Editor's note: This column was shortened for Salina Journal publication. The full version can be found at our Web site, salina.com. Go to the "news" drop-down and then to "opinions & viewpoints."

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden says, "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has always impressed me as being a guy of sound character. Family man. Leader. Successful basketball coach. Recently, one of my FIJI fraternity brothers, Steve Purdy, called to tell me a story that solidified my impressions of coach Self.

A little background -- as a young man, I grew up in a crimson-and-blue household. I played basketball at Salina Central, and I would work odd jobs to earn enough money to go to Ted Owens Jayhawk Basketball Camp. Following high school, I headed for KU -- just to attend school.

At KU enrollment time, Steve told me that tryouts were coming up for the varsity basketball squad, and he encouraged me to come along. Forty-five guys showed up for three spots, and when they posted names on the bulletin board outside the locker room, Steve and I had both made the squad. We were officially Jayhawks. The next day at practice, I was surprised to learn that Steve Purdy's brother, Chuck, was the team manager at Kansas.

Chuck was a terrific manager -- always on task. He busily issued us our practice jerseys -- the words Kansas printed across our chests. Walking onto the court at Allen Field House for the first time was like a dream. Chuck would offer an encouraging word as we made our way toward the court, where Assistant Coach Sam Miranda was waiting like a bulldog and barking out commands.

I played every day with guys like Tom Kovisto, Danny Knight, Tommy Smith and Brady Morningstar's dad -- Roger Morningstar. Chuck Purdy was always there helping us with equipment and getting us organized.

Fast forward to today, as Chuck approaches his 58th birthday. Steve called to tell me that Chuck has been fighting cancer. He's fought the good fight, but the cancer has migrated to his liver. Chuck probably doesn't have long to live.

So Steve and Chuck have made up a "bucket list" for Chuck -- important things to do before Chuck transitions from this life to the next.

Chuck really wanted to visit KU and see some guys from the team, so his pals Tommy Smith and Roger Morningstar brought Chuck in from South Dakota. They met at The Wheel in Lawrence, and halfway through lunch, Coach Self walked in, and he invited Chuck to come sit in on practice.

Arriving at the facilities, Chuck's cell phone rang, and it was former KU Coach Ted Owens. Coach Owens had heard that Chuck was on campus and wanted to check on how he was doing.

Midway through practice, a voice called up to the stands, "Hey Chuck!" Coach Self was motioning him down. Chuck happily obliged as Coach Self introduced Chuck to each of the team members -- telling them how Chuck had been manager back when one manager did it all. Chuck spoke to the team on what he was going through, as everyone listened.

As Chuck finished, he looked around and realized the team had dropped to a knee, and with heads bowed, someone had begun to lift Chuck and his battle with cancer up in prayer. It's hard to imagine how he felt.

You see, Chuck Purdy is part of the legacy of Kansas basketball, but he's a very real person. And this team was demonstrating "The Walk" -- in the decision they made to be involved with collegiate athletics, in playing ball at Kansas and in affiliating with Coach Self. It's clearly a relationship that goes well past being a basketball player. It's very much about who you will be and how you will conduct yourself in life.

It's something Bill Self demonstrates in his walk, as he leads by example. This will be a great Kansas team to watch. I'm guessing that regardless of the number of hoops these players make while at Kansas, they'll be better people for their experience under a coach like Self.

Chuck Purdy spoke to Steve for about an hour on his way home from Lawrence. Steve could hear it in Chuck's voice -- it had been an incredible day, and Chuck was so thankful for the support and love he had received.

Kudos to Coach Self and the Jayhawk team for getting it right. Winning may be the goal, but it's the journey that defines true success. This journey will have its set of highs and lows, but facing the road ahead with character will always lead upward -- regardless of the "Ws" and "Ls."

And to Chuck, from everyone you selflessly helped each day, and from everyone who is part of the Kansas family -- we send our thoughts and our prayers your way. God's blessings to you. Hang in there, bud.

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