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University Daily Kansan, April 22, 1983
Hershberger helps Relays survive
By BOB LUDER
Sports Writer
With the KU track budget shrinking more and more each year, KU officials have been fighting a constant battle to keep the Kansas Relays alive. But because of the contributions made by one man, the Relays probably will continue to exist as an annual track classic and as the middle link in the Midwestern relays circuit.
Jim Hershberger, a Wichita oil businessman, philanthropist and all-around athlete, has given a big financial boost to the Relays and the Jayhawk track program for the last several years.
FOR THE LAST TWO years, Hershberger, 51, has been a co-sponsor of the Relays which along with the Texas Relays and the Drake Relays makes up the Midwestern relays circuit. This year, he not only maintains his sponsorship of the meet, but has also aided Athletes United for Peace in bringing a Russian track team to Lawrence.
LAWRENCE
Last year, in addition to his donations to the Relays, Hershberger bought the Jayhawk track team rings and watches for winning last year's Big Eight Conference indoor and outdoor championships. He estimates his personal contributions, both last year and this year, at $50,000.
year, but he Hershberger's largest construction to Kansas track dates back to 1970, when he was responsible for the installation of the all-weather track in Memorial Stadium. That year the 45th Kansas RELs were named after him. The track he donated still bears his name. Hershberger is currently studying a proposal that would renovate the 13-year old track.
IN ADDITION. Hershberger also donates four scholarships to KU track each year, including the Bill Easton scholarship. Easton was the KU track coach from 1948-65.
"Jim Hershberger's active interest in the University of Kansas has been a great asset to us," said Bob Timmons, current KU track coach and director of the Relays. "I wish we could fully express our gratitude for everything he has contributed to our program."
Hershberger's long friendship with KU track dates back to 1951, when he was a star sprinter on the Jayhawk squad. That year, he anchored KU's
everyone thinks I just give money to track. But I'd hate to see the Relays die. It's a great tradition."
Hershberger's contributions don't stop with the KU athletic department. His other activities include the annual Jim Hershberger Walk-or-Run, which is heading into its seventh year as the largest cancer fund raiser in Kansas; he is the co-founder of Coffeed Industries; he purchased bullet-proof jackets for the Wichita Police Department; he is a big contributor to the Wichita YMCA; and his biggest contributions have come in the area of church and mental retarda-
'I actually hated track at KU. It was and always has been my least favorite sport. But I like what running does for me and I enjoy the people in track, especially Bob Timmons. I think he's done a fabulous job up there.'
Jim Hershberger Relays co-sponsor
mile relay to the Big Seven indoor title and led off KU's winning distance medley relay at the Kansas Relays. During his career at KU, he won four Kansas and Texas Relays titles and two Philadelphia Classic titles.
BUT HERSIBERGER says his interest in the Jayhawk track program doesn't stem from his love of the sport. "YUUU."
"I actually hated track at KU," Hershberger said. "It was and always has been my least favorite sport. But I like what running is, in track, especially Bob Timmons. I think he's done a fabulous job up there.
HERSBERGER'S ATHLETIC feats in the past 30 years have established him as one of the great all-round athletes in history. Since graduating from KU in 1952, he broken 25 world records and record records in both the Amateur Athletic Union and the United States Track and Field Federation.
"Kansas is my favorite university and I actually donate to all of the KU athletic programs, but I guess because of my involvement with the Relays,
tion projects. He also helped build the track at Wichita State University.
In addition to his accomplishments in track and field, Hersbberger has been an alternate to the Olympic wrestling team, was ranked second in the nation in open-class raquette and was an Air Force badminton champion. He still considers water skiing his favorite sport.
sport
"I think the fact that I have yet to lose
to anyone my age is a major motivational factor in keeping me going." Hershberger said. "I also like the challenge of breaking world records.
"WHAT I DON'T understand is why I don't run very well. It's the sport which I put the most time and effort into, yet I'm not very good at it."
That wasn't shown by his performance in last year's Relays, in which he won his age division in the 800-meter run in a time near 2.05. He was planning on running an even better time at this year's contest, but he broke his foot while training indoors this winter.
"I broke the fourth metatarsal at my right foot training on the indoor strip in Wichita," he said. "Then I tried to race it until I hit the ground, and finally had to quit training for a while."
"A big weakness of mine is that I always try to push everything to hard."
HERSHBERGER'S GREATEST athletic achievement came on Sept. 2, 1981, when he celebrated his 50th birthday with his own "Hershberger Games." He competed in 18 different events in 14 hours. The "megathon" started at 5 a.m. with three sets of tennis and ended at 8:40 p.m. with a 10,000-meter run. In the process, he broke two fingers, his wrist, his hand and his nose. The "Hershberger Games" caught the eyes of almost the entire country. It was covered by several network and local television stations, as well as by Sports Illustrated.
"First I'll try to live that long," he said. "Then I watch all the young guys who have beaten me sit around and get fat and then come back and beat them."
What will Hershberger do for an encore on his 60th birthday?
$65,000 in corporate, private donations to help Kansas Relays
By WILLIAM BOEDING Staff Reporter
Approximately $65,000 will be donated to the 1983 Kansas Relays by corporate and private sponsors to help defray the cost of the meet.
Donations will come from companies such as Nike, Hallmark Inc. and Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co., as well as individuals and private organizations.
One of the most recognized of the individual sponsors is Jim Hershberger, a former member and long-time friend of the track program at KU. He is also co-sponsoring the Relays in 1983 for the third consecutive year. In addition to his many other contributions, Hershberger also donates four scholarships to the track program each year.
Athletes United for Peace, the other sponsor of this year's event is responsible for the Russian team attending the 1983 Relays.
Donations for the Kansas Relays range from $50 to $5,000. In return for their donation, contributors receive gratuities such as having their names listed with advertising in the University Daily Kansan and the Lawyers Journal. Journals are submitted to the RELAYS and the RELAYS banquet on April 21. Relay programs, sponsorship posters, and t-shirts are also given to those who contribute.
Donations are used for different purposes before and during the Relays. Some of the donated money goes
toward sponsoring visiting teams and special invitational athletes.
Visiting team sponsorship money is used to help bring outstanding talent to the Kansas Relays. A team of allow teams with insufficient funds to attend the Relays.
For a donation of $2,000, sponsors receive a full page ad in the program and the privilege of taking part in the awards ceremony. They also are acknowledged over the public address system and on the scoreboard during the Relays.
Money from the Special Invitational Athlete fund would be used for similar purposes. This money is also allocated to bring outstanding talent to the Relays. The money is used to cover the expenses of transportation, housing and meals for these athletes. The special Invitational Athlete sponsorship requires a donation of $500. Money from this fund will be used to help cover the cost of the Russian team attending the Relays this year.
Event sponsors donate from $150 to
$300 to sponsor an individual event. These contributors present the award to the winner of the event they sponsor. Their names are also announced at the meet and in the program on the page the event is listed.
Gifts of Kind is a different part of the Kansas Relays. Individuals or companies donate supplies or equipment for use during the Relays, like typewriters, golf carts, or copy machines. Things such as amuband service or providing refreshments for the athletes and crew would fall into this category.
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