center has implemented a new in-person training program for first-year students called “Jayhawks Give a Flock.” This program is required for all freshmen, in addition to the current online course, with the goal of getting students to be active bystanders and intervene in situations of gender-based violence. By implementing this
program, the University has the opportunity to capture the attention of students instead of them just sitting there, clicking through seemingly endless online modules. Adding an in-person training component takes the lesson to a deeper level. It is easy to envision oneself doing something when placed in a bystander position, and if
publican voters in the 3rd district. Yoder has shown inconsistency in his policies by not having a clear message and turning to his establishment for help – the establishment that is now under the control of Trump. His Democratic opponent is poised to take the incumbent head on. Kansans in the 3rd Congressional District must realize that Yoder can’t sustain the president’s message and his own at the same time. It’s time for a new leader.
Joseph Shondell is a junior from Roeland Park studying journalism and environmental studies.
Henry: Bystander training good first step HANNAH HENRY @hannahh3614 Gender-based violence is a seldom talked about, yet harsh reality. Even when we’re bearing witness, it often goes right over our heads. Inactive bystanders are a huge reason that gender-based violence continues to thrive. This year, the University of Kansas’ Sexual
He has no integrity or no pillars of everything whatsoever
“We’re such millennials. We’re all on our electronics”
“You just hit your Juul?” Syllabus week is well and truly alive I passed out drunk in a shower in Oliver freshman year and I was terrified of contracting AIDS when I woke up
“It’s not like we don’t want your input, we just don’t need it”
ican opponent does not have Kansas values is an obtuse attack on Davids’ race, not her policy or platform – even if Yoder didn’t intend for that to be the case. Yoder needs to look more toward the middle line if he wants to be around in early 2019. His message of original Republican policy is becoming burnt out, and it is starting to become evident that a district won by Hillary Clinton in 2016 is likely to swing blue. Do I feel bad for Yoder? No, because he has pursued the agenda of President Trump while still trying to keep his values close. He needs to distance himself from Trump to appease Re-
Kansan file photo The wheel graphic, a collaboration by Watkins Health Center, SAPEC and Student Affairs, lists on-campus and community resources for survivors of sexual assault.
how to submit a letter to the editor
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“By implementing this program, the University has the opportunity to capture the attention of students instead of them just sitting there, clicking through seemingly endless online modules.” you are able to, I applaud you. However, the reality is that unhelpful mentalities are etched into our brains: “It isn’t my place to do something,” or “Maybe this is normal for them,” or, more commonly, “Somebody else should do something.” Currently, in-person intervention training is only available to students in Greek Life, student athletes and first-year students. Expanding this to all students, regardless of their year in school, would be largely beneficial. There are many settings around campus not currently covered by SAPEC’s intervention training where gender-based violence continues to flourish. For the time being, students not currently offered training should be confident in calling out sexual violence when they see it. Unfortunately, there have been a couple of times — still
contact us Shaun Goodwin Editor-in-chief sgoodwin@kansan.com
Baylee Parsons Business Manager bparsons@kansan.com
a couple too many times — when I have seen or heard men sexually harass women for the sole reason that they are women. I think it should be emphasized, though, that sexual violence can also happen to men. Personally, I decided this would be the year that I stopped letting things like this slide. If something horrific were to happen as a result of gender-based violence, and I was a passive witness to it, I don’t know how I could live with the guilt. I urge you to step in next time you are a witness to gender-based violence. I urge you to be the somebody who does something.
Hannah Henry is a sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska, studying political science and global and international studies.
editorial board
Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Chandler Boese, Erin Brock, Danya Issawi and Baylee Parsons.
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OPINION
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Johnston: Banning straws unnecessary
SCOTT JOHNSTON @Scottawatomie Garbage: it’s a big problem, evidenced by an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic waste we dump into the oceans each year. The solution to this reality we live in? According to cities like Seattle and possibly Lawrence, it’s banning straws and other disposable plastic items. This is not the answer. The Sustainability Advisory Board of Lawrence is looking into bans, fees, and other methods to reduce plastic use. While it may seem like an easy fix to a big problem, it’s not as straightforward as it seems. Plastic straws make up about 2,000 tons out of the approximately 9 million tons (approximately 8 million metric tons) of plastic waste reaching our oceans. That’s 0.02 percent — a drop in the bucket comparatively, making this ban more of a symbolic act than an effective ordinance. All it will accomplish is making people feel good about living in a town where plastic straws aren’t allowed, while the amount of plastic waste remains virtually unchanged. Many recognize this, and consider the ban the first step of many that
“This trend is evidence that a ban of this sort is unnecessary. If corporations are switching to environmentally friendly materials on their own, then they are doing so because it is what the people – their customers – want.” will lead to us drastically changing how we view disposable plastics entirely. However, whether this stays in the realm of straws or expands to other single use plastic items, there are serious issues that must be considered. For one, paper materials are much more expensive than their plastic alternatives. This hurts local, independently-owned restaurants that typically have low profit margins and must compete with franchises and chains that can have large corporate support. Another hidden consequence is the effect it would have on the portion of the disabled population who rely on plastic straws. People who need straws to improve accessibility can be inconvenienced by a switch to paper straws that quickly get soggy, or reusable straws that are difficult to clean. Outright bans on plastic straws create a situation where those who need them can’t have them. Businesses across
the nation may decide that switching to biodegradable materials is beneficial to their business model. Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Disney are all taking steps toward limiting or eliminating their plastic straw usage, but those businesses are big enough that the added cost can be absorbed into their already giant revenue stream. This trend is evidence that a ban of this sort is unnecessary. If corporations are switching to environmentally friendly materials on their own, then they are doing so because it is what the people – their customers – want. Letting the City Commission institute some sort of ban or tax on plastic goods would only take away the choice we have as consumers and make businesses less accessible, all to achieve a negligible reduction in the amount of plastic reaching the ocean. If Lawrence citizens want Lawrence restaurants to be more
Rachel Griffard/KANSAN Plastic straw bans recently became the focus of environmentalist efforts to curb the amount of plastic in oceans. environmentally friendly, we can express that to them and let them respond on their own terms. We can make a change and become a
society more conscious of waste without resorting to blanket bans by letting businesses and consumers make the choice themselves.
Scott Johnston is a senior from Berryton studying microbiology.
Landolt: DUI offenders need harsher consequences MOLLY LANDOLT @mollylandolt Joseph Lasala hit and killed a bicyclist while driving under the influence of cocaine, marijuana, and opiates in Kansas City in 2016, according to investigators. Last Thursday, Lasala was sentenced to 120 days in prison and five years’ probation for involuntary manslaughter. Four months in prison for killing an innocent man is not nearly enough. Consider that in Kansas, individuals caught in possession of any amount of marijuana can face up to six months in jail, while an individual with no criminal history could spend around ten months in prison for possession of cocaine. Lasala, who killed an innocent person while under the influence of these same substances, was given a much shorter prison sentence than the punishment recommended for those caught in possession alone. This simply doesn’t make sense. The verdict becomes more alarming when taking into account the fre- A police officer speaks with quency of DUI-related deaths. In 2016, around ence of drugs and alcohol 29 people died every day in is clearly an epidemic in alcohol-related car crash- the United States and we es in the United States. must do something to stop In 2010 alone, the year of it. Ensuring that offenders most recent available data, serve longer prison terms alcohol-related deaths and and face more serious damages cost $44 billion, consequences could help according to the Nation- lower the number of ofal Highway Traffic Safety fenders. Administration. But numbers alone Driving under the influ- can’t communicate the
Kansas file photo a stopped motorist at a DUI checkpoint in August 2014. heartbreaking and terrifying reality that, at any moment, someone’s selfishness could end your life. The victim’s family deserves to be given solace for the wrongful death of their loved one. Instead, they have to deal with the fact that the killer of their loved one is serving a short 120 days in prison.
The victim’s mother expressed her pain over the verdict, saying, “I will never see my son Anthony again. My sons will never see him again. Their children will never know him. You know, and he’s still out there. He’s still living his life. He’s still doing whatever it is he feels like doing.”
Although there is nothing that can erase the pain and harm he caused so many people, the family of the victim deserves justice for their loved one’s death. One of the most selfish, careless and dangerous actions people engage in is driving under the influence. Individuals who do so and harm innocents in
the process deserve to face extreme consequences for their terrible actions. Molly Landolt is a sophomore from Labadie, Missouri, studying strategic communications. — Edited by Grant Heiman
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arts & culture Thursday, August 23, 2018
K A N S A N .C O M /A R T S A N D C U LT U R E
Q&A with co-writer of 'BlacKkKlansman' JOSH MCQUADE @L0neW0lfMcQuade
COURTNEY BIERMAN @courtbierman
“BlacKkKlansman” may be Spike Lee’s most successful film since “Do The Right Thing.” It’s grossed almost twice its budget since opening on Aug. 10, won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and, in classic Lee fashion, has inspired myriad thinkpieces — and backlash. And some of that success can be attributed to Kevin Willmott, professor of film and media studies, who co-wrote the “BlacKkKlansman” script with Lee, along with Charlie Wachtel and David Rabinowitz. Willmott is an industry veteran and previous Lee collaborator. He wrote and directed “C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America,” released in 2004, and “Destination: Planet Negro,” released in 2013. Lee’s 2015 film “Chi-Raq” also features Willmott as a co-writer. These films feature the same discussions about race relations packaged in a comedy-drama style. “BlacKkKlansman” explores the true story of Colorado Springs’ first black detective, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington). In the film, Stallworth and his white partner, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), infiltrated David Duke’s Ku Klux Klan. Zimmerman, unlike Stallworth, is a fictional character used to represent Stallworth's real partner, whose identity is unknown. The film features several plot points, including Stallworth’s relationship with his black identity, and the overarching theme of history repeating itself. The film’s timeliness
Savanna Smith/KANSAN
Film and Media Studies professor Kevin Willmott co-wrote Spike Lee's latest film "BlacKkKlansman." regarding white supremacy and institutional racism isn’t a coincidence, according to Willmott. The University Daily Kansan spoke with Willmott about his professional relationship with Lee, the messages of the film and the influence the film may have on his teaching. KANSAN: How did your professional relationship form with Spike Lee? WILLMOTT: When I made my film “CSA: Confederate States of America,” he heard about it
and wanted to see it. When he saw it, he really loved it. At that time, he asked me if I had any other scripts. I had a script called “Gotta Give it Up,” and that script would later become “Chi-Raq.” We didn’t work together a lot after “CSA,” it took us a long time to get “Chi-Raq” to its film debut, but we stayed in contact with each other. I remember when KU lost to Bucknell (in 2005), he just texts me, “Bucknell,” just to rub it in, you know? So when “ChiRaq” happened, he really
liked working with me and I liked working with him, so we have worked on several other scripts since then. “BlacKkKlansman” is the first one to come out. KANSAN: Jordan Peele is an executive producer on the film. Did you work with him at all during the production of the film? WILLMOTT: Spike and I traveled to L.A. and met with Jordan and the guys of Jason Blum and Blumhouse, and the other producers on the film. Jordan was great. He’s a really easygoing guy, and
Contributed Photo
This image released by Focus Features shows John David Washington, left, and Laura Harrier in a scene from "BlacKkKlansman."
they were big fans of Spike. (Lee) was the independent filmmaker who had this big breakthrough hit in the 1980s who galvanized a generation of filmmakers, myself included, into believing they could be independent filmmakers as well. Jordan Peele was influenced that way, and so was Jason Blum. They told him that during the meeting. Basically, the only real note that Jordan Peele gave us was, “Make it funny.” What he meant by that was not to tell jokes and be silly. What he was really saying was to really expose the treacherousness of all of this, the evil of all of this. When you expose it, and you expose it in a certain way, you expose the truth of it, and that’s where the humor lies. You expose the absurdity of organizations like the Klan and neo-Nazis and people like David Duke. That prevents you from having to tell jokes. Instead, you reveal how silly and ridiculous the whole thing is. KANSAN: Did you receive any backlash from David Duke or any white supremacist groups because of this film? WILLMOTT: David Duke called the real Ron Stallworth a couple of weeks ago. I think he was concerned about how he was going to be portrayed, and you just wanna say, “Dude, you’re a klansman and a Nazi, how do you think you’re going to be portrayed?” KANSAN: What would you say is the main message of “BlacKkKlansman”? WILLMOTT: There’s a lot of messages in the film. I don’t know if there’s a main message, but I think
that one of the things people come away with in the film is that old saying, "The past is prologue." Even though the movie is set in the 1970s, it’s about what’s going on right now. David Duke and Donald Trump are in the White House, and that’s a really bizarre and dangerous thing. KANSAN: The film ended with the events in Charlottesville, did you have any influence on that decision? WILLMOTT: Spike made that choice. It was a great choice because we had joked that David Duke and Donald Trump really wrote themselves into the film, so we want to give them credit for it. I don’t want to share credit with them, but I’d like to acknowledge them. The nation is in a crisis right now. The thing is that Donald Trump and David Duke — they’re a team, and that’s what we’re dealing with right now as a nation. It’s a very scary time. KANSAN: Do you think the film will influence your teaching at the University? WILLMOTT: It’s funny because a lot of what I teach in my class is in the film. It just turned out that way. There’s a lot of what Spike and I both — he’s a professor at New York University — teach and understand in terms of film, and this is what we think is important about film. I think the more students know that history, the more they’ll understand their present lives in America.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
— Edited by Shaun Goodwin
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ARTS & CULTURE
K ANSAN .COM
Paige: Grande replaces pain with positivity
post-traumatic stress disorder. She also ended a two-year relationship with rapper Mac Miller and started dating comedian Pete Davidson, to whom she’s now engaged. Enter her album “Sweetener,” and Grande recounts how all of those experiences gave her a new outlook on life— one that’s filled with light and
positivity. The 25-year-old has been through a lot for her age, but “Sweetener,” her fourth studio album, is a beautiful story of how she’s juggled heartbreak and pain on her route to happiness. Backed by Grande’s soulful, sultry vocals tied with Pharrell Williams-produced beats, “Sweetener” is
appropriately subtle yet powerful. Grande’s vocals aren’t exaggerated, the production isn’t boastful, and that’s intentional. It would be hard to have heavy beats and loud singing on an album with themes of peace, humility and positivity. It wouldn’t match well. But Grande’s voice is angelic throughout the entire album. Her voice is heavenly and sexy, as best revealed on “God is a Woman.” That’s exactly how the 15-track album starts in the 37-second song “Raindrops (An Angel Cried),” which could reference her pain after the Manchester bombing or the end of her relationship with Mac Miller. Either way, the song’s duration indicates that Grande’s crying days are over and she’s ready to embrace happiness. At least that’s what “The Light Is Coming” implies. Featuring Nicki Minaj, a frequent collaborator of Ariana Grande, the single promises happier days to replace the ones filled with sorrow. The song’s
and in so doing strengthen one of the signature offerings of the KU campus,” Greenberg said via email. Brownson passed away last year after a life dedicated to public service in the federal government. Born in 1917 in Kansas City, Kansas, she graduated from the University in 1938. While in school, she studied French, German and Spanish, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa sorority. The current plan is to award two scholarships to current students for $5,000 each. One scholarship will be given to a student studying “commonly taught”
languages like German, French or Spanish, while another one will be given to a student studying any of the 40 languages offered, Greenberg said. University alumna Betty Kagan is the chair of the advisory board for the SLLC. The St. Louis, Missouri, resident said that the will of Brownson dictated that the funds would be used for the benefit of students studying languages. “It’s quite broad, but it gives us some leeway in how we might use the money,” Kagan said. “It’s also very nice to know that all these years later someone would leave money in their will to the University for a
bachelor’s degree that they got 80 years ago.” The scholarship can be used to pay for classes, but also for expenses outside of tuition like research, study abroad or travelling to conferences. Along with her love of languages, Brownson also dedicated her life to the advancement of informational science. She was involved in the research and development of mechanized storage and retrieval systems starting in 1946 when she joined the Special Committee on Technical Information. “This was well before we had computers,” Kagan said. “So, there were hundreds, thousands
Associated Press Ariana Grande, center, performs “God is a Woman” at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in New York. DEASIA PAIGE @deasia_paige Ariana Grande is back with her most inspirational album to date— and rightfully so. Last year, 23 people died at her concert during a terrorist attack at Manchester Arena, an incident from which the singer still suffers from
avant-garde, Pharrell Williams, pop beats that make the single’s message more convincing and pleasing to hear. While half of the album is made up of empowering anthems for dealing with painful times, the other half is about being in love. This is emphasized by “God Is A Woman,” arguably the best song on the album, which boasts of Grande’s sexual prowess. Describing God as a woman while embracing sexuality is a powerful statement that defies patriarchal perceptions of religion, which makes the sultry banger more moving. The others songs about sex and love, like “R.E.M,” “Blazed” and “Borderline” are less impactful, but still align with the album’s themes and reveal that Grande is very happy with her love life. Dedicating a few lines to her fiancé in the song “Pete Davidson” pretty much proves that. Grande also alluded to her previous relationship with Mac Miller on “Everytime,” in which she mentions that she constantly returns to
a relationship that she knows isn’t good for her. Grande furthers this sentiment later in the album with “Better Off.” Characterized by simple drum beats and melodies, the song describes a toxic relationship in which Grande finally musters up the courage to leave. “Get Well Soon,” the album’s closing track, basically sums up the overall theme of the album — moving on from pain and heartbreak. The single is five minutes and 22 seconds long, which pays respect to the Manchester bombing at her concert on May 22, 2017. The song also ends with 40 seconds of silence that honors the victims of the bombing. Grande sings about comforting people who’ve dealt with difficult times. In the single, she wants people dealing with anxiety and mental illness to know that they are not alone because she’s been through similar circumstances. But, with “Sweetener,” it’s clear that Grande isn’t letting those circumstances define who she is.
of documents floating around that were filed in filing cabinets. And she was trying to figure out how we find them and how we classify them.” The SCTI became a part of the Department of Defense’s Research and Development Board. Brownson became the director for scientific documentation at the National Science Foundation in the Office of Scientific Information in the 1950s after the office was established by President Harry Truman. Brownson worked at the NSF until 1966 when she transferred to the research division of the Central Intelligence Agency before retiring
from public service in 1970. Brownson died on Aug. 5, 2017 at the age of 100, but the SLLC wasn’t notified about the financial bequest from the estate until April 2018. Kagan said that she hopes this gift can help students who want to go deeper in the study of languages, something that Brownson was passionate about. “We live in such a global world and global economy,” Kagan said. “We have people coming and going. Information is coming and going. And that knowledge of language, it just gives you a better understanding of the world we’re living in.”
$247,000 grant to be used for student scholarships
RACHEL GAYLOR @raegay218 Less than four years since the first convocation of the School of Languages, Literature & Cultures, the school is on the receiving end of a major grant left by the estate of alumna Helen Brownson. The estate left $247,000 to the University. Professor Marc L. Greenberg, the director of the SLLC, said that the money will go toward creating new scholarships for students. “We can add significantly to our portfolio of support for students of languages
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9
Architecture class teaches photo drawing RYLIE KOESTER @RylieKoester
After an unitentional discovery, University of Kansas architecture lecturer Anne Patterson has incorporated “photo drawing” into one of her classes at the University. Patterson said she coined the term “photo drawing,” which combines photography and drawing into a single image to add a fuller and more understanding perspective. Patterson discovered photo drawing when she photographed one of her sketches of the Douglas County Courthouse three years ago. She printed out the photo and began sketching on it. “The drawing became more photographic, and the photograph became more drawing-like, and it
“The drawing became more photographic, and the photograph became more drawing-like, and it looked kind of magical,” Anne Patterson architecture lecturer
looked kind of magical,” Patterson said. Patterson teaches the technique in her architecture class Analytical Freehand Drawing during the spring semester at the University. Fourth and fifth year students primarily make up the elective class, Patterson said. Because it’s an
Contributed photo
Anne Patterson often uses photo drawing to create more interesting renderings of Lawrence buildings.
elective, Patterson said she has more room to experiment with the curriculum, so she decided to teach photo drawing. According to Patterson, architecture students begin to wonder what the value of drawing is after spending four or five years at the University. She said she thinks students take her elective class because drawing holds nostalgia for them. “It’s my job to sort of put [drawing] back into their vocabulary and have them able to work with digital images and their hand, and have them be partners, rather than separate,” Patterson said. Photo drawing has allowed Patterson to use more of her imagination when creating a drawing of a building. She can also imagine a building differently than she had previously. When a person thinks about a building, they often don’t just think about the exterior, Patterson said. A person’s memory of a building might be more about the interior or even the experiences they had inside the building. According to Patterson, photo drawing is also used as a time-saving technique in the drawing process. Patterson said she now follows a process when creating a photo drawing. Instead of holding up a sketch and taking a photograph of it like she did at first, Patterson sketches a building,
Contributed photo
Anne Patterson teaches a technique she calls “photo drawing” in her architecture class. Patterson coined the term after beginning to use the technique three years ago. takes a photograph of the building, and then merges the two images using Photoshop or Microsoft Word. She also often tries to find common features between the sketch and the photograph, which helps the images merge into one. For example, she might use lines that the building and sketch both have. However, merging the photo and sketch takes skill, which she has learned over time. Kenneth Wilson, a graduate student from
Wrangell, Alaska, who took Patterson’s class last semester, said photo drawing was “an eyeopening experience” for him. “I had never thought of doing photo drawing before,” Wilson said. Wilson, who said he doesn’t consider himself the best drawer, said photo drawing allowed him to be more creative. He said it was helpful for him to already have a photo as a starting point for a drawing. Before taking Patterson’s class,
Wilson said he didn’t know photography and drawing could coexist. “Putting them together makes you think about art and architecture in a different way,” Wilson said. Patterson has continued to make her own photo drawings outside of the classroom. Additionally, she has started selling some of her works, primarily buildings on campus and others around Lawrence, on her Etsy site.
Concert to honor history of 89-year-old venue RACHEL GAYLOR @raegae218
Fourth time’s the charm. On Third Street sits a small white schoolhouse. It has sat there in its current form for nearly a century, and has went through four iterations in the past 150 years. First established in 1868 as a one-room school, the White Schoolhouse is now owned and operated as a venue for weddings, parties and, since last year, all-ages concerts. This month is the oneyear anniversary of the first concert put on at the venue. The venue sits on oneand-a-half acres, which
building was constructed in 1929. To celebrate the anniversary, the White Schoolhouse will host a concert on Thursday, Aug. 23 featuring performances from musicians Paul Cherry, The ACB’s, Dreamgirl and Fullbloods. Jennifer Roth, a Lawrence resident, owns the venue along with her husband and his parents. The family bought the schoolhouse at an auction in November 2011 and spent the next year renovating it before opening it as a venue spot for weddings and parties in 2012 with a 100-person capacity. Roth and her family didn’t initially have
‘‘By repurposing these buildings, at least some of the heritage of the building and the community is remembered, retained, and passed on to younger generations,’’
were purchased by the White Schoolhouse’s district in 1868 for $3,000, according to documents at the Watkins Museum of History. The building that currently sits on the land is the fourth iteration after previous structures were destroyed by fires and floods. The fourth
Raymond Stone Lawrence resident
plans for the schoolhouse after they finished the renovations. “It gave us the ability to offer a medium-sized venue at a reasonable price to the community,” Roth said. The capacity of the White Schoolhouse is 100 people and the price
Contributed photo
The White Schoolhouse is an 89-year-old building. Previous versions of the former one-room schoolhouse have existed for 150 years. varies. Raymond Stone, a Lawrence resident, has family who attend White Schoolhouse and has become invested in learning about its history. Seeing the buildings still in use provides a look back into the history of Lawrence and the community. “By repurposing these buildings, at least some of the heritage of the building and the community is
remembered, retained, and passed on to younger generations,” Stone said. When the building first became a venue for live events over five years ago, hosting concerts wasn’t initially in the plans. The first concert came to Roth by chance last year. According to Roth, a friend needed a venue for a concert he was hosting that would be available to all ages. “They wanted it to be a
unique place,” Roth said. The first all-ages show was held on Aug. 21 with Warm Bodies and Ebony Tusks in addition to Downtown Boys. They’ve held allages shows at the White Schoolhouse ever since. Roth said that it is a deliberate effort to have the shows be all-ages to allow a larger community presence at the concerts. “I think it has a different feel from places
that are primarily bars or concert halls,” Roth said. “I think that makes us different. The fact that all of our shows are all-ages makes us different. It just has a different vibe from places that are downtown and primarily bars.” Tickets for the anniversary show can be purchased online. Doors for the show open Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
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SPORTS
K ANSAN .COM
KU soccer can extend win streak in next game
Christian Toth/KANSAN A triumphant team celebration after a goal from junior forward Katie McClure on Aug. 17. The Jayhawks defeated the Pepperdine Waves 1-0 at Rock Chalk Park. LOGAN FRICKS @LoganFricks With the first weekend of soccer wrapping up, the Jayhawks have started off hot with two victories in as many games. Kansas’ 2-0-0 start is the first time the Jayhawks have won their first two matches of the season since 2014. With a 1-0 victory over the No. 18 Pepperdine Waves and a 3-0 thrashing of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, Kansas looks to keep up the pace as they head into Friday’s matchup against the Oregon State Beavers. In Kansas’ first match against Pepperdine, it was the defense that stood out, most namely freshman goalkeeper Sarah Peters. Peters only had two saves in the game, however her tenacious play kept Kansas alive. Operating primarily inside the box, Peters was able to prevent open shots and give Kansas the opportunity to take over offensively. The lone goal of the game was mainly due to Peters’ aggressive play as she kicked the ball deep down the field, allowing junior forward Katie McClure to capitalize on a oneon-one matchup against Pepperdine’s goalkeeper. Kansas quickly flipped its entire plan in the second game of the season against South Dakota State as the offense dominated throughout. The Jayhawks had the ball for the majority of the game and were shot heavy, finishing with 24 shots. McClure, currently standing at second in the Big 12 in total points (5), is the player to watch
Christian Toth/KANSAN Senior midfielder Kaycie Young breaks against Pepperdine on Aug. 17. Kansas defeated Pepperdine 1-0. against Oregon State this Friday. The Beavers, sitting at 0-2-0, have struggled defensively, giving up 15 shots in their first game and 14 in their second. With an offense that consists of McClure, senior forward Grace Hagan, senior midfielder Kaycie Young and junior forward Taylor Christie, Kansas can find holes in the Oregon State defense. The Jayhawks have also only allowed a total of 15 shots in their two combined games, limiting South Dakota State to one shot in the entire second half. In its first game, Oregon State struggled getting shots off and with the pressure of the Jayhawks’ defense, the Beavers could continue
to struggle in this area. Despite the early perfect record, Kansas coach Mark Francis has pointed out areas within the offense that still need improvement, such as setting up a play that could lead to a highpercentage shot rather than shooting from afar. The Jayhawks have shown a lot of promise this year, but the season is still early. Kansas will look to extend its record to 3-0 for the first time since 2014, when it won eight consecutive games to start their season. The Jayhawks will take on the Beavers on Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. in Lincoln, Nebraska. — Edited by Shaun Goodwin
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SPORTS
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How Bubba Starling's career slowly faded away JACK JOHNSON @Johnny_J15
It has been seven years and roughly three months since the Kansas City Royals put their faith and hope into an 18-year-old, three-sport athlete from Gardner. At the time, the Royals were coming off another dreadful summer of baseball in which the team finished bottom of the American League Central with an abysmal 67-95 record. These were the times before Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar made their way onto the field at Kauffman Stadium. These were the times Alex Gordon and Billy Butler were still considered to be the youthful movement that would lead the charge in the team's trek back into respectability. Current manager Ned Yost had just finished his first season with the club after Trey Hillman was fired just 35 games into the season. But, with a core group of remarkable talent that had never crossed the Royals farm system in the history of the franchise, the 2011 draft would mark the turning point for the then-desperate franchise. Or so it was thought. On June 6, Kansas City was slotted with the number five overall pick in the draft with the hopes of adding a cornerstone piece to one of, if not the top, minor league systems in all of baseball. However, before his name was even called, the organization and fan base already expected who the Royals were going to make that phone call to. With the Baltimore Orioles selecting pitcher Dylan Bundy out of Owasso High School in Oklahoma, Kansas City was up next. It was a no brainer. It was the obvious call. It would have been a disgrace if the local kid wasn't picked. Besides, he is a “five-tool” guy, a
player that excels at all aspects of the game. These comments fluttered all around about the kid that Royals General Manager Dayton Moore would select. As an all-state quarterback, rim-rocking power forward and the commodity of high school baseball in Kansas, the idea that he couldn’t fulfill these expectations was a distant afterthought. The ensuing words echoed all throughout the suburbs and cities of Kansas and Missouri. "With the fifth pick in the 2011 MLB draft, the Kansas City Royals select outfielder Bubba Starling from Gardner-Edgerton High School in Gardner, Kansas," Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig said on that Monday evening in 2011. From the moment those words were spoken on national television, the dream of the local kid hitting the game winning home run in game seven of the World Series or snagging the final out in front of 40,000 strong inside Kauffman Stadium has now spun into a “can he ever make the big leagues” story. This question has hovered around the now 26-year-old center fielder from time to time in his minor league career. Injury after injury has plagued and derailed any chance for Starling to even have his name in consideration for a starting job in the big leagues. The disabled list stints have ranged from laser eye surgery to falling out of bed and dislocating his finger, to oblique and hamstring strains sprinkled throughout his career. With his disappointing seasons piling up, the organization managed to win two American League pennants and a World Series title while he rehabbed in the Arizona Fall League in Surprise, Arizona. Players such as Jarrod
Contributed photo Bubba Starling catching a fly ball for Kansas City Royals' Triple-A affiliate, Omaha Storm Chasers. Dyson, Nori Aoki, Paulo Orlando, Alex Rios, Reymond Fuentes, Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler and Jorge Bonifacio have all received their shot to prove themselves over him. But, even as the 2018 Royals sit nearly 50 games under .500, Starling will have to wait another season, as he once again has been sidelined with a season-ending injury. The pain and heartache of seeing a draft pick fail to live up to his godlike expectations has not only been felt by the for-
mer prodigy, but the organization that set those expectations is paying for the mistake now more than ever. Not only will his name bring a sense of agony throughout the fan base, the names that follow that fateful draft pick bring more than a grimace to all readers. The Washington Nationals selected Anthony Rendon, who finished fifth in MVP voting in 2014 and sixth in 2017, along with receiving the Silver Slugger Award for third base in 2014 as well.
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Archie Bradley, who posted a 1.73 ERA in 73 innings last season and became one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. This next name may sound like nails on a chalkboard; the Cleveland Indians selected Francisco Lindor. Known for his infectious smile, dazzling web gems and raw power, Lindor is in the running for MVP this season. He easily has become the best shortstop in the game and is one of the top players in the world at the
age of 24. Starling isn’t the only bust that has been selected at the top of the draft. He isn’t the only prospect to constantly wind up on the disabled list. He isn’t the only local kid to never really pan out or at least live up to expectations. But, with a newer generation of Royals moving their way up the ranks quickly, the picture of Starling patrolling that endless outfield in Kauffman Stadium will simply vanish.
Though the former Texas Longhorns defensive coach may be best known for producing high fielding percentage teams, her experience as both a coach and a player will help Kansas in the area they need most: at the plate. While a four-year starter at Texas Tech, McFalls led her team all four seasons in slugging percentage, hits, total bases and batting average. The Grand Prairie, Texas, native clearly knows how to produce offense, something Kansas has struggled with in recent years. The team’s 201718 season batting average (.220) finished at the bottom of the Big 12, and the Jayhawks’ slugging percentage (.339) and hits (99) also landed last in the rankings. A coach at the helm of the program who can improve Kansas’ performance in these areas is critical to the Jayhawks finding success in the conference and reaching
the Big 12 Championship, which is exactly what Kansas will get with McFalls in the dugout. A coach at the high school, collegiate, professional and international level, McFalls no doubt possesses the ability to develop players both offensively and defensively. As a coach, the former Olympian has contributed to nine All-America selections, 31 NFCA All-Region selections, 36 All-Big 12 Conference selections and two Big 12 Player of the Year recipients. With only three seniors on the 2019 roster, McFalls appears an ideal candidate to begin molding the players on this relatively young team. With the Jayhawks looking to improve upon last season’s 2-16 conference finish and earn a spot in the Big 12 Championship bracket come May, McFalls is the right fit for the coach’s box at Arrocha Ballpark this spring.
Tannahill: New coach has tools for softball revamp
Kansan file photo The Jayhawks huddle after scoring a run against Oklahoma on April 14. MADDY TANNAHILL @maddytannahill Following a lull since 2010, the Big 12 resumed hosting a postseason conference softball tournament during the 2016-17 season. Seven softball teams compete in the Big
12 regular season, and all but one receive a berth to postseason play: Kansas. Since the reintroduction of the Big 12 Championship, the Jayhawks have missed both tournaments. Winning only a com-
bined five conference games in the past two seasons, while racking up 30 losses, Kansas has recently appeared stuck at the bottom of the Big 12, overwhelmed by nationally-ranked powerhouses such as Oklahoma and
Baylor. However, as Athletic Director Jeff Long’s first major hire, new head softball coach Jennifer McFalls could be exactly what the Jayhawks need to see a turnaround for the struggling program.
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Thursday, August 23, 2018
K A N S A N .C O M /S P O R T S
Hillier, Spencer poised to lead men’s golf
FULTON CASTER @FCaster04
Fresh off a 2017-18 season in which the Kansas men’s golf team made it all the way to the NCAA championships, head coach Jamie Bermel and his squad are preparing to kick off what is hopefully another successful campaign. Kansas will have to deal with the loss of seniors Daniel Sutton and Daniel Hudson, who both played in all 14 events last season and combined for two topfive finishes, five top-10 finishes and nine top-20 finishes. To handle this loss, Kansas will most likely need to turn to senior Charlie Hillier and, perhaps even more importantly, junior Andy Spencer. Last season, Hillier continued to build upon an already impressive Jayhawk career. In 2017-18, Hillier regressed slightly but still managed two top10 finishes with his best round being a seven-under-par score that netted him a sixth place finish at the Bighorn Invitational back in March. In three seasons at Kansas, Hillier has compiled a solid career with four top-5 finishes, ten top-10 finishes and 19 top-20 finishes. The Te Puke, New Zealand, native should be a steady force for the Jay-
hawks in 2018-19. Andy Spencer is the other key piece to a successful Jayhawk run this season. Last season, Spencer was a driving factor in the success Kansas experienced. He had career bests in single round score, tournament score and best finish. Spencer had his best single tournament performance of his collegiate career in the first tournament of the season in 2017. He also took second place at the Badger Invitational, his best single tournament score in his career, helped by a career-best 7-under-72 which he shot on day two of the invitational. He tied one of those personal bests later in the year at the Ka’anapali Classic where he finished in third place. Overall, Spencer finished the season with nine top-20 finishes including four top-5 finishes. A big change for the Jayhawks this year will also be their youth. The Jayhawks only have two seniors this season, and only three upperclassmen total out of an eleven-man team. The Jayhawks also have five freshmen on the squad this year and, with redshirt sophomore Drew Shepherd thrown into the mix, who did not play at all last season, there are six
players who will be seeing their first action for the Jayhawks this year. The Jayhawks’ freshmen class includes three Kansas natives set to make solid contributions this season. Zach Sokolosky from Wichita played at Andover High School for four years. He was an individual 5A state champion in 2017 and holds school records for lowest round score (64) and best season average (72). Grant Herrenbruck played at Sacred Heart High School in Salina last year. He helped his school win the 2A state championship all four years and was a two-time individual state champion as well. Christian Ghilardi joins the Jayhawks from just down the road in Lenexa and played at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. He was named to the All-State team all four years, has the most medals in school history and was a two-time Sunflower League champion. All three of these players could significantly contribute to the Jayhawks in 2018-19, dependent on how Bermel chooses to use his roster this season. All in all, Spencer and Hillier are poised to be big contributors for the Jayhawks this season. Add in solid contributions from returning players Harry Hillier, Jake Scarrow and
Contributed photo Then-freshman golfer Andy Spencer makes a drive during the 2017 season. Ben Sigel, as well as possible help from Sokolosky, Herrenbruck and Ghilardi, and this team has some real promise to earn not only another NCAA Regional birth, but a possible NCAA Championship opportunity as well. Kansas men’s golf open the season in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Badger
Invitational Sept. 9 to 11. This is the second straight year Kansas opens the year in Madison. Last season, Kansas finished second at the Badger Invitational with a 19-under-par score. The team’s top individual performer was Spencer, who finished with a 10-under-par score and finished in second place.
Overall, the Jayhawks have the ability to improve upon a solid performance last year and will be a team seeking its fourth straight NCAA Regional birth.
success for the Jayhawks. As he has stressed the importance of being a Jayhawk multiple times on different occasions, Long is dedicated to rebuilding a program that is not only successful on the field, but proud to pull on the crimson and blue jersey. Even small things, like the relocation of moving a Jayhawk statue from the back of the Anderson Family Football Complex to the front, indicates Long’s desire to instill a sense of pride in the program’s players. “We want fans and student-athletes to see that every day when they’re coming in the building, because that’s what they represent, the Jayhawks,” Long said at the 13th annual KU Kickoff on Friday. For Kansas Athletics, the firing of Zenger and subsequent hiring of Long seems to be a move in the right direction. If Long stays away from the drastic options of firing Beaty, it will allow him to leave Beaty to continue recruiting top talent while Long can continue to instill a sense of pride into a stagnating Memorial Stadium.
— Edited by Nichola McDowell
Hawkins: Jeff Long can reinvigorate KU football
goal to aide an ailing football program that hadn’t seen success since a 2008 Orange Bowl victory. Credited with hiring football coach David Beaty, as well as Charlie Weis before him, Zenger attempted to make strides to help the program but ultimately failed. From the moment University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod announced his decision to hire Long on July 5, Long has repeatedly sent out the message he has the ability to improve not only the football program, but Kan-
sas Athletics as whole. Long walks into an immense amount of responsibility at Kansas. With a noteworthy men’s basketball team coming off a successful season, capped by a trip to the Final Four, Long should feel pretty confident moving forward in regard to the program led by head coach Bill Self. His confidence in the basketball program will leave him the much-needed energy to focus on other programs. Long’s biggest challenges will, as expected, stem from football.
The team, which is 3-33 under Beaty after three years, is in need of a copious amount of support from not only Long, but Kansas fans, too. An extensive background in college athletics makes Long the right man for the job. Previously serving as the Athletics Director for the University of Arkansas, he was able to build the athletic department both on and off the field. While Long held this position, the Razorback student athletes broke a GPA school record and found
themselves surpassing the average Division I Academic Progress Rate. On the field, the Razorbacks also found success, including participation in 139 postseason competitions under Long’s direction. Arkansas also secured 34 conference championships, and most notably attended the school’s first bowl game in history. Chairman of the inaugural College Football Playoff Selection Committee, Long has also sat alongside notable coaches and journalists in order to rank teams and create competitive matchups. Officially taking over Aug. 1, Long has already made changes to benefit the football program. Hiring highly-experienced Mike Vollmar as the senior associate athletic director for football administration, Long hopes to have some extra eyes on the program. Long realizes that change is not something that can occur overnight; he recognizes that any great program needs community support. Focusing on small things that can provide great changes, Kansas football must grow its fan base and support to begin the rebuilding process. Long holds the keys to
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Bob(Jiatong) Li/KANSAN Chancellor Douglas Girod introduces Jeff Long as the University’s next Athletics Director. LAUREN HAWKINS @laurensidney_ With the football season on the horizon, major changes could still be in the cards for Kansas Athletics, and specifically the football program, in the near future. With new Athletic Director Jeff Long at the helm, following the dismissal of former Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger, Kansas football could be in for a makeover from top to bottom of the program. Zenger was hired back in 2011 with the primary
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