Wednesday, December 3, 2008
I’m sorry, Xavier Henry, Michael Snaer, or any other player who spurned a recruiting offer from the University of Kansas men’s basketball program, but I just don’t get it.
Granted, I don’t know the whole story of any recruiting process. As much as I would like to travel with Bill Self on the recruiting trail, I never have and never will.
Henry said he wanted to play with his brother at Memphis. Snaer said he loved the coaches, players and atmosphere at Florida State. I understand family comes first and the Florida beaches are great, but this is Kansas basketball.
The two high school sensations sat side-by-side in the front row for Late Night at the Phog, yet committed to other universities. My theory is that they weren’t able to see the Kansas 2008-2009 introduction video because the seats were too low and it strained their necks to look up.
Kansas could sell prospects based on the video alone. It opens with a powerful statement: 1,947 victories. In all of NCAA D-I basketball, only Kentucky and North Carolina have a higher total. The image looming behind that statistic is even more persuasive. Behind it is Wilt Chamberlain, smiling with wide-open arms, welcoming all to Allen Fieldhouse.
Sparks flash and static shocks as Sherron Collins raises one finger to the sky signaling the Jayhawks dominance over the Missouri Valley, Big Six, Big Seven, Big Eight and Big 12 conferences — 51 conference titles.
Next, appears an instant legend, Mario Chalmers, raising his fists in celebration. Where some teams can only dream of going, Kansas is a frequent competitor in the Final Four.
An image of coach Larry Brown holding a 1988 national champion newspaper emerges onto the screen. His voice has been selling the program since the video opened. His now-famous quote echoes throughout the Phog.
“There is no better place to coach. There is no better place to go to school, and there is no better place to play.”
The music blares out and 110 years of Kansas basketball history flashes before your eyes in a matter of seconds. When it comes to rest, it lands on the man himself; James Naismith, the creator of basketball.
Photos of players from more than a century of basketball stand separated from the background. They are immortalized in time. Images telling recruits that they too could be remembered forever.
Live actions swings in and the greats are shown: Paul Pierce, Danny Manning, Drew Gooden, Scott Pollard, Raef LaFrentz and Julian Wright. The voice of Bob Davis is in the background boldly exclaiming the great moments in KU history.
The crowd goes wild as images of Kansas’ national championships flash one after another. The 22-year-old legend, Mario Chalmers, hits the game-saving shot against Memphis, and soon after, Davis proclaims, “KU: National Champions!” Words and images seal the deal, letting everyone know how unique Kansas is.
The Glory — Kansas cuts down the nets. The Power — a high-flying dunk. The History — a basketball falls into a wooden bucket. The Legends — Manning shakes his fists. The Titles — last year’s team holds Kansas’ most recent trophy.
Images flash lightning-fast across the screen once more before the video rests on a Kansas flag with one word written boldly across it.
The word was the major selling point all along — The Tradition.
— — Edited by Brieun Scott
Fixing image starts with respect
Having class is as much a tradition in Kansas basketball as playing ...
Late Night in the Phog returns
The Kansas tradition continues this Friday, attracting recruits and spectators to Allen ...
Morning Brew: Memories that won’t move on
A look back at favorite sports moments from four years at the ...
Looking back on 110 years of KU ...
We're celebrating 110 years of Kansas Jayhawk basketball. Check out this index ...
Brew: Legends game reminds fans of KU ...
The Legends of the Phog gave fans a reason to celebrate the ...
Vernon: Legends of the Phog is a ...
Big names from the past combine to make the upcoming game a ...
'A Long Story,' but told so well
Announcer Max Falkenstien was courtstidefor 60 of Kansas basketball's 110 years.
Favorite moments in Jayhawk basketball
Students share their favorite times in the long history of Kansas hoops.
Collins' civil suit charges dismissed
No. 24 recruit chooses Jayhawks
Perry Ellis has selected Kansas over Kansas State, Kentucky and Wichita State.
Dwyer: Football revenue trumps basketball tradition
Basketball may be king at Kansas, but football is king in realignment.
Nothing like Kansas basketball
Unique traditions add to the experience of watching a Kansas basketball game ...
Rothman: Simien's "23" retired
Wayne Simien visited Allen Fieldhouse to remember his time at Kansas
Legends game ends in cinematic fashion
Mario Chalmers and Paul Pierce hit late three-point shots to end the ...
Garlington, Reed shine as athletes, scholars
Karnia Garlington and Tyrel Reed earned the Senior Scholar Athletes of the ...
Legends game helps charity, recruiting
The Legends of the Phog alumni game invited former players to Allen ...
Wiebe: Allen Fieldhouse still the best
Hinrich, team, fans still feel the electricity of the building.
Paying tribute to James Naismith, the man ...
It wasn’t long before he ended up in the Midwest, where James ...
Wheeler: Kansas seniors’ time is short
Bill Self’s first group of personally-recruited seniors is nearing the end of ...
Woolridge signs letter of intent for men's ...
Ranked 117th by Rivals.com and 94 by ESPNU, Royce Woolridge joins the ...
Women’s basketball has eye on the prize
Coach Henrickson and players are optimistic team can make it far into ...
Robinett: Don’t blow off Baylor
Usually the butt of Big 12 jokes, Baylor men’s basketball is experiencing ...
The Gill effect?
Gill's new rules for players haven't yielded results and may scare off ...
Fans get first glance at basketball team
Allen Fieldhouse played host to 25th Late Night with the Phog with ...
Kansas, Memphis compete again, this time for ...
2008 national championship game opponents are squaring off for prized high school ...
A strong foundation: Campus architect builds legacy
After a 63-year career, Warren Corman, University Architect, will retire on Thursday.
Gill wins recruits the right way
The head coach's genuine character is the perfect complement to his plan ...
The past and present of 'The Phog'
Constructing Jayhawk history and tradition since 1955.
The Men on the Sidelines
In 110 years of basketball, Kansas has only have eight coaches. Here ...
Wheeler: Self knows how to win
Fans, players and coach Bill Self all have high expectations for the ...
Relays bring buzz, bragging rights to KU
Profiling the legends: Rush and Chalmers
Brandon Rush and Mario return to Allen Fieldhouse next weekend for Legends ...
Legends Wayne Simien and Darnell Valentine return
Two Hall of Fame Jayhawk basketball players will return to play at ...
Late Night offers a first glance
Traditions amuse fans, attract potential players for Kansas basketball.
Thibodeaux: Gill expects success on and off ...
Gill hopes to strengthen program based on character and passion with new ...
Freshman pumped for basketball season
The Burlington freshman prepared to be a Jayhawk even as a youth ...
Basketball notebook: October 2, 2007
These are the notes for basketball on October 2, 2007.
Recent progress helps football recruiting
Recruiting Coordinator Reggie Mitchell signed 18 new players for next season.
Lysen: Players like T-Rob make us thankful
Robinson's trials and tribulations make him uniquely a member of the Kansas ...
Matson: Champions Classic a November Final Four
We may have lost, but this emerging tradition could benefit top basketball ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID