Monday, May 4, 2009
It can be found anywhere this time of year. As bitter as truck stop coffee, it follows us year-round only to grow in prominence when the air turns warm and the sun shines longer.
Regret. One of the ultimate emotions shared by us all. Students from all corners of the globe comprise the campus’ populace but we all live in the same world of “What if … ”
Athletic endeavors certainly qualify. They may even be the most prevalent among said thoughts.
When the fall fades and winter produces snow and ice, you can ball up your excuses into a nice, big snowman and return inside for cocoa and cookies. Spring and summer offer no such escape.
The shoes you tie tightly to your feet remind you of when you used to wear them to rugby practice. If only I would have stuck with it. I know I had to quit because of nightly Spanish homework, but I got a C in that damn class anyway.
Running, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in your ears, until you’re short of breath reminds you of how you felt flying up the field on a fast break for your high school lacrosse team. Quick, time to get back on defense. If only I would have worked harder. If only I would have partied less and practiced more.
In all of this lies one of life’s greatest gifts: the chance to do it all again. Though it may not appear so, it is there. Whether it’s the perspective needed when confronted with choices capable of producing regretful consequences or actually the chance to do it again.
Three years removed from last playing an organized lacrosse game, I took the field Saturday with more than a dozen fellow alums to play against the team’s current squad in the inaugural alumni game to raise money for a fallen friend.
In concert with this was the kickoff of numerous acts of defiance against time — backyard games or organized leagues to keep active — or the taking up of new sports.
A good friend called and told me of his return to the soccer field that same weekend. This paper organized its annual softball game between the news and ad desks. Perhaps you have a story or two as well.
Each time we watch a college sports broadcast on TV, we are reminded that the majority of college athletes go pro in something other than sports. Even more high school athletes don’t continue their careers at the college level.
The number of intramural and club sports on campus, coupled with our own free will to get together with friends and toss a ball of choice around signifies that we never have to let go. Besides, it lessens the chance of becoming that fat, balding, overbearing dad at little league games.
And so when the clock ran out Sunday and I was exhausted and sore, all I could think was: “I’ve got to do this more often.”
— — Edited by Jesse Trimble
Lacrosse is in the family
Tyler Cauble, KU club player, shares passion for lacrosse like his father.
Petterson: Four things to ponder Saturday
Anticipating another football blowout, one columnist remembers the things that get him ...
California leavin'
My college experience in the Golden State didn’t measure up to life ...
Gier: Get your sports knowledge ready for ...
The fan-player bond is closer with college sports teams because of the ...
Achieving two dreams
How student athletes juggle games and GPAs
Another night on the pitch
Johnny’s Tavern owner is a big part of the Kansas Jayhawk Rugby ...
Club lacrosse team aims high for the ...
Team hopes to start strong and make it to the finals this ...
Q & A with Ritch Price
Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price sat down with sports reporter Shawn Shroyer ...
Jayhawk vaults into record books
Beecher: Curtis McClinton should be recognized for ...
In wake of the release of “The Express,” Beecher looks at a ...
MacArthur to join club lacrosse team
The Florida freshman brings high statistics and experience to Kansas.
Brew: All-around athletes shouldn't be forced to ...
While entertainers such as Jason Segel and Justin Timberlake shine in multiple ...
Q & A
With Jessica Alba and Mike Myers
Club sports offer opportunities for all
Club sports make it possible for students to continue or try new ...
Alumnus creates Kenyan running program
A former KU Track and Field member looks to broaden college runner ...
Midwesterners can play this sport, too
The KU club lacrosse team began in 1982. Today the team has ...
Faith, Fellowship and Football
Stuckey leads no matter the path.
Morning Brew: Anyone can play AD
A new Facebook game, ESPNU College Town, lets users build a campus ...
Morning Brew: Revisiting America’s original pastime
Moving on from March Madness and focusing on lacrosse.
McNaughton: Holiday season prompts recap of what ...
Lots to be thankful for this season
Talk back: The 2008 Olympic Games in ...
What students say vs. what we say.
Battle of the brothers
Linebacker Justin Springer will play his twin brother in Saturday’s game against ...
From foster child to college grad
Former foster children face a difficult road in college.
More than just a cheer
Kansas cheerleaders flip, tumble and practice to be a part of the ...
How basketball came to be born
James Naismith explains how he invented the game.
Degrees of success: athletes after college
College athletes' payment is their degree. But what if they never get ...
Resurrected club shoots to ‘kill’ - with ...
The paintball club’s members thrive on the thrill of the sport that ...
Morning brew: Baseketball, a new American pastime
As the threat of lockouts clouds the upcoming sports seasons, writer Ethan ...
Timing is everything
Reasons people choose to have sex (or wait it out)
The Buc starts here
After troubled past, former Jayhawk Talib is ready to live his dream ...
No time for jersey chasers
Niche clubs offer peculiar recreation
Three KU campus clubs provide unique entertainment for students.
Defender uses family experiences on team
Estelle Johnson learned about sharing and teamwork while growing up with nine ...
For Bechard, coaching is a family affair
Volleyball coach Ray Bechard has coached through winning seasons and personal losses.
Carpenter: Kansas-Missouri rivalry will eventually continue
After both Kansas and Missouri cool off and reconsider things, they'll want ...
Hull twins play with strong bond
Maggie and Rosie Hull learned early on that they are more similar ...
Q&A with womens' club soccer
Kansan club sports writer Emily Muskin sat down with two players from ...
A staggering tragedy
Friends and family look for answers while struggling to cope with an ...
Vitale's heart bigger than his voice
The story behind Dick Vitale's career and how it was extended to ...
Jorgensen: Law, Paris among recent best
Eric Jorgensen lists some of the best athletes he has seen during ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
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
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID