V 13 N. 41 Great Old Photos from Drake Relays

 The Cowles Library at Drake University has an excellent collection of photos from past Drake Relays.  Here are some of them.   You can access the collection at the following link.

Cowles Library Digital Archives Drake Relays

                                          1947  A young Bill Stern interviewing Harrison Dillard

Stern interviewing Jim Kelly, Referee and head coach U. of Minnesota

                                                  Harrison Dillard  Baldwin Wallace University

                              Don Gehrmann, U. of Wisconsin anchoring Sprint Med.  1:53  in 1950

                                 Don Gehrmann 1949, anchored Sprint Med. and Distance Med. to wins

                                                                   1940 Program

                                                                 Glenn Cunningham

                                                    Harrison Dillard leading 120 HH  1947

                                                                Dillard at the start.

                                                             Harrison Dillard  1947

Mac Unstadd Texas Sprint Med. 1941  3:23

Ralph Tate Okla. A&M 1943

14.2 HH and 24' 7" Broad Jump

Wes Santee 1952

I wonder who ordered that warmup?

Bill Easton with KU relay team

Charles Parker, Texas

1947   880 relay (4x220 yd.)

Wes Santee 1952

Ira Murchison 100 yds. 1958

Wilt Chamberlain w/actor Joe E. Brown 1957

  Boy, those pictures bring back some great memories.  Most of my life I had heard of the Drake Relays but when I finally got a chance to go in 1980, they did not disappoint.  The historic Drake Stadium, the infield lowered about 6', the speakers lining the track on the infield side, the old scoreboard pictured here and eventually the new scoreboard, the Iowa high school events, the college events divided into college and university divisions, the pennants on the scoreboard whenever a new Drake Relays record was set, the long throws in a neighborhood valley about 6 blocks away, the wonderful Hotel Ft. Des Moines, the Hall of Fame inductions ceremonies at the hotel, but most of all, the magnificent voice of Jim Duncan.  These are just a few memories, with at least 1,000 more.  Anyone who loves antiquity and athletics in the same location would love the Drake Relays.  Anyone who loves loyalty and small town hospitality would love the Drake Relays.  Anyone who can combine those heart warming traits and still see a fabulous track meet would love the Drake Relays.  Everyone needs to go at least once in his life.

   Bill Schnier