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JULY
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
11
A QUICK GUIDE TO WHAT'S GOING ON
www.kansan.com
Tradition stays in shape
jburke@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
As the summer days of July heat up, Red Dog Days continue to condition Lawrence residents in its 21st summer.
The city's most popular conditioning program is run by Don "Red Dog" Gardner, a retired Lawrence police officer.
Hy-Vee Food Stores sponsor the program, which was originally started to keep Lawrence High School football players in shape
"I try to go as much as my schedule allows. It is something I really enjoy and is a different way to workout and great way to meet new people."
Brett Ballard
Former Kansas basketball player
during the summer months, but has now expanded to all Lawrence residents including the young and young at heart.
Gardner said Red Dog Days drew about 800 participants last summer.
Red Dog Days begin by participants filling the entire length of the Memorial Stadium football field and awaiting instruction from Gardner. He makes a few announcements from the stands and then hands the bullhorn over to a group leader to lead the stretching and callisthenics.
After warming up, participants begin running activities, including laps around the track, up and down stairs and the Campanile hill.
The popularity of the program has attracted participants such as former Kansas basketball player Brett Ballard, who started going last summer.
"I try to go as much as my schedule allows," Ballard said. "It is something I really enjoy and is a different way to workout and a great way to meet new people."
Last Thursday, Mark Francis, KU soccer coach, spoke to the crowd of about 600 people before they began their workouts.
SEE TRADITION ON PAGE 12
Vishal Patel, Lawrence resident, does leg lifts with hundreds of other. participants of Red Dog Days, the city's most popular conditioning program. The leg lifts were one part of the calisthenics routine done on the field of Memorial Stadium yesterday evening.
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansar