The lazy days of summer 2007 have come and gone as we put our noses back into the books for another year. Professors foam at the mouth like rabid dogs … okay, maybe that analogy is a bit extreme, but the message isn't that hard to see, is it?
Afternoons spent at Royals and T-Bones baseball games, long floats down the Niantic river, and breezy evenings at the Starlight Theatre are all coming to a screeching halt as the fall semester begins. Students should beware of narcissistic instructors bent on the total annihilation of social lives as … there I go again.
Since we all have to be here anyway, this writer hopes to give the student body a little more to chew on around campus than merely Dr. Sheppard's take on Philosophy or Professor Holsinger's (take your pick) view of the criminal mind during the upcoming year.
Hopefully this column will offer a bit more of the flavor of UMKC athletics than has been offered in the past. No apologies will be offered beyond this date for any views that I may carry, however anyone with an opposing view is always welcome to respond.
This will be a watering hole for ideas and opinions as well as information, both mine and yours. So let's start off with a little scoop shall we?
Technology rocks
The new UMKC Athletics website should be online no later than Sept. 15. Sports Information Director James Allen explained that though the website can be reached on Sept. 1 as previously scheduled, the site will not be fully operational until a two-week testing period has been completed.
The site will be highly interactive and will offer Kangaroo fans ample amounts of information as well as streaming video. It will also offer the ability to view most home and away men's and women's basketball games, though in some instances a small fee may be required.
The site will be powered by XOS Technologies, a leader in online web applications. Athletics Director Tim Hall is excited about the possibilities that XOS will provide to both the athletic department and its students/fans.
"(XOS) can provide so much more for the cost in terms of technology," Hall said. "This can be seen not only in terms of their ability to sell it, but also in the success they have shown in maintaining a solid back room support."
Hall also mentioned an increased media presence with Metro Sports in conjunction with the technology upgrades. Look forward to bi-weekly UMKC athletic programs as well as coaches shows for the men's and women's basketball teams.
Dress to impress
Rumors have run rampant throughout the summer about a more stringent dress code being imposed by the athletic department. When asked about the matter, Hall said there were no changes of any regard.
"I don't believe it is as big of an issue as some people have made it out to be," Hall said. "Coach [Matt] Brown, when he said what he said … was talking about being responsible young adults. We want our athletes to be respectful of the classroom just as they are expected to be respectful on the court. The choices a student makes right now may or may not reflect on that person in the future."
The Athletics Director further stated that there was absolutely no intent by the coach or anyone else to impede student athletes' individuality, but to enhance team and campus unity.
Everything's in a name
Hall said the athletic department has hired a fundraising specialist to begin bolstering both the athletic department facilities and to increase scholarship revenues needed to field top tier programs. The new staff member instantly becomes the second sports-related individual to carry the surname Stroud. Steve, no relation, comes from stints at the University of Memphis where he teamed up with Head Basketball Coach John Calipari to re-energize the Tiger Club, and at the University of Miami prior to that.
Comings and goings
In response to other grumblings around town about the departures of men's basketball player Dominique Johnson, and women's basketball players Toby Beers and Brittany Graham, Hall wanted to make one thing clear: no one was run out of the program.
"As coaching positions have become permanent, we told athletes we're going to honor all scholarships as long as athletes were doing the things necessary to continue," Hall said. "If athletes are not happy with the roles they will play as change in coaching philosophy occurs it becomes their decision on how to proceed. The scholarships however continue if all rules with regard to class attendance and participation continue to be followed, regardless of that person's role."
Field of future roo dreams
Wrapping up, Hall offered a brief glimpse into the vision he and the Chancellor have begun to foster for the future of the university athletic department. First up was talk of negotiations with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation department about a possible land lease agreement that would allow UMKC to build baseball, track and softball facilities in Swope Park across from the Kansas City Wizards soccer facilities.
Yet another idea being bounced around included development of a new soccer field that would be utilized not only by university soccer teams, but also by the intramural program. It would be built against the hill where the university track is currently housed.
Finally, it was noted by the Athletics Director that the new locker room facilities built for the men's and women's basketball teams and the volleyball team inside Swinney Recreation Center should be completed sometime during September. He also stated donations to pay for the facilities were well on their way toward completion and would easily cover all costs incurred before the originally targeted June 30, 2008 deadline.
dstroud@unews.com
