RCW: Sport Spotlight 4.32 (Track & Field)
Honoring tradition. Remembering those who paved the way.
Throwing it back with the powder blue and pinks for the 91st Kansas Relays.#RockChalk #KUtrack pic.twitter.com/bY2LUKUPi0
— Kansas Track & Field (@KUTrack) April 17, 2018
Those uni’s though… ?????? #KUtrack #KUrelays
A post shared by Kansas Track & Field (@kutrack) on Apr 19, 2018 at 4:09pm PDT
The Kansas track & field team swapped the traditional Crimson and Blue uniforms for a kit that paid homage to the history of the Jayhawk track & field by donning powder blue and pink uniform for the 91st Kansas Relays Presented by RCB Bank.
Honoring tradition. Remembering those who paved the way. Throwing it back with the powder blue and pinks for the 91st Kansas Relays. #RockChalk #KUtrack
Posted by Kansas Track & Field on Tuesday, April 17, 2018
The Jayhawks first started wearing the powder blue and pink uniforms in 1952, after a Kansas hurdler named Jack Greenwood placed third in a tight race, even though he was certain he crossed the finish line first. Greenwood thought the reason he was missed at the finish line was because the traditional blue uniform was not catchy to the eye, so Kansas coach Bill Easton then decided to trade the Crimson and Blue for the eye-catching powder blue and pink to ensure his athletes stood out at the finish line.
Later, coach Bob Timmons, who took over for Easton at the helm of the Jayhawk track & field program, continued the tradition and it carried on until 1999.
Kansas has worn pink and blue uniforms in recent years at the Kansas Relays, but they were always just a variation of the current uniform. However, this year’s kit is a direct replica of those worn in the 50’s and 60’s.
When the announcement was made that the Jayhawks would be throwing it back to the retro look for the 91st Kansas Relays, fans and KU track & field alums alike were excited and shared some of their favorite memories of the pink and blue on social media.
The powder blue and pinks are back for the 91st #KUrelays and that has the #KUtrack alumni reminiscing… #TBT @ Rock Chalk Park
Posted by Kansas Track & Field on Thursday, April 19, 2018
