It was not a good year to be a Jayhawk.

Actually, the 21st century has been a bit rocky on Mount Oread. Kansas University has handed out more walking papers in the last two years than a March of Dimes volunteer.

Last year, KU axed men’s swimming and tennis programs in cost-cutting moves, and athletic director Bob Frederick was forced out after 14 years.

Former Fresno State athletic director Al Bohl replaced Frederick last June, and Bohl has cleaned house.

Football coach Terry Allen was fired with three games left in the 2001 season. KU finished last in the Big 12 Conference North Division with a 1-7 league record and endured its sixth straight losing season.

Women’s golf coach Nicole Hollingsworth was next to go. Despite her team’s impressive 3.41 grade point average, Hollingsworth lost her job after Kansas finished last in the Big 12 for the third straight year.

KU’s baseball team also has been a cellar dweller for two straight seasons, and coach Bobby Randall resigned after his team completed its fifth straight losing campaign.

No other KU coaches appear headed for the door in the immediate future, but Jayhawk fans weren’t happy when KU’s women’s basketball team became the first in Big 12 history to go 0-16 in conference play. Coach Marian Washington’s team finished you guessed it last in the league and 5-24 overall.

What does it all mean? Well, the Jayhawks don’t have much to show for an athletic budget of more than $22.9 million.

In all-sports standings compiled by the Journal-World, Kansas ranked 11th in the Big 12 in men’s sports programs, ninth in women’s and 10th overall.

The bright spots in an otherwise dim year for KU included the Jayhawks’ 16-0 run through the league in men’s basketball. The women’s tennis team tied for third but was snubbed by the NCAA.

The women’s soccer team did qualify for its NCAA Tournament after finishing fourth in the league. This study, however, only considered how teams finished in conference play.

Bohl has said he expects every KU team to be ranked in the top 25 of their respective sports and to compete for championships. The Jayhawks were a long way from that lofty goal when the 2001-2002 school year came to a close.