Monday, March 9, 2009
Max Falkenstein couldn’t have said it any better. The legendary Jayhawk broadcaster stood near center court after Kansas’ victory over Texas on Saturday and turned his attention to this year’s two seniors.
“Every once in a while these guys get in a game,” Falkenstein said. “And it’s so much fun to watch the other guys on the bench when they do.”
Of course, after 60 years of broadcasting Kansas basketball, Falkenstein sees things that many don’t with the program. But this was something everyone could see. Matt Kleinmann and Brennan Bechard, two invited walk-ons who make up the Kansas class of 2009, will never be remembered for what they brought to the Kansas program on the court.
“I tried to get Max to roll off some of Sherron’s accolades or stats as mine,” Bechard joked. “I guess he wouldn’t do that.”
Instead, Kleinmann and Bechard will be remembered for the unbridled joy they brought to the game of basketball. For Kleinmann, it was the ear-to-ear grin that creased his face whenever his number was called. As the announcer called his name for one last time — this time as a starter, that grin was seen again.
It was fitting, though, that he was the second senior introduced in the starting lineup on Saturday. Bechard never did stay on the bench too long. At every break, every timeout, Bechard would be the first one up. He’d be at mid-court with high fives and words of encouragement before anyone else on the bench had considered standing.
And that epitomizes the type of players Kleinmann and Bechard were. They both knew they weren’t going to be stars in crimson and blue, but that never stopped them from doing everything right.
“Coaches have favorites in their mind sometimes,” coach Bill Self said. “But sometimes your favorites are the ones that do everything they’re supposed to do, that are great ambassadors for your program, conduct themselves right. These guys are two of my favorites. I’ll be real honest, they’re two of my favorites.”
Self said the two seniors had enhanced everyone’s experience at Kansas by being part of the program. He may not have meant the fans as well, but it certainly would have been accurate if he had.
“I have been blessed to be a part of your family, to be part of everything you guys root for and cheer for,” Kleinmann said as he addressed the fans. “I’m humbled and I’m honored and I’m privileged. I love every single one of you, because you guys have made this experience amazing. Thank you so much, and I will forever be a Jayhawk because of you.”
— — Edited by Jesse Trimble
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