Thor Nystrom

To hell and back

A fight outside Naismith Hall began Thor Nystrom's year-long journey into the depths of the mental health system.

Nystrom: Leaving early could have cost millions

Thor Nystrom shares his thoughts with the University.

Nystrom: Repeat of ‘07 football success unlikely

Schedule features worthy adversaries

A 10-2 record with ‘08 schedule should garner Mark Mangino sainthood

Nystrom: Women’s basketball team needs more support

KU Students are minority in the stands

The women’s team is competing in the WNIT, but the lack of fans at Allen Fieldhouse is depressing.

The road to becoming a true Jayhawk

Five years of memories, adventures, allow for new appreciation

Nystrom creates his own (hypothetical) Senior Night speech in which he reflects on his time as a die-hard Jayhawk fan.

NBA Jayhawks prove disappointing for Nystrom

Former players aren’t stepping up in pro play

Thor Nystrom explains how former Jayhawk basketball players, like Wayne Simien and Julian Wright, are failing to show promise in the NBA.

Nystrom: Have faith in Mangino

Jayhawks’ recruiting class ranking will not necessarily reflect team’s potential.

Mangino has proven that he is a good recruiter and an even better player developer.

Nystrom: The guarantee of a Wildcat

K State makes promises, promises

Wildcat’s head coach supports his player’s guarantee to beat the Jayhawks, but can they live up to it?

Looking at both sides of the scalp

University cuts down on ticket scalping, critics complain about restrictions

The Athletics Department has begun to take legal action against ticket scalpers for KU events. Critics say the Department itself scalps tickets at auctions.

Nystrom: Judging a coach by his cover

Columnist Thor Nystrom discusses the stigma of coaches, such as Mark Mangino, whose looks are affecting their coaching offers.

Mark Mangino has done wonders for KU’s football team, but offers from other colleges are slim in number. Nystrom tells his theory on how bigger coaches are getting smaller offers.

Orange Bowl bound

Kansas jumps No. 6 Mizzou for a BCS bowl

This is the Jayhawks third Orange Bowl appearance and first BCS bowl game

Kansas fans, starting cheering for MU

Mizzou victory might improve Kansas’ bowl standings

If Missouri beats Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship this weekend, Kansas will likely receive a higher-ranked bowl game.

University helps improve video game

Game contains scenes based on Allen Fieldhouse environment

The EA Sports March Madness 2008 game gives players the ability to change the ratings of athletes such as Darrell Arthur and Sherron Collins, who received scores of 77 out of 100.

Arrowhead ticket resale prices soar

Tickets listed on Web sites as high as $250

The Border Showdown between Kansas and Missouri has received a lot of attention. Tickets for the game are being offered on various Web sites, with prices climbing as high as $250.

Fans line up for tickets to Border Showdown

Marchiony says students with sports passes are guaraunteed seats

Students missed class and bribed campers to get tickets for the Kansas-Missouri game on Nov. 24 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Jayhawks undefeated covering the spread

Oddsmakers not rewarding football success with big spreads against opponents

The KU football team has impressed the nation with its 10-0 start, but some are taking notice of another record. The team has covered the spread of every game, a feat never accomplished in either the college football or the NFL.

Media hype creates lofty expectations

Fans and sports pundits alike peg men’s basketball team for big things

The Jayhawks are expected to win the Big 12 and keep playing late in March. Team members are not oblivious to the hype surrounding their talented team.

Winning T-shirt slogans revealed

Two sophomores win contest and receive free tickets, limo ride, cash prize

The contest to create new slogans to replace the “Muck Fizzou” shirt and to design a general gameday shirt has ended. 1,000 shirts will be distributed for free during ticket pickup this week.

Staff, faculty receive tickets on cards

University employees now swipe in to basketball games

Students aren’t the only KU basketball fans who have their tickets on their cards now. The University placed faculty and staff tickets on access cards to prevent ticket scalping.

Turnaround: Suffering rivals getting green-eyed

Nebraska student says fans would prefer to be in Kansas’ shoes

The success of Kansas football has schools such as Texas A&M and even Nebraska feeling a little jealous. The two schools find themselves freefalling as the Jayhawks and coach Mark Mangino skyrocket.

Alumni, advisory board urge game day ‘blue out’

Jayhawk nation, Memorial Stadium to surprise traveling Nebraska fans with unified blue colors

Nebraska fans travel in packs and always show up wearing red. Jennifer Alderice, homecoming adviser, and alumni ask those Jayhawk fans attending the game to wear blue, in an effort to unify the Jayhawk nation.

Volleyball team hits the floor for a cause

Jayhawks ‘Dig for the Cure’ Saturday against Oklahoma

Last year the team raised $2,700. The national goal for this year is $200,000.

Alumnus moves into the big leagues

2007 graduate experiences professional career as assistant beat reporter

After graduating from the University in May, C.J. Moore received the opportunity to work for the Colorado Rockies as an assistant beat reporter. However, after the Rockies’ success this season, Moore realized the importance of his current situation.

University to replace ‘Muck Fizzou’ slogan

T-shirt contest allows students to determine alternate phrase, new gameday shirt

Last year, ESPN announced that it would not show KU students wearing “Muck Fizzou” shirts on television. Through a T-shirt contest at kansan.com, students can pick a replacement slogan that they will still be proud to flaunt on their T-shirts at future KU-MU games.

Jayhawk fans a bunch of followers

Football supporters take to the road to encourage their winning team

The basketball team is not the only KU team drawing fans to road games. The football team’s winning year has draw more and more supporter to road games.

2008 nonconference schedule takes shape

Athletics department brings higher profile competition to a higher profile team

The 2008 Jayhawk schedule will feature competition more inline with the success the team is experiencing this year. KU will play Florida International, Louisiana Tech, South Florida and Sam Houston State.

Businesses protest Kansas-Missouri game

Owners give patrons discounts for showing unused tickets

Owners of the Red Lyon Tavern are encouraging people to stay home during the Nov. 24 Kansas-Missouri game. If people come to the tavern on that day with an unused ticket, they will get discounts on food and merchandise.

Jayhawks ensure spot in bowl game

Weekend victory could put Kansas in rare New Year’s Day match-up

Last season, after finishing 6-6, the Kansas football team was not selected for a bowl game. Because of their victory against Colorado on Saturday, the Jayhawks have a definite spot in the postseason and could play in their most respected bowl game since 1969.

Jayhawk fans break attendance record

First four nonconference games attract average of 45,200 fans

The Jayhawks success in their early nonconference games has caused a spike in attendance. However, some fans are still leaving at halftime.

College football

Kansas State reports own rules violations to NCAA

“Late Night” streaming live on Internet

Selections from the men’s and women’s basketball opening night will be aired on Metro Sports

For the first time, basketball fans can see “Late Night in the Phog” from the comfort of their own homes.

Vulgar kickoff chant draws criticism

Families, Athletics Dept. take issue with student section cheer

‘Muck Fizzou’ is on its way out, and the Athletics Department thinks ‘Rip his f--cking head off’ should be the next to go.

Sunflower Showdown goes national

The Hawks and Wildcats game featured on national television

Kansas has a 7-33 record in the last 40 televised games.

Jayhawk plays center in new movie

Former Kansas football player Owen featured in “The Game Plan”

Marcus Owen, former Kansas offensive lineman, plays in front of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the new film “The Game Plan.” Owen played for Kansas from 1997-2000 and plays in the Arena Football League.

Wins justify soft nonconference schedule

With just two wins needed for a bowl, Kansas silences critical fans

Though Kansas’ four opponents have a combined record of only 4-15, the athletics department is standing by the light schedule because the Jayhawks are already close to the six wins needed for bowl eligibility.

Oklahoma State coach’s rant targets KU graduate

Jenni Carlon receives tongue-lashing from Gundy at press conference Saturday

Carlson, a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalist and columnist for The Oklahoman, was the target of Gundy’s angry comments about her negative depiction of OSU quarterback Bobby Reid in an article.

Alumni group bashes new font

Former students launch Web site, T-shirts protesting use of Trajan on sports uniforms

This summer the KU Athletics Department decided to adopt the official KU font Trajan for use on its uniforms. Two former KU students and fans of the previous font created a Web site to express their opinions on the change: trajansucks.com.

Two games for the price of one

FIU plays University twice for half price after backing out of game last season

Florida International University was scheduled to play the University last season, but canceled the game to play the University of Miami instead. In exchange, FIU agreed to play the University in 2007 and 2008 for $250,000 a game. The going rate for a one-game FBS guarantee is usually $500,000 or more.

Hard season needed to subsidize programs

Sun Belt teams often face more difficult opponents who desire easier victories

The number of teams willing to play guarantee games is fewer than the demand requires, which increases the price of a guarantee team

Award recognizes female leadership

Group honors Kansas Athletics for women’s advancement

The Athletics Department received the Corporate Champion of Women’s Leadership Award Friday from The Central Exchange, a Kansas City organization devoted to women’s leadership and development.

Mangino’s sideline rant goes public

TV station posts online clip of coach yelling at receiver in season

At the end of his 77-yard punt return touchdown against Central Michigan, Kansas’ sophomore wide receiver Raimond Pendleton dove into the end zone and drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a tongue-lashing from coach Mark Mangino. Topeka’s WIBW-TV aired Mangino’s yelling on YouTube, forcing the Athletics Department to re-evaluate its sideline videotaping policies.

Auburn student starts college sports poll

FansPoll.com offers alternative to AP and Coaches’ polls

College sports fans have the opportunity to pick a national champion through a new site designed by an Auburn student, which recognizes college teams through the fans’ eyes.

Chabad Jewish Center to host Jewish new year celebration

Rosh Hashana began Wednesday at sundown, will end Friday

Jewish students began gathering last night in the Burge Union to celebrate the coming of a new year. Services will continue at 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday and the Burge.

Football lines up FCS teams to ensure wins

Weaker opponents increase bowl opportunity but don’t provide national attention

The Athletics Department will continue to schedule FCS opponents for nonconference games. Some fans would prefer to see more high profile games in the KU schedule.

Rock Chalk Rewards advocates sport attendance

Point system gives incentive to go to events

Students who show up at sports events other than football and men’s basketball this year will have the opportunity to earn points through Rock Chalk Rewards. The program was designed to boost attendance at these events.

Contest could bring free DMB concert to campus

Division I schools across country compete to win AT&T’s “World’s Largest Pep Rally”

AT&T will choose a winner based on the number of votes submitted either online or via wireless phone. If KU wins, the Dave Matthews Band will perform at a pep rally for the Nov. 17 game against Iowa State.

Game day goes smoothly despite construction

Some fans upset about parking inconvenience

The Athletics Department said navigating construction was not a problem for most fans at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Some fans were unhappy that they couldn’t tailgate in their usual parking spots.

Fans face game day construction

Athletics department tries to help crowd navigate stadium changes

Changes to parking and tailgating will affect pregame activities before Saturday’s season opener, but the University is hoping to prevent complications by helping the fans adjust in advance.

Battle over unlicensed T-shirts proceeds

Athletics Department, Joe-College.com schedule meeting for next month

The University sited trademark infringement against a local T-Shirt vendor in a early-March lawsuit. A mediation has been scheduled for Sept. 28.

NBA referee scandal affects Big 12

Conference introduces background checks for officials to deter impropriety

Officials’ performance is already evaluated on every single play. New security measures will help prevent a gambling scandal from ocurring in the conference.

Stories by Thor