Bill Mayer

Mayer: KU’s Self earns his paycheck
July 4, 2008
Bill Self’s new contract as head of the Kansas basketball program will probably pay him around $3 million annually along with innumerable perks, bonuses and such. If Bill’s not already set for life, he will be soon. Some might assay that amalgamation of loot and think they’d love such a deal. Few could handle it. Even if you think Self is overcompensated, consider what he has to do to fill in the squares to create those enormous paychecks.
Mayer: Draft spot just the beginning
June 28, 2008
Most Kansas University basketball fans were looking forward to this weekend as a time to reflect fondly on how well things went for Jayhawks in the NBA Draft. Instead, many of us are puzzled, perplexed and downright angry about some nitwit developments which indicate why the NBA has trouble sustaining meaningful loyalties.
Mayer: Pierce new great Celtic
June 20, 2008
Paul Pierce was openly unhappy when he was picked “only” 10th in the 1999 NBA draft. He had misgivings as he entered this, his 10th, season with basketball’s Boston Celtics. Chances are today he’s eminently satisfied with that pair of 10s even though once he was hoping to be traded to a “contender.”
Mayer: Scandals not new to sports
June 13, 2008
Purists prefer to consider the field of athletics a breeding ground for sportsmanship, fair play and good relationships among respectful competitors. That happens sometimes, though never enough. The sad fact is that sports always have been riddled with disgraceful behavior.
Mayer: Jayhawks represent state well
June 6, 2008
Missouri and Kansas State zealots will cringe at this, but how could people with any Kansas connections not be beaming with pride over the way coach Bill Self and his Kansas Jayhawks projected the “sunflower” image in their recent trip to Washington and the White House?
Mayer: LHS, Omaha and back
May 30, 2008
The sports realm has a fabulous way of assembling people for a common goal, dispersing them like those whirlygigs that spin off in a zillion directions in a July 4 aerial display, then somehow re-assembling some of them in a single spot, in this case, Lawrence. Often, totally by happenstance.
Mayer: Arthur’s KU days history
May 23, 2008
Not long ago there seemed to be about an 80 percent chance that Kansas basketball star Darrell Arthur would enter the June 26 NBA Draft. After that alleged grade-changing to keep him eligible in high school, a move that could have factored in his collegiate career, up that to 110 percent.
Mayer: Jayhawks, be like Ostertag
May 16, 2008
I’ve never pulled harder for Kansas senior basketball players to reach the big-bucks level of the NBA than I’m rooting for Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson and Russell Robinson. They’ve contributed greatly and reflected high credit on KU. I’d like to see patient pro teams sign them, refine their skills and give them a full chance.
Mayer: Self’s contract complex
May 9, 2008
Simple, huh? A guy runs a stellar basketball program, wins two more league championships and the national title and deserves a new contract to keep Oklahoma State wolves at bay. Write it up, boost the pay and benefits to match other headline coaches’ goodies, throw in nifty bonuses and incentives and get it signed. It’s not that easy.
Mayer: No one better than Gale
May 2, 2008
Back when Jack Steadman was administering the Kansas City Chiefs football program considerably better than Carl Peterson does today, K.C. made what could have been its best draft selection of all time. K.C.’s draft choices over the years have ranged from outstanding to annus horribilus, but the No. 1 pick in 1965 could have been the best.
Mayer: Big 12 QB-rich this year
April 25, 2008
A couple of injuries could change the picture, but right now the Big 12 enjoys a virtual embarrassment of riches in football quarterbacking. Our league, from the Big Seven era on, never has showcased such an array of potential game-changers.
Mayer: Jayhawks of 1966 good, too
April 18, 2008
When Danny Manning labels this 2008 Kansas University basketball team the best in the school’s illustrious history, you gotta listen. No disagreement, though I’ll submit one mild caveat.
Mayer: Ghosts of ‘57 banished
April 12, 2008
It took 51 years, but a group of pained Kansas basketball associates from a 1957 heartbreak now enjoys some solace — and now we can lift a toast to the departed, thanks to these 2008 national champions.
Mayer: Focus on game, not Roy
April 4, 2008
Whenever people are engaged in an intensely competitive situation, they get added incentive to succeed if they have the convenience of a villain. Without a scapegoat, they may create one, ridiculous though the fabrication may be.
Mayer: KU coach Self due — but not overdue — to win it all
March 28, 2008
If Bill Self doesn’t win a national title in his fifth year on the job here, as Larry Brown did in 1988, don’t consider him an underachiever. Lots of college basketball’s greatest coaches have had much longer waits, including three illustrious tutors with Kansas roots.

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