2B Friday, April 21.1972
University Daily Kansan
Kansas Staff Photo by GREG SORBEE
Bob Bornkessel. Left. Stretches to Cross Hurdle in Early
KU senior hurdler will enter his last Kansas Relays as a Jayhawk . .
Each Occurrence a Miracle
By ED LALLO
Kansan Sports Writer
Two score and seven years ago,
three men at the University of
Kansas had a dream, a dream to
make the Kansas Relays a
Despite what many sports writers and university officials might want to believe, the dream of "Forrest" *Pho'g* "Allen, and Karl Schaideman, has not always been the established event that it is
The first Relays, April 21, 1923, was most impressive for its field success. The team notables are Dr James Naismith, inventor of basketball, Adolph Rupp, recently retired basketball player and former Kentucky, and three future Kansas football coaches, Ad Lindsay Gwinn Henry, and H. W. Jackson.
KU did well that first year. It won the meet after claiming the honor of winning the first event, the 440 yard relay.
A COMMOTION was raised by Bill Hargiss. coach of Kansas
State Normal (now Kansas State University), when it was announced that the pole vault would be omitted. Hargass pressed for inclusion. His team were rewarded, and K-State won the event.
The Kansas Relays throughout
the season will be an attraction to dignitaries.
Knute Rocke, the immortal
football coach of Notre Dame.
For that occasion the Relays were insured against rain for $3,000. As might have been the case in any of three world records were broken.
Other VIP's who have been referees of the event include Dan Gilligan, the national AAU president and now president of the International Olympic Committee, and Glenn Cunningham in 1942, a former VC.
MUCH OF THE BUILDING of the Relays into national promotion came through the promotions of the "Allen, former athletic director."
participate in a publicity stunt.
He had the male Indians run from
Kansas City to Lawrence while the
women ran from Topeka to
Lawrence. A top distance runner
married with the men. The men won.
In 1830 Allen pulled another of his publicity stubs. This time, he staged a rodeo and buffalo barbecue the night before the
Despite the promotions of Allen, the Relays did not gain the airplay they expected in World War II. When the Relays are known from coast to coast and are ranked in the top three of the nation along with Drake and Kane.
NEVER IN its 49-year history has the event been postponed or called off due to weather or rain. During the war years of 1843 to 1870, the British
The worst year for the relays was 1947, when, as one reporter noted, they got stuck in rain, wind, cold and mud got a jump on the other teams with a special practice late Friday night and went on to swamp all
There is a lot that can be written about the history of the Relays—about its admission of airplanes, about outside activities associated with it—and on matter of importance. The most important is always left out.
"You don't have to dig very far to get the history of the relays' information director said, "but to get the Relays to place each year, with each event going off on a miracle is something of an miracle.
842-2047
Add to that all the officials running around and the field of nationally known athletes, and you can look like a financial monstrosity.
Anyone who's seen the glittering array of hardware in the form of watches, trophies and medals passed out every year at the Kansas Relays can't help but wonder where all the gold comes from.
Thus, the second largest expense is the $1,500 budgeted for trophies. (The largest cost of Novtayo is the largest single expense is $3,500 for trophies and gifts.)
"Barring rain, we'll always make money on the Relays," Novotny said, "but not much."
And to get the personalities, the Relays must pay the athletes' expenses. Only amateur athletes are allowed. The USTF and UNTF-sanctioned meet.
Fortunately, however, the crowd of 22,000 those quality athletes attracts put the RELays on the map. Each point each year to channel money into the next year's RELays. John Goodman, a former athlete, explained recently.
To bring Randy Matson from his Texas home, the Reliefs who are heading to New York are lodging and meals. That will total about $175 for Matson. Novotny
"YOU'VE GOT to have the personalities to draw the crowds," he said.
THE BUDGET for this year's Relays count on income totalling $12,000. That figure is based on programs at the agency ($12,000, estimated profits from programs and concessions of the activity fee funds of $2,000.
Expenses, though, are expected to total at least $14,000. Building and Grounds personnel; expenses for officials, guards and gatekeepers; banquet costs; equipment and training; awards; and other expenses.
"Our problem is making the income equal the expenditures," Novesty said. "To do that, we need a promotion of these name athletes."
Costs of the officials are minimized. Novotny pointed out, by a volunteer force of Lawrence track officials trained by KU
Despite Extravagant Glitter, Relays Earn Enough for Profit, Expansion
Indeed, the name athletes, such as Randy Matsy, Al Feuerbach, Charlie Green and JR Ryan, are the major crowd attractions.
Downstream merchants, besides providing some of the volunteer work for the promotion of the Relays. The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce sponsors those efforts.
"We hope to make a profit of "$1,000. Novotny said. "If we get it, we'll put into next year's name and can bring in more name athletes."
coach Bob Timmons. About the only cost involved is for 150 hats to designate the officials.
SHAKEY'S invites you to enjoy PIZZA and BEER after the Relays
buffet dinners in the Kansas Union for track coaches and officials.
842-2266
SHAKEY'S PIZZA PARLOR &
ye Public house
additional trophies and plaques for relay events. Every winning relay team in all five divisions will receive a trophy or plaque.
844 W.23rd
The Red Baron
Supports the JAYHAWKS
at the
KANSAS RELAYS
WILL FOXX—Friday & Saturday