Special Kansas Relays Edition
The University Daily
University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas
KANSAN
Thursday, April 16, 1981 Vol. 91, No. 134 USPS 650-640
GLENN CUNNINGHAM
MILE WORLD RECORD
HOLDER, 1980S
Tradition becomes major building block in attempt to revive sagging KU Relays
AL DERTER, 4 OLYMPIC GOLD
MEDALS, DISCUS, 1920S-60s
By PAUL D. BOWKER Sports Writer
Sports Writer
BUILDING ON TRADITION
Those three words don't take up very much space on the hundreds of Kansas Relays posters scattered around Lawrence, but they are words that mean so much.
FOLLOWING ON TRADITION
For 66 years, the Kansas Relays has been what some people like to term a "track carnival." Track athletes from all over the country invade Lawrence like a flock of geese heading south for the winter. For many athletes, the decision to compete at the Relays isn't a difficult one. It is a way of life, an instinct.
THE NAMES OF some of the participants from past Kansas Relays sound like a national track hall of fame. Wes Santee, Jim Ryun, Glenn Cunningham and Al Oerter of Kansas;
Bobby Whelan of Texas, Mike Bolt of Eastern New Mexico . . . the list goes on.
To continue the tradition, the Relays must draw the stars. Easily put, but not so easily done. Bob Timmons, director of the meet and KU's head track coach, has promised the Relays will draw some of the top track athletes in the nation, but just in case that isn't enough, Timmons has also lared some past Kansas competitors' to this year's meet.
Kipsubai Keakei of Kenya and the Pioneers with two evees last year and their meet's outstanding award two years ago. It was the kind of excitement the Relais is famous for.
The tradition of the Relays, something meet officials are counting on, continues to grow. Last year, after the elimination of some of the lesser events, the Philadelphia Pioneers Track Club dominated the meet, both competitively and emotionally.
"IM ESPECIALLY excited about this year's theme, 'Building on tradition,'" Timmons said.
"Glenn Cunningham, Wes Santee and Jim Ryun will be featured at this year's Relays, and will be involved in special recognition ceremonies Saturday.
"Tradition, great tradition, has been synonymous with the Relays since 1925. And some of the men who have created the great tradition of Kansas track and the Kansas Relays through the years will be at this year's event.
BUILDING ON TRADITION.
"We streamlined last year's relays, and the event became an even greater spectacle for the fans. This year's Relays will produce the same kind of excitement as it continues to be one of the great annual track carnivals in the country."
The Kansas Relays does have tradition. That point cannot be answered, however, until the TRADITION PARTS are known.