USAIR FLIGHT 3882 - SEAT 12F

I should call this letter "'KU Sports Talk." I had the great honor (and all around cool time) of being with the NCAA Championship heroes – the KU Jayhawks – when they came to DC last week. (I'm sounding like a sports announcer – if you really use your imagination!)

They went to a White House reception with the President in the morning. In the afternoon, they came over to the Capitol for yet another rousing reception from their admirers.

The entire Kansas Congressional delegation was in attendance. All six of us told the team how proud we were of them. I shared how grateful I was because, now, when people find out I'm from Kansas, they talk about that unbelievably fantastic win instead of making the usual, annoying Dorothy comment!

DC staffers work hard and this was a chance for them to take a minute to bask in the glory of our KU heroes. The team was wonderful. They autographed everything from T-shirts to basketballs to a KU license plate (that last one was mine). They stood for pictures for almost an hour and never complained.

We Rock Chalk Jayhawk-ed the Capitol!

Then Friday evening, Steve and I went to a fundraiser for the Lawrence Community Shelter. Guess who hosted the fundraiser?? Mark and Mary Jane Mangino! KU basketball and KU football in one week.

Of course, everyone is still basking in the glow of the Orange Bowl win. It was great being in the company of the Big 12 Coach of the Year (not to mention Associated Press, Bear Bryant, FWAA/Eddie Robinson, and Walter Camp National Coach of the Year, to name only a few of about a dozen such distinctions)! This is a man with a vision and not someone to rest on his laurels. When he finished speaking, everyone knew they would find the same type of focus, work ethic and spirit on the field this year.

Bill Self and Mark Mangino aren't just great coaches, they're truly goodhearted human beings! Coach Self could have gone to Oklahoma for a lot of money, but he stayed right here because of his dedication and faithfulness. Good guys still exist! Mark and Mary Jane Mangino showed us Friday what commitment to community looks like. They could have sent a check, but they did more. They got lots of people together so everyone could write a check!

Here’s the best part. Teams emulate their coaches. When coaches do the right things, they set the course for their players to become like them – great guys and truly decent people.* Now add to that a dose of Kansas humility and the recipe is complete.

Proud to be a Kansan, 

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress

* Full disclosure: the interesting gentleman sitting next to me in Seat 12E (Mike Gustafson) helped with that line!