Staff

Bill Mayer

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Recent Stories

Mayer: Who does Jesus cheer for?

In those days when Notre Dame and Southern Methodist both were prominent on the college football scene, they often drew attention because of team prayers before games. This caused columnist Dan Jenkins to ask: “OK, which gang does God favor, the Catholics or Protestants?”

Mayer: Mangino reminds of LHS great

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino and former Lawrence High coach Al Woolard share many characteristics.

Mayer: Another standout up north

George McGowan, a standout wide receiver, was another Kansas University product who found success in Canadian football.

Mayer: Changes at top coming

It’s usually the other way around for schools such as Kansas and Kansas State. The status of the football and basketball coaches might look iffy while the chancellor-president and athletic directors are firmly entrenched.

Mayer: Don’t forget Brown

In these parts, Larry Browns have given us a three-star cluster of achievement.

Mayer: Patterson deserves praise

Countless deserving athletes slip through the cracks of the publicity mills and that’s a pity.

Mayer: K.C. where money is

When they asked the legendary Willie Sutton why he robbed banks, he replied: “That’s where the money is.” So was there any doubt in your mind that in view of the $1 million-plus loot produced by Kansas-Missouri games at Kansas City’s Arrowhead stadium The Suits again would bypass on-campus confrontations? K.C.’s where the money is, at least for the athletic departments — if not for the Lawrence-Columbia people who would like to share more of such cash, particularly in these hard times.

Mayer: Come January, look out

One of the most delightful moments during Kansas’ Tuesday basketball victory over Florida Gulf Coast could be an indication of why the Jayhawks will surprise a lot of observers this season. They get along and they eagerly back each other for success.

Mayer: Texas did KU 2 favors

Kansas won the first football games it played against Texas, 1901 and 1938, but there’s a 0-6 drought for the 1996-present stretch. Yet the Longhorn program did KU a massive favor by spawning two of the most colorful and successful operators in local history - Don Fambrough and Jack Mitchell, one a native Texan, the other a Kansas kid.

Mayer: Mayer: Marshall cultural visionary

The late Thurgood Marshall, a sports fan with a vastly broader perspective, called the shots about the significance of a Barack Obama presidency 50 years ago during a visit to Lawrence. I was too dumb and non-visionary to recognize the importance of his comments about athletics, minority status and the need for more role models beyond the realm of jocks. I finally got it.

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