Sponsor gives Relays a boost

By Jim Baker Apr 10, 1996

Several of Kansas University’s track and field Olympians will attend the 71st Kansas Relays, set for April 17-20 on Hershberger Track at Memorial Stadium.

Former Olympians Bill Alley (javelin, Rome 1960), Kent Floerke (triple jump, Tokyo, 1964), Mark Lutz (200, Montreal, 1976), Jim Ryun (1,500, Toyko, 1964; Mexico City, 1968; Munich 1972), Wes Santee (5,000, Helsinki, 1952) and Cliff Wiley (400, Moscow 1980) will participate in Relays ceremonies and sign autographs for fans during Saturday’s featured events.

Four-time Olympian Al Oerter, who will not be able to attend, sent KU coach/Relays meet director Gary Schwartz his regrets.

“People like Al Oerter feel a special bond with KU and the Relays,” Schwartz said. “We’re excited about bringing our Olympians back and showing them the campus again.”

Thanks to first-year corporate sponsor Columbia Healthcare, the KU Olympians might discover a rejuvenated Kansas Relays.

Schwartz has taken an undisclosed donation from Columbia Healthcare and used it to pay guarantee fees to members of the Nike Central track club, plus other track competitors.

Former Kansas City Schlagle standout Maurice Greene will head the list of Nike entrants.

Greene, who placed second in the 100 at last year’s world championships, ran a 9.88 at the 1995 Texas Relays. It was the eighth-fastest 100 in history.

Other Nike entrants include…

Wendell Gaskin, a former KC Washington runner who holds the national record for a hearing impaired person in the 400 (45.29). Gaskin is a former national junior college champ in the 400.
David Oaks, a former Oklahoma University sprinter, who is the Big Eight record holder in the 100 (10.14).
Jacqui Brown, a 12-time Ohio Valley long and triple jump champ out of Middle Tennessee State. Brown competed for the U.S. in the 1995 World Indoor championships and was ranked second last year behind Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

The Nike athletes chose to compete at KU over the LSU Invitational and the Mt. Sac Relays.

“I feel we can put on such a meet that the Oklahomas and Iowa States who have dropped out will come back,” Nike coach Al Hobson said. “I think this will (eventually) be one of the biggest meets in the country and one of the best.”

KU Olympic hopefuls Scott Huffman and Pat Manson will compete in the pole vault, along with ex-Jayhawk John Bazzoni. Also an exhibition women’s pole vault will be contested.

Columbia’s sponsorship is for one year only. However, the company may decide to renew.

“We hope so. We’ll see how it goes. Certainly this is a great start,” Columbia Healthcare representative Fran Ford-Jacques said. “We’ll take a look at it. I’m not here to announce we’ll be here next year. But an event like the Kansas Relays, with a tradition of 70 years, needs to continue. If it needs sponsorship, we’ll certainly do our part.”