It looks like we've got the corner turned now.  2000 could be a special year in basketball history at KWU.  Two All-KCAC players are back (Trent Ainsworth, 6'8" and Blake Turner, 5'10").  Turner broke nearly all the three point records last season.  We've got an excellent little spon-up shooter from little Cuba, Kansas (Nate Lesovsky).  The record of 19-13 was the best since the championship team of '86 went 19-7. 

 

News from the Jones Boys:

 

  Great to hear that Ray Kujawa was named hed basketball coach at Manhattan High School, KS.  He's been there as an assistant since graduation.  Ray's now a darn good golfer, too.  Molly and Ray have two children.

 

  Brad Bingesser is coaching at Highland, KS HS while completing his masters at Washburn.  Brad is like Dick Clark.  He doesn't look a day older.

 

  David Frederick was in Salina with Lori, Hosh, and Thomas.  Dave is still selling packaging although not on the road as much.  He's coaching 7th grade basketball at a private school in Milwaukee.

 

  Carl Ellis called for the numbers of Ed Spears and Barney Gray.  No address for Carl, but here is his latest number (214-754-8060).

 

  Laurindo Crockett married Jania, January 16 in St. Louis.  Crock is as thin as a marathon runner and Jania is a fox.

 

Easy E - Eric Smith announces a name change to "Three Please."  Sorry E, only rappers can pick their own names.  Mary has been a part of his life for eight years (Imagine!) and were engaged Christmas 1998.  Wedding was May 22 and first-born Steven Amir has those "Easy" eyes.

 

  Chris Hutzler and Jane have two children - Blake and Christian.  Still a math activist, Chris title is Pension Plan Consultant (actuary).  Now a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, Chris is still studying to move on up.  B-ball and golf, and family fill a schedule.

 

  Jeff Russell and Lori live in Sabetha, KS, with children, Lucey and Tyler.  Jeff retired from basketball in '96 after breaking his knee in a town team game.  Now he is coaching softball, baseball, and soccer.  Playing golf is in the mix when not working for Wenger Manufacturing.

 

  Todd Q. Clark was Tiller in Duncanville, TX, and Tiller's daughter, Adrea, was plalying.  Todd says Tiller was so intense once the game started.  Todd couldn't get his attention.  "Just like old times - it was great!"  Todd is assistant coach at Cowley County now and CCCC was nationally ranked this year.  Candy is Todd's life now.

 

  "T" Phox switched from Blue Cross to Federated Insurance, still in sales.  He's coaching high school basketball at Wichita Collegiate, and has been ordained a deacon.  Kim and T have two children, Kamri and Marcus.

 

  Brian Mitchell remains a YMCA CEO.  He got ahold of Crockett and Gibson, and thins Crock would still like for Coach Tiller to run a few sprints to make up for all that Big Al had Crockett run.  Mitch sponsors the Memorial Plaque for former KWU Coach Gene Johnson, who coached Wichita State, KWU, and the 1936 U. S. Olympic Basketball Champions.  Tjhe award goes to the non-starter who contributes the most to the team.  Brian and Crystal have a real family, Jordan, Alexi and Christian - so far.

 

  Roy Lawrence and Mitch met in St. Louis under the arch this year.  Roy has never left Salina, and never yet married either.  He still coaches and teaches at St. John's Military Academy.  Coach Kopmeyer and Roy get together about once a year.

 

  Coach Mike Kopmeyer married one of the most wonderful women in Aerica.  She lets him remain obsessive over golf and exercise in spite of his knee replacements.  Cheri and Mike have a wonderful home in Topeka.  Mike still tells exaggerated stories about KWU.

 

  Scott Polzin and Alicia live in California.  Alicia has been on the road a lot playing professional volleyball in Greece, Italy, and Slovenia.  Scott's kneww gave out (probably the old floor at KWU), and surgery was the answer.

 

  Howard Alexander may be moving closer to Kansas after managing a Care Home in Milwaukee the last four years.  He stays in constant touch with Jeff Wells, but would like to hear from you.

 

  Dane Pavlovich finished up at KSU and coached at Manhattan Christian School.  He's moving into college coaching and wife is planning to attend seminary.

 

  Jason Gentz is staying in Herington, KS, for now.  Working, softball, and basketball remain priorities.  Whenever Jason picks up the ball, he remains "The Great One."

 

  Brandon Weidenhaft is winding up vet school at K-State, and is engaged to Julie.

 

  Michael Bell was women's student assistant coach with Emporia State this season as the Lady Hornets were nationally ranked.

 

  Fred Goodnight is on the trail of student loan defaults.  He's working out of Indianapolis and reminds us, we don't want to hear from him - uninvited.

 

  Jeremy Montgomery graduated and took a job in Abilene.  He's looking awfully serious about Miss Ochoa.  Monty was the first ever to win the "Gene Johnson" award.

 

  Jeff Wells has built a new insurance office building in Salina.  He still plays NBA (Noonhour Basketball Assn.) every day.  With the retirement of Warren Bevan, Jeff's the man in Salina for American Family Ins. now.

 

  The twins have joined the rappers - Dwayne and Dwight Coleman are moving to California as security men for traveling rock and roll groups.

 

  Tim and Julie Parker moed to Arizona with children, Emma, Madeline, and Joseph.  Tim is in sales of medical supplies.  For a year Tim was a house-husband to experience full-time development of their children.  They see Tillmans quite a bit, and Larremore once in a while.

 

  QUICKIES:

Carl Ellis moved again (214-754-8060)

Did Barney Gray get married?  I got no invite...

Jeff Tillman has a beautiful wife.

So does Billy Smith.

All you guys do.  Just goes to show that you live up to the tradition:  Wesleyan has the most beautiful women nd the worse looking guys - - - so all you good-looking fellows had an advantage just by being here.

 

Gus Deering is in the slow, happy love.  His wife is perfect for him.

Gary Upshaw, Donna and family are in Marfa, TX, and Gary is working with the U.S. Border Patrol.

Russ Pleiman dances the same as always.

Larremore got married.

 

Messages to pass on:

 

  Where are you, Paul Walters?

  Bennett and Ward - The Broncos cheated.

  Gus D. - Your should have thrown me off the balcony (Tim P.)

  Ray K. - The hook shot is a lost art.  Coach it.

  What's up, Easy E?

  Pleiman, Frederick, Phox - You guys deserve it.

  Guys, I'm proud of you all (E. Smith)

  Wish we could physically replay our time together, Already we do it, mentally.

  Miss you, but yu're all close in prayers and memories.

  Would like to hear from Strawberry Thunder (Mitch)

  Once a sorry ass, always a sorry ass (T. Clark)

  Bennett, Ellis, Casas, Cole, Hagerman, Lonnie Vance, McKiernan - send coach your questionaires.  (Amen - everybody send them back.)

 

Do send the questionnaires or give me a call at 1-800-874-1154.  Our time together was brief, but so important to us then.  We had our shining moments at KWU.  Enclosed are addresses and phone numbers of your teammates.  Just because we don't see each other doesn't mean we I don't care. 

God bless you, Jones Boys.

 

Ol' Coach Jones