University Daily Kansan
Friday, April 16, 1965
Page 7
OLYMPIC FORM—Cliff Cushman, former KU sprinter, demonstrates the smooth hurdling style that won him a berth in the 1960 Olympic competition in Rome. Cushman ran in the 400 meter hurdles in the AAU Invitational section of the 1964 Kansas Relays.
Weather is Always Factor in Relays
Track coach Bill Easton says weather will always be a significant factor in the Kansas Relays.
Although this track and field classic has only really fallen prey to the whims of weather once, Easton admitted that the weather can always make or break the meet.
The only occasion when bad weather has delayed a session of the relays was in 1959 when heavy rains caused the Friday afternoon events to be postponed and the entire relay schedule was run on Saturday in a marathon 7-hour program.
It would be troublesome to call off the relays after so many teams had traveled here for the meet. Many of the events have been run in "really bad" rains.
IN 1947 the Relays had the appearance of a swimming meet rather than a track meet. Runners sloshed through the events in the worst rain and cold in the history of the relays. No records were broken. Six pole vaulters tied for first place in the rain at 11"6", the lowest recorded for that event in the relays since they have begun.
Bad weather was also present at the relays in 1923, 1929, 1932, 1951, 1955, and 1959. Almost every event was run in the rain at the first KU Relays in 1923. There was a heavy rain at the 1926 relays. No records were broken in 1932 when Pittsburg State Teachers College won all four college class relay events in the rain.
IN 1951 rain didn't prevent the breaking of a pole vault record; and, in 1955, wind and hail could not prevent the runners from chalking up five new records. Wind also has been a bad influence on relays records. In 1926, 1941, and 1960 records set in the 100 were not allowed because of excessive tailwinds.
In 1925, when Knute Rockne, Notre Dame football coach, was referee, the relays was insured against rain for $5,000. As might have been expected, it did not rain and three world records were broken.
So, Easton feels the only thing to do is to pray for good weather for this year's meeting. "If it rains, we're sunk," he said. "We just don't have an all-weather track."
Texas Coach Named As Referee
The 1965 Kansas Relays Referee will be Clyde Littlefield. Littlefield is founder, and for 32 years was director of, the Texas Relays. A former coach at the University of Texas, Littlefield is a member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
Street Dance Tomorrow Night!! SUA Relays Street Dance
7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. in front of Kansas Union
Featuring The
Commanderos FREE!
Open House In Kansas Union 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Refreshments Served In South Lounge