It was @MaizeSouthAD sweeping the rivalry doubleheader over Maize, as @LadyMavHoops and @MaverickBuckets are both in first place of AV-CTL Div. I now.
But real story is how failure at early-season Arkansas tournament has helped launch both their success.
https://t.co/A3BiumLyBE
Tonight in place of our normal Cancer Fighter dedication, we instead honor the life and legacy of the late Dr. Scott Ward, a beloved Kansas Athletics family member known to all as “Scooter” and a special soul who impacted countless student-athletes’ lives in his 30+ years of service to the University of Kansas. Ever since his passing on Saturday, there’s been a remarkable amount of tributes and testimonies of his incredible influence – first as an Academic Support staffer working primarily with Men’s Basketball & Volleyball. Under Scooter’s mentorship, 35 Jayhawks became Academic All-Big 12 selections – more than any other basketball program in the league. He also helped produce two Academic All-Americans - Cole Aldrich & Tyrel Reed. Later in this career, he impacted our student-athletes as the Director of Peak Performance and Leadership, assisting with the mental performance side of the game.
Through it all, his friendship & mentorship shined the brightest. Scooter’s door was always open, he was ever ready to offer a listening ear or words of encouragement. Coach Self joked that if he wanted his players to do something he’d have Scooter tell them to do it because they’d be more likely to listen to him than anyone. Self said Ward was the definition of a positive influence and role model, and displayed what real courage and a real man truly looks like. Coach Ray Bechard echoed that rarely in life do you encounter someone who impacted so many lives the way Scooter did. Travis Goff similarly praised Scoot as truly a 1 of 1 soul, who if you were lucky enough to meet him, likely changed you for the better with this perpetual optimism and unmatched passion for pouring into others.
Scooter leaves behind his lovely wife Robin – a true saint among us and another special soul cut from a similar cloth of resilience, courage and determination. Her lifetime of devotion and support of her wonderful husband is to be celebrated as well, and we lift her and the rest of his family up tonight, forever grateful for the profound impact Scott and Robin have had all of us. It’s a legacy that will continue to inspire us going forward, a permanent perspective shift that can’t help but shape us to be better, just as Travis suggested.
Fly high Scooter, and walk tall through Heaven’s gates. Please know the enormous impact you made in your 59 years and the ripple effect your life’s work will continue to have for generations to come. We love you and always will. Rock Chalk, brother!