Former KU great returns for induction

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 29, 2005 by Kevin Haskin Capital-Journal

By Kevin Haskin

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

LAWRENCE --- Pardon Nolan Cromwell for not attending a football game at Kansas since he left as one of the program's most versatile standouts.

Cromwell was tied up in the NFL, first as an 11-year Pro Bowl defensive back for the Los Angeles Rams and then as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.

Today, Cromwell will be both in Memorial Stadium and on it.

He will attend KU's noon game against Missouri and watch at halftime as his name is added to the north wall as a member of KU's Ring of Honor.

"I'm pretty excited and very pleased and very happy that they look at me as one of these types of players to put up on the wall," Cromwell said.

Although he started at safety as a freshman on the Jayhawks' 1973 Liberty Bowl squad, Cromwell is best remembered for the 18 games he played at quarterback as the trigger man in KU's wishbone.

He was named the Big Eight offensive player of the year in 1975 when he rushed for 1,124 yards, the third-highest total for a QB in NCAA history at the time. The Jayhawks went to the Sun Bowl and finished 7-5, including a 23-3 upset of No. 12 Oklahoma in Norman.

Few college programs run the wishbone today, and while football trends tend to run in cycles, Cromwell isn't so sure the triple- option ever will be as popular as it was when he played.

"It wouldn't at our (NFL) level because of the price of a quarterback," said Cromwell, who serves as wide receivers coach for Seattle and is able to attend today's ceremony with the Seahawks on a bye week.

"I think people want to see the pass-and-run combination, see the ball in the air a little bit," Cromwell added. "But the ability for that quarterback to scramble is a huge part of the college game. Everybody has got a quarterback draw or quarterback trap."

And more of those quarterbacks are breaking into the NFL. KU fans remember the Seahawks' backup, Seneca Wallace, was always a threat to bust a big run at Iowa State and, Cromwell said, "is as good an athlete as I've ever been around."

Many said the same thing about Cromwell upon his arrival at KU out of tiny Ransom, where he was considered one of the best high school players in Kansas history. He starred in football at KU and set records in several track and field events, including the decathlon.

As a coach, Cromwell maintains a relationship with Mike Holmgren that dates to 1992 in Green Bay. Cromwell started as special teams coach there and served in that capacity for six years before coaching wide receivers the past eight seasons, seven with Seattle.

Cromwell admits to being intrigued at times by college coaching, though he said no school has approached him.

"Really, they never have," he said, "but then I never pursued it myself, so there was no reason for anyone to pursue me."

Although his NFL travels prevented him from returning for a KU game until now --- "one of those tough things that's part of the job I elected to do," he says --- he remains attuned to the college game.

"Things have changed so much in the time since I've been there," Cromwell said. "With recruiting and all the regulations there are now, that wasn't there, and all the compliance things to be on top of."

Several members of Cromwell's family will attend today's cermemony, including his mother, Lucille, who lives in WaKeeney.

Cromwell and his wife, Mary, have two children. Their son, Lance, is a sophomore at Washington State and in the Army National Guard. Their daughter, Jennifer, is a senior in high school and committed to attend Virginia on a rowing scholarship after competing this summer for the U.S. Junior National Team.

See The Capital-Journal's End Zone section every Friday for more college football.

TODAY'S MATCHUPS

MISSOURI AT KANSAS

Kickoff: Noon, Memorial Stadium, Lawrence

Records: Missouri 5-2, 3-1 Big 12; Kansas 3-4, 0-4

Radio: KMAJ-AM (1440), KDVV-FM (100.3)

Storyline: The Jayhawks' homecoming marks

its first game in Memorial Stadium since Sept. 17.

COLORADO AT KANSAS STATE

Kickoff: 1:10 p.m., KSU Stadium, Manhattan

Records: Colorado 5-2, 3-1 Big 12; K-State 4-3, 1-3

Radio: KQTP-FM (102.9)

Storyline: K-State will try to rebound against

a Colorado team tied for the Big 12 North lead.

MISSOURI SOUTHERN AT WASHBURN

Kickoff: 1 p.m., Yager Stadium

Records: MSSC 3-5, 2-4 MIAA; Washburn 8-1, 6-0

Radio: WIBW-AM (580)

Storyline: Ichabods can clinch share of first place

in the MIAA in their final regular-season home game.

Cromwell: KU star coming home

Please see CROMWELL, Page 5D

Continued from Page 1D

Nolan Cromwell

was a star quarterback for KU in 1975