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University Daily Kansan Friday, April 16, 1965
A FITTING TRIBUTE—The new press box, added to Memorial Stadium in 1963, will be dedicated to Don Pierce, former KU sports publicist, at the 40th annual Kansas Relays this weekend.
Pierce spearheaded the successful campaign to enlarge the stadium, which included plans for the new structure.
Press Box to Be Memorial To Sports Writer Don Pierce
The KU Memorial Stadium Press Box will be officially dedicated as the Don Pierce Press Box during the opening ceremonies of the Kansas Relays on Saturday, April 17th. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. Pierce, former KU Sports Information Director, was fatally injured in a New Year's Eve auto accident.
Wade Stinson, Athletic Director, said the decision to name the press box in Pierce's memory was recommended by the school athletic board and approved by Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe. A plaque will be presented to Pierce's widow, Mrs. Vivian Pierce, by Charles Oldfather, Professor of Law and Chairman of the Athletic Board. A similar plaque will be installed in the press box.
The new press box was completed in 1963 after Pierce had campaigned for many years to improve press facilities in the stadium. The lower portion of the press box now accommodates up to 53 writers as well as statisticians, Western Union, and other personnel. The second level contains six spacious radio booths plus two additional booths for coaches while photographers and camera men can operate from an unobstructed area atop the press box.
Pierce served for over 20 years as the KU publicist and is credited with helping promote the KU relays into one of the most outstanding track events in the nation.
1965 Track Roster
No. Name Event 177 Looney, Robert BJ, TJ
168 Ashurst, Steven 100, 220, 440 152 Manuel, Philip PV
169 Burdick, Michael PV 152 Martin, Glenn BJ, TJ
172 Chambers, William HH, IH, TJ 183 McGaugh, Eugene SP
163 Contreras, Jose 2M, 3M 183 Paul, Lowell 440, 880
180 Cortez, Art BJ, HJ, IH 162 Peck, Dwight 220, 440
186 Dienelt, Douglas 100, 220, 440 169 Perry, William SP
169 Donner, John 880, M, 440 165 Purma, Thomas J, D, SP
159 Fries, Alan 600, 880 181 Rheams, Larry BJ, TJ
160 Hadley, Herald (c) 880, M 164 Saul, William 880
167 Hanson, Robert 100, 220, 440 185 Schwartz, Gary D, SP
167 Holm, Kenneth 880, M 184 Smith, Tyce HJ
171 Lanning, Charles 440 185 Straight, Steve HJ
174 Lawson, Joel 440, 220 183 Suggs, Ron 100, 220, 440
174 Lawson, John 880, M, 2M 182 Utermochenl, Rick D
171 Lawson, John 880, M, 2M 173 Yergovich, Tom 880, M, 2M
Money Trouble, Once, For Relays
In that year, the fate of the relays was handed over to the students. The relays had reached a point where it was forced to ask financial aid from the students of the University.
1960 was a year of crisis for the Kansas Relays.
There was no specific budget set up for the operation of the relays. All the funds are appropriated from the University Athletic Fund.
Track coach Bill Easton told the students that this wasn't an idea to make a lot of money but was merely to make the relays not show a deficit. He said that the 1959 edition of the relays had cost about $12,000 and that the athletic department had come up with about a $200 deficit. Easton also noted that there had been deficits in previous years.
As a result of the financial losses, Easton made an appeal to the All Student Council. The plea was answered when the ASC voted to support a recommendation by the relays committee to charge faculty and students 50 cents a day to attend the track and field meet.
The Relays Committee made the
change and began to charge students and faculty 50 cents, students from other schools 75 cents, and others were charged $1.50. There were no reserved seats.
Easton made public statements to the Daily Kansan and the paper supported him with editorials urging the students to pitch in and save the relays—not just with their attendance but with that of friends and relatives.
An editorial from the Daily Kansan on Friday, April 8, said:
"The death of the Relays would mean the loss of a great tradition. The responsibility lies on the shoulders of the student body. By promoting the Relays, the students can play a major role in keeping this tradition at KU."
The intensive campaign by Easton and the Daily Kansan apparently paid dividends. On the 27th of April, following the Relays, Earl Falkenstein, business manager of the athletic department, said the Relays would break even that year.
And, from 1960, the Kansas Relays has been a paying proposition, helping to support itself.
THE
Safeway
Key Rexall Drugs
T.G. & Y.
Acme Laundry
Speed Queen Laundromat
Little Banquet Restaurant
Andrews Gifts
Kief's Record Shop
Malls Stadium Barber Shop
Blaine and Jesse's Beauty Shop
Maupintour Travel Agency
MALLS SHOPPING CENTER
WELCOMES YOU TO THE 40th ANNUAL KANSAS RELAYS
- Fast and Friendly Service
- Convenience
- Courtesy
- Ample Free Parking