Monday, April 14, 2008
Kansas coach Bill Self and his staff just couldn’t decide.
Who was going to walk away with this year’s Danny Manning “Mr. Jayhawk” award? An accolade awarded to the player who best embodies what it means to be a Kansas basketball player.
Athletics director Lew Perkins holds his hand up saying, "I promise you by next year we will have 5 [championships]." Perkins is in his fifth year as the Kansas Athletic Director, helping bring home a 2008 Orange Bowl and NCAA National Championship victory.
Let’s see, you had senior guard Russell Robinson, who won the award the past two years. Or maybe senior center Sasha Kaun, who rose to occasion when the games mattered most. Or how about senior guard Jeremy Case, who dedicated the last five years of his life to Kansas basketball. Rod Stewart played through adversity off the court this season, and his injury at the Final Four inspired his teammates to victory. Or perhaps the award could go to Darnell Jackson, who’s battled through a lifetime of adversity at the age of 22.
Nope. Bill Self had a better idea.
“This will probably be the only time this will happen,” Self said last night at Kansas’ postseason awards ceremony at Allen Fieldhouse. “Our Mr. Jayhawk award goes to our five seniors.”
The team that shared the spotlight and ball all season long shared the spotlight again last night. With a crowd of more than 10,000 on hand, Kansas closed the book on a storybook season.
“I’m only 22, but this is going to be the best part of my life,” Robinson said.
The night began with words from University Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Athletics Director Lew Perkins.
“They’ve taken us all on a miracle ride,” Perkins said.
Next, the crowd was treated to a year-in-review video with special cheers reserved for the Big 12 Championship game against Texas, the Final Four victory against North Carolina and Mario Chalmers’ now historic shot against Memphis.
With a myriad of cameras flashing, Kansas’ five seniors each gave speeches.
“I love everybody in this gym,” Jackson said, fighting back tears.
Self spoke next and thanked his entire staff.
“You can’t have a higher high than we’ve had this week,” Self said.
Next, Self shared special thoughts on each player and awarded the Mr. Jayhawk award to his five seniors.
When it was all done, and “One Shining Moment” had played one last time, Chris and Liz Dodds, a Topeka couple, stood near the door to the Kansas locker room and held their infant daughters Parker and Piper, who were adorned with matching pink Kansas shirts.
“I was nine years old when they won it the last time,” Dodds said. “I wish my dad would have brought me here.” Seems a lot of Kansas fans shared the same sentiments as the Dodds. Hundreds of young children were speckled in the Allen Fieldhouse crowd, each fighting to get a glimpse of the National Champions.
“It’s part of history,” Dodds said.
— Edited by Katherine Loeck
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