Border War: Kansas needs to ignore cries from Columbia
By Stan Unruh
The Kansas rivalry with Missouri is not dead. The Border War battles live fondly in memories with little chance for resurrection.
I laughed out loud when I saw the headline in Todd Palmer’s article in the Kansas City Star. The Missouri Athletic Director wanted to resume the Border War. As a matter of fact, we all want the Border War back. Sure Kansas basketball fans would love to have the big game back. Football fans too.
I don’t care how much we want it back, it’s not going to happen any time soon. MU Athletic Director Jim Sterk is just doing his job. He has to say he wants the Border War to resume.
On the other hand, Sterk may be clueless. He needs to get a history book and learn something about the rivalry. It didn’t start on a Kansas basketball court. It didn’t end when Mizzou left for the Southeastern Conference almost six years ago. Kansas basketball coach Bill Self would love to beat Missou twice each season. A non-conference game is not a part of Self’s plan.
Sterk told the Star,
"“I know (new men’s basketball coach) Cuonzo (Martin) will work behind the scenes and see if that (resuming the rivalry games) can happen.”"
I laughed at that too. Coach Martin has enough on his plate without worrying about scheduling one of the best basketball programs in history. Sterk had to say that too. He should have let his new coach work behind the scenes before the boss was heard begging Kansas to come play again.
More from Through the Phog
- Kansas basketball: Esteemed recruit Jalil Bethea to announce college decision tomorrow
- Kansas football: Lassiter brothers exchange good-natured banter on social media
- Kansas basketball: Liam McNeeley cuts list to two, includes Jayhawks and Indiana
- Kansas football: Reviewing Jayhawks PFF grades, snap counts from win over Nevada
- Kansas football: JB Brown emerging as star for Jayhawks defense
Kansas basketball coach and Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger need to ignore the cries from Columbia on resuming the Border War. Many fans would love it. The television networks could make a lot of money with it. The school who ruined it does not deserve to see the games resume.