By Ric Anderson
The Capital-Journal

LAWRENCE -- Thanks to a new contract adding two provisions to her existing salary package, longtime Kansas women's basketball coach Marian Washington has received a raise of at least $45,500.

Ups and downs Under coach Marian Washington, Kansas' women's basketball team has: • Made 11 appearances in the NCAA tournament. • Made two trips to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. • Failed to reach the Final Four.

KU athletics director Bob Frederick confirmed Tuesday that Washington, whose current contract is set to expire next month, had agreed to a three-year contract that includes at least $35,000 in radio and television income along with a $10,500 travel stipend for personal guests.

Both of those provisions are new for Washington, who just finished her 28th season as KU's head coach. They're among $85,000 worth of enhancements that, along with base pay, will raise her salary to at least $210,000.

Washington's base pay currently stands at $125,612, the same as that received by KU men's basketball coach Roy Williams and football coach Terry Allen. That figure is expected to change, however, since the Legislature early Tuesday approved a $1.5 billion higher education finance package that included funding for a 6.2 percent increase in faculty salaries.

News of Washington's increase came two months after the athletic department cut men's tennis and men's swimming and diving to ward off a budget shortfall projected at $2.4 million in four years.

Washington led the Jayhawks to a 12-17 overall record last season, tying the program's record for losses in a single season. KU finished ninth in the Big 12 at 5-17 and broke a string of nine straight NCAA tournament appearances.

Under Washington, KU has won or earned a share of seven Big Eight and Big 12 conference titles and has produced three Kodak All-Americans. Washington was named Big Eight Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1996 and Big 12 Coach of the Year in 1997.