KU football signs seniors and plans facility

After a thrilling 2005 season, the KU football program has hit the ground running in 2006.  Earlier this month Head Coach Mark Mangino announced the signing of 21 high school seniors to national letters of intent. Just days later KU Athletics announced plans for a new football facility.

ESPN.com recruiting analysts rate the 2006 class 36th among all NCAA Division I teams, KU's highest ranked class in the Mangino era.

“I'm very pleased with this year's recruiting class,” said Mangino. “We met our needs at every position on the field. We now look forward to developing these players at the Division I level.”

KU snagged three of the top four recruits from the state, including running back Jake Sharp, the Sunflower State's No. 1 ranked high school senior by Rivals.com. The Jayhawks also inked nine highly recruited players from Texas and three from Oklahoma. Both quarterback Todd Reesing and defensive back Olaitan Oguntodu graduated early from their respective high schools and will join the Jayhawks for spring drills, which begin March 11.  Fans can read more about the 2006 recruiting class by visiting the KU Athletics Web site.

Another exciting addition to KU football involves the construction of a new complex adjacent to Memorial Stadium. Plans for the building include offices, academic areas, a weight room, locker rooms, an audio-visual room, meeting rooms, a cardio room, a hydro-therapy room, a nutrition area and a display area. KU Athletics chose HNTB Architecture of Kansas City, Mo., for the job.

Funding for the $31-million project was provided largely through the generosity of two KU alumni families: the Kivistos, former basketball team captain Tom Kivisto, c’74, and his wife Julie, c’78; and the Andersons, Dana, b’59, Sue, and Justin, b’95. Other alumni contributing substantial gifts to the project include Charles, b’54, and Sharon Lynch Kimbell, d’58, of Hutchinson; Frank Sabatini, b’55, l’57, and family of Topeka; and Ken Wagnon, b’60, of Wichita. 

“The entire KU athletics family is indebted to these families, and all those who have donated to this project, for their generosity,” Athletics Director Lew Perkins said. “By consolidating all football activities into one area, the facility will free up space needed for other sports. In addition, this football facility will help KU football be more competitive with other Big 12 programs.”