THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
SPORTS
INSIDE New details come to light in the Oct. 1 shooting
2018 offers a chance to watch some of Kansas’ best
p. 2
athletes in action The University Daily Kansan
vol. 135 // iss. 1 Monday, Jan. 15, 2018
Comedian Jim Norton to perform set at Liberty Hall p. 8
SEE ATHLETES • PAGE 11
Senate leaders look to final semester Both internal and campus issues are on the agenda for KU’s Student Senate this spring
SAVANNA SMITH @savsmith20 Heading into the new year, Student Senate leadership will move forward with plans to address food insecurity on campus, difficulties with sexual assault reporting at the University and outdated Student Senate Rules and Regulations. According to Student Body President Mady Womack, Senate will be looking for a new location for Campus Cupboard, currently located at 1421 West Ninth Street, in order to better provide food for students who may not have regular access. Roughly half of Douglas County is affected by food insecurity, Womack said. “I’m very excited that we will be able to find a workable solution for students,” she said. Additionally, the administration will continue pursuing costeffective technology that will help students report sexual assault more easily. According to Womack, Senate is working with a couple of different companies to find the best solution. Womack said she could not disclose company names during the procurement process. Womack, who began her career in Student Senate as a freshman, said it is time to start thinking about the mark her administration will leave behind after she
Savanna Smith/KANSAN Mattie Carter (left) and Mady Womack (right) want to work on sexual assault reporting, food insecurity and even how Senate meetings are run during the second half of their time as vice president and president, respectively, of the 2017-2018 Student Senate. graduates in the spring. “I hope that we inspire people to do the work and check out the issues that matter,” Womack said. While the administration will be addressing public issues such as food insecurity and sexual assault, one of Student Body Vice President Mattie Carter’s major focuses will be fee review. Carter said she hopes finance committee balances student fees to best serve students with the available funds. Senate will
take into account the rising cost of higher education as it moves through the fee review process, according to Carter. “It’s really clear from students that they don’t want an increase in fees, so we’ll be very careful,” Carter said. Reflecting on last semester, Carter said misunderstandings and inconsistencies between Robert’s Rules and Student Senate Rules and Regulations will be addressed moving forward.
Additionally, the current senate body is new and may not be aware of certain rules of conduct, Carter said. Senators not adhering to Robert’s Rules was an issue in the final full Senate meeting of last semester. “There are just some things that are inappropriate when we conduct — for example, clapping, especially when the losing team is there,” Carter said. “It happened one time.” However, she said she is impressed with
the new Senate’s level of engagement. “I’ve been really impressed with how easily they’ve been able to jump in,” Carter said. “A lot of them have really come out of their shells.” Due to the many inconsistencies of SSRR, Carter and Chief of Staff Charles Jetty said reforming those rules is a top priority. At the end of the fall semester, SSRR election reform was passed, now allowing for a 36-hour grace period after the
deadline for potential senators to address any invalid signatures on their petitions to run. If any of the 25 signatures required are still invalid, the student may not be included on the ballot. However, Jetty said, like the election’s code, other sections of SSRR are outdated and in need of attention. “It would certainly be good to evaluate all of it, and streamline and modernize it,” Jetty said. In addressing some of the inconsistencies and disorganization she has seen in Senate, Carter has worked to change internal processes that keep Senate efficient, including SSRR. “If Senate is run better and is more functional, I think that will benefit students, because they have representatives that know what they are doing and are being held accountable,” Carter said. According to Womack, this year’s Senate and students show more desire to be involved than the bodies of the last few years. All Senate positions were filled this year, which has not happened in the time Womack has been involved with Senate, she said. “Really bringing issues of diversity and equity to the forefront of what we deal with ... I think has been an important change for Senate in the time that I’ve been here,” Womack said.
KU developing plans to reduce out-of-state tuition SYDNEY HOOVER @sydhoover17
Chancellor Douglas Girod announced the University’s plan to cut outof-state tuition prices and redirect scholarship funds to the Board of Regents over the break. According to Dr. Girod, the University will begin granting “tuition waivers” to high achieving students from out of state in order to make the school more appealing to “high-ability” students. This would discount their tuition from the start. Subsequently, the University would redirect scholarship money to in-state students, which would be granted based on financial need. “The changes that Chancellor Girod discussed at the Kansas Board of Regents meeting last month are a tweak to the existing scholarship awards for out-of-state students,” Director for News and Media Relations Erinn Barcomb-Peterson said in an email. “This tweak provides tuition waivers to high-achieving out-ofstate students while freeing
up scholarship money for Kansas students in need.” However, current students worry that these waivers may not be as appealing as the current scholarships the University offers to out-of-state students. Scholarship eligibility would be restructured, according to Girod, and awards would no longer be based off of the University’s current policy, in which students receive scholarships based on their GPA and ACT score. It is unclear under what circumstances students would receive scholarships and whether or not these changes would affect current students. For instance, Emma Faciane, a freshman business marketing major from Thousand Oaks, California, chose to attend school in Kansas due to an already relatively low out-of-state tuition plus a scholarship on top of that made it the best financial choice for her family. Faciane had also applied to several private and state schools, along with Baylor University. “It was cheaper for me to
go out of state than for me to go to some of the private universities in-state [in California], so that actually played a really big role for me because it was kind of a perk,” Faciane said. “I think it [the waivers] would be less appealing to me because when I was looking at KU, their tuition matched a lot of other schools I was looking at, but then because of the financial aid, I felt that it was more of a viable situation and so with what they had to offer, I thought it was really helpful.” For sophomore elementary education major Allison Kmiecik, the Jayhawk Generations Scholarship made the University a financially feasible option. The scholarship, which she received largely based on her ACT score, made her tuition only a few hundred dollars more than at the University of NebraskaLincoln, where she would have received in-state tuition. “I think it definitely depends how much lower [tuition would be] as well, but I definitely know a big thing for me is with the
Sarah Wright/KANSAN Chancellor Douglas Girod plans to increase the number of out-of-state students through special tuition-cutting scholarship programs. scholarship that I’m on, there’s three different tiers of it and so those tiers depend on your ACT score,” Kmiecik said. She continued to take the ACT until she was eligible for the highest tier of scholarships. According to Girod during the meeting with the Regents, the new tuition policy would restructure the existing model based on grades and test scores, but did not specify how.
For other students, such as Natalie Gibson, a sophomore journalism major from St. Louis, the changes may not have made a difference. Because Gibson knew she wanted to attend a university outside of Missouri, with an overall lower tuition, the University may appear much more attractive in comparison to other outof-state schools, despite the change in scholarship funds.
While it is still unclear how drastic these changes to tuition and financial aid will be, Girod plans to have the policy in place as soon as the upcoming fall, and intends to have the details of the plan sorted out this month. According to BarcombPeterson, more information about the potential changes will be available at the next Board of Regents meeting on Wednesday.
news
Monday, January 15, 2018
staff NEWS MANAGEMENT
Editor-in-chief Chandler Boese
Managing editor Erin Brock
Digital operations editor Brady Maguire
Social media editor Nathan Mize
Associate social media editor Emily Juszczyk ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT
Business manager Baylee Parsons
Sales manager Cooper Scott SECTION EDITORS
News editor Emily Wellborn
Associate news editor Katie Bernard
Sports editor Shaun Goodwin
Associate sports editor Michael Swain
Arts & culture editor Josh McQuade
Associate arts & culture editor Rachel Gaylor
Opinion editor Danya Issawi
Visuals editor & design chief Gracie Williams
Photo editor Missy Minear
Copy chiefs Gabby Cinnamon Emma Green ADVISERS
Chief financial officer Jon Schlitt
Editorial adviser Gerri Berendzen The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of The Kansan are 50 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at the Kansan business office, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS., 66045. The University Daily Kansan (ISSN 0746-4967) is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year except fall break, spring break and exams. It is published weekly during the summer session excluding holidays. Annual subscriptions by mail are $250 plus tax. Send address changes to The University Daily Kansan, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue.
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Oct. 1 shooting: What we know now As the first evidentiary hearing begins, witnesses offer a clearer picture of the Mass St. shooting
CHANDLER BOESE @Chandler_Boese Through the six witnesses who were heard from on Thursday, a much clearer picture of the Massachusetts Street shooting on Oct. 1 is beginning to form, including who was involved and what led up to the violence.
WHAT’S BEEN KNOWN
In the early morning of Oct. 1, multiple gunshots and resulting casualties were reported at the intersection of 11th and Massachusetts streets. Three people — 22-year-old Leah Brown, 20-year-old Colwin Henderson and 24-year-old Tremel Dupree Dean — were killed. Two men, a 19-yearold and a 28-year-old, were injured. Police said in mid-October that the shooting stemmed from a “physical altercation.” Three men from Topeka were eventually arrested in connection to the shooting: Dominique McMillon, Ahmad Rayton and Anthony Roberts Jr. Each had different charges leveled against him and is being prosecuted in his own case, but most of the hearings, thus far, have happened in conjunction with one another. McMillon was charged with aggravated assault and battery, while Rayton was charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm by a felon. Roberts is facing the most severe charges with two counts of second-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder and one count of first-degree murder. Since being arrested in mid-October, the men have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court had set a couple of preliminary hearing dates but each was postponed due to one or more of the defendants needing to find a lawyer to represent them. The preliminary hearing finally began on Thursday, and will continue to Jan. 19 due to the amount of evidence that needs to be presented.
Missy Minear/KANSAN Anthony Roberts Jr. and his attorney, Jennifer Chaffee, listen to J.C. Gilroy, Dominique McMillon’s attorney, at a hearing on Thursday, Jan. 11. During this hearing, the Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson, who is prosecuting the case, is presenting several witnesses and evidence. After the hearing is concluded, the presiding judge, Sally Pokorny, will decide whether or not there is enough evidence for the cases to proceed to trial.
BEFORE THE SHOOTING
Though his testimony conflicts with others’ statements and previous assertions made by him, the first witness on the stand spoke the most about what the defendants did before the shooting. The witness appeared involuntarily in court Thursday and was said to have concerns for his safety, and therefore will not be named by the Kansan. According to this witness, another Topeka man who is friends will all three defendants and knows several of the other witnesses and victims, the four of them had been in Topeka prior to coming to Lawrence. After a friend approached the group and told them about having been recently beaten, this witness and the three accused men went to Lawrence. Once in Lawrence, the four of them, according to this witness, walked around Massachusetts Street, going by the Granada Theater and Brother’s Bar & Grill, eventually winding up in front
of Watkins Museum on the northwest corner of 11th and Massachusetts streets sometime after midnight, the first witness said. It was here that the group saw another group of men walking by them, including several men who they were not usually friendly with, according to the first witness. After the group walked by once, then came back “in an aggressive manner,” which led to a fight that occurred just before the shooting broke out. This witness’ testimony is not entirely verified, considering the conditions he gave it under, and still leaves several questions, many of which were explored in the second testimony on Thursday, that of Detective M. T. Brown, the lead investigator in the case. In his testimony and the questions asked by defense attorneys, aspects like why the group originally went to Lawrence and what happened after the fight remained unclear, given conflicts between the witness’ original statements to the police and his testimony on Thursday, as well as corroborating evidence from other sources that has not yet been established.
DURING THE FIGHT
The messiest part of the hearing Thursday appeared to be the fight leading up to the shooting and who was revealed to have a gun during the fight.
Thursday’s testimonies describe the fight as being between two groups: the defendants and another group, which may have included two of the deceased victims (members of this group identified them as “friends”). However, everything from who threw the first punch to how many people were involved remained unclear between witnesses’ testimonies. The first witness said it was the other group, including a Topeka man named Robert Wheeler, who threw the first punch, and, in the ensuing conflict, shots were suddenly fired. The witness said that the other group included about nine people, coming up against he and his three friends. Wheeler himself, who testified Thursday, said that it was the defendants (McMillon, specifically) who threw the first punch, after Roberts allegedly threatened the group with a clearly visible gun. He says all three men had guns, with McMillon’s and Rayton’s weapons being revealed in the struggle. According to Wheeler, he was accompanied by two friends, with two others in the immediate vicinity.
flicting, raising more questions than answers. However, in the questioning of the detective, ballistics reports appeared to show that two different guns were shot that night, one .9 millimeter and one .40 caliber. The detective said that it appeared that all three dead victims were shot with a 9 caliber weapon, but that it was hard to determine for sure. One of the injured victims was also shot by the 9 millimeter and one was shot by the .40 caliber. It was also revealed that there is at least one video recording of the shooting, taken by a Lawrence police car parked in a lot across the street. Sgt. Michael McLaren and Officer Tyler Haney were in the parking lot by Allen Press, watching the crowds, when the shooting occurred. The video was officially admitted into evidence during the hearing on Thursday.
WHAT’S NEXT
Branson said Thursday that he still has “a number of witnesses” who he has yet to call, and suggested that the court look at setting a third date for the preliminary hearing to go to after the Jan. 19 date, possibly in early February. Several key parts of the story still need to be explored through these witnesses’ testimonies, including the group’s motivation in coming to Lawrence, the history between the people involved in the fight, what took place after the group left downtown and how many people were shooting, as many of the testimonies that have been offered so far have offered some information on these issues without clearly coming to answer. Moreover, if previous testimony is any indicator, future witnesses may very well call into question information that now seems to have been established.
THE SHOOTING
The six witnesses’ testimonies on Thursday in regard to who was shooting and how many shooters there were on Oct. 1 were scattered and often con-
Robinson becomes new vice chancellor EMILY WELLBORN @EmWellborn According to a message from Chancellor Douglas Girod on Friday, Reggie Robinson has been named as the next vice chancellor for public affairs, succeeding Tim Caboni. “Reggie’s deep experience in higher education has made him an invaluable counselor to me since he began serving in this role in an interim capacity in August,” Dr. Girod said in the message, addressing the University’s staff. “In addition, he has already nurtured meaningful relationships inside and outside our campuses, and I know he will help us achieve our goals and raise
our stature here and across the country.” The last vice chancellor for public affairs, Tim Caboni, left the University at the end of June to become the president of Western Kentucky University. In addition to being the interim vice chancellor, Robinson was the director for the School of Public Affairs and Administration. He has served on the Board of Regents and earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University. He’s also had strong connections with multiple chancellors, including former Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, Caboni told the Kansan before he left. “I’m honored and humbled to serve on Chancellor
Girod’s leadership team in this capacity, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for our university,” Robinson said in a statement sent to the Kansan. “KU is a wonderful place that means a great deal to me, and I look forward to working with our entire community to share our story in a way that resonates with our wide variety of audiences.” Robinson will be working to raise the University’s “stature,” said Director of News and Media Relations Erinn Barcomb-Peterson in an email Friday. “He is responsible for setting and carrying out a strategic communications agenda that elevates KU’s reputation internationally
Kansan file photo Reggie Robinson has been both a professor for and the director of the School of Public Affairs and Administration since July 2014. and nationally, as well as at the state and local levels,” she said, echoing Girod. “He also is responsible for internal and external communications and for integrating messages across all
of KU’s campuses, affiliates and partners.”
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Group combats sexual harassment in Capitol KALLI JO SMITH @kallijosmith
As University students prepare to begin coursework and internships at the Kansas Statehouse, the Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City is urging the legislature to rethink its sexual harassment policy. The two-page list of recommendations was put together after Senate President Susan Wagle asked the Women’s Foundation to review the current sexual harassment policies at the Statehouse, according to a press release. “The recommendations are grouped into four categories: ethics and workplace culture, accountability and monitoring, education and awareness, and victim resources,” according to the press release. Their recommendations include annual civil discourse, cultural competence and sexual harassment training; providing for outside legal counsel for sexual harassment investigations; allowing anonymous allegation reports; establishing a non-fraternization policy and limiting forms of closeddoor mediation, which Wagle said can silence sexual assault victims. It is unknown at this point whether or not these recommendations will be taken by the legislature. The
foundation drafted them after reports indicating a culture of sexual harassment at the state capitol surfaced. Allegations of sexual harassment began last year after former chief of staff to the Kansas House Democratic Caucus, Abbie Hodgson, claimed she faced sexual harassment while employed at the statehouse, according to the Kansas City Star. Hodgson disclosed information citing instances involving college interns serving as designated drivers after hours for lawmakers at the Statehouse in 2016. Since then, many subsequent allegations have come from interns, according to the Star. Each semester the University’s political science program sends students to intern at the Statehouse for course credit. Professor Burdett Loomis, head of the internship program, said no students have reported sexual harassment to him in the past 30 years. “The incident with lawmakers and interns was inappropriate, yes, but no sexual harassment was ever reported to me,” Loomis said. Since the allegations, Loomis thinks the Kansas Legislature has taken the matter seriously and believes the program will run as effectively as it has in the
Kansan file photo The Topeka Capitol Building houses the executive and legislative branches of government for the state of Kansas. past. Last week, Loomis said, the House Pro Tem’s office, which runs the intern programs for the Legislature, had an hour of additional sexual harassment training from the Young Women’s Christian Association this year as part of its orientation. The training, although not new, provided more information for students about who to report sexual harassment to, according to Loomis. “Us (professors), the University and the legislature are working to make sure one, students are safe, but also two, that the academic experience will be worth it,” Loomis said. “Society has changed substantially in the
last year and yes, we have to be more careful, but I’ve done this for over 30 years, and like any other year we’ll plow ahead.” Junior and political science major Victoria Snitsar, who previously worked as an intern at the Statehouse, says she thinks it’s time for the Statehouse to update its sexual harassment policy — which hasn’t been updated in over two decades. Snitsar says, although she hasn’t heard about sexual harassment within the internship program, she has heard students complain of inappropriate comments made to them while attending Higher Education Day, a yearly event where students lobby at the capitol, which
she herself has attended in the past. “I think there are a lot of cases where perpetrators of harassment are unaware of their actions, or what is deemed inappropriate, so I think shedding light on the matter will greatly reduce the amount of instances of harassment,” Snitsar said. Other University classes that attend the Statehouse include a Statehouse Reporting class taught by Scott Reinardy, professor in news management and editing. Although his class does not have a formal policy on sexual harassment, students will be made more aware of how to avoid creating situations that could lead to sexual harassment.
“In light of things we will be talking extensively about sexual harassment, where you should and shouldn’t go when talking to sources and how to report it,” Reinardy said. “I will never create a situation for my students, especially female students, to where they will not be in a public setting when talking to people at the Statehouse. It’s a lot of committee meetings, and a lot of that being done in open spaces.” Reinardy has never had a student report sexual harassment in his seven years teaching the course. “It’s never happened here, but I have had it happen somewhere else,” Reinardy said. “If I get a report, I am obligated by law to report it to the University. But there are people who can help you, and our job is to create a better or even new work environment if we have to that ends sexual harassment.” Students who need to report instances of sexual harassment or violence should contact the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access (which coordinates the University’s compliance with Title IX) at 785-8646414 or sexualharassment@ ku.edu, according to the University’s policy library website.
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University Daily Kansan Reader’s Guide
The official newspaper at the University since 1904, The University Daily Kansan covers a wide range of topics affecting the student body.
TAYLOR ANDERSON @taylor_ando
try, but it is led almost entirely by students.
The University Daily Kansan has been the official newspaper of the University of Kansas since it was founded in 1904. The Kansan’s operations are modeled after professional newsrooms across the coun-
With a staff of around 80 students, this spring the Kansan is headed by Editor-in-Chief Chandler Boese. The editor-in-chief is responsible for overseeing the
LEADERSHIP
editorial side of the Kansan by making sure coverage is meeting standard quality and stories are posted in a timely manner, in addition to other responsibilities. “The Kansan has multifaceted operations and I make sure those are working well to cover the University in a comprehensive way,”
Boese said. In addition to Boese’s role, the editor-in-chief is assisted by Managing Editor Erin Brock, who functions as Boese’s second-in-command. “As the managing editor, generally you do the day-to-day activities of the Kansan in support of [editor-in-chief],” Brock said. “I help her achieve long-term goals.” Other leadership positions include Social Media Editor Nathan Mize and Associate Social Media Editor Emily Juszczyk who manage the Kansan’s social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. Visuals for the Kansan are provided by Photo Editor Missy Minear, who organizes the Kansan’s photography operations with her team of both paid and unpaid photographers, and Gracie Williams the design chief, who works with a team of designers. Each section has paid editors for the content.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Both Boese and Brock make up the Kansan’s editorial board, as well as Opinion Editor Danya Issawi and Business Manager Baylee Parsons. The news, sports, and arts sections are not involved in the crafting of editorials. Editorials are opinion-style pieces, often regarding topics that impact the University, that reflect the viewpoint of the editorial board. “We make decisions about what editorials the Kansan runs and we promote the opinion of the Kansan in tune with issues at KU,” Boese said. Editorials and opinion columns are the only time the Kansan expresses a definite perspective. In all other sections, reporters strive to remain as objective as possible and not advocate one position over another, according to Boese. “We work really hard to keep that separate,” Boese said. “Opinion writers are not affiliated with other aspects of reporting, and we take into consideration conflicts of interest. Working in
facts is a huge focus of the Kansan.”
OPINION
Issawi, also a member of the editorial board, supervises the opinion section which gives columnists the opportunity to share their thoughts on various events and topics. While editorials reflect the position of the Kansan, opinion articles are written only to express the thoughts of a single columnist. Opinion writers cannot be involved in any other area of Kansan content. This is an effort to remain unbiased in reporting. “The content that’s covered in the opinion section ranges from local issues, at the university of city level, to prevalent national and international issues,” Issawi said. “It’s really important that the piece is not only relevant to the reader, but also the writer, so the way we pick content is by each individual writer brainstorming and pitching their ideas, and then we’ll go back and forth until we’ve solidified and fleshed out a single idea.”
NEWS
Led by News Editor Emily Wellborn and Associate News Editor Katie Bernard, the news section covers stories concerning information that affect University students and staff, in addition to the Lawrence community. “This can be long-standing issues like sexual assault and concealed carry or upcoming topics like recent construction projects,” Wellborn said. “Basically, if we think the University community should know about [it], we try to cover it.” As editors, Wellborn and Bernard’s role is to plan the schedule of new stories to be published and to manage the news reporters and their work by content editing and providing feedback. “We keep an eye on the news to make sure the most important stories to our audience get covered,” Bernard said. “We also act as a resource to our reporters offering advice and training to ensure that the content is as
Missy Minear / KANSAN
good as it can be.” The news section hires three paid reporters to cover student senate, local government and the university administration. Unpaid correspondents are hired to fill in the gaps in other areas of coverage.
ARTS & CULTURE
Focused on showcasing local restaurants, artists and theatre performances, the arts and culture section is run by Editor Josh McQuade and Associate Editor Rachel Gaylor. The section also includes reviews of movies, TV and music. “We are the arts and culture section, so we try to capture the culture of Lawrence in words,” McQuade said. “We try to cover visiting artists and performers, or Lawrence residents who add to the culture in their own way.” McQuade and Gaylor have similar responsibilities to Wellborn and Bernard, as do all section editors at the Kansan. The arts and culture section has one paid reporter as well as unpaid correspondents to cover events in Lawrence.
SPORTS
Sports Editor Shaun Goodwin and Associate Sports Editor Michael Swain oversee the sports section, dedicated to covering all sports-related topics at the university. This semester, a writer has been assigned to every sport unlike in previous years, to shed light on sports that in the past have received less coverage. Kansan sports reporters have the same press access as professional news outlets, allowing them to cover every aspect of games and events. As an editor, Goodwin said he appreciates the opportunity to guide younger journalists. “I see my job as a great platform to be able to help new writers getting into the journalism industry,” Goodwin said. “I think it’s vitally important to get new writers engaged in their writing and guide them towards becoming better journalists.”
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Sarah Wright/KANSAN Watson Park, located at 6th Street and Kentucky Street, was the location of an ice skating rink which the City of Lawrence brought back as a result of historic low temperatures.
Freeze prompts ice rink return after 7 years ADAM LANG @superduperadamlang The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department had the opportunity to create an ice rink in Watson Park for the first time in seven years. Beginning the day after Christmas, the park was flooded with water and left out to freeze for five days before a safe ice rink was created for residents to play ice hockey, do figure eights and simply to fall flat on. The department plans to create the ice rink every year, but what it comes down to is the conditions. Fortunately, the proper
conditions for the ice rink were satisfied this year, and the rink was created. “The city of Lawrence has had skating in Watson Park since the ‘60s,” said Roger Steinbrock, marketing supervisor of the Parks and Recreation Department. “Since the park is open we don’t rent skates or anything so people just kind of came and went. Not just skaters, but there were some ice hockey people playing out there and even just people on shoes were out there sliding on the ice.” Steinbrock has spent years planning winter events and seen many
years of ice rinks in Lawrence. The ice rink, however, is not always created by the freezing of water in the park. “We did try plastic synthetic ice and it just wasn’t as popular.” Steinbrock said. “It’s weather dependent on real ice. So it becomes an issue when we have [warmer weather]. That’s the downfall, cause we just don’t have the cold weather to support ice.” John Woynick is a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Topeka. “Anything below freezing, but it’s at most going to have to be 28 degrees to form ice on there,” Woyn-
ick said. “You would have your temperature below freezing and then it would take a period of time to have a safe depth of the ice which I would believe to be about a four inch depth or a little bit more just to be able to hold people on it.” Parks and Recreation has been unable to create an ice rink in the park since 2011. Despite conditions, the Parks and Recreation still found a solution with the synthetic ice, though it was less successful than the real ice. Because the department cannot supervise the rink 24/7, a sign is posted to keep off the ice to ensure
“It’s weather dependent on real ice … That’s the downfall, cause we just don’t have the cold weather to support ice.” Roger Steinbrock marketing supervisor, parks and recreation department
the safety of those skating, but skaters still made their way to the ice when the sun went down. The department first tweeted a message to their followers imploring them to stay off the ice when the sign is posted. The Lawrence Police Department replied to this message with a mes-
sage of their own. The Lawrence community has been lucky enough for temperatures to be cold enough for the rink to last multiple weeks. “The real ice is good and the community loves it.” said Steinbrock.
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Khaliq: Racism is not a lapse in judgement
AROOG KHALIQ @aroog_twt No generation is free of its questionable icons, and though the late 2000s and early 2010s gave the world Fred Figglehorn and Annoying Orange, even they can’t compare to the wildly popular twenty-two year old YouTube vlogger Logan Paul. Two weeks ago, Paul posted a now-deleted video to his channel in which he chronicles his trip to Aokigahara Forest, the world’s second most popular place to commit suicide. Complete with a clickbait title (“We Found A Dead Body in Japan’s Suicide Forest”), the 15 minute long video gained 6 million views in 24 hours, in part due to Paul’s morally bankrupt decision to include a clip in which he discovers and films the dead body of a suicide victim. The response to Paul’s video and his subsequent Twitter and YouTube apologies has been overwhelmingly negative, in part due to his long and well-chronicled history of racist behavior. Paul began his career on the now-defunct short form video platform Vine, where he and his younger brother Jake gained a large following of predominantly elementary and middle school-aged children. Logan Paul amassed 15 million subscribers after shifting to YouTube, and is reportedly worth $11.5 million — all enormous accomplishments for a 22 year old. Yet with all of this power as an Internet influencer, Paul has paid little mind to his responsibilities to his young audience. Though his apology describes his conscious decision to upload the video as a “serious and continuous lapse in [his] judgement,” one wonders who can hold a grown man accountable if he cannot do so himself. The lapse in judgement must have been present in 2012, when Paul posted a now-deleted tweet that “Watermelon makes your penis bigger - black men. Soy increases the estrogen in your body, decreasing
Associated Press In this Aug. 13, 2017, file photo, Logan Paul introduces a performance by Kyle & Lil Yachty and Rita Ora at the Teen Choice Awards at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. penis size - asians.” This attempt at humor relies on two old, well-known racial stereotypes that belittle Asians as well as Black people, and it seems that with age, Paul hasn’t gained any racial sensitivity. In a compilation of clips from vlogs he filmed in Japan, Paul wears a set of robes and a rice hat and jokingly bows at passerby in a show of blatant disrespect to Japanese style and customs. He also harasses passerby by screaming “I choose you!” while throwing Poké Balls. These microaggressions are horrible in their own right; they show clear disrespect for a rich culture and reduce its people to “caricatures,” not human beings, as Japanese-American YouTuber Reina Scully
(who received death threats for her critique) points out in her response to the Paul debacle.
To belittle Aokigahara Forest is to make light of the endemic that plagues Japan’s young and old, and falls into “misery tourism.” The biggest issue, however, still remains. Japan has the highest rate of suicide among the Group of Seven nations, with 18.5 suicides per 100,000 people. To belittle Aokigahara Forest is to make light of the endemic
that plagues Japan’s young and old, and falls into “misery tourism,” wherein sites of faraway atrocities become a place for outsiders to rubberneck. Westerners’ fetishization of the forest resulted in whitewashed films on the subject such as “The Forest,” as well as books and photoshoots that attempt to capitalize on what director Jason Zada claims is “the most beautiful place to die.” Examining Aokigahara from this lens is immensely disrespectful to those who died there. They entered the forest not with the intent to find a beautiful place to die, but to end the torment they were experiencing. Worse still, these suicides continue to occur, and capitalizing off of the “spooky” or “ethereal”
atmosphere reduces the forest to a mere backdrop for haunted adventure, instead of a place where many Japanese must venture to find the bodies of their loved ones. After one week, YouTube issued an official statement on their Twitter, arguing that “suicide is not a joke,” that the video “violated ... community guidelines,” and they were looking into “further consequences.” Such nebulous statements, while well-intentioned, ignore the reality of the situation. Merely taking down the video — an action Paul would engage in for his own PR, if nothing else — does not set a stringent precedent for future cases. Channels that violate community guidelines, es-
pecially those with such massive audiences, should not get a mere slap on the wrist for blatant racism and disrespect for suicide victims. One hopes that YouTube’s further consequences will involve a removal of Paul from the platform’s premium advertising network, as they did with Felix Kjellberg (alias PewDiePie) after a series of videos in which he engaged in anti-Semitic and anti-black behaviors. After all, you have to hit them where it hurts, and for millionaire influencers, losing ad revenue is a major — and precedent-setting — impediment. Aroog Khaliq is a freshman from Overland Park studying English and psychology.
Hendrickson: Cameras won’t stop crime on Mass WYATT HENDRICKSON @WRH_KU As a result of recent crimes that have occurred downtown, the Lawrence City Commission is once again looking at placing security cameras along Massachusetts Street. However, the proposed security cameras downtown will not deter future crime and will come at a significant cost. The proposed security cameras would be ineffective in decreasing crime and also could potentially infringe on Lawrence residents’ civil liberties. Security cameras over such a large
area would only function as a tool to react to crimes after they had already occurred, and therefore are not perceived as a deterrent because they are out of sight and out of mind. The cameras may also encroach a potential violation of civil liberties. The city has not indicated what its policies governing the use of the video produced from security cameras would be and has not indicated if the video could be requested under the Kansas Open Records Act. Regardless of if the city has its own cameras, there are an abundance of private
downtown businesses that already have security cameras in place. These cameras would also have a better view of any crimes that occur due to their proximity to the street. Additionally, most people downtown likely have a cell phone that can record video of any altercations or crimes that they witness. It’s clear that the existing cameras do not deter crime, so why should the city double down on infrastructure that already exists? A better alternative to cameras would be an increased police presence downtown on Wednesday
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through Saturday evenings. In an interview with the LJWorld, Officer Drew Fennelly said “the only options are to bring someone in on overtime, or pull from other parts of town.”
beneficial because visible, uniformed officers would help deter crimes before they happen and would be able to react to any future incidents in the downtown area rapidly.
A better alternative to cameras would be an increased police presence downtown on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. The city should invest the money it would spend on cameras to hire or provide overtime for bike cops to patrol Massachusetts Street regularly during busier times. This would be
Lawrence would not be the first college town in Kansas to utilize bike cops to guard busy, entertainment-based areas. Manhattan has bike officers that patrol its heavily active bar
contact us Chandler Boese Editor-in-chief cboesel@kansan.com
Baylee Parsons Business Manager bparsons@kansan.com
and residential areas on a permanent basis. The Riley County Police Department also has a police substation in Aggieville. Ultimately, increased police presence would be far more beneficial and efficient in combating conflict and crime downtown, whereas the cameras the Lawrence City Commission is considering installing would merely serve as a reactionary measure rather than a preemptive safety measure.
Wyatt Hendrickson is a junior from Olathe studying civil engineering.
editorial board
Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Chandler Boese, Erin Brock, Danya Issawi and Baylee Parsons.
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The 10 must-see movies of 2018
RACHEL GAYLOR @raegay218 Consisting of superhero films, sequels and adaptations, the movie-slate for 2018 is jam packed, so here are some films to pay special attention to once they hit screens.
1. BLACK PANTHER RELEASED FEB. 16 The highly-anticipated solo feature of Marvel’s newest introduction, Black Panther follows King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), the titular hero, as he returns to his homeland Wakanda to fight two enemies who conspire to bring down the kingdom. Featuring an all-star cast of Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker, the Ryan Coogler-directed film should bring a new spark to the decade-old Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2. A WRINKLE IN TIME RELEASED MARCH 9 The only adaptation that exists of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic is a 2003 Canadian madefor-TV movie. Director Ava DuVernay is the mastermind behind a film that, by the trailers, looks to create a universe worthy of the books timelessness. The story is of a girl named Meg (newcomer Storm Reid), who along with her brother Charles Wallace and classmate Calvin, follow three astrotravelers, played by Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Khaling, to a faraway planet in search of Meg’s father (Chris Pine).
3. PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING RELEASED MARCH 23 A sequel to the 2013 original, the film stars John Boyega, one of the stars of the new Star Wars trilogy. Boyega, who is also a producer on the film, plays the lead role of Jake Pentecost- an exJaeger pilot thrust into a war to defend the earth and prevent humanity’s extinction.
4. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR RELEASED MAY 4 Part one of the epic Avengers finale, the events of the past 10 years come full circle as Thanos, the villain from Guardians of the Galaxy, arrives on earth with intent to rule the galaxy and destroy those who dare to stop him. The film not only brings together the characters from The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, but will feature the newer additions like Ant-Man (University alumnus Paul Rudd), Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland).
5. DEADPOOL 2 RELEASED MAY 18
cast in this reimagining of the classic tragedy.
The sequel to the critically-acclaimed 2016 film, Deadpool tells the story of Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), a vulgar superhero who learns to live with his lost sense of taste while trying to become Mayberry’s hottest bartender. Battling ninjas and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, he discovers the importance of family and friendship, albeit with a twist.
10. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY RELEASED DEC. 25
6. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY RELEASED MAY 25 The film lost its two directors in June 2017, but veteran director Ron Howard took over and has put Han Solo’s origin story back on track. Billed as a Space Western, the film centers on a young Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) and his Wookiee partner Chewbacca. The film, which is the second in the anthology series, also stars Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton and Donald Glover as a young Lando Calrissian.
7. OCEANS 8 RELEASED JUNE 8
Premiering 27 years after Freddie Mercury’s death, Bohemian Rhapsody tells the story of the Queen frontman over a 15year period from the formation of the band up to their performance at Live Aide in 1985. Mercury is played by Egyptian-American actor Rami Malek, who is best known for his Emmy-winning performance in Mr. Robot. From the pictures on set, Malek has completely transformed into Mercury, embodying everything about him from his famous mustache to his iconic moves on stage.
OTHER FILMS TO WATCH FOR Annihilation (Released Feb. 23) Tomb Raider (Released March 16) Ready Player One (Released March 30) Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (Released June 22)
The film isn’t a female reboot, but a spinoff that is led by some of the most-decorated actresses in Hollywood. Sandra Bullock plays a recently paroled Debbie Ocean, who attempts to pull off the heist of the century at the Met Gala. Her crew consists of characters played by Cate Blanchett, Mindy Khaling, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter and Awkwafina. Anne Hathaway stars as Daphne Kluger, the crews’ target for the heist.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (Released July 6)
8. INCREDIBLES 2 RELEASED JUNE 15
— Edited by Erin Brock
Fourteen years after the original movie, the sequel we have been asking for will finally arrive. Picking up exactly where the film left off, the family will continue their struggle for normal lives as they fight crime. Most of the original cast and characters will return such as Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), and the now meme’d Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson).
9. OPHELIA RELEASED TBD, 2018 Premiering at Sundance Film Festival, Ophelia takes a different approach to the story of Hamlet by focusing on Hamlet’s potential wife. The story is based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but the film is based on the novel by Lisa Klein. Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley takes on the role of the lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Denmark played by Naomi Watts. English actors Clive Owen, Tom Felton and George MacKay make up the rest of the
Associated Press This image released by Disney and Marvel Studios’ shows Chadwick Boseman in a scene from “Black Panther,” in theaters on Feb. 16, 2018.
Crazy Rich Asians (Released Aug. 17) X-Men: Dark Phoenix (Released Nov. 2) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Released Dec. 14) Aquaman Dec. 21)
(Released
Mary Poppins Returns (Released Dec. 25)
Get on track from the start of the semester,
arts & culture Monday, January 15, 2018
K A N S A N .C O M /A R T S A N D C U LT U R E
Photo courtesy of Pam Loshak Jim Norton, a stand-up comedian who has authored books, done special and made television appearances, will appear at Liberty Hall at 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Q&A: Jim Norton’s unique brand of comedy Ahead of a set at Liberty Hall on Saturday, the stand-up comedian spoke to the Kansan about his career path, what he tries to do in his work, what makes a good joke and more
RACHEL GAYLOR @raegay218 Jim Norton once walked off the stage during a comedy set because it was so bad. It would be the only time that he quit in the middle of a show. That was 1991 and since then, Norton has gone on to produce five comedy hourlong comedy shows, author several books and make guest appearances in television shows such as “Inside Amy Schumer” and “Lucky Louie.” Norton will bring his topical humor to Liberty Hall on Saturday for a show at 10:30 p.m. He took some time to speak with the Kansan about how he got started in comedy. The following Q&A has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Norton: I dropped out of high school, so there weren’t many options. It’s all I ever wanted to do. I wasn’t good-looking enough to model, I’m not really talented enough to act, and I’m desperate enough to try to be funny, so I think that’s really what it was. Kansan: Is there any particular aspect of comedy that you knew you wanted to do? Norton: I liked the quick fix. I liked the fact that the reaction is immediate. You immediately know if it’s good or if it sucks. You can make a movie and it’ll take a year and a half to know if it’s shit, but when you do stand-up, it takes you about two seconds to know if all of your hard work has paid off or if it was a complete and utter waste of time.
“I try to be honest. I’m self-deprecating to a certain degree, but I try to be honest about what’s going on in my life. And I try to be fairly topical, just so it doesn’t get too boring.” Jim Norton stand-up comedian
the most? Norton: I try to be honest. I’m self-deprecating to a certain degree, but I try to be honest about what’s going on in my life. And I try to be fairly topical, just so it doesn’t get too boring Kansan: Is there a certain memory that stands out where you had a really great set or one that bombed completely?
anything behind it, it was just being dirty for the sake of being dirty and I remember apologizing to the audience and walking off stage and getting in the car and crying on the way home. It was one of those things where I walked off early once in my career and I got it out of the way. Kansan: Did you take that as a learning opportunity?
so humiliating and so bad that I changed the way I approached it. I knew that, if I could survive that, there is no way I could tank and feel worse. There might be some that are just as bad, but there’s none that could make me feel worse than I did. Kansan: What is your favorite thing about touring? Norton: It’s realizing that all over the country, that the jokes you think are funny, they think are funny too. It always shocks me. I’ll do a gig in Chicago and then I’ll go down to Ft. Lauderdale and the same joke works, so it kind of makes you trust your instincts more. You get to see people everywhere laughing at the same thing which gives you more faith in yourself. And it gets me out of the house.
hardest thing to joke about? Norton: Topical tragedies. Anything that has happened that is topical and tragic is the hardest thing. There’s a fine line.
Kansan: If you could have dinner with a famous comedian, dead or alive, who would it be?
Norton: It would be Richard Pryor. I met him once, but he was already very sick. Even though I imagine he might be an obnoxious person to have dinner with — he’d probably get drunk and tell me that my comedy is shit, I wouldn’t care, because it would be Richard Pryor.
Tickets for the show are available for purchase online. Norton’s fifth comedy special “Mouthful of Shame” is streaming now on Netflix.
Kansan: What type of comedy do you enjoy doing
Norton: I remember bombing hard when I first started. I was dirty when I started and there wasn’t
Norton: Yeah. It was one of those things where I knew that it would never hurt this bad again. It was
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) Focus on your career for a few days. Discipline here and now can have long-term benefit. Handle duties, obligations and responsibilities. Stick to basics.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) Conditions and expectations shift. Make sure that your family has what they need. Attention to financial management yields satisfying results. Keep things simple and thrifty.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) Keep practicing your routines. Discipline with your work, health and fitness win long-lasting results. Slow to avoid accident or injury. Follow rules and standards closely.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) Things could seem chaotic or unstable. Don’t be hasty... work out a plan with your loved ones. Let everyone know what’s needed. Keep accurate records.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) Take charge to adapt to new financial circumstances. Rely on advice from someone experienced. Be careful with resources. Stick to your budget and plan.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) Take extra care to nurture and support your health and well-being. Slow down and review where you’ve been. Consider what’s next and make plans.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) Plot your next adventure to keep costs minimal and sights high. Trying new things can lead to new problems... stick to familiar routes.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) Things could get tense with your partner. Let the little stuff go. Postpone expansion, expense or travel. Do what needs to be done. Keep showing up.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) Things could seem chaotic or unstable. Don’t be hasty... work out a plan with your loved ones. Let everyone know what’s needed. Keep accurate records.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) Discipline with a creative project can make valuable progress. Ignore gossip or rumors, controversy or chaos. Plan, craft and mold to fit the vision.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) Unmet expectations or thwarted intentions could be upsetting. Let go of the little stuff. Provide leadership. Handle personal matters discretely. Find the humor.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) Coordinate efforts to save time and money. Teamwork gets everyone closer to a shared goal with the least fuss. Minimize risks. Stay in communication.
Kansan: First off, how did you get in to doing stand-up comedy?
Kansan: What is the
horoscopes
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Basketball Gameday Kansas vs. West Virginia, Morgantown, West Virginia, Monday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m.
Missy Minear/KANSAN Then-junior guard Devonte’ Graham handles the ball late in the game against West Virginia on Feb. 13, 2017. Kansas won, 84-80, in overtime.
SHAUN GOODWIN & MICHAEL SWAIN @KansanSports
Beat Writer Predictions: Shaun Goodwin: WVU 79-KU 75, Michael Swain: WVU 72-KU 70
KANSAS (4-1)
WEST VIRGINIA (4-1)
Devonte’ Graham
Jevon Carter
★★★★★
★★★★★
senior, guard
Senior guard Devonte’ Graham has never won in Morgantown. This year, Graham will be the primary ball handler and will need to be swift and decisive with every pass — especially when the press is on. Graham has done that this season, averaging 7.5 assists per game. On top of a strong distribution game, Graham will need to score the ball efficiently. If it isn’t a drive to the basket or a three, Graham should refrain from shooting — especially when every possession will matter.
senior, guard
There is no doubt that senior guard Jevon Carter is one of the best players in the Big 12. Carter is West Virginia’s best offensive and defensive player. Carter is able to shoot from the perimeter, get inside and draw fouls, or dish the ball off with high efficiency. On defense, he is more than capable of holding his own on rebounds. The only stat against Carter is his team-high 47 turnovers, but when the ball is in a person’s hands so much, it’s expected to happen.
Marcus Garrett
Teddy Allen
★★★
★★★
freshman, guard
freshman, forward
Freshman guard Marcus Garrett has had a rough go of it thus far. From bouncing in and out of the starting lineup to struggling offensively, Garrett’s confidence is shot. With that said, Garrett will need to put his struggles aside and perform well under pressure. When Garrett is on the floor, he will need to be calm and collected when he gets the ball. Defensively, Garrett will need to show the tenacity he had to start the season and not the inactive defense seen in the TCU and Texas Tech games.
Freshman forward Teddy Allen is the ultimate bench player. Despite not starting a single game this season for the Mountaineers, Allen is still averaging 8.6 points a game on an average of 12.2 minutes per game. In West Virginia’s first three Big 12 games, Allen has averaged 19 points. In the following two games, the freshman has only played five minutes in each and West Virginia has struggled in both. Expect him to get more minutes once again and display lots of energy against Kansas.
Udoka Azubuike
Sagaba Konate
★★★★
★★★
sophomore, center
Sophomore center Udoka Azubuike’s struggles with fouls have been well chronicled. Against West Virginia, both Azubuike’s stamina and ability to stay out of foul trouble will be tested. Mountaineer guard Jevon Carter is one of the trickiest guards in the nation and can get any big man to fall for one of his moves. If Azubuike can stay on the court and out of foul trouble, West Virginia will have a hard time stopping Azubuike when he gets inside.
freshman, forward
West Virginia has grabbed the most rebounds per game in the Big 12 so far this season, largely due to freshman forward Sagaba Konate’s 7.6 rebounds per game. The matchup between him and Azubuike will be a thrilling one, despite the fact Konate is four inches smaller and 20 pounds lighter than Azubuike. Although perhaps not quite as dominating as Azubuike, he is efficient at the free throw line (75 percent) and, in a game that may come down to free throws, it’s always good to have your big men be accurate from the line.
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Five Jayhawk athletes to watch in 2018 SHAUN GOODWIN @ShaunGoodwinUDK
01.
SHARON LOKEDI — TRACK AND FIELD
With Kansas Athletics celebrating 50 years of women’s sports in 2018, Sharon Lokedi is carving her way toward being one of the most successful athletes in Kansas Athletics history. Coming off her second-consecutive Big 12 Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year in the fall, Lokedi is aiming to improve upon her 10,000-meter third place finish in the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships. That run proved to be a school record time of 32:46.10. The Eldoret, Kenya, native also holds the top two spots in school history in the 5,000-meter race, with her best time of 15:44.51 coming in the Stumptown Twilight race on June 16, 2017.
KYLEE KOPATICH — WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
05.
02.
GLEB DUDAREV — TRACK AND FIELD While Sharon Lokedi is cleaning up on the track, sophomore thrower Gleb Dudarev is taking care of business on the field. Hailing from Vitebsk, Belarus, Dudarev is the best hammer thrower who has ever donned crimson and blue. In 2017, Dudarev took home bronze in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a throw of 73.44 meters. Dudarev entered the competition as the No. 1-ranked thrower in the nation with his best throw of 74.20 meters at the Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championship. Finishing behind a pair of seniors at the NCAA championships, Dudarev will be gunning for a national championship come May.
03.
Kansas women’s basketball has gotten off to its best start yet under coach Brandon Schneider. In Schneider’s third season in charge, the Jayhawks are already in double-digit wins, something they weren’t able to do in the coach’s first two seasons. The positive trend has been spearheaded by junior guard Kylee Kopatich, who is averaging the second-most points per game this season (14.5). Starting every game so far this season and playing the most minutes per game, Kopatich is capable of causing trouble anywhere on the court. With a team-best three-point percentage (.359), free-throw percentage (.731) and total steals (31), along with having the second-most rebounds on the team (80), Kopatich is proving a valuable asset to Schneider’s resurgent team.
Andrew Rosenthal/KANSAN Then-junior distance runner Sharon Lokedi (left) and then-sophomore distance runner Riley Cooney (right) run in the women’s 1,500-meter run at the Rock Chalk Classic on April 28, 2017.
04.
JAMES CONSENTINO — BASEBALL
After being named a freshman All-American in 2017, second baseman James Consentino could be the star man for Kansas this year. With shortstop Matt McLaughlin being drafted by the Colorado Rockies following the 2017 season, Consentino now stands as one of the Jayhawks’ best hitters heading into 2018. Starting in all 58 games for Kansas last year, Consentino hit a .271 average in 214 at-bats, accounting for 39 runs and a further 31 RBI’s. Standing at 5-foot-10, yet still fast and agile, Consentino is a huge asset to have in the infield. With six errors during his freshman year, that can only be expected to improve as he gets older.
LIBBY WALKER — SWIMMING & DIVING
Despite growing up in Columbia, Missouri, deep in Missouri Tigers territory, junior swimmer Libby Walker decided to take the plunge and become a Jayhawk in 2015. Now, entering her junior year, Walker is making waves as she leads the Jayhawks in the pool. Walker earned all-Big 12 Second Team honors in 2017 after three top-seven individual finishes at the Big 12 championships: fourth place in the 1,650-yard freestyle (16:32.88), sixth place in the 200-yard butterfly (1:59.67) and seventh place in the 400-yard individual medley (4:20.29). Though no Jayhawk swimmers qualified for nationals in 2017, Walker will be looking to change that in 2018.
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3 pro sporting events to watch in 2018
ARMAN ALHOSSEINI @PERSIAsGREATEST
As 2018 is underway, we have already experienced some excellent moments spanning across multiple sports. Yet, there is more to uncover, as this year will offer a plethora of sporting events across the world that will pique the interest of avid fans and casual followers alike. With events such as the Winter Olympics — the beginning of three consecutive Olympics hosted in south east Asia — the quadrennial FIFA World Cup, and the Rugby World Cup Sevens, the first international rugby tournament hosted in the United States, 2018 gives us a fantastic gift of joy and awe at the international level. As the year passes, the athletic excellence we discover will only improve as we look upon the top professional sporting events circling the international stage in 2018.
WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA (FEB. 9-FEB. 25)
While millions of people around the world dread the winter weather, thousands of athletes will embrace it next month as the Olympic torch lands in Pyeongchang, South Korea for the 23rd Winter Olympic Games. Over 2,000 athletes from 90 countries will be participating in the nation’s second hosted Olympic Games, with South Korea first hosting the summer edition in 1988. The U.S., second place only to Norway in total Winter Olympic medals, will look to continue its athletic dominance with the likes of speed skating world record holder J.R. Celski and skiing phenom Lindsey Vonn. Team USA is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2014 Winter Olympic games. There will also be new names looking to be made for Team USA, with 18-year-old figure skating world champion Nathan Chen and 17-year-old rising snowboarding star Chloe Kim both welcoming their Olympic debuts with gold medal expectations. As most years would see Russia as one of the biggest competitors for the Americans, this year’s Olympics already made worldwide headlines when its national team was disqualified due to a doping scandal announced last month. Although the country will not be directly represented, some of its athletes will still be able to participate, representing the neutral Olympic flag instead of their native Russia. Although Russia’s emptiness will not help its medal count, countries like the aforementioned U.S. and Norway — along with fellow winter athlete extraordinaires Austria and Germany — will look to capitalize on the Russian absence and increase
The athletic excellence we discover will only improve as we look upon the top professional sporting events circling the international stage in 2018. their medal count. Regardless of which countries prevail and which fall short, the Winter Olympic Games are special for all people, because it is not just athletes on display, but national pride as well.
FIFA WORLD CUP – RUSSIA (JUNE 14-JULY 15)
Unarguably the most popular sporting event in the world, the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup will be hosted in Russia this summer, the first time the biggest country in the world will welcome its biggest tournament. Opening with a politically charged matchup between Russia and Saudi Arabia, the World Cup will consist of eight groups with four teams in each, with the top two advancing to a singleelimination bracket. However, the group stage still sees exciting matches, such as Group G’s Belgium versus England, Group F’s Sweden versus Mexico, and topped off with the intriguing Spain versus Portugal matchup in Group B. To no one’s surprise, defending champion Germany is again a favorite to win, along with usual powerhouses Spain and Brazil. However, countries such as France, Belgium, and 2014 runnerup Argentina will look to show their skill as well. Away from the giants, Iceland and Panama will be making their world cup debuts, as well as Peru, Egypt and Morocco — with the former two being popular dark horse candidates — making their first appearance this century. Although there are 32 devoted fan bases intoxicated with excitement, qualification for the World Cup was not without disappointment, with the U.S. and Italy among the most popular failing to qualify. Despite a severe setback to both nations and their fans, there is still plentiful of soccer on hand to enjoy.
RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS SAN FRANCISCO (JULY 20-JULY 22) The U.S. will finally host a world cup for the first time since the 1994 FIFA World Cup. This time, the U.S. will play host to the Rugby World Cup Sevens. The first rugby international tournament held in North America, both men’s and women’s editions will be held in AT&T Park during the three-day spectacular in July. With the U.S. looking to increase the popularity of rugby in the nation, it will hope to use a home-field advantage to get them into the quarterfinals for the
first time. Although they are expected as an underdog, the men’s team will be welcoming defending champions New Zealand as well as Fiji, two of the favorites to win it all. For the women’s side, the U.S. will look to victoriously celebrate at home after losing in the semifinals in the first two editions of the women’s tournament. Former champions New Zealand and Australia will reciprocate the men as leading favorites, with both reaching the final of the Olympics two summers ago. However, the U.S. will put up a strong fight, and with the home crowd, it should be no shocker if they reign as champions. Although the Rugby World Cup Sevens may not get the same coverage as other international tournaments, it may be the most important one for the U.S., because like the 1994 FIFA World Cup the country hosted, this allows the fantastic chance for a less popular sport to grow right in front of the future’s yards.
Associated Press Brian Hansen competes in the men’s mass start race during the U.S. Olympic long track speedskating trials, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, in Milwaukee.
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Top 10 KU events in spring 2018
MICHAEL SWAIN AND SEAN COLLINS @KansanSports
01.
02.
MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. WEST VIRGINIA — FEB. 17
The Jayhawks have lost three times at home already this season, including the loss to Washington at the Sprint Center. Playing at home against the Mountaineers will be a dog fight to say the least. At the moment, West Virginia ranks as a top-10 in the nation and isn’t looking back. By then Self hopes to have freshman forward Billy Preston ready to go and for the team to be more developed with a true identity. Look forward to this matchup if you like intense Jayhawk basketball.
04.
03.
BASEBALL VS. TEXAS — MARCH 16-18
Traveling to Austin, Texas is never easy on a baseball diamond, as the Longhorns remain competitive every year. The Jayhawks are coming off rebuild and hoping to take the next step in becoming a threat in the Big 12. Texas is the first Big 12 matchup of the season for Kansas and the first real test. The Jayhawks will play three games in Austin against the Longhorns in March, and it will be a good indicator of where the Jayhawks are as they head into the new season.
BIG 12 DOUBLE DUAL — APRIL 7
It’s not too often you get to witness a rowing meet in person, but here is your chance. The Big 12 Double Dual takes place in Kansas City on the Kansas River and provides a unique opportunity to see the Kansas rowing team in action. In 2017, the Jayhawks were in a close matchup with then No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners, so this season could be just as intense with high stakes.
KANSAS RELAYS — APRIL 18-21
Missy Minear/KANSAN Coach Bill Self smiles with then-junior Devonte’ Graham after defeating West Virginia, 84-80, in overtime, on Feb. 13.
06. 05.
One of the most notable sporting events in the history of the state and University of Kansas is the Kansas Relays. Track and field stars from all over the country including collegiate, high school and Olympian athletes come together at Rock Chalk Park to compete in every event the park has to offer. In 2017, the Jayhawks had a successful run, taking home medals and placing in several events. The event is high in attendance and offers a different yet intense experience other sporting events don’t have.
MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. OKLAHOMA — FEB. 19
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. KANSAS STATE — JAN. 28
Coach Brandon Schneider has the Jayhawks competing as well as they have in years. This Sunflower Showdown could be an intense one, as it takes place in Allen Fieldhouse with a team the Wildcats haven’t seen much of. The new roster with transfers Schneider recruited has already crushed past seasons in win total and isn’t finished just yet. While this team won’t win any championships, defeating the Wildcats is a possibility.
Possibly the most electric talent in the entire country, Trae Young, will visit Allen Fieldhouse and you have to be there to see him face the Jayhawks. Young is averaging more than 29 points and 10 assists per game. In addition, Young has the ability to take out any team by himself. That is demonstrated in the fact that Young has scored 30-plus points in six games this season and 26-plus his last 14 games. The matchup of Young against senior guard Devonte’ Graham could go down in memory with the likes of the Graham vs. Buddy Hield matchup of January 2016.
07.
BASEBALL VS. TCU — APRIL 14
TCU had an impressive 2017, reaching the Final 8 at the College World series before being eliminated in bracket play to eventual winner Florida. TCU will come to Hoglund Ballpark in mid-April to face a rebuilding Kansas team. With a lineup that finished last season ranked No. 19 in the nation in total runs (451), TCU brings a powerful offense that will be a sight to see.
08. 09. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. TEXAS — JAN. 31
The Kansas women’s basketball team will host No. 7 Texas on the final day of January. The Longhorns bring a top-10 offense in the country to Allen Fieldhouse. Junior guard Lashann Higgs will spearhead the Longhorn offense. The 5-foot9 guard is averaging 15.1 points per game so far this season on an extremely efficient 60.5 shooting percentage. While Higgs prefers to do a lot of her work inside, she has shown the ability to shoot from beyond the arc too when called upon, posing a double threat to the Jayhawks.
WOMEN’S SOFTBALL VS. BAYLOR — MARCH 11
The Baylor women’s softball team finished the 2017 season ranked No. 7 in the nation after making it to the Softball World Series. Baylor will bring a strong pitching game to Rock Chalk Park, as is evidenced by its top-25 pitching staff last season. The Jayhawks lost two of their three meetings with the Bears last season and will look to improve upon that mark in March.
10.
JAYHAWK CLASSIC — JAN. 25-26
The Jayhawk Classic takes place in the middle of the indoor track & field season and will host multiple schools from across the country. With track events such as the 100- and 200-meter sprints and the 100-meter hurdles, there is plenty of fast-paced action to watch. Not to mention field events such as discus and shotput, the Jayhawk Classic will be a good way to spend a Thursday and Friday.
Missy Minear/KANSAN Then-junior Christian Hicks leaps over a hurdle during the men’s 100 meter hurdles race on April 22 at the Kansas Relays.
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K-State edges out KU track in triangular RAELEY YOUNGS @raeleyy Despite 14 victories and three meet records broken by the Kansas track and field team on Saturday, the Jayhawks missed a chance to snag a third consecutive win over Wichita State and Kansas State. The trio of in-state rivals — Kansas, K-State and Wichita State — faced off in the Sunflower Triangular in Manhattan, Kansas, on Saturday. For the past two years, the Jayhawks have won the meet, but they fell just short this weekend, ending the day with 225.5 points, just behind the Wildcats’ 230 points.Wichita State finished third with 174.5 points. Last year, the Jayhawks claimed the title in a comeback victory, trailing nearly 30 points midway through the meet before storming back to win the meet for the second year in a row. Junior Nicole Montgomery, who held the fastest 600-yard time in the nation on the season prior to the meet, was the headliner of the day, setting a meet record and a career-best time of 1:20.62 in the 600-yard race. The win was her thirdconsecutive victory in the event at the Triangular. Montgomery's mark in Saturday’s meet retains her title as the national leader
in the event. Underclassmen were big contributors on the day as well, setting many personal bests and notching their first collegiate victories. The throwers kicked off the meet, where sophomore Rachel Clowers took fourth in the weight throw with a personal record of 15.96 meters. Senior Brandon Lombardino also earned a third-place finish in the men's weight throw, earning four points for Kansas. Freshman Lea Riedel kept the early momentum going, throwing a collegiate-best 14.04 meters in the shot put to place fourth in the event. In another freshman collegiate debut, middle distance runner Honour Finley recorded a firstplace finish and meet record with a time of 55.49 seconds in the 400-meter dash. The mark places Finley first in the Big 12 and No. 15 in NCAA Division I this season. Both the men’s and women’s mile event gave Kansas a big boost of 14 points, which was freshman Catherine Liggett’s first collegiate win. Sophomore Bryce Hoppel, the men’s mile winner, also took home another first-place finish in the 800-meter, with a time of 1:52.99 which puts him first in the Big 12. Senior Barden Adams tied his career best and
Missy Minear/KANSAN Then-junior Brandon Lombardino takes an attempt during the men's shot put competition on April 22 at the Kansas Relays. set a meet record of 16.01 meters in the triple jump late in the meet. Adams also placed first in the men’s long jump with a distance of 7.39 meters, good for second in the Big 12. “Very excited for Barden and Bryce to be able to get double victories. Good to see the three meet records from Barden, Nicole and Honour,” coach Stanley
Redwine said, according to a Kansas Athletics release. “Overall, we had a great team competition and we are excited to keep building on these results.” The final event of the day debuted the mixed 4x400 meter relay, comprised of two women and two men — sophomores Mariah Kuykendoll and Montgomery as well as sophomore Isaiah Cole and
junior Ivan Henry. The quartet earned first place with ease, leading for the entirety of the event and outrunning the competition by four seconds with a time of 3:27.42. On Friday, Kansas’ pole vaulters competed at the Arkansas Invitational, in which seven of the 10 who traveled earned a top-10 finish.
The Jayhawks’ next meet is the Mark Colligan Memorial on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the University of Nebraska’s Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
—Edited by Chandler Boese
sports
Monday, January 15, 2018
K A N S A N .C O M /S P O R T S
Network of coincidences
A pair of Kansas football transfers highlights an unlikely connection between Kansas and a California college
a team. “They’re two different style players, but they’re both very successful with what they do and they definitely bring a lot of confidence.” That confidence comes from a history of winning seasons at Hartnell, including reaching bowl games in five of the previous seven seasons. “We’ve had some good success here, but I know that they have the opportunity to go in and take on a role where they feel that they’re going to contribute to making that a winning program,” Collins said. “So, they embrace that, whereas a lot of kids would shy away from that and go to a program where they have a chance to win based off of prior records. But I think they’re thrilled to be able to come in there.”
RAELEY YOUNGS @raeleyy
Sometimes, coincidence comes from being in the right place at the right time or a simple stroke of unexplained luck. Sometimes though, it feels like it was always meant to be — even destiny, according to incoming Kansas football transfer, junior safety Jeremiah McCullough. “When I first came to my head coach at Hartnell, I came to his office and saw some Kansas jerseys. He had De’Andre Mann, Kapil Fletcher, Fish Smithson and all those jerseys,” McCullough said. “I just told myself, ‘I can see myself going there.’ And once Kansas came in the picture later and they offered to me, it was just like, wow, this is really true … I felt like it was destined for me.” And it may just be destiny, thanks to a history of uncanny connections between two schools.
A NETWORK OF COINCIDENCES
Since 2013, five Hartnell Community College football players have transferred to the University, including the newest additions in junior safety McCullough and sophomore safety Davon Ferguson. Of those five players, two have gone onto the NFL — safety Anthony “Fish” Smithson to the Washington Redskins and running back De’Andre Mann to the Atlanta Falcons — both as undrafted free agents. The pipeline to Kansas seems rather odd, considering the community college is located halfway across the country in Salinas, California. But the connections that the schools have is closer than what the 1,802 miles between them may show.
LOOKING FORWARD
Photo courtesy of Hartnell College
Junior safety Jeremiah McCullough will transfer from Hartnell College to KU. McCullough tallied 36 tackles on the 2017 season, including 29 solo hits, as well as two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The first coincidence traces back to over three decades ago, when Hartnell coach Matt Collins attended college at Sonoma State with current Kansas defensive line coach Jesse Williams. “I’ve known him since we were teenagers,” Collins said of Williams. “Ironically, he bounced around college football for a while and [2017] was his first year on staff at Kansas, and he happened to recruit a couple of my guys.” In 2012, three decades after the pair graduated from Sonoma State, Collins’ first of many future Kansas recruits ended up at Hartnell. While Mann and Fletcher’s transfers had no prior connection between the two schools, Smithson’s
Photo courtesy of Hartnell College Davon Ferguson carries the ball for Hartnell College. The sophomore safety recorded 55 tackles and two interceptions, in the 2017 season.
quick hits
did. “When Fish came to me, we already had the running back De’Andre Mann and the D-lineman Kapil Fletcher,” Collins said. “[Fish’s] older brother, a guy by the name of Shaky Smithson who played at Utah, played for me at a prior junior college.” With Collins having already coached the older Smithson brother and being impressed not only with his play but also his character, he was immediately interested in adding Fish to his team at Hartnell. In Smithson’s lone season at Hartnell, he earned first-team conference honors and was named the team’s defensive MVP after leading Hartnell with 74 tackles and eight interceptions. “It just so happens that [former Kansas quarterbacks coach] Ron Powlus, back when he was with that [Kansas] program, was in my office recruiting, and I just kind of asked him if he was looking for a safety and they really weren’t at the time, but after watching Fish’s tape, it opened up some doors, and of course, De’Andre having the athleticism and durability that he had at our level, it did the same.” Collins said. Soon enough, after hearing praise of the players from Powlus and watching the players’ tapes himself, Kansas’ coach at the time, Charlie Weis, brought all three Hartnell players to Kansas — freshman Smithson and sophomores Fletcher and Mann — right before the 2014 season.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Now, four years later, with a largely different football staff at both Hartnell and Kansas, two transfers are looking to follow in the footsteps of those who took the same route before them. “I don’t think there’s any real rhyme or reason [to the decision], because these guys that are recruiting Jeremiah and Davon, they weren’t a part of that group that signed those first three guys,” Collins said. “So, I just think it’s kind of ironic. But nevertheless, I think they’ve selected some good athletes, but more importantly, some quality young men to bring into a program.” Transfers McCullough and Ferguson are part of Kansas’ group of 15 players that committed during the early signing period. Both are from Baltimore, so the move to Kansas will be the second identical trip that they will both be making for their football careers. But according to both players, the two didn’t directly know each other in high school, nor affect each other’s decision to go to Kansas, making for another ironic piece of the Hartnell-Kansas puzzle. “I knew [Jeremiah’s] brother, who gave me his contact info, so that’s how I wound up at Hartnell,” Ferguson said. “Jeremiah had other offers [this year] and so did I, but I guess we both just felt that Kansas was the best opportunity.” The two players originally garnered attention from Kansas coach David Beaty not only for their abilities to play on both sides of the
ball, but also for their reputations off the field. “I am not just excited about the quality of football players we are adding to our team, but I am pleased about who they are as people,” Beaty said, according to a Kansas Athletics press release. “We have done our homework across the board and think these are young men who can come in and help us improve on the field and will also represent us well in the classroom and in the community.” On the field, McCullough racked up 36 tackles, including 29 solo hits, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries during the 2017 season. “He comes to work every day with a business approach,” Collins said. “He’s a great open field tackler and also a very physical hitter and enjoys that aspect of the game.” Deservedly so, McCullough was also named Hit Man of the Year both seasons that he played at Hartnell. In Ferguson’s single season at Hartnell, he recorded 55 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Additionally, he posted an average punt return of 9.6 yards, which led the region. “Davon is very good in the defensive backfield, but also a strong kick returner and a kid that can be very dangerous with the ball in his hands,” Collins said of the dual-threat player. Despite their similar collegiate paths and positions, Collins made it clear that they are each individually valuable assets to have on
TENNIS
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BASKE TBALL
BASKE TBALL
Kansas tennis’ Anastasia Rychagova’s rank in the national ITA rankings
Number of pole vaulters that had a top-10 finish in the Arkansas Invitational
Kansas women’s basketball’s doubledigit wins under coach Brandon Schneider
Malik Newman’s career-high point total in Kansas’ win against Iowa State.
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McCullough looks forward to working to recreate the defense as it was when the Jayhawks won their last bowl game 10 years ago. “I wanna turn it back to like when Aqib Talib and Chris Harris were there,” McCullough said. “I wanna turn it back to a good program where it’s not just basketball — it’s a football program too.” As for Ferguson, he is eager to become a working part of the defense, which although will not include standout Dorance Armstrong Jr., will include captain and first team All-Big 12 defensive lineman Daniel Wise. “I’m just ready to hop in, learn the system, and just turn the whole program around,” Ferguson said. “I’m ready to work with all the guys already on the team and well as those coming in.” In their final decisions as to why they chose Kansas over other offers, neither could really find the words to explain the pull that they felt from Kansas. “You know how the whole recruiting process goes, like ‘I’m just gonna wait, let me see what else comes’,” McCullough said. “But I couldn’t resist it. I couldn’t resist Kansas.” Whether it really is destiny, or just happenstance that worked out well, there’s not really any explanation to the unlikely path from California to Kansas, but coach Collins sums it up best. “It’s six degrees of separation…it’s hard to control [those] sort of things. You do your best to bring in guys that you think are gonna end up on the playing field for you at some point, and I think that these two guys are gonna end up contributing and bringing their success with them.”