Baseball

Aug. 26, 2010
Matt Baty (2003-06)

Baty played six different positions during his four-year career with the Jayhawk baseball team. The Wichita was named Big 12 Tournament MVP honors during his senior season. Now that his playing days are over, Baty can be found on the campus of Wichita State University as the school's Assistant Athletic Director of Development. Baty currently lives in Wichita with his wife and former KU rower Kris (Lazar) Baty and their 10-month-old twins.

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Nov. 4, 2010
Rob Thomson (1982-85)

Rob Thomson is the Jayhawk record holder for the highest single-season batting average and led KU in hits in 1984 and 1985. He also took home the Gib Francis MVP award during those two seasons. Thomson was drafted in the 32nd round of the 1985 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. Following a short playing career in the Detroit organization, Thomson transitioned into coaching and has spent more than 20 years working in various positions with both the Tigers and New York Yankees. Thomson and his wife Michelle reside in Tampa, Fla., with their two daughters Jacqueline and Christina.

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July 7, 2011
Paul Smyth (2006-09)

California native Paul Smyth was a stand-out relief pitcher for Kansas from 2006-09. During his final three seasons, Smyth served as the Jayhawk closer and racked up 27 career saves in 129 appearances. Smyth was drafted by the Oakland Athletics organization in the 35th round of the 2009 MLB first year player draft. He currently plays for the Oakland Athletics Double-A affiliate, the Midland RockHounds of the Texas League and has returned to Lawrence the past two off-seasons to work as an intern within the athletic department..

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Aug. 18, 2011
Shaeffer Hall (2008-09)

Lee Summit, Mo., native Shaeffer Hall has traded in his Crimson and Blue baseball uniform for the legendary pinstripes of the New York Yankees. Hall, a pitcher at Kansas from 2008-09, was drafted by New York in the 25^th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft. In his two plus seasons playing professionally, the southpaw has climbed as high as Triple A, having made one start with the Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Pa.), Yankees earlier this season. Hall currently owns a 10-7 record and a 4.40 ERA for the Yankees' Double A affiliate, Trenton (N.J.), Thunder in 24 games this season.

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Nov. 19, 2011
Casey Lytle (2008-11)

Lytle is the most recent former student-athlete to be featured on Throwback Thursday. He capped off his four-year career for Coach Ritch Price and the Jayhawk baseball team earlier this year. During his playing days, Lytle compiled a .290 batting average, with 166 hits, 72 RBI and 114 runs scored. Lytle was also known for his defense, earning a .971 fielding percentage, while patrolling the Houglund Ballpark outfield. Now the Phoenix, Ariz. Native can be found just a short walk from where he once played, as an intern for the Williams Education Fund, while he completes his Master's Degree in business.

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Feb. 23 2012
Darryl Monroe (1991-94)

A Lawrence native, Monroe made his home town and home team proud, finishing with a .348 lifetime average to go along with 274 hits and 24 home runs during his four-year career. The two-time All-American helped lead the Jayhawks to the College World Series in 1993 and the NCAA Tournament the following year. After being drafted by the Montreal Expos, the outfielder played two years in the minor leagues before leaving the field to become a scout in the stands. Monroe is currently lives in Atlanta and is an area scout for the New York Yankees.

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May 10, 2012
Jeff Berblinger (1990-93)
 
Goddard, Kan. native Jeff Berblinger left a number of legacies in Lawrence and on the KU baseball program. The second baseman was named an All-American his senior year (1993) and helped lead the Jayhawks to the College World Series that same season. After being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, Berblinger saw action with the Cards as he was called up in September of 1997, just in time for Mark McGwire's arrival to the club. Berblinger continued his baseball career after his stint with St. Louis, playing in the Seattle Mariners organization as well as independent ball before calling it a career. He currently works in pipeline construction in Wichita and tries to make it back to Lawrence for a game or two when he can.

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May 24, 2012
Steve Renko Jr. (1961-65)

Steve Renko Jr. holds a unique distinction in Kansas athletics lore as he is the school's last three-sport letterman. The second generation Jayhawk stared on the diamond, at Memorial Stadium and inside Allen Fieldhouse during his four-year career. With an offer from Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders on the table, Renko decided to play baseball professionally. The decision worked out pretty well as the right-handed pitcher played for seven teams in the span of 15-years, including his final season (1983) with the hometown Kansas City Royals. Renko's son, Steve Renko III carried on his proud family tradition by also playing baseball at KU (1987-90) before a stint in the minor leagues. Renko Jr. currently lives in the Kansas City area and makes it back Lawrence a couple times each year for a sporting event or two.

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June 7, 2012
Gus Milner (2005-06)

After playing two seasons at Hutchinson Community College, the Olathe, Kan. native did not have a tough time deciding where he would transfer to. Kansas and the Jayhawk baseball program seemed like a good fit as Milner had a successful junior campaign in 2005 and an equally impressive senior season in 2006, as he and the rest of the KU team captured the Big 12 Championship. Following his final year at Hoglund Ballpark, Milner was drafted in the 14th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, where he played in the organization for four seasons. Following his stint with the Philadelphia organization, Milner moved onto independent baseball where he played with the Sioux Falls Pheasants of the American Association. The local diamond hero can be found scaling the walls at Community America Ballpark for the Kansas City T-Bones, just a short drive from his hometown of Olathe.

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June 28, 2012
Brett Bochy (2007-10)

Poway, Calif., native Brett Bochy made Lawrence his home during his college career which included a 5-0 record his redshirt sophomore year with a bullpen leading 54-strikeouts. Bochy who is no stranger to the major leagues was drafted by the San Francisco Giants following his 2010 collegiate season. His father Bruce is the current manager of the Giants and played in the big leagues for 10 seasons (1978-87) for three different teams. The younger Bochy has risen as high as Double A where he currently toes the rubber for the Richmond Flying Squirrels out of the Eastern League.

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Nov. 29, 2012
Ryotaro Hayakawa
(2004-07)
 
A member of the 2006 Big 12 Championship team, this former baseball player has an unusual story. Right-handed pitcher Ryotaro Hayakawa left his home in Japan and came to Kansas in 2004 to play for Ritch Price and the Jayhawk baseball team. He appeared in 15 games out of the bullpen in his freshman year and continued to be a valuable asset to the team throughout his years at Kansas. Following his graduation from KU in 2007, he returned to his home country where he works as a financial consultant.

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Feb. 7, 2013
Aaron Wilmes (1996-97)
 
Aaron Wilmes is a true Lawrence native. A Lawrence High School graduate and a former baseball player at the University of Kansas, he chose to stay in his hometown after college to raise a family and build his professional career.

After playing for two years at Johnson County Community College, Wilmes put together a solid career as a first baseman for the Jayhawks under former coach Bobby Randall. He was a part of two regular-season winning records and was a consistent contributor during his junior and senior seasons.

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March 7, 2013
Pat Karlin (1987-90)
 
Pat Karlin played baseball for the University of Kansas from 1987-90. A hard worker on the field, Karlin excelled in the classroom as he was named Academic All-Big Eight and a Phillip's 66 Classroom Champion three times each (1988-90), a Jayhawk Scholar on four occasions (1987-90) and a GTE Academic All-American in 1990. He currently holds the rank of Captain with the Lawrence Fire & Medical Department and has coached competitive travelling and high school baseball teams for the past 15 years. He believes that America's pastime is a great way to teach the importance of dealing with what life has to throw at you.

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March 28, 2013
Joe Heeney (1981-84)



Joe Heeney grew up a Jayhawk fan. The Kansas native grew up in Overland Park and spent many of his days in his front yard playing any game that included a ball and a bat. As a high schooler, he participated in both baseball and football. His original decision before graduation was to go play football for the University of Tulsa, but after a great senior baseball season, he figured it was in his best interest to play collegiate baseball. When the Jayhawks offered him a spot he quickly accepted. While playing for Kansas, Joe got to spend a lot of time with his brothers, John and Jim, as they were both on the baseball team as well. Joe now is married and has two sons, Tyler and Ben. Ben Heeney is a sophomore linebacker on the Kansas football team.

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Basketball (M)

Sept. 2, 2010
Milt Newton (1985, 87-89)

Netwon was a starter on the 1988 National Championship team under Larry Brown and played forward for the Jayhawks, owning career averages of 9.1 points and 3.4 rebounds. He played in 128 games at KU, starting 60. He was selected to the 1988 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team, as well as second Team All-Big 8 in 1989 and was named Kansas MVP in 1989. Newton is currently working as the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Washington Wizards. He resides in Bowie, Md., with his wife, Shalaun, their two children.

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Sept. 23, 2010
Wayne Simien (2002-05)

Simien finished his career with averages of 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He still ranks in the top five of many all-time KU career lists, including double-doubles, 30-point games and 10-rebound games. He was selected by the Miami Heat with the 29th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He spent three seasons with the Heat, where he was a member of the 2006 World Championship team. Simien also spent one year playing in Spain before returning to Lawrence with his wife Katie. The couple, along with their three children, currently reside in Lawrence where Simien runs his Called To Greatness sports ministry.

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Sept. 23, 2010
KU Men's Basketball Team(2003-2004)

With the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony approaching this weekend, we thought we would catch up Kansas fans on where members of the Jayhawk 2003-04 men's basketball team is and what they are doing. The 03-04 men's squad was inducted into KU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010 after finishing with a 24-9 record and an appearance in the Elite Eight, during Bill Self's first year at the helm.

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Sept. 30, 2010
Billy Thomas (1995-98)

A four-year letterwinner for the Kansas men's basketball team, Thomas is one of the best long range shooters to ever don the Crimson and Blue. Thomas, who ranks 37th on the KU all-time scoring chart with 1,152 points, was part of four NCAA Tournament teams and four conference championship teams. In addition, during Thomas' four years suiting up for the Jayhawks, KU went undefeated in Allen Fieldhouse. He was recently hired to be an assistant boys basketball coach at Blue Valley Northwest High School and is also teaching private basketball lessons through his personal company The Billy Thomas Hoops Academy.

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July 28, 2011
Greg Gurley (1992-95)

Greg Gurley is a native of Leawood, Kan., who went on to play basketball for the Jayhawks from 1992-95. Gurley played in one Final Four during his time in Lawrence and helped KU win three Big 8 regular season titles. Since graduating, he has remained a fixture at Allen Fieldhouse, calling games on Lawrence's Channel 6 and working as a studio analyst for Metro Sports in Kansas City. Gurley recently returned to his alma mater as the director of development for the Williams Education Fund. He lives in the town he grew up in with his wife Amy, and their two daughters.

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Sept. 29, 2011
Brett Ballard (2001-02)

Hutchinson, Kan., native Brett Ballard is no stranger to Allen Fieldhouse. Having played for the Jayhawks from 2001-02 under coach Roy Williams, Ballard remained a part of the KU basketball program for the next eight years as a student assistant, administrative assistant/video coordinator and eventually director of basketball operations. Ballard is now the head coach of Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., where he is about to embark on his second season at the helm. Ballard lives in Lawrence, with his wife, Kelly, and their two sons.

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Nov. 24, 2011
Jerry Waugh (1949-51)

Wellington, Kan. native Jerry Waugh is a living link to the hallowed past of the Kansas basketball program. Having played for the legendary coach Forrest "Phog" Allen, Waugh returned to assist another well known KU coach in Dick Harp. Together, the pair would win a total of 48 games during their three seasons on the bench. That brief stint as a KU coach would not be the last for Waugh as he would return as the KU women's golf coach from 1992-99.

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Dec. 22, 2011
Mark Randall (1987-91)

Randall experienced much success on the court during his time with Kansas, going to a pair of Final Fours (1988 & 1991) and winning it all in 1988. He also played for the US national team in 1990, winning a bronze medal in the FIBA World Championship. After leaving KU, Randall went onto star in the NBA for parts of five seasons, playing for the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and finally his hometown Denver Nuggets. Randall can still be found around the Nuggets organization as he currently works for the team in its community relations office. When not on the court or in the classroom, the Minnesota native can be found on the ice playing hockey in a local adult recreation league.

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Feb. 2, 2012
Bud Stallworth (1970-72)

Isaac "Bud" Stallworth is a Hartselle, Ala. Native, who played basketball for the Jayhawks from 1970-72. He is one of only three players in school history to earn All-American honors on the floor and in the classroom. Stallworth averaged more than 12 points each of his three seasons in the Crimson and Blue, including an astonishing 25.3 points during his senior campaign. His 50 points against Missouri in 1972 ranks second on the KU single-game scoring list. Stallworth was a two-time all-league selection. He currently lives in Lawrence and works as a co-host on "Rock Chalk Sports Talk" for KLWN 1320 AM also in Lawrence.

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Feb. 9, 2012
Clyde Lovellette (1949-52)

The Petersburg, Ind. native is simply one of the best to ever don the KU uniform. In just three seasons, "Cumulus Clyde" compiled 1,979 points (third all-time), and led Kansas to an NCAA title in 1952. He would also win a gold medal playing for KU Coach Phog Allen in the Olympics later that year. After his collegiate and Olympic experience, Lovellette would go onto star in the NBA for 11 seasons with four different teams, where he won three championships. After basketball, he would try his hand at a number of different professions, including politics, broadcasting, coaching, farming and sales. He now lives in an Indianapolis suburb, with his wife Judy. Lovellette was enshrined in the basketball hall of fame in 1988.

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March 15, 2012
Scot Pollard (1993-97)

Pollard is widely known to be one of the most colorful personalities to ever don a Kansas basketball uniform. The San Diego, Calif. native arrived in Lawrence during the fall of 1993 and quickly became a fan favorite. Number 31 led the Jayhawks to four straight sweet sixteen appearances, including a 34-2 campaign, during his senior season of 1996-97. Pollard went onto play in the NBA for 11 seasons, with five different teams, including the Boston Celtics, who he won an NBA Championship with in 2008, alongside fellow Jayhawk Paul Pierce. Since his retirement in 2008, Pollard has moved back to the place he once called home, and now is a fixture in Lawrence, calling KU games for Channel 6 and appearing on KLWN's "Rock Chalk Sports Talk".

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April 5, 2012
Jeff Boschee (1998-02)

The former Mr. Basketball in the state of North Dakota made Lawrence and more specifically Allen Fieldhouse his home during the turn of the century. Boschee made an immediate impact his first season, being named Big 12 Freshman of the Year during for 1999-00. The Third Team All-Big 12 selection led his Jayhawks to the Final Four during his senior campaign (2002). Boschee went onto play professionally in Europe as well as the USBL and ABA before taking a seat on the bench as head basketball coach at The Barstow School in Kansas City. He now is an assistant with Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.

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May 31, 2012
Ted Owens - Head Coach (1964-83)

Owens played his college ball at Oklahoma but quickly shifted his allegiances from Crimson and Cream to Crimson and Blue after being hired as an assistant under then head coach Dick Harp. After taking over the reins in 1964, Owens guided the Jayhawks to two Final Four appearances (1971 & '74), six regular season Big 8 titles and nine post-season appearances. His overall coaching record of 348-182 gave him a .657 winning percentage and put him in third place with the most victories among any other Jayhawk head basketball coach, behind Phog Allen (590) and Roy Williams (418). Now retired from the game of basketball, Owens lives in Tulsa, Okla. where he works as financial consultant for First Capital Management. The now 82-year old frequently comes back to Lawrence, as he did last fall for the 'Legends of the Phog' game where he was one of contest's two head coaches.

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July 12, 2012
Sasha Kaun (2004-08)

Kaun was a memorable 6-11 center from KU's 2008 NCAA National Championship team and became the first Jayhawk men's basketball player to compete in the Olympics since Danny Manning in 1988. The Russian native will compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games as a member of the his country's national men's basketball team July 27-August 12. Russia qualified for the 2012 Olympics by finishing in the top three of a tournament in Caracas, Venezuela, last week. Following the event, Kaun flew to Kansas City to visit family and friends before reporting back to Russia to prepare for London.

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Nov. 8, 2012
Michael Lee (2002-05)

Michael Lee and high school teammate Aaron Miles joined forces again at Kansas, becoming the first basketball players from the state of Oregon to suit up for the Jayhawks. He entered into elite company at Allen Fieldhouse when he chose to wear No. 25, being the first Jayhawk to wear that number since the legendary Danny Manning. Lee earned the James Naismith Captain Award in 2004 and was an Academic All Big-12 Second Team selection his senior season. After his career at KU, Lee played professional basketball from 2005-07 with the Harlem Globetrotters. He also played in France with Entente Orleans and in Canada for IBL's Vancouver Volcanoes. Lee is now in his third season as an assistant basketball coach at the University of San Francisco. He is a proud new father of one, Reagan Emily Lee.

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Feb. 21, 2013
Matt Kleinmann (2004-08)

Matt Kleinmann, a native of Overland Park, Kan., was an invited walk-on to the Kansas men's basketball program in the fall of 2004. The 6-10 center took a redshirt for the 2004-05 season before playing in 70 games between 2005 and 2009. KU won every game in which Kleinmann scored and he was affectionately known to Jayhawk Nation as "Big Red." A five-time member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and a five-time Big 12 Commissioner's honor roll honoree, Kleinmann was an outstanding architectural student who studied hard in the classroom and played hard on the court. After leaving KU, he completed a graduate degree in urban design at Washington University in St. Louis and spent time traveling around the world. He currently lives in Kansas City and works for Helix, an architecture firm. Kleinmann loves the Lawrence atmosphere and still attends KU sporting events on a regular basis, often catching up with former teammates.

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 May 2, 2013
Terry Nooner (1997-2000)



Terry Nooner, a former walk-on turned scholarship player on the Kansas men's basketball team, is back at the school he loves and working around the game he is passionate about. Nooner was hired as an assistant coach for the Kansas women's basketball team prior to the 2012-13 season. He currently lives in Lawrence with his wife, Tracy, and eight-month-old daughter, Tarynn.

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Basketball (W)

Aug. 19, 2010
Shelly Canada Jordan (1994-97)

Canada Jordan was a forward under head coach Marian Washington, suiting up on four-straight NCAA Tournament teams. She played forward for the Jayhawks, owning career averages of 3.8 points and 1.9 rebounds. Jordan was a member of both the final Big 8 Championship and the inaugural Big 12 Championship teams from Kansas. Additionally, she played on the first-ever KU team to advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 1996. She currently resides in Eugene, Ore., with her husband Reggie and their two daughters.

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Sept. 2, 2010
Tamecka Dixon (1994-97)

One of three Kansas women's basketball players to be named a Kodak All-American, Dixon ranks seventh on the Jayhawk all-time scoring chart with 1,689 points. She was named to the final Big 8 Player of the Year in 1996 and the inaugural Big 12 Player of the Year in 1997. Dixon was instrumental in leading the Jayhawks to their first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 1996. She went on to be selected in the first round of the 1997 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Dixon helped guide the Sparks to back-to-back WNBA titles in 2001-02. She suited up for the Houston Comets and Indiana Fever prior to retiring in early 2010 from the WNBA.

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Sept. 28, 2010
Rebecca Feickert (2007-09)

Rebecca Feickert was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team player under head coach Bonnie Henrickson. She saw action in 20 career games, while scoring career-high eight points versus San Jose State and grabbing a career-best best four rebounds versus SJSU. She finished her undergraduate degree in three years in Accounting and went onto obtain her masters in Accounting all under the age of 22. Feickert is currently working for Ernst and Young in New York City as a staff accountant in the Tax Department of the Financial Services Offices. She currently resides in New York and is working on finishing up the last part of the CPA Test to become a Certified Public Accountant.

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Dec. 2, 2010
Angie Halbleib (1994-97)

Halbleib was a standout performer for the Jayhawks, earning four letters from 1994-97. She currently ranks 12th on the Kansas all-time scoring chart with 1,429 career points. She is the three-point shooting record holder with 237 career triples. She also tops the three-point field goal attempts chart with 658 career attempts. Halbleib-Murphy is one of three Kansas women's basketball players to be named an Academic All-American as she earned the prestigious honor in both 1996 and 1997. She was a starter on the Kansas team that claimed the final Big Eight Conference title and the inaugural Big 12 Conference championship. In addition, Halbleib-Murphy averaged 14.3 points per game her junior season, in helping guide the Jayhawks to their first appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16. She currently resides in Verona, Wis., with her husband Brian and children Megan (5) and Drew (3).

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Dec. 1, 2011
Kelly Kohn (2006-10)

Kohn grew up just a short drive from the motor city, but made a name for herself in the unofficial basketball capital of the country. During her four years in the Phog, she saw the Jayhawks amass a total of 67 victories and make an appearance in the NIT Championship game. Kohn, currently works for the San Antonio Spurs as a season ticket representative, but still follows her Jayhawks religiously on kuathletics.com.

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Jan. 26, 2012
Sade Morris (2006-10)

Morris hails from Sooner country, but the Norman, Okla. Native quickly adjusted to life in Lawrence. The 5-11 guard amassed 1,276 points during her KU career, which was good enough for 14th on the program's all-time scoring list. Morris was named to the 2009 WNIT All-Tournament Team, after helping her team reach the championship game against South Florida at Allen Fieldhouse. She went onto play professionally in Finland during the 2010-11 season and is looking to get back to playing pro ball next season.

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April 12, 2012
Ivana Catic (2005-09)

Catic came a long way to Lawrence to play for Kansas and head coach Bonnie Henrickson. The Zrenjanin, Serbia native played one year of basketball at a high school in West Virginia before committing to KU. Once the speedy 5-8 guard stepped foot on Mount Oread, she never looked back, excelling on the court and in the classroom. The three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team member helped lead Kansas to the WNIT Championship game at Allen Fieldhouse during her senior season (2008-09). Following graduation, Catic was hired by Deloitte Consulting out of Kansas City, where she works in technologies.

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June 21, 2012
Danielle McCray (2007-10)

One of the best guards in Kansas women's basketball history, McCray finished her four-year career as the fourth leading scorer in program history collecting 1,934 points before a torn ACL prematurely ended her senior campaign. The 2010 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year was an All-America Honorable Mention selection in 2009 by the Associated Press and helped USA Basketball earn a gold medal at the 2009 World University Games. After her time with the Jayhawks, McCray, an Olathe, Kan., native, was the seventh overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft by the Connecticut Sun. She spent her first professional season with Rishon Lezion of the Israeli Women's League while coming back from her knee injury before helping to guide the Sun to the 2011 playoffs in her first season in the WNBA. Now in her second WNBA season, the guard has started 31 of 45 games for her career and has averaged 5.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

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Football

Aug. 19, 2010
Moran Norris (1997-00)

Norris arrived at KU as a tight end, but shifted over tailback/fullback his junior year where he saw great success. He finished his Jayhawk career with 864 career rushing yards on 199 carries (4.3 avg.) with 10 TDs. Norris also added 17 receptions for 87 yards and one TD. Norris was a fourth round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2001 and played there for three seasons before being picked up by his hometown Houston Texans. He suited up for the Texans for three seasons before making his move to the Bay area to play for the San Francisco 49ers, where he currently can be seen on Sundays. Norris makes his permanent home in Houston with his wife Tamara and their daughter London.

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Sept. 9, 2010
Harrison Hill (1997-01)

The Wichita native ranks 12th on the KU all-time receiving yards list with 1,535, while also ranking ninth on the all-time receptions list with 108. He caught 47 passes in 2000, which is the 17th best receiving season in Kansas history. In 1999 and 2000, Hill led the team in yards receiving with 506 and 591, respectively. In 1998 he had 28 receptions, and in 2000, he caught 47, both team-leaders that year. Hill currently lives in Kansas City and works as a Financial Advisor and Financial Planning Specialist at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

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Sept. 23, 2010
Harold Patterson (1952-54)

A Rozel, Kan., native, Harold Patterson lettered in football, men's basketball and baseball from 1952-54, thus becoming the 32nd three-sport letterwinner in Kansas history. He was a starter on the 1952-53 men's basketball team that advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Tournament. He was also was a key contributor on KU's 1952 and 1953 football teams. Patterson continued his football career in the Canadian Football League, and was a perennial all-star, playing for Grey Cup-winning teams in 1963, 1965 and 1967. During his 14-year career he scored 76 touchdowns, caught 460 passes for 9,473 yards and tied the league record for pass receptions in 1960. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

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Oct. 7, 2010
Willie Pless (1983-85)

Former Kansas linebacker Willie Pless was recently inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita, Kan. The Jayhawk great played three seasons at KU, where he set numerous NCAA records and went on to have a long and fruitful career in the Canadian Football League. Pless was a three-time All-Big Eight First Team selection (1983-85) and was named the all-time best linebacker in the history of Big Eight after it became the Big 12 in 1996. He was arguably the best defensive player in the history of the CFL, holding the league record for most tackles (1,241).

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Oct. 14, 2010
Fred Elder (1962-64)

Elder is a Wichita native who played tackle for the Jayhawks from 1962-64. He finished his career with a degree in engineering from KU and received his Master's degree from Wichita State University and his PhD from the University of Wisconsin, where he is currently teaching. Elder has two sons who graduated from KU and currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin.

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June 30, 2011
Patrick Brown (1994-98)
 

A Rozel, Kan., native, Harold Patterson lettered in football, men's basketball and baseball from 1952-54, thus becoming the 32nd three-sport letterwinner in Kansas history. He was a starter on the 1952-53 men's basketball team that advanced to the championship game of the NCAA Tournament. He was also was a key contributor on KU's 1952 and 1953 football teams. Patterson continued his football career in the Canadian Football League, and was a perennial all-star, playing for Grey Cup-winning teams in 1963, 1965 and 1967. During his 14-year career he scored 76 touchdowns, caught 460 passes for 9,473 yards and tied the league record for pass receptions in 1960. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

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Aug. 25, 2011
Chip Hilleary (1989-92)

Chip Hilleary was a standout quarterback at KU from 1989-1992. Hilleary came to Lawrence from the Buckeye State and quickly made an impact, being named the starter his sophomore year. During his four seasons under center, No. 18 catapulted to as high as fifth on the school's all-time passing list; completing 53 percent of the passes he threw for 4,598 yards and 25-touchdowns. Hilleary is currently the president and CEO of Central Ohio Graphics in Columbus, which specializes in marketing and printing services.

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Sept. 8, 2011
Micah Brown (2007-08)

Nebraska native Micah Brown has made his mark on the Sunflower State. Having been a member of the football and track and field squads at Kansas, Brown earned his reputation as a hard worker, but it is now what he does on the sidelines at Memorial Stadium that he is best known for. The up and coming filmmaker can be found at games and practices shooting for his regional Emmy nominated series, "THE GRIDIRON".

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Sept. 22, 2011
Isaac Byrd (1994-96)

St. Louis native Isaac Byrd made a name for himself at KU not just at Memorial Stadium but at Hoglund Ballpark as well, as he was a two-sport student athlete from 1994-96. The wide receiver/outfielder was drafted by two professional sports leagues and played in the minor leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and in the NFL for six seasons for the Tennessee Oilers/Titans and Carolina Panthers. Byrd currently lives in Orlando, Fla., where he runs "Elite Mental Training", which he recently wrote a book for. He is also in his first season working on 590-AM as a St. Louis Rams talk show host during football Sunday's.

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Oct. 6, 2011
Curtis McClinton (1959-61)

Curtis McClinton is one of the most decorated athletes to have played at KU. A star fullback from Wichita, Kan., McClinton rushed for 1,337 yards during his three year career with the Jayhawks before being drafted by the AFL's Dallas Texans, who eventually became the Kansas City Chiefs. Football was not the only reason McClinton was well known inside Memorial Stadium as he competed in Track and Field during his time in Lawrence. #32 went on to have a successful professional career on the gridiron, playing in two Super Bowls with Kansas City.

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Oct. 27, 2011
Lee Flachsbarth (1959-63)

Flachsbarth was an integral part of the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl team, which was the first KU squad to win a bowl game. The Atchison, Kansas native came to Lawrence as a quarterback, but an injury forced him to halfback and paved the way for KU legend John Hadl to take his place behind center. During his collegiate career, Flachsbarth split time between Memorial Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse as he saw limited playing time as a center for the men's basketball team. After coaching high school football in the Shawnee Mission area, he returned to Lawrence to work in radio sales and has raised his family in the town he once went to school and played football in.

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Nov. 10, 2011
Jake Letourneau (1997-02)

Letourneau was a member of the Kansas football program for five years and excelled in the classroom as well as the football field. He was a six-time Jayhawk scholar and maintained a part-time job, while in school at a local optometrists' office. After graduation, the Concordia, Kan. native went onto optometry school out of state but returned to Lawrence to work at the office he helped out at during school. He can still be found at that same doctors' office, but now his name is on the outside of it, as the sign reads Drs. Pohl, Dobbins & Letourneau.

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Dec. 8, 2011
David Lawrence (1979-81)

David Lawrence has been a staple in the Lawrence community for the past thirty plus years. After a successful career as an offensive guard for the Jayhawks, the Parsons, Kan. native made the transition to coach and then radio analyst. Lawrence still can be found at Memorial Stadium on KU game days, working for the Jayhawk Sports network. When not in the radio booth, he is in the classroom, where he currently teaches ninth grade at Free State High School in Lawrence.

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Dec. 29, 2011
Jon Cornish (2002-06)

Cornish has the rare distinction of winning a bowl game with KU and then going on to win a championship professionally. The running back was on the 2005 Fort Worth Bowl team that defeated Houston in 2005 and the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL, who won the 2008 Grey Cup. Cornish can also claim another unique title; KU's single season leading rusher. In 2006, the British Columbia native ran for 1,457 total yards.

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April 26, 2012
John Hadl (1959-61)

Lawrence native John Hadl is one of the most storied athletes to have come through the Kansas football program. Just one of three players to have their number retired in program history, Hadl had a stellar career at Kansas and then went onto excel in the professional ranks. First the quarterback suited up for the AFL's San Diego Chargers and played for the Bolts when they made the move into the NFL. After a 16-year professional career with four different franchises, Hadl hung it up but not before being named an AFL All-Star three times and a Pro-Bowler on two separate occasions. The College Football Hall of Fame member can still be found on the campus he once starred on, working in the Williams Education Fund as the associate athletic director for major gifts.

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Sept. 6, 2012
1961 Blue Bonnet Bowl

In the first meeting between the schools, KU traveled to Houston, Texas to meet the Rice Owls in the 1961 Bluebonnet Bowl. Led by fullback Ken Coleman who scored two touchdowns on 107 yards rushing, the Jayhawks went on to win 33-7. Fifty-one years later, the two teams will face off again at Kivisto Field in Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 8.

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Oct. 18, 2012
Pat Henderson (1970-74)

Even though his playing days ended nearly four decades ago, Pat Henderson continues to play a significant role for the Kansas football program as an assistant athletic director for football relations/traditions. Henderson, who currently works in the Williams Education Fund office, played under Jayhawk coaching legend Don Fambrough from 1970-74. Shortly after graduating from KU in 1975, he kicked-off what would eventually be an impressive coaching career with his first full-time paid position at Coffeyville Community College.

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Banks Floodman 
(2001-05)
 

Banks Floodman was born in Wichita, Kan. where he attended Wichita Collegiate High School. Floodman earned a football scholarship to play at the University of Kansas. As a key linebacker, he was a three-year team captain from 2002-05. In his redshirt sophomore season he recorded 93 tackles, fourth highest on the team. He also was awarded the Nolan Cromwell Award for Leadership and the Iron Hawk Award for outstanding work in the weight room.

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Nov. 15, 2012
Danny Lewis (2002-03)
 
Danny Lewis was an offensive lineman for the Jayhawks from 2002-03 and a member of the Kansas football team that competed in the 2003 Tangerine Bowl. Prior to joining the KU squad, Lewis played at Phoenix Community College in Arizona and was named a first-team all-conference selection during his final season at PCC. A 2004 graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in sports management, Lewis is a vital member of the KU Alumni Association staff, serving as Director of Alumni Programs. Lewis resides in Eudora with his wife, Laura, and son, Carter.

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Dec. 6, 2012
Marcellus Jones III
(1999-2002)
 

Marcellus Jones was a wide receiver for the University of Kansas football team from 1999-2002, playing in 27 games in the Crimson and Blue and earning four letters. His senior season, Jones was the third-leading receiver for the Jayhawks, catching 29 passes for 368 yards (30.7 ypg) and scoring four touchdowns. He graduated in 2003 with a degree in journalism.

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March 14, 2013
Jake Sharp (2006-09)
 
As a senior at the University of Kansas in the fall of 2009, Salina, Kan., native Jake Sharp played in 10 games and rushed for 429 yards while catching 34 passes for 266 yards. He left KU with the 10^th-most rushing yards in school history with 2,239. He finished his career with 23 rushing TDs, third all-time.

In 2008 Sharp rushed for 860 yards in 13 games. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big 12. He became the first running back in KU history to record 100 receiving yards in a game when he accomplished the feat vs. Iowa State. Sharp finished his junior campaign with 25 catches for 283 yards.

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April 4, 2013
Jim Moore (1993-97)



Jim Moore grew up in Wyoming and moved to Garden City, Kan., where he played high school football. Coming out of HS, Moore received offers to play for highly-rated football programs like Notre Dame, University of Southern California and Ohio State. However, there was something special that Moore was drawn to when he visited Lawrence and the University of Kansas. In all, Moore spent five seasons in the Crimson and Blue. He redshirted his freshman year then went on to play four seasons at tight end for the Jayhawks.

Upon graduating in 1997 with degrees in exercise science and sports management, Moore received several opportunities to play in the NFL. Moore is now a financial advisor for Wells Fargo in Lawrence. With his wife, Allison, Jim has three boys: Alex, Parker and Finn, who love to attend the Jayhawk football games.

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Golf (M)

Sept. 1, 2011
Rob Wilkin (1981-83)

Arkansas City, Kan. native Rob Wilkin brought his small town dreams to Lawrence, from 1981-83 as a talented junior college transfer for then men's head golf coach Ross Randle. Wilkin continued his playing career on the links after college, competing in tours and at majors, including the 1988 U.S. Open. Currently he is the head golf pro at Heritage Park Golf Course, in Overland, Park, Kan. Wilkin and his wife have five children (four daughters and a son), one of which is a KU graduate.

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March 22, 2012
Tyler Hall (1999-04)

Hall came to Lawrence all the way from the Garden State in 1999. After redshirting his first year at KU, the Wayne, N.J. product burst onto the scene and immediately made his presence felt as a member of then head coach Ross Randall's team. By the end of his senior season, Hall was looked upon as one of the premier golfers at KU. He further turned that perception into reality as he became a professional, during the fall of 2004. Hall's crowning professional achievement came last summer at the Sleepy Hollow Golf Course in N.Y., where he won the Met Open Championship. Hall currently lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his fiancée Brianna Patterson; the couple will be married this coming April.

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July 5, 2012
Dan Rooney (1992-95)

Rooney grew up in the heart of Cowboy country in Stillwater, Okla., but quickly became accustomed to the Crimson and Blue as he played golf for longtime head coach Ross Randall. During his senior year, Rooney helped KU qualify for the NCAA Tournament with clutch puts down the stretch. After becoming a PGA golf pro, the Oklahoman returned home to become an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma National Guard. During his military career, Rooney would serve his country three separate times over in Iraq. Inspired by his experiences, he has launched numerous charitable organizations and events including the Folds of Honor Foundation, Patriot Golf Day and his first book titled A Patriot's Calling: Living a Life Between Fear and Faith.

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Sept. 27, 2012
Gary Woodland (2003-07)

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Woodland originally attended Washburn University in 2003 on a basketball scholarship before retired golf coach Ross Randall invited him to play for KU. Upon graduating from the University of Kansas in 2007, Gary Woodland turned his complete focus and effort toward one monumental long-term goal to become the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world.

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Golf (W)

Jan. 19, 2012
Holly Reynolds (1990-94)

Reynolds came to Lawrence from the rolling hills of Vermont and it is fair to say she made her mark on Mount Oread. During her time at KU, Reynolds was a three time All-Big 8 selection, who competed at the 1990 NCAA Championships. She racked up seven career collegiate victories and carried that momentum into the pros, where she earned the title of 1992 New England Women's Amateur Champion. The all-time Jayhawk great has also competed in two US Women's Opens, and still plays competitively today, back in her home state of Vermont, where she also works as a mail carrier.

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Rowing

Jan. 12, 2012
Risa Petty (1996-00)

Petty, now Risa Kearn was one of the first stand-out rowers coach Rob Catloth and his program had. Petty was made an immediate impact on the team during her freshman year, which was only the second season in program history. Petty continued her success on the water during her upperclassmen years, as she helped lead KU to a big win at the IRA's her junior year, which was also the first of her two years as team captain. The Lawrence native can still be found in her hometown, working in bodywork and massage therapy.

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May 3, 2012
Abbi Huderle (2006-09)

Shawnee, Kan. native Abbi Huderle came to Mt. Oread in 2006 to row for head coach Rob Catloth. The student-athlete spent many a morning on the Kansas River and following graduation in 2009, she returned to Lawrence to spend her mornings at KU once again, but this time as an intern for the Booth Family Hall of Athletics. The museum studies major feels right at home in the rich tradition of KU sports as she gives tours, conducts research and looks through records on a daily basis inside the hallowed halls of Allen Fieldhouse.

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Oct. 4, 2012
Jasmin (Smith) Moore (1999-03)

Jasmin (Smith) Moore noticed a boat on the lawn at Strong Hall one day on her walk across campus during her freshman year in 1999. Seeing the boat that day led Jasmin to eventually become one of only 12 coxswains in the 17-year history of the Jayhawk rowing program to be awarded the Nikia Rosenberger Coxswain of the Year. Moore won the award following the 2002-03 season.

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Spirit Squad

Dec. 15, 2011
Ashley Schlotzhauer (2002-06)

Schlotzhauer is the first spirit squad member to be featured in a Throwback Thursday. The Kansas City, Mo. nativecame to KU in 2002 and was a cheerleader during some of the Jayhawks' most exciting moments on the court and out in the field. During her time on the sidelines, the football team would make it to one bowl game, while the basketball team won 77 games and went to two final fours and an elite eight under coaches Roy Williams and Bill Self. Ultimately it was the gridiron, where Schlotzhauer would find her future as she married former KU cornerback Justin Thornton. The couple is expecting their first child in February and Schlotzhauer (Thornton) can still be found at Allen Fieldhouse, where she works in the marketing department as the director of promotions and branding.

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Oct. 25, 2012
Abbey Archer-Rierson
(2002-06)

Abbey Archer-Rierson is a former Jayhawk cheerleader from a small town in Kansas by the name of McPherson. She graduated from McPherson High School and knew right away that she wanted to become a Jayhawk. An elite gymnast, Archer-Rierson decided to contribute those skills to KU and become a cheerleader for the Jayhawk spirit squad. She attended KU from 2002 to 2006 and graduated with a degree in elementary education. She joined the ranks of McPherson College and became the director of development where she handles fundraising, college campaign efforts and many other special projects. Archer-Rierson and her husband, Cody Rierson, have two daughters, Harper and Vivi.

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Soccer

July 15, 2010
Estelle Johnson (2006-09)

Estelle Johnson become a mainstay in the defensive backfield for the Jayhawks and finished her Kansas career recording the fourth-most starts of any field player in team history as well as the most games started. Following her KU career, Johnson was selected by the Los Angeles Sol in the third round of WPS Draft. She now plays with the Philadelphia Independence.

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Sept. 9, 2010
Holley Gault (2003-06)

Gault starred at defender/forward for the Jayhawks during her four-year career. During her junior year, she was one of only two active players named to the All-Big 12 Conference 10th Anniversary Team. The Spring Hill, Kan., native is now studying the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. She plans to graduate in 2013 with a degree in medicine.

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Aug. 3, 2011
Cynthia Dahle (1996-99)

Cynthia (Dahle) Remke came to Lawrence all the way from Anchorage, Alaska in 1996 to play forward for the KU soccer team. Since leaving the program in 1999, Dahle, now Cynthia Remke has moved around but recently returned to Lawrence to pursue a master's degree and work in social work. She is currently a research assistant at KU's Juniper Gardens Childrens Project.

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Oct. 13, 2011
Caroline Smith (2002-05)

A native of Edina, Minn., forward Caroline Smith took the soccer field by storm in her four seasons as a Jayhawk from 2002-2005. With school records in points (126), goals (51) and shots (333) during her career, she sits as one of the most dominant and decorated players in school history. Smith returned to Lawrence last month to have her #21 jersey retired, along with two of her past teammates Since graduating from KU, she has gone on to study medicine at the University of Minnesota, and is currently finishing up her residency at the Truman Medical center in Kansas City. She also continued her playing career on the pitch, having suited up for the Minnesota Lightning of the USL's W-League, where she led her squad to the playoffs for three straight seasons.

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Sept. 13, 2012
Maggie Dixon (2000-03)

Maggie (Mason) Dixon of Elmira, Ontario traveled a long way from home to play for Kansas. The Canada native started playing soccer at the age of three and it became a lifestyle for her. Dixon played on her school teams as well as on club teams while growing up. In 2000, she came to Lawrence to play her collegiate soccer career and started 18 matches as a freshman. She not only was successful on the field, but in the classroom as well. She served as the Vice President of the Big 12 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee her senior year and received several other academic honors as well.

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Softball

Sept. 30, 2010
Jessica Moppin (2003-06)

A native of Olathe, Kan., Moppin helped the Jayhawks to their first-ever Big 12 Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals as a senior in 2006. An All-Big 12 Second Team selection and Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree, she also finished her Kansas career among KU's top 10 hitting leaders in home runs (third), RBI (eighth) and total bases (sixth). After spending a season with the Russian National team, Moppin returned to Kansas Athletics for an internship for a year, before accepting her current job with Parris Communications in Kansas City.

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July 21, 2011
Jill Larson (1978-81)

Jill Larson was a three sport star during her career at Kansas (1978-81), as she shined on the softball diamond as well as the volleyball and basketball courts. Softball was where she made a name for herself as she was the first Jayhawk to be selected as a First Team All-American by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, in 1981. The Wichita, Kan. Native was a third baseman and pitcher for the Jayhawks, and led Kansas in hitting from 1979-81. Larson, now Larson-Bradney can still be found on the softball diamond these days, but at Perry-Lecompton High School where she has been the softball coach for the past 17 seasons.

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Feb. 16, 2012
Serena Settlemier (2002-06)

The Washington state native quickly carved out a niche for herself in Kansas upon her arrival to Lawrence in 2002, leading her team in innings pitched and being named to the All-Big 12 second team as an at-large selection. By the time Settlemier would leave KU, she would be considered one of the best Jayhawk hurlers to toe the rubber at Arrocha Ballpark. Settlemier continued her diamond success, going on to pitch professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch League as well as playing internationally in Italy and for the nation of Greece. She currently can be found in sunny Southern California, where she works as an associate producer for the reality TV show, "The Real Housewives of Orange County". She is also working on her certification to become a personal trainer, after having worked on the set of "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition".

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March 1, 2012
Sara Sidebottom (2006-08)

After transferring to KU following her freshman year at Pratt Community College, Sidebottom became an important part of the Jayhawks' 2006 Big 12 Championship team. The Hutchinson, Kan. native won the Jayhawk Spirit Award in 2006 for her positive attitude on the field and in the dugout and was also named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athlete team, the same season. Sidebottom can still be seen around Kansas Athletics, as she has transitioned from athlete to employee, where she is an information specialist. The former information systems major started as an intern with Kansas Athletics in December 2008 and has been with KAI ever since.

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March 29, 2012
Laura Frost (1975-79)

Frost stared for Kansas on the volleyball court and in the softball diamond, as she took part in some of the Jayhawk women's early success. The Johnson County, Kan. native led her softball team to three appearances in the Intercollegiate Athletics for Women World Series and helped the volleyball program grow in its infancy. Frost still makes it back to Lawrence and follows both the softball and volleyball teams. She is currently an art teacher at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kan.

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August 16, 2012
Katie Morgan (1993-96)

Oklahoma native Katie Morgan was named All-Big 12 First Team and Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 1996 and ranks ninth on the Kansas all-time career doubles list. Morgan has served as associate producer for the Olympics since the Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002, where she was awarded an Emmy for her work. She also received an Emmy in 2006 as an associate producer for Yankeeography: Graig Nettles and for the 2009 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Morgan currently works for Major League Baseball Productions and is the executive producer of Sunbelt Classic Productions. Morgan stopped through Lawrence after working the Kansas City All-Star Baseball Game in early July before heading to London for the 2012 Olympic Games and returning to her current home in New York City.

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Swimming and Diving

Nov. 28, 2010
Amy Gruber (2002-05)

Amy Gruber-Burgess is one of the most accomplished swimmers in Kansas history. In 2005, she set a school record in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:47.01 at the Big 12 Championships. She is also in the top three in school history in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard butterfly. Gruber-Burgess is currently residing in Little Rock, Ark., with her husband, where she serves as the head swimming and diving coach at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

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July 14, 2011
Kristin Nilsen (1994-98)

Ballwin, Mo. native, Kristin Nilsen was a stand-out swimmer in the breaststroke and individual medley events for the Jayhawks from 1994-98. She was the school record holder in the 200 breaststroke and 400 IM and was a member of the fastest 400 individual medley relay team in KU history. An All-American, for all four years that she swam, Nilsen graduated from KU in 1998, only to return to the classroom for nursing school a few years later. She currently works as a nurse inside the Hematology-Oncology Department at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

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Dec. 26, 2012
Hannah McMacken (2006-09)


Following a stellar high school swimming-turned-diving career in the state of Washington, Hannah McMacken came to the University of Kansas in 2006 to dive for the Jayhawks. She lettered four years in the Crimson and Blue (2006-09) and her 229.10-point six-dive platform score from the 2009 Big 12 Championships ranks third all-time in the event at KU. A three-time Academic All-Big 12 performer in the classroom, McMacken was very involved in SAAC during her time as a Jayhawk student-athlete. Since her graduation, the English teacher has made stops around the world, helping children across the globe learn the language.

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Feb. 28, 2013
Meghan Proehl (2006-10)
 
Meghan Proehl first visited the University of Kansas in 2006 when she was recruited by diving head coach Eric Elliot. The moment she went back home to California, she immediately told her mom that she was coming to Lawrence to be a part of the Jayhawk tradition. During her time sporting the Crimson and Blue, Proehl accomplished many milestones. Her senior year she qualified for the NCAA Championships while also maintaining her team's highest GPA. Proehl graduated from KU's school of journalism in 2010 and is now a sixth-grade special education teacher in Brooklyn, N.Y.

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 April 24, 2013
Jim Sauer (1978-80)

Jim Sauer arrived at the University of Kansas to swim in 1978 after he transferred from the University of New Mexico. During his time representing the Crimson and Blue, Sauer contributed to two Big 8 Conference Championships in 1978 and in 1979. During his time on the swim team, Sauer was a co-captain from 1978-80 while being recognized as a three-time Big 8 Champion by winning the 100 butterfly in 1979 and 400-medley relay in 1979 and 1980.  Upon graduating from KU in 1980 with a degree in education and administrative recreation, Sauer went into high-tech sales with companies like Xerox and Dell, for which he traveled all over the country.

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Tennis

Oct. 28, 2010
Kris Sell (1996-99)

Kris Sell teamed up with Christie Sim to claim the 1997 Big 12 Doubles title. Her name is all over the Kansas Tennis record books as she ranks in the top five in six different categories. Sell, who played under Chuck Merzbacher, Roland Thornqvist and Jenny Garrity, earned All Big-12 honors in 1997 and 1998. Sell went on to marry former KU men's basketball player C.B. McGrath. The couple currently resides in Chapel Hill, N.C., with their three children.

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Nov. 3, 2011
Maria Abatjoglou (1996-99)

Abatjoglou came to Lawrence from the mountains of West Virginia, because she wanted to play in a top Division I program. The four-year letterwinner not only excelled on the court, but stood out in the class room as she was named first-team GTE Academic All-American for the 1996-97 season. After graduating from KU, Abatjoglou, now Maria Stearns went onto Harvard Law School, where she completed her J.D. and now practices law in the Los Angeles area. She lives in Orange County with her husband Alan, who played golf for Kansas (1992-96), and their two sons.

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Track and Field (M)

Sept. 23, 2010
Charlie Gruber (2004-07)

Gruber was a five-time All-American cross country and track and field athlete at Kansas. After completing his eligibility, he went on to compete professionally and qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team after finishing as the 1,500-meter runner-up at the 2004 Olympic Trials. He went on to place ninth in opening-round competition at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. At the 2001 NCAA Indoor Championships he completed the mile with a time of 3:58.51, becoming the Jayhawks' second athlete ever to run the mile in under four minutes indoors, along with Jim Ryun Gruber resides in a suburb of Denver, Colo., with his wife Courtney who also competed for the Jayhawks.

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Aug. 11, 2011
Mike Spielman (1986-89)

Mike Spielman came to Lawrence from the small town of Sabetha, where he would compete for legendary track and field coach Bob Timmons. During his years at Kansas, Spielman would take part in the NCAA National Championships, meet his future wife and build a solid foundation for his future coaching career. Fast forward two decades and Spielman has created a resume his former coach would be proud of, winning 19 state titles in 20-seasons as the head track and field coach of Baldwin High School in Baldwin City, Kan.

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March 8, 2012
Scott Huffman (1984-88)

Native Kansan Scott Huffman may have been from the small town of Quinter, but he was destined to make a name for himself on a big stage. That stage proved to be the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he finished 13th in the pole vault. Before entering international competition, Huffman starred at KU, where he was a two-time All-American and Big 8 Conference champion. He also held the American pole vaulting record for two years following his collegiate career. After retiring from competition in 1998, Huffman began a career in pharmaceutical sales, where he continues to work for a Sanofi Pharmaceuticals in the Kansas City area.

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April 19, 2012
Warren Heylman (1943-45)

Heylman is in rare company for many reasons. The Spokane, Wash. native graduated from Kansas in just six semesters as a part of the unique Navy V-12 program in the mid-1940s. Following his military career, the architectural engineering graduate went onto found Heylman Martin Architects in Spokane as well as keep up his recreational running career. The now 88-year old still runs five miles almost every day and had a successful appearance at the 2005 World Masters Games in Edmonton, where he finished in fourth place in the 100-meter dash.

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June 14, 2012
Jim Ryun (1965-69)

When one mentions Kansas track and field it is hard not to hear the name Jim Ryun shortly afterwards. The Wichita, Kan. native burst onto the collegiate scene after becoming the first high school runner to achieve a four-minute mile. Ryun's prowess grew during his time at KU as he continued to set records and in the process make a name for himself in the sport on an international stage. Ryun competed in a total of three different Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in 1968 at Mexico City. All in all the Jayhawk turned international athletic marvel set a total of five world records during his illustrious career. Ryun continued to run following his collegiate and professional career, but this time in the political arena as he was elected to the U.S House of Representatives where he represented the second district of Kansas for a decade. Ryun continues to influence the sport he made a name for himself in, helping younger runners achieve their goals through "Ryun Running" and the Adidas Jim Ryun High School Dream Mile

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Track and Field (W)

Aug. 26, 2010
Candace Mason (1995-99)

Mason competed in the heptathlon, pentathlon and pole vault during her five-year career at KU. The Nevada, Missouri native graduated in 1999 as a five-time All-American and five time conference champion. She still holds the Kansas records in the heptathlon and pentathlon. Mason is back on the KU campus as the Director of Traditions with Kansas Athletics, where she oversees the Booth Family Hall of Athletics and the K Club. Mason, now Candace Dunback currently lives in Eudora, Kan., with her husband Chris, who is also a former KU athlete as well as their two sons.

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May 17, 2012
Cathy Palacios (1990-92)

This Jayhawk student athlete came to Lawrence all the way from the Land of Lincoln and the Chicago area, but her transition was easy as Palacios, now Cathy Vasto became a impact athlete on the track. The distance runner won the 3000-meters during the Big 8 Championships her senior year and even set a school record in the same event at the 1992 Santa Monica Invite on her way to becoming an All-American. Her 9:15.48 in the 3000-meters in Calif. is a KU record that still stands today. Palacios (Vasto) still competes in the sport, having ran for ASICS in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic trials. She now lives in Jacksonville, Fla. with her husband and two children where she works in Oncology sales..

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January 23, 2013
Sherre-Khan (Blackmon) Jones
(1998-2001)


Sherre-Khan (Blackmon) Jones, a Houston, Texas native, ran track for the Jayhawks from 1998-2001. She currently holds the sixth fastest time for the indoor 600 yards. Also during her time here at Kansas, she met Marcellus Jones III in her Western Civilization class and the two married in 2004. They now live in Eudora, Kan., and have a one-year-old daughter, Maison. The couple is awaiting the arrival of another baby girl in February.

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 April 18, 2013
Khadian Kelly 2002-05



For Khadian Kelly, the feeling of returning to the University of Kansas to pursue her professional career was pretty surreal. In fact, when she walked into the Wagnon Student-Athlete Center on her first day as Director of Compliance for Kansas Athletics, she was greeted by a mural painting that featured two of her best friends—former track and field athletes Charisse Bachus and Tiffany Cherry.
Kelly attended KU and was part of the track and field squad from 2002-05, when she focused on horizontal jumps under coach Milan Donley before transferring to UMKC to pursue a nursing degree. 

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Volleyball

Sept. 16, 2010
Jill Dorsey (2001-04)

Dorsey played libero for the Jayhawks, owning a career average of 3.12 digs per game and ranking number six in Kansas volleyball history for digs per game. She played in 121 matches and was a four-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree. The Wellsville, Kan. native was instrumental in leading the Jayhawks to their first ever NCAA appearance in 2003. She currently works at CBIZ in Leawood, Kan., as a marketing specialist and lives in Olathe, Kan., with her husband Kevin and son Liam.

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Oct. 14, 2010
Molly LaMere (1998-01)

LaMere Haggerty was a standout setter for the Jayhawk volleyball team. She still ranks third on the KU all-time assists chart with 4,108 career assists and also sits in second place on the single-season assists chart with 1,471 during the 1999 season. LaMere Haggerty is currently the head volleyball coach at Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kan.

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Sept. 15, 2011
Dani Wittman (2003-06)

Salina, Kan., native Dani Wittman was a defensive specialist/libero for Coach Ray Bechard and the Jayhawk volleyball team during one of its most successful runs in program history. During that stretch of time, Wittman helped lead KU to the NCAA tournament for three consecutive seasons. Wittman still lives in Lawrence and keeps in close contact with her former teammates and coaches.

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Sept. 20, 2012
Emily Brown (2004-07)

Emily Brown, a Baldwin City, Kan., native became the first player in KU volleyball history to reach the 1,000 mark in career kills, digs and assists. She finished in the top 10 on five career lists, including fifth in kills (1,168), total attempts (3,048) and games played (430), seventh in digs (1,034) and ninth in assists (1,107). The 6-2 Brown was also selected as the Big 12 Conference Player of the Week on Sept. 24, 2007, the first KU player to do so since Josi Lima on Sept. 19, 2005. She is currently playing professional volleyball in Puerto Rico. Brown followed in her mom (Jill [Huntsinger] Brown) and aunt's (Jo Huntsinger) footsteps, as both also played at KU.

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April 11, 2013
Jana Correa (2003-07)