AL CORRELL

• One of the brightest, funniest and most devoted basketeers Kansas ever had is on the verge of retiring after 31 productive years in the field of human rights. That's Allen Correll, who for the past 21 years has been executive director of the Tacoma, Wash., Human Rights and Human Services Dept.

After coming here from Philadelphia, Al played guard at KU in the 1960-64 period, earning four letters. He was recruited for KU when now-Dr. John Simons of Lawrence was a medical student at Penn. John, an ex-Lawrence High and KU footballer, had read about "Spider" Correll, met him in a drug store and suggested Al give KU a good look. Great move for Correll and KU.

Al was a leader in the human rights field in Topeka (1960s) and Des Moines (1970s) before becoming a legend in Spokane.

He's won awards and honors infinitesimal and has so often done his difficult job with lilt and good will that he's widely respected and beloved, a tough doubleton. Not that Correll couldn't be tough. He'd get that competitive glare on the basketball court, and could deal with anyone anywhere else with the same steely focus and determination. Tough and tender.

If you've never heard one of Al's inspirational or comedic talks, you've missed something. He turned a Dick Harp testimonial dinner on its ear back in the early 1990s when he both honored and imitated his former coach.

The programs listed Correll at 6-3 but he always was joshed that if his famed bowed legs were straightened, he'd stand 6-6 or 6-7. Made no difference — time and again he's stood as tall as anyone in worthwhile ventures that have given KU a good name.

The bad news is that Al has been battling cancer for some time.