The Rebelious Jayhawk

March 18, 2010 by Sage Sammons 

Life-long Kansas fan talks history, legacy, Rebels’ meeting with his other favorite team

While most professors’ desks at UNLV are laiden with books and items signed by notable scholars, Richard Harp’s office is graced with a single photo.

It’s a signed photo of Wilt Chamberlain, the former Lakers great-best known for scoring 100 points in a single game. Chamberlain is shown dunking the ball during his first game of his sophomore year at Kansas.

But what’s more important to Harp is what’s written on the photo: “Follow your dreams and you will be a great man like your father someday.”

It’s a message Harp has taken to heart during his time at UNLV, where he serves as the English department’s chair.

Harp isn’t simply a fan of Chamberlain or KU because he grew up in Lawrence, Kan. It also isn’t because he got his master’s and doctorate at the school.

The love of the Jayhawks is in Harp’s blood and, it could be said, he was born into it.

Harp is the son of former Kansas head coach Dick Harp. Dick coached the Jayhawks from 1957-1964, compiling a record of 121-82 and is one of only five players to ever play and coach in an NCAA title game. He played as a Jayhawk from 1938-40.

For that reason, the younger Harp said he has been close to the KU program for his entire life, especially during the NCAA Tournament.

Harp, who was 11 years old at the time, still recalls the 1957-58 season when Kansas lost to North Carolina 54-53 in the NCAA championship game in triple overtime.

“[The national tournament] used to be in Kansas City a lot and I grew up in Lawrence,” Harp said.

“The first one I remember going to was in 1954, in Kansas City. Those were all thrilling events to go to.”

Harp said he could only hope for as exciting a tournament this go-around and plans to attend the Jayhawks’ opening game of the tourney in Oklahoma City.

If KU beats Lehigh in the first round, the Jayhawks will face the winner of UNLV-Northern Iowa in the second round.

Much like the 2008 tournament, the Rebels may be on crash course against the No. 1-seeded Jayhawks. That season, KU went on to win the National Championship, an event Harp attended as a guest of current Jayhawks’ coach Bill Self, a man Harp holds in high esteem.

“Coach Self has been wonderful about fostering tradition and keeping everyone involved,” Harp said, “even those of us from way back.”

Harp may be the happiest guy and the saddest guy at the same time if UNLV and Kansas meet in the second round. He said his rooting interests will split if the Rebels face the Jayhawks in the second round of the tournament.

“I’ll feel really good for the team that wins and really bad for the team that loses,” Harp said.

That’s because Harp has been tied to the Rebels ever since he arrived at the campus in 1975.

He has served and chaired the university’s athletic council and was the chair and also served as the chair of two athletic director search committees. Harp also co-wrote Jerry Tarkanian’s first biography in 1984 and is currently a season ticket holder for the Runnin’ Rebels.

“I love the Rebels,” Harp said. “I have really been close to the Rebel program and love it.”

KU and UNLV are two of the winningest programs and Harp has been in the middle of both. It was those early days of KU basketball that still stick with him.

“[My favorite player] would have to be Wilt,” Harp said. “Even now he would be a phenom. In terms of his physique and what he could do, his strength and he was a very successful track athlete. He was a freak in the best sense with just so many amazing physical attributes.”

Harp said that he likes the balance of the Jayhawks, from Cole Aldrich coming into his own to senior Sheron Collins’s work ethic to freshman Xavier Henry living up to the expectations.

“They are such a balanced team it seems like,” Harp said. “I went back for a couple games in December. I like Cole Aldridge a lot because he has developed a lot from being a gangly [player] to being such a super player now.”

For his UNLV decision, the pick of a favorite all-time player was a little harder.

“You have to remember Reggie Theus because Tark always said he was the first big time recruit he got away from UCLA,” Harp said. “I suppose you go back to when I first came here, Gondrzick because he played so hard.”

Currently, he is a big Tre’Von Willis fan.

“I have an eight year old boy, and Tre’Von is his favorite player,” Harp said. “You got to love Tre’Von because of his toughness, much like [Sherron] Collins. He is such a tough guy, gives everything. But I really admire this year’s team because they all play so hard. Coach [Kruger] has them so well disciplined.”