We were pretty hard on then-Rep. Todd Novascone, R-Wichita, for introducing legislation in 2004 that would have forced the University of Kansas and Wichita State University men’s basketball teams to play each other for the first time since 1993. (One spoof headline from the time: “NEW NOVASCONE BILL REQUIRES WSU TO RESTART FOOTBALL PROGRAM, PLAY K-STATE; But to Even Things, Wildcats Can’t Wear Pads or Helmets.) It still seems like an issue way out of the Legislature’s purview. But one thing about the bill now seems prescient: It would have applied to the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, when WSU returned to the Sweet Sixteen and surpassed KU (temporarily) in rankings, respectively.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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17 Comments
I hope a Wichita legislator continues the legacy of giving KU grief.
It is not about getting the bill passed it is about making KU people talk about it — they hate sharing any recognition.
Don’t these clowns have anything better to do than concern themselves with negro ballgames?
V.L.R.B!!
I doubt WSU wants to play KU right now.
KU is THE home of basketball.
Lawrence is to basketballwhat Mecca is to Islam.
Deal with it.HA!
Novascone?
Isn’t that an illegal steroid?
Maybe it’s one of those stiff pecker pills, I don’t recall?
A comment on unintended consequences of legislated games.
As most who regularly watch college basketball know, the TV networks often set up a “national” game late in the summer/early fall. So, imagine ESPN comes to WSU and offers a game against, say, Duke; the problem is that the proffered date is that of the legislatively mandated game against KU, e.g., the scheduling of which has been difficult due to the other commitments of both teams. WSU wants the national game, for the money, recruiting, etc.; calls KU, which is sympathetic, but has its own scheduling issues if the WSU game is rescheduled. ESPN is not patient, needs an answer; so, the legislatively mandated game goes as scheduled, regionally, at best, televised; and someone else plays Duke on national TV, reaping the benefits.
This is one reason why legislatively mandated games are not a good idea.
Well full disclosure first.
I don’t give a fig about basketball, college athletics, KU, or WSU.
That said, I should think our lawmakers would have more important things to address than this.
JR, that’s another reason.
TRACY – and remember that Rutgers is that to football!
Vaughn, Vaughn, Vaughn, get with the game. No one ever said they are trying to get this bill actually passed. How many times has Bill Self been asked the question about this piece of legislation instead of the up coming game? It’s diversionary, they hate it. Why are they willing to schedule Washburn but not Wichita State? Fear, simply fear.
Washburn, Emporia State, Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State; all scheduled, two a year, as EXHIBITIONS. Seems to me WSU scheduled one of the in-state DII programs for an exhibition this year, too. Keep the guarantee $$ in state, and all that.
Regular season? Don’t think Washburn, et al show up there; I understand the frustration of the WSU nation. Win the games, consistently, year after year; scheduling takes care of itself.
Doesn’t our legislature have some real problems that need work? Issues such as who plays what against whom are ways to avoid confronting the real issues.Of course, given legislator’s track record on designing workable laws dealing with the hot-potato issues, maybe they do need to stick to basketball, and suffer the wrath of rabid sports fans for a while.
>>…I should think our lawmakers would have more important things to address than this.<<
THANK YOU, JR!
Rutgers can have football.We’ll keep basketball.Go Pitt State!
And how about that Barry Bonds?What a hero and role model.Just ask him.
HOW BOUT THEM KANSAS CITY CHIEFS MAKING THE PLAYOFFS…AND NO IT WASNT LUCK. LIKE HERM SAID…WE WON, THEY DIDNT!
Tracy,
I was a Pitt State student at one time, only it was KSC of Pittsburg back then.
Pit Parties!!!!!