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The Texas Relays 81 Years Running
Thornton is excited to take part in yet another Texas Relays
By Austin Talbert
Bubba Thornton knows the Texas Relays.
A track star at TCU, he competed in his first one back in 1967 and has been coming back ever since. Texas' men's track coach isn't quite sure if he missed some relays in between that first meet back in '67 and this year's 81st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, but more than 40 years later, he still gets excited in early April when the focus of the track and field world is on Austin. "I am feeling really good," Thornton said, grinning from underneath his white hat. A day before the Relays start, Thornton forgoes the typical coaching attire for a more dapper approach. This week is special and he knows it. His face tells the story. Thornton loves track, and thus he loves the Texas Relays - a sports "carnival" he considers among the top 10 sporting events held in the world. Not only is the four-day event, starting noon today at Mike A. Myers Stadium, one of the most competitive men's and women's college track meets of the year, it also showcases the top Texas high school athletes and the elite track and field stars of the world, many of whom will compete later this year in the Beijing Olympics. "It's like Field Of Dreams for those in track and field; this is where they come in the spring to see dreams come true," Thornton said. "They come to put their talents and abilities out there to be tested and challenged." Its safe to say Thornton loves the Texas Relays, and he isn't alone. The Relays draw up to 50,000 total fans to Myers stadium each year - ranking it as the forth-largest event of the year for Austin and second-largest Texas sporting event behind only a home football game. The Texas Relays are mix of serious business, serious parties and four days of serious track. "It is easy to say we are lining up against the best in track and field - because we are. But there is so much more to the Relays; the fears, the laughter, the ups and downs, the records being set," Thornton said. "For some guys this meet is going to spark them to making the Olympic team, and at the end everyone will look back and think about what they have to be champion next year." The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely.
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