Friday, April 20.1973
University Daily Kansan
9
Kansan Staff Photo br PRIS BRANDSTED
Bud Stallworth Makes Adjustment to NBA Competition
By LORAINE DU VAL VALDEZ
Now that the Kansas Relays are here again, the name of Glen Cunningham is up in the air.
Cunningham was known as the Elkhart Express and the Iron Horse of Kansas in the 1890s. He is still called one of the greatest little distance runners in world track history.
Kansan Staff Writer
Cunningham is the only performer in the track annals of the Big Six, and Big Seven conferences to win two American Olympic berths. He earned a spot on the U.S. 1500-meter team for the 1932 Olympic Games at Berlin for the 1936 Olympic Games at Berlin.
When he ran in the Kansas Relays in 1933, Cunningham established a record of 5:38.3 in the one mile run. He won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and was named most highly manly in Jayhawk history to do so. He were; 4:11.1 in 1933 and 4:09.9 in 1933.
Cunningham held, simultaneously, world records for both the indoor and out-door one mile run. He timed 4:06:7 out-dorses and 4:06:4 indoors during the 1934 season. His indoor record was 3:28.5, and a half-lap board track in 1938 is still the second fastest indoor performance in history.
During the 1930's Cunningham won 10
Cunningham dominated the Midwest picture. He won six consecutive Big Six one run titles, three indoors and three outdoors, in BABA and 1984. He held the national title in 1985 and one mile runs at 1:52.2 and 4:14.2. The record stood 20 and 21 years, respectively. He won the 880 and one and two mile runs at the Big Six conference out-door derby in
. . . Season high was 32 points against Kansas City Kings . . .
The SuperSonics won 26 and lost 56, finishing fourth in the Pacific Division of the National Basketball Association (NBA). They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, world-champions, the los Angeles Lakers.
By BILL SCHEELE Kansan Staff Writer
Stallworth, the SuperSonics' first-round pick and the third leading scorer in KU history, averaged only about seven points a game and started only occasionally. His season high was 32 points against the Kansas City Kings.
Despite his less than meteoric launch into NBA competition, Stallworth said in a recent telephone interview that he thought he proved he could play for pay.
This was not a booming year for the Seattle SuperSonics or their rookie forward from the University of Kansas, Bud Stallworth.
'Iron Horse' Dominated Track
Besides having to adjust to all the new players in his first season, Stallworth said, he also had to adjust to two coaching styles and SuperSonics changed coaches midseason.
Stallworth Undaunted bv Slow Start
“Despite the fact that I wasn't always pleased with my play, my employers were not,” he said. “Stallworth said, ‘I believe it is very important to please your employers.’”
"Although I was not always pleased with the play of myself and the team as a whole, I believe that I established myself and learned much that will help me next year. I don't know if I can make it big or not, but I can make a living at pro basketball."
"The main thing was proving that I had the ability to play," Stallworth said. "The biggest problem was adjusting to the new rules, knowing how to complement their styles of play.
Stallworth said he was looking forward to next year, and anticipated that he would be able to finish his degree.
The reason he didn't start more games, Stallworth was, that was the SuperSonics had a lot of talent at the forward position. He also helped to star in the American Basketball Association; Joby Wright, rookie from Indiana University; and Kennedy McIntosh, formerly of the Chicago Bulls of the NBA, as his main competitors for a starting team.
"The SuperSonics played the same type of offense that we played at KU." Stallworth said. "What really helped me were the fundamentals Coach Owens taught me."
"I finally achieved my goal," he said. "I really enjoyed the travel and the games. It's really great when you can combine enjoyment and work."
Stallworth said the brand of ball he learned at KU under coach Ted Owens helped him tremendously in adjusting to the NBA.
"Being a swing man should give me more of an opportunity to play," Stallworn said.
and guard. At 6 feet 5, Stallworth has the ideal height and mobility for a swing man. John Hawkice, also 6-5, of the Boston team is the most notable swing man in the MBA.
Now the season is over, and Stallworth is relaxing in Seattle. He is looking forward to being an instructor at Owen's boys camp in June and to playing in Philadelphia in basketball league. In August, he will report to the SuperSonics' training camp.
Playing in the NBA fulfilled a desire he has had since he was a boy, Stallworth said, and
national Armuate Athletic Union championships, six indians and four outdoors. All
Cunningham was awarded the James E. Sullivan Memorial Trophy in 1933. The trophy is awarded annually to the athlete who has done the most by his performance during the year to advance the cause of sportsmanship.
When Cunningham was eight years old,
doctors thought he might never walk again.
At eight, Cummingham and his brothers attended a country school in Steven County. The older brother, Floyd, performed the choir at the county school house on cold winter mornings.
One morning Flood threw kerosene on the fire and the explosion that followed burned both the boys. Floyd died and Glenn lay in bed six weeks, fighting for his life.
Scars on his legs from the accident necessitated his famous long warmups to produce proper circulation before a race. He then attended college in education at KU, Cunningham gid his M.D. degree at the University of Iowa. in 1953-56. He earned his Ph. D. degree in education at
Columbia University.
In 1946, Cunningham completed his work in the U. S. Navy and returned to Kansas. In August, Kan., where he bought 1,600 stoves, he on his fondest dream—helping children
However, the ranch became crowded and Cunningham went into debt.
"I just couldn't say no to any child that needed help." he said recently.
Because of trouble with the Department of Health in Kansas, Cunningham and his wife, Ruth, moved to Plainview, Ark. last May.
"The Department of Health in Kansas was more interested in achieving professional help for these children," he said. "We gave them something that they needed, love and understanding with personal and spiritual guidance."
"Athletics are fine," he said recently at his ranch in Arkansas. "But my real interest and goals are with these kids now. We now have the support of the state of Arkansas, and of the people. It's a 24 hour job and we love every minute of it."
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THE KANSAS UNION WELCOMES RELAYS GUESTS
It's Always a Thrill to Come Back to KU,and the KU RELAYS!
Alumni and Friends Travel From Afar to Gather Once Again to Bring Back Old Memories and Begin New Ones. Let the Kansas Union Be Your Host This Week.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE YOU CAN ENJOY THE FINE FOOD AT THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY
STUDENT UNION, ONLY A SHORT WALK FROM THE MEMORIAL STADIUM
CAFETERIA Breakfast: 7:00-8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m.-1:20 p.m.
Deli: 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY
HAWKS NEST
8:00 a.m.-5:00p.m.
TRAIL ROOM
6:00a.m.-11:00p.m.
PRAIRIE ROOM
11:00a.m-2:00p.m.
HAWKLET IN SUMMERFIELD
Snacks Available from
6:00a.m.-1:30 a.m.
SATURDAY
CAFETERIA
Lunch: 11:00 a.m.-1:20p.m.
Deli: 11:00a.m.-7:00p.m.
HAWKS NEST
7:00a.m.-6:30p.m.
TRAIL ROOM
7:00a.m.-11:00p.m.
PRAIRIE ROOM Closed
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We hope that the 48th Annual KU Relays will be the best ever. Remember that as the afternoon wears on, there are plenty of refreshing drinks, as well as appetizing food and candy just a few steps from your seat. KU Concessions is happy to be serving you this weekend.
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