Members of the Kansas University athletic department crossed the country in search of inspiration for the soon-to-be completed Anderson Family Football Complex.

And after touring the facilities of some of the nation’s most storied programs – Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma, to name a few – they’re confident that the Jayhawks’ $31 million complex will rest among the country’s elite.

On Thursday afternoon, during a tour of the building for members of the media, KU officials gladly showed off the fruits of the university’s 14-month labor – the highlight of which came in the form of a video room that will likely transform how coaches are able to approach game-planning.

According to KU associate athletic director Chris Howard, the team’s new video capabilities will allow instantaneous transmission of practice footage to a video room located within the complex. There, members of the team’s tech staff will be able to edit and burn copies of the material immediately, in some cases having it ready for coaches and players before they’ve returned from practice.

“You’re talking about hours now, instead of days,” said Howard, who was acquainted with similar technology while a member of the athletic staff at Louisiana State University. “With this kind of technology, it’s to the point where coaches can have DVDs to watch on their laptops on the plane ride home after (away) games.”

There were other facility luxuries on display Thursday, of course: a recruiting room with a balcony overlooking Kivisto Field, a state-of-the-art medical wing, a total of 58 flat-paneled TVs, each with an integrated messaging system.

And while each will likely make life exponentially easier for coaches when they move in July 10, no feature seemed to outdo the upgrade in video technology.

“Everything we have right now,” assured Howard, “is the latest and the greatest.”

¢ Tommy Mangino to join father’s staff: Kansas University hasn’t yet announced the hiring of Tommy Mangino as a member of his father’s coaching staff, but it became evident during Thursday’s tour that the younger Mangino will be a part of the Jayhawks’ football program in 2008.

An office in the Anderson Family Football Complex is currently issued to Tommy Mangino, who will serve as a graduate assistant to father Mark.

The younger Mangino is a former Lawrence High quarterback and recent graduate of Washburn University in Topeka, where he played baseball for the Ichabods and graduated last spring with a Bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Tommy Mangino will marry Danielle Huff on July 12 at Corpus Christi Church in Lawrence.

¢ Coaches say ‘No way’ to Wii: The players lounge at the Anderson Family Football Complex is anointed with the kind of niceties you might expect from a major college football facility – big-screen televisions, a spacious kitchen area and a variety of alluring leather couches.

When the room is complete, it will also feature a number of video game consoles – although one system will be noticeably absent.

“No Wiis,” said Howard of the ultra-popular Nintendo console that lends itself to physical interaction. “We don’t want them getting injured.”

¢ Medical marvel: In the case of a non-Wii related injury – for instance, one sustained during Saturday afternoon competition – the complex houses an advanced medical system with the ability to quickly diagnose various ailments.

The use of digital technology allows Kansas’ medical staff to send X-rays to doctors or specialists throughout the country with the click of a mouse, making it possible to receive a diagnosis within minutes.

“Say a player from Baylor gets injured during a game,” Howard said.

“We can send an X-ray and information back to their home physicians instantly.”