8B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2005
KANSAS RELAYS
Relays attract big stars, fans and dollars
BY KELLIE ROBINETT
krobinett@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Kansas Relays meet director Tim Weaver couldn't think of the perfect adjective to describe how he felt about this year's event.
So he used every word that came to mind.
Weaver said the money helped bring in the athletes, but he thinks it was hardly the main factor.
"It was amazing, unbelievable and incredible," he said. "It still hasn't sunk in that 24,000 people showed up. It was such a tremendous experience."
Weaver was excited about the attendance numbers because the University of Kansas spent nearly $100,000 to bring some of the world's best track and field athletes to the Kansas Relays.
That budget was significantly increased from past years, because the University wanted to make the event popular again, he said. In recent years the Kansas Relays has experienced low attendance.
"Our budget has a lot of wrinkles, but we gave our athletes first class treatment all the way around," he said.
"They are elite athletes, but none of them came just for the money. They all wanted to be part of this tradition and experience." he said.
Fans enjoyed watching the athletes, because it was a rare opportunity to see olympians compete, said Logan Henderson, student relays committee member.
The premiere athletes were showcased during the Gold Zone. Saturday from 2 to 5 in
" "
It was amazing, unbelievable and incredible. It still hasn't sunk in that 24,000 people showed up."
Tim Weaver Kansas Relays meet director
the afternoon. Students were given free admission, while adult tickets were $10.
"The main difference in fan support was the big name talent we had this year." Henderson, Houston junior, said. "Their performances and talents were something people wanted to see."
The increased Kansas Relays attendance not only made the event an enjoyable experience, but it also helped the University make up for the money it spent to attract star athletes.
Weaver said concession and ticket revenue could be the highest of all time.
"I won't get those numbers until next week, but I'm sure that they will far surpass anything we've seen in the past," he said. "Twenty-four thousand people drink a lot more Coca-Cola than 12,000."
University officials were impressed with the Kansas Relays' success, and Weaver was even called the track and field equivalent of Don King, the legendary boxing promoter.
"That's something I'll never forget," Weaver said. "When I heard that, all I could do was yell 'only in America.' I was beyond thrilled."
A day at the races
Photos
by
Mike
Poxnansky
Brandon Hodges, Hot Springs, Ark., senior receives the baton from Matt Baysinger, Overland Park freshman, during the 4x400 relay Saturday in the Kansas Relays at Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks placed second in the race.
Edited by Lori Bettes
jeremy Mims,
lowa City,
lowa, senior,
laces up for the
4x400 meter
relay during the
Kansas Relays
Saturday afternoon.
Mims took first place in the 800-
meter run earlier that day.
Rachel Seymour/KANSAN
Nick Brennan, Morgana, Calif., freshman, pushes himself on the last stretch on the men's 1500-meter run against Kansas State senior Trevor Smith during the Kansas Relays at Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon. Brennan passed Smith to take fifth in the even with a final time of 4:1.05.