Topeka Jayhawk  Club

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May 2007

TEE UP FOR JAYHAWKS!
It's last call to sign up for this year's TJC golf tournament.  Coaches Bill Self and Mark Mangino headline a bevy of guests who will mix with golfers.  Individual golfers may sign up to play for $125.  Sponsors who donate $500 will receive recognition as well as be entitled to have one golfer participate.  Teams are encouraged to sign up together.  The tournament will again take place at the Shawnee Country Club on Monday, June 18. For more info: Rob Exon--266-0931
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PICK UP YOUR 2007 MEMBERSHIP GIFT
The Fairlawn Mall gift pick-ups are now over, but you can still receive your 2007 TJC license plate at Performance Tire, 1735 N Kansas, or at Larry Tenopir's office, 1610 SW Topeka.  Plates will also be available at the golf tournament and the Mangino picnic this summer.
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ST PAT'S PARADE BIGGEST EVER
Topeka Jayhawks were everywhere on a sunny Saturday in March.  Our contingent was the biggest ever with 11 total vehicles including the bandwagon provided by Cecil Baker, decorated convertibles, pickups and even a 40-foot mobile home providing our very own parade bathroom (a big step forward from previous years).  Beverly Bernardi and a host of little twirlers twirled, a dozen walkers handed out 6,000 red and blue beads to Jayhawk supporters, and we had the most animated Baby Jay ever.  Thanks to all who helped us show and share our Jayhawk with over 20,000 spectators (many in green, red and blue). Special thanks to Herschel Stroud and all the band members for their usual rousing KU music.
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ROYALS BASEBALL SPECIAL OFFERS TO TJC
TJC member and Royals Lancer Bill John has special 20-game ticket packs available for $300 (savings of $140).  The pack of 20-ticket vouchers are available for any games except Cardinals series and are Lower Level Field Plaza sections. Other opportunities are buy 2 season tickets, get 2 more free; weekend packages and tickets for luxury boxes and dugout suites.  Further info: cal Bill John at 266-6342 or 633-6161.
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LAST CALL FOR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Most of you have renewed for 2007.  For the few who have not, it's that time of the year when we have to rework the mailing list, so this will likely be the last newsletter and update you'll receive.  Please send in your renewal today if you've not already done so.  We don't want to lose you!
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CONDOLENCES
TJC's thoughts and prayers are with Joan Bradford and family on the loss of life-long Jayhawk Bill Bradford.  Bill was a TJC board member for years and one of the founders of the fan-provided watermelon feed for KU football players.  A number of years ago, TJC took over the watermelon project and plan to continue it in his memory.
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Carry your card... It has benefits...TJC Friendly Merchants
Here is the link:

http://www.topekajayhawkclub.com/Merchants.shtml

If you own a business or know of a business that would like to participate in the TJC Friendly Merchant Campaign, let me know and I’ll contact them. Fans helping fans...Call 271-1224 or email me at pat@topekajayhawkclub.com. We will continually be adding to the list, so check out our website often! This is just starting to roll, so get in on the ground floor.
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BEAKS & TAILS:
-Rock Chalk wishes to TJC board members Norma Power and Sherry McGowan who are both recuperating from hospital stays.

-Kathryn Krehbiel, known as the "Coke lady", has for years bought soft drinks for the KU basketball band.  At a recent home game, she was recognized at mid-court for her endowment of two scholarships for members of the basketball band.
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FAREWELL TO A TRUE KU BASKETBALL FAN
Borrowed from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SARASOTA -- Mary Oliver had made up her mind. And a million incredulous looks from the funeral director wasn't about to change it. Her beloved Donald would spend eternity inside a basketball. Well, what was left of Don. His cremated ashes. Maybe, said the director, as politely as possible, we could imprint the urn with a basketball. Nope, said Mary. No imprint. The genuine article. Leather and everything. The family had the perfect one available, a ball Don's granddaughter, Caley Onek, and her brother had given him as a birthday present. A section of the ball was cut away. The plastic bag of ashes was carefully tucked inside, and the section replaced.

They really hooped it up at Don's service as well. Final Four hats were positioned up and down a small ladder. Pictures of the 23 Final Fours Don and Mary had attended shared space with a big bouquet decorated with mini basketballs, stickers and jerseys. "It was like a Final Four-themed service for him,'' said 18-year-old Caley. "That just kinda explains to you about my grandfather.'' Donald Oliver loved basketball. No, he really loved basketball. As a boy growing up in Miller, Kan., he played all the time. His passion translated throughout the family. Caley's mom played in high school, then coached at Allen County Community College in Iola. Kaley plays for Flinthills High School in Rosalia, and plays to continue in college. "It's always been my grandfather's influence on all of us,'' Kaley said. "We're all basketball-minded here.'' Don would attend Kaley's Monday night game, then Kaley's brother's game on Tuesday night. The area's college teams, Emporia State and Washburn University, weren't ignored either. Nor was the state's powerhouse, the University of Kansas. Don wouldn't drive to those games in Lawrence. Too far. Instead, he'd fly, wearing the KU cap with the giant Jayhawk perched on top. "He had a passion for the game that I couldn't even describe,'' said Kaley.

Don and Mary had attended all those consecutive Final Fours when a nasty cough set in early last year. A trip to the hospital revealed the worst possible news. Don had lung cancer. Of course, he felt terrible. He must have. For the first time in 23 years, Don and Mary skipped last year's Final Four. "That was probably the hardest thing for him, out of all that time,'' said Kaley. "It was really an emotional time for the family.'' Don seemed to be holding his own. Then, last August 1, Don and Mary were preparing to attend -- what else? -- a game. Mary walked out to the car and saw Don on the ground. An ambulance was summoned, but it was too late. Seventy-year-old Don Oliver was dead from a blood clot to the heart.

Ever since that awful day, it's been tough for Kaley. Especially when she plays basketball and doesn't see that loving face in the stands. "He was always my guy,'' she said. "I could have the worst game ever and he'd still be the one who'd be like, 'Well, you know what? I think you still played great.' '' But Kaley didn't call the Herald-Tribune simply to tell us about her grandfather. She wanted to say how much Donald admired and respected our own Dick Vitale. The two met several times during Don and Mary's Final Four trips. Nothing big, just a few words exchanged between the voice of college basketball and perhaps Dickie V's biggest fan. "My grandpa really respected Mr. Vitale, his knowledge of basketball, his involvement, his dedication to the NCAA program,'' Kaley said. "Everybody in our community looked up to my grandpa. He looked up to Dick Vitale. I think those two would have been great friends. They could have sat for hours talking basketball.'' During one Final Four, Don got to shake Vitale's hand. "He was shaking,'' said Caley. "He came up to me and said, 'Caley, guess what? I shook Dick Vitale's hand. I haven't washed it in a week."I kinda got this thing where I was like, 'You know, I wish Mr. Vitale could know how much he meant to my grandpa.' I just really wish I could express that to him and let him know.'' In this instance, we didn't think Dick would mind that we gave Caley his cell number. But the connection was bad, Dick was busy, and Caley never got the chance to fully tell her story. Maybe, we said, you could try again at the Final Four in Atlanta. Last year, before he died, Don got a third ticket. For Caley. "This has always been my dream,'' she said. "I'm just so excited to go.'' Kaley's even missing two of her track meets to attend. If she's lucky, she'll get to tell Dickie V all about it. That, and a grandpa named Don.  --Doug Fernandes Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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KU PROGRAMS IN TOP 25
These KU graduate programs ranked in the top 25 compared with other public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools” report, shown with their ranking:1. City management and urban policy (master). 1. Special education (master/doctorate).2. Community health (master/doctorate).3. Paleontology (doctorate).4. Public management administration (master).4. Occupational therapy (master/doctorate).5. Audiology (master/doctorate).5. Public affairs (master).6. Speech-language pathology (master).7. Petroleum engineering.8. Social work (master).10. Physical therapy (master/doctorate).12. Nursing-midwifery (master/doctorate).12. Music (master).12. School of Education (doctorate).14. Nursing-anesthesia (master).16. Pharmacy (PharmD).17. Public finance and budgeting (master).17. Secondary education (doctoral).18. Health services administration (master).19. Clinical child psychology (doctorate).23. Clinical psychology (doctorate).23. Drama/theatre (master).24. History (doctorate).
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KU DEBATE STILL AMONG BEST
KU debaters finished third in the country in the 2007 tournament after finishing number one in last year's rankings.  In its 112 year history, KU Debate has sent more teams to the national debate tournament than any other university in the country.  No arguments about that!
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KU ARCHITECTS ALSO WIN RECOGNITION
The student designed Seventh Ward Community Garden project which includes a community tool shed and garden shade structure, all created to help residents of New Orleans Seventh Ward rebuild their community--won a Merit award in the American Institute of Architects' Kansas City Design Awards program, competing against professional entries.  The award honors the design which is capable of withstanding hurricane winds and can be prefabricated and shipped.  The design was also selected to be exhibited by the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.
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