The NCAA Subcommittee for Legislative Relief said Wednesday it has denied Kansas sophomore wide receiver Justin McCay’s eligibility waiver request appeal. With the denial by the subcommittee, McCay will have to sit out the 2012 season and will be eligible to compete for the Jayhawks in 2013 as a junior.

“Today we received notice from the subcommittee that they rejected Justin McCay’s appeal to be able to play immediately,” said Kansas football head coach Charlie Weis. “They informed our compliance officer that there wasn’t that one catastrophic event evident to rule in his favor.

“I’m extremely disappointed that common sense did not prevail. I have read all of the information on this case and it is a shame that this case resulted in a rejection. I cannot release all of the details of Justin’s case as it would be an invasion of his privacy. I can only say that the University of Kansas felt the evidence was overwhelmingly in his favor. I also do not understand why the NCAA had us appeal this case to the subcommittee only to have received the same answer with the same rationale.”

McCay, who received the news Wednesday afternoon, was equally disappointed.

“This is a very disappointing day for me and my family,” said McCay, who transferred to Kansas from Oklahoma in January. “I was very hopeful throughout the process that I would receive a more favorable result, but unfortunately that is not how things turned out.

“I am so grateful to all of the people who worked so hard on my behalf throughout this process. First of all, I would like to thank the compliance staff at KU for all of the effort they put in to submitting my waiver request. I would also like to thank the Athletics Director at the University of Oklahoma, Joe Castiglione, for his assistance and support. Lastly, I would like to thank Coach Weis, the entire KU staff and all of my teammates in supporting me during this process. It was a long, difficult process, and I truly appreciate all of the support they gave me along the way.

“Despite the disappointment I am feeling today, I have no regrets. I am very happy to be at Kansas and I am going to go out and work hard every day to be the best teammate I can be. Even though I won’t be playing in games this year I am going to take advantage of every opportunity I have to improve as a player.”

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas Athletics has planned a full day of events and activities for the annual Kansas Football Spring Game this Saturday, April 28. Kickoff is at 1 p.m., on Kivisto Field at Memorial Stadium and admission is free.

The game will be televised live on Metro Sports in the Kansas City area and on Kansas 22 throughout the rest of Kansas. It will also be broadcast live across the state of Kansas on the Jayhawk Radio Network on stations in Lawrence, Wichita, Hutchinson, Hays and Liberal. Additionally, it will be broadcast on tape-delay in Kansas City on 610 Sports. The game will also be streamed live on AT&T Jayhawk All-Access.

The day will begin with the ‘Train Like A Jayhawk’ clinic for kids grades 1-6 on the football practice fields adjacent to the southeast corner of Memorial Stadium. The clinic, in which stations will be directed by KU football players, will go from 10-11 a.m.

The Hy-Vee Hawk Zone will then open at 11 a.m., in lot 91 just south of the football practice fields and feature inflatable games for children. The fourth annual Bike Rodeo will also begin at 11 a.m., in lot 91. The Bike Rodeo will feature a bicycle course and free bike inspections, courtesy of Douglas County Fire and Medical. In addition, kids 15 and younger will be custom-fitted with a free bicycle helmet (while supplies last) as they learn about bicycle rules of the road, trail etiquette and pool safety.

The University of Kansas and the City of Lawrence will rename stretches of two streets after former KU football coach and player Don Fambrough. The ceremony, which will feature KU officials, Lawrence City Commissioner Hugh Carter and Fambrough’s son Preston, will take place at 11:15 a.m., at what is now the intersection of 11th and Maine Streets.

Gates to Memorial Stadium open at noon and fans can receive a free 2012 commemorative schedule poster, magnets and schedule cards. In addition, Kansas Athletics will distribute bracelets as part of the halftime drug-free pledge children and their parents can make with head coach Charlie Weis and senior quarterback Dayne Crist. Additionally, 1910 Jayhawk lapel pins will be available while supplies last and Axe Deodorant will be distributing samples at the entrance gates.

The KU Store will be open at three locations. Stands on both the east and west concourses will be open from noon until the end of the game, while the store location on the south side of the stadium at the bottom of Campanile Hill will be open from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. All store locations will have all items on sale for 50% off.

Kansas Athletics and the Williams Fund U Hawks Nest have partnered with Coca Cola and KU Catering to provide a free tailgate for KU students before the Spring Game. Prior to kick-off KU students can enjoy pregame tailgating on Campanile Hill beginning at 11:30 a.m. Coca Cola and KU Catering will provide free hot dogs and drinks to the first 1,000 KU students in attendance.

Located on Campanile Hill the tailgate will also include a variety of tailgating games. In addition Williams Fund U Hawks Nest members in attendance will have the opportunity to win one of three prizes including a tailgating kit, a football autographed by Kansas Football head coach Charlie Weis, and the grand prize flat panel television.

With the entire stadium open for seating, fans will be allowed to enter the stadium at the NE, SE, NW, SW and west ramps as well as the suite elevators. Kansas Athletics and KU Parking and Transit have announced that they will accept donations of non-perishable food items to benefit Just Food.

Parking for the Spring Game is free. KU Parking and Transit, however, will be on hand to assist fans with questions about open parking and to accept food donations. Fans can donate food at the entrances to Lot 94 east of Memorial Stadium and Lot 59 on the west side of the stadium. Donations will also be accepted in lots 50 and 52 with entrances off of West Campus Road and 11th Street. Lot 91 will be reserved for the bike rodeo.

KU will begin the 2012 season on September 1 vs. South Dakota State. The Jayhawks will also host non-conference opponent Rice (Sept. 8) before Big 12 rivals TCU (Sept. 15), Oklahoma State (Oct. 13) Texas (Oct. 27/Homecoming, K-Club Weekend, Parents Weekend) and Iowa State (Nov. 17) visit Lawrence.

Season tickets for the six-game home schedule are now on sale for as low as $199. The Family Plan, which includes two youth and two adult general admission tickets, is $350.

Fans can purchase their season tickets at the Spring Game at ticket tables throughout the concourse and in sections 3 and 9 inside the stadium seating area. Season tickets may also be purchased in the ticket office located on the west side of Memorial Stadium. Additionally, tickets are available online at www.kuathletics.com, by calling 800-34-HAWKS or in-person at the Allen Fieldhouse ticket office.

— KU Sports Information —

Following a team vote, Kansas football head coach Charlie Weis announced here today that seniors Dayne Crist, Tanner Hawkinson and Toben Opurum had been appointed permanent team captains for the 2012 season. Crist and Hawkinson earned the honor for the first time in their Kansas careers, while Opurum served as a team captain during the 2011 campaign.

Crist, a quarterback from Canoga Park, Calif., is entering his first year with the KU program after transferring from Notre Dame in January. The former five-start prospect played three seasons and made 10 starts for Notre Dame from 2008-11. During his time with the Irish, he threw for 2,327 yards, with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while earning 10 starts. Upon arriving in Lawrence in January, Crist immediately gained the respect of his teammates with his knowledge of Weis’ offense on the field and his outgoing demeanor off it.

Hawkinson, a standout on the offensive line from McPherson, Kan., has started every game of his Jayhawk career. After spending time as a tight end and a defensive end during his redshirt season, Hawkinson was permanently moved to the offensive line where he has more than found a home. He earned Freshman All-America honors from both the Sporting News and CollegeFootballNews.com playing at left tackle. Hawkinson was moved to right tackle during his junior season, garnering All-Big 12 Third Team honors by Phil Steele’s Midseason report. He has since returned to left tackle, where he will lead a veteran offensive line in his final season at KU.

Opurum, a defensive lineman from Richardson, Texas, is entering his third season on the defensive side of the ball after starting his Kansas career at running back. After leading the Jayhawks in rushing with 554 yards and nine TDs as a freshman, Opurum has since found his niche stopping the opposing team’s offense. He recorded 45 tackles as a junior, including a team-best 10.5 TFLs for minus 55 yards. Opurum also led the Kansas defense in 2011 with four sacks and seven quarterback hurries.

Weis also divulged that a fourth special teams captain would be named on a game-by-game basis based on the previous week’s performance.

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas football head coach Charlie Weis announced the dismissal of KU players Collin Garrett and Chris Robinson from the team here Monday afternoon. Garrett, a sophomore from Beaumont, Texas and Robinson, a redshirt freshman from Sanford, Fla., were both dismissed for a violation of team rules.

Garrett, a linebacker, saw action in six games as a true freshman in 2011. He made his career debut against Oklahoma, collecting four tackles versus the Sooners. He also had one tackle in games versus Kansas State, Baylor and Missouri. Robinson, a cornerback, did not see any action during the 2011 season and was redshirted.

— KU Sports Information —

The University of Kansas will appeal sophomore wide receiver Justin McCay’s eligibility waiver request directly to the NCAA Subcommittee for Legislative Relief after the NCAA staff Friday denied KU’s original waiver request.

KU, because of McCay’s extenuating personal circumstances, had requested a waiver of the NCAA’s rule that requires transfers to sit out a year of competition. The NCAA staff informed KU Friday that it could not approve KU’s request for a waiver based on the guidelines the staff is required to follow.

The NCAA staff, however, recommended that KU appeal the decision to the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief, which is comprised of representatives from conferences and universities from around the country. The Subcommittee is the only group with the authority to deviate from the waiver guidelines that the NCAA staff is required to follow when approving waiver requests.

“We are disappointed in the NCAA staff’s decision,” said head coach Charlie Weis. “But we will take its advice and will appeal to the Subcommittee. We certainly hope that the members of the Subcommittee, who work day-to-day on campuses and in conference offices, will see Justin’s situation for what it is and make a decision that is in his best interest.

“I’ve spoken to Justin and he understands the initial ruling by the NCAA and is encouraged that they recommended that we appeal his case to the Subcommittee. He will make a statement after the ruling by the Subcommittee.”

KU will make its appeal by next Tuesday, April 24. The Subcommittee will make its decision by 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 1.

— KU Sports Information —

Mike Ragone made official today what had been rumored for weeks. Ragone, a tight end, officially signed his grant in aid forms making his transfer from Notre Dame to Kansas complete. Ragone has already completed his undergraduate degree and is eligible to play for KU in 2012.

Ragone, a 6-foot-4, 262-pound tight end, joins the Jayhawks after being granted a sixth-year of eligibility from the NCAA. The Cherry Hill, N.J., native missed the entire 2008 season with a  knee injury and was lost for the 2011 season after suffering another knee injury during the third game of the year. He graduated from Notre Dame in May 2011 with a degree in sociology.

Ragone played in 37 games during his five seasons at Notre Dame, recording 11 catches for 109 yards. He played in 11 games for the Irish as a true freshman in 2007, hauling in one reception for seven yards versus Navy. Ragone also had six tackles on special teams as a freshman.

After missing the entire 2008 season due to injury, Ragone came back strong in 2009 tallying six receptions for 60 yards. He played in all 12 games, starting seven. He followed that up with three receptions for 32 yards, while playing in 12 games for Notre Dame during the 2010 season. He recorded one catch in 2011 before injuring his knee in the third game of the year.

Ragone was rated the No. 3 tight end in the country, third-best player in New Jersey and 83rd-best prospect in the nation by Rivals.com following his senior season at Camden Catholic High School. He was named the No. 2 tight end in the nation and 33rd-best prospect by CSTV/Tom Lemming and was rated the 55th-best prospect in the nation and No. 2 tight end in his class on the ESPN 150 list. Additionally, Ragone was named to the Scout.com National 100 list where he was ranked as the second-best tight end in the nation, the fourth-best player in New Jersey and the No. 56 prospect in the country.

Ragone, who played for Ricky Brown at Camden Catholic, sat out his senior year of high school with a knee injury, but was named first-team all-South Jersey by the Philadelphia Inquirer as a junior after catching 35 passes for 720 yards and nine touchdowns. A big-play tight end, six of his TD receptions went for 60 yards or longer, and he also scored on an 80-yard kickoff return. He was also the top wrestler in the East as he won the 2005 Beast of the East wrestling tournament competing as a heavyweight.

With the addition of Ragone, Kansas has now signed 26 players to its 2012 signing class. The Jayhawks have added six players as Division I transfers, nine junior college transfers and 11 high school athletes.

— KU Sports Information —

Standout guard Andrew White from Chester, Va., has signed a national letter of intent to play men’s basketball at Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced Monday.

White inked his NLI Monday afternoon in a ceremony at Miller School, located in Charlottesville (Va.). The 6-6, 210-pound, White verbally committed to Kansas in December.

Ranked No. 48 by ESPNU100 and No. 56-ranked by Rivals.com, White averaged 22.9 points and 10 rebounds a game for 20-10 Miller School in 2011-12. Described as an outstanding shooter, White chose KU over North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Richmond, Texas, Georgetown and others. Additionally, White will play in the Capital Classic All-Star game on April 21 in Alexandria, Va.

“I’m glad we can finally talk about Andrew,” Self said. “He’s been committed for a long time and we are so excited to have him. He’s a tall guard. He can shoot it. He’s a good athlete. He’s tough, loves to play and certainly will be a great representative of our university.”

“He’s has been very well drilled and well coached at Miller under Scott Willard. The transition to the collegiate level should be very smooth for him,” Self said of White. “We see him being an impact player for us beginning from day one upon his arrival on campus.”

“Andrew’s entire family has been great and so supportive to us throughout this process and what a great job Joe Dooley did in recruiting him,” Self added. “One of the reasons we like him so much is the quality of person that he is. I believe having the Whites as part of our KU family will do nothing but enhance our program.”

White becomes the fourth incoming freshman for the 2012-13 season with three fall 2011 signees: Perry Ellis of Wichita, Kan., Landen Lucas of Portland, Ore., and Zach Peters of Plano, Texas.

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas football added another proven player to its roster in Anthony McDonald, who is joining the Jayhawks after transferring from Notre Dame. McDonald is scheduled to complete his degree in May, making him eligible to play for KU in 2012.

McDonald, a native of Burbank, Calif., played in 28 games for the Irish during his four seasons in South Bend. After sitting out the 2008 season as a true freshman, McDonald appeared in all 12 of Notre Dame’s games during the 2009 season playing under then Irish head coach and current Kansas head coach Charlie Weis. McDonald, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker, collected 10 tackles in 2009 while playing primarily on special teams.

During the 2010 season, McDonald played in 11 games for the Irish and recorded 11 tackles. He tallied three tackles in games versus Michigan State, Stanford and Miami (Fla.). In his final season at Notre Dame, McDonald recorded three tackles, while seeing action in four games.

McDonald, who will graduate from Notre Dame next month with a degree in sociology, was selected to play in U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio following his senior season at Notre Dame High School, where he teamed up with fellow Jayhawk, senior quarterback Dayne Crist. McDonald, who was coached by Kevin Rooney at NDHS, was placed on the all-Southern California team by Southern California Football Coaches Association and Orange County Register and was also named to the first-team all-Southern California team by GoldenStatePreps.com after he recorded 79 tackles and one sack in 11 games during his senior season.

McDonald was ranked by Scout.com the eighth-best middle linebacker in the country and the 16th-best prospect in California. McDonald was considered the 22nd-best player in California by SuperPrep and the third-best linebacker in the state, while Rivals.com rated him No. 31 in the state of California and the 11th-best inside linebacker. McDonald’s father, Mike, played at USC and was a long snapper for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.

With the addition of McDonald, Kansas has now signed 25 players to its 2012 signing class. The Jayhawks have added five players as Division I transfers, nine junior college transfers and 11 high school athletes.

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas head football coach Charlie Weis announced here Monday afternoon that rising junior running back James Sims has been suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season for a violation of team rules.

“Every player on our team knows and understands our rules and regulations,” said Weis. “They also know the consequences for violations.”

Sims was the top rusher for the Jayhawks in 2010 and 2011. The Irving, Texas native has compiled 1,469 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in his two seasons at KU, including five games with 100 or more yards rushing.

— KU Sports Information —

Norm Roberts has rejoined the Kansas men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach, KU head coach Bill Self announced Monday.

Roberts, who replaces Danny Manning who was named head coach at Tulsa in late March, comes to Kansas after serving the 2011-12 season as an assistant coach at the University of Florida, where the Gators were 26-11 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Roberts is no stranger to Kansas and Self. He spent nine seasons on Self’s staffs at KU in 2003-04 as associate head coach, three years at Illinois (2000-03), including serving as associate head coach in 2002-03; three seasons at Tulsa (1997-2000); and two years at Oral Roberts (1995-97). Additionally, his son, Niko, is a sophomore guard on the KU team.

“I’m excited to see Norm come back,” Self said. “He’s always been a Kansas guy having worked Kansas basketball camps in the 1980’s for Coach (Larry) Brown. He and his family loved it here. As good as he was when he left, now he’s got six years of head coaching experience under his belt in addition to all the recruiting experience. I think he’s going to be a huge asset to our program. It also gives him an opportunity to have his entire family together as Niko will continue to be a walk-on on our basketball team.”

“I’m extremely excited having the chance to go back to such a great program as Kansas,” Roberts said. “I thought when I was there, I wasn’t there long enough to really enjoy the Jayhawk nation and everything. Having a chance to go back will be great and the opportunity to work with Joe (Dooley) and Kurtis (Townsend) and the rest of the staff will be great as well.”

“It’s going to be even more special because my son is there,” Roberts said. “He’s made his own way. He’s part of the program. Something important to me is that Niko was okay with me coming back. Obviously my wife (Pascale) is close with Cindy (Self) and our families are very close. This is a great opportunity for me and my family.”

“This wasn’t an easy decision,” Roberts added. “(Florida head coach) Billy Donovan has been really, really good to me. I would consider him one of the top five coaches in America and I learned a tremendous amount being here with Billy and his staff. Leaving here I feel I’m a better coach and a better person to have worked at Florida.”

“Norm Roberts did a great job on our staff the past year here at Florida,” Donovan said. “I have a lot of respect for the Kansas program and Bill Self, and I know this is a great opportunity for Norm and his family to all be together.”

Prior to Florida, Roberts spent six seasons as the head coach at St. John’s in New York, where in 2004 the Queens, N.Y., native took over the Red Storm.

In his first season, the Red Storm showed that despite coming off several losing seasons they could compete at a high level with a pair of top-25 victories over No. 17 North Carolina State and No. 21 Pittsburgh while claiming the championship at the 2004 Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden. St. John’s also defeated long-time rival Georgetown that year.

In Roberts’ second season in 2005-06, St. John’s improved its overall and conference record and claimed the Holiday Festival championship for a second consecutive year. The team also scored its first top-10 win under Roberts, defeating No. 9 Pittsburgh, 55-50, on Jan. 21 just four days after another top-25 win against No. 17/15 Louisville, 68-56.

In 2008-09, St. John’s scored its biggest victory of Roberts’ tenure, knocking off No. 7 Notre Dame, and added a pair of wins over Georgetown, including a first-round matchup in the Big East Tournament. In his final season with the program, Roberts led St. John’s past UConn in the Big East Tournament and earned a postseason berth in the NIT.

A 1987 graduate of Queens College with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education, Roberts is the school’s third all-time leading scorer with 1,719 points. He also is the career leader in steals (253) and is second in assists (460), and had his number (15) retired by his alma mater in 1993.

Roberts’ first job out of college was under legendary high school coach Jack Curran at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, where he spent three years as the head freshman coach and an assistant on the varsity squad. While at Archbishop Molloy, he had the opportunity to coach many noted New York players, including all-time New Jersey Nets assist leader Kenny Anderson.

— KU Sports Information —