It's a clean sweep . . .
Red,Blue race now a tradition
By JOE CHILDS
Kansan Sports Writer
The crowd loves it when "Red" and "Blue" sweep the court-but no one enjoys it more than the broom-pushers themselves.
When "Red" and "Blue" push their brooms over the hardwood floor at Allen Field House, before the opening tip-off and at halftime of the basketball games, the fans attention sets on the crowd-made race. The betting starts and the partisan crowd cheer for their favorite color.
Perhaps John "Red" Rice and Marion "Blue" Afalter have show-blood in their veins, or maybe they were born crowd-pleasers. Still their race is often times the highlight of the half-time entertainment.
Of course the two "sweepers" speak modestly of their contest and with almost no emotion refer to it as "something that just has to be done." But after a pause each confesses "naturally I get a kick out of it."
A seasoned veteran of four years "Blue" is the fulltime custodian at Allen Field House and has served in that capacity for seven years. It was "Blue" who originated the idea four years ago.
"I schemed it up," explained "Blue". "It was just to add a little more color. Before the mops were dyed crimson and blue, white mops were used, but after a few swipes up and down the court they became gray and drab. I suggested to color the mops, and to get the matching shirts because I thought it would add a little variety."
Affalter has been suiting up in the blue uniform since the idea was started in 1965. In those four years he hasn't missed a game.
Now in his rookie year as "Red", John Rice has suited up for every home basketball game this season. Rice works as the early morning custodian at Watkins Hospital and is one of the toughest opponents "Blue" has faced in his four years.
Although both men enjoy working as celebrity broom-pushers, they emphasize that cleaning the hardcourt is something that has to be done. "People need to realize that we are not sweeping that floor just for show. The floor takes a lot of attention because of the dust that settles on it from the dirt track. When the floor accumulates a layer of dust it becomes slick and we are forced
to sweep it to keep it safe," Blue said.
Even though the sweeping of the floor is a job, it has become more than just a routine task. "Blue" who has never missed a race . . er . . job in four years would be the percentage-bet for the so-inclined observers. During his career he has proven over and over again to be a consistent winner, and a victory for "Red" is accepted as an upset and a true rarity.
"Blue" does emphasize the broom-pusher's need for natural speed. "We have only one minute to get that floor swept—so you can't loaf. If there is a special show planned for half-time we are supposed to try to sweep it in less than one minute. What helps me out is that I'm naturally a fast worker."
KANSAN Mar. 6 1969
Eight KU thinclads to Milwaukee
Fresh from defending their Big Eight title, eight KU thinclads will compete in the Milwaukee Journal meet Saturday, the last indoor track meet before the NCCA championships.
George Byers, the Big Eight's indoor meet only double winner, leads the KU contingent to this long-time fixture on the indoor track circuit. The thinclads will compete in six events.
Byers is entered in the 50-yard high hurdles, an event for which he has no mark. Last week he broke the Big Eight record in the 60-yard high hurdles (:07.1) and tied the world and Big Eight record in the 60-yard low hurdles (:06.5).
Also traveling to Milwaukee is the mile relay team, suprise winners in last weeks Big Eight meet. Rated fourth prior to the race Randy Julian, Bob
College cager dies after close game
DODGE CITY, Kan.
Douglas Harms, 18, Pratt Junior College student collapsed near the end of a close basketball game his school lost Tuesday night, 113-109, to Hutchinson Junior College in a sub-regional tournament. He was pronounced dead at a hospital to which he was taken after efforts at the game to revive him.
Sports Equipment Carried Free
NEW YORK (UPI) — Passengers now may carry a wide variety of sports equipment on Eastern Airlines' domestic and Canadian flights without charge.
The Civil Aeronautics Board has approved an Eastern proposal to permit the substitution of skis, bowling balls, fishing equipment, rifles, shotguns and scuba gear for one 62-inch piece of luggage. Additional pieces of baggage, not to exceed 55 inches and 45 inches in external dimensions may also be transported free.
Bornkessel, Jim Hatcher and Julio Meade snatched the mile relay crown from the favorites (3:18.1).
Julian and Meade will double in the 600-yard run. Julian, the school record holder in this event, placed second in last weeks meet (1:12.7).
Roger Kathol will compete in the 1,000-yard run and Paul Mattingly is entered in the 880. Kathol took second at the conference indoor in the 1,000 (2:11.6). Mattingly finished third in the 880.
Rounding out the KU squad will be pole-vaulter Jan Johnson
Miss Janice Mitchell Love that look with her Ladybug knit top and skooter.
6
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