University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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sports

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Chal19eS were the blllepril1tS that paved the Way for new lJeglnnin9S in KU sports this year. AI B0hl'S first year as athletic Cli- rector gave Jayhawk fans a sample of what was yet to come. The men'S basketball team played in the Final F0llr for the first time in nine years. The women's soccer team Went to the NCAA tellrnament for the first time ever. Terry Allen WaS 'fired antl new C0aCh lVlarK lVlangin0 dreamed of filling Nlemerial Stadium with a winning tratlitibn once again. Gblng lJaCK to the drawing lJ0arCl created a new blueprint for the Athletle Department, Whieh hrellght alJ0l,It great ChanQeS for .layhaWK athletes and fans alike. p0rt5 i 9

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New Athletic Director AI Bohl brought with him a new approach and fresh outlook toward KU athletics. There were many questions for the athletic department after the 2000-2001 school year. Head Football Coach Terry Allenis future was questionable after a string of losing seasons, the department was forced to make athletic cuts and Bob Fredrickson resigned as athletic director. The first answer to these numerous questions came when Chancellor Robert Hemenway named A1 Bohl to be the head of KU athletics. Bohl was by no means a new face in the field of athletics. He had several successes at the University of Toledo and Fresno State University over the past 14 years. After accepting the position with KU, Bohl became the 13th athletic director at KU. He replaced Frederick, who announced his resignation April 26, 2001 after a 14-year tenure as athletics director. Bohl also seemed to bring a new vigor to KU athletics, even a sense of energy to the football program. At his previous locations, Bohl was a major presence in the community. He was often asked to show a good face for the department. He spent the first days of his new position getting to know members of the department, the university, and the community. Bohl has been a sound fundraiser and has rebuilt football programs at his past jobs. These skills should come in handy at KU, where the football team hasnit been to a postseason bowl game since 1995 and where financial difficulties this year forced the athletics department to cut menis swimming and men's tennis. We're starting a new and exciting era for KU athletics, Hemenway said. Al Bohl was named KU's new athletic director after the 2000- 2001 school year offering a fresh outlook for KU,s newly downsized athletics. - photo by Jefffacobson athletic director