Dale Shannon Letter

April 19, 1970

To Whom It May Concern:

It was not athletics which brought me in off of the farm in Kansas in the drought and depression years of the 30's to attend the University of Kansas but I went to the University with an objective to study law and had no thought that I could ever join that special club the "K Club". In the required freshman P. E. course I chanced to become acquainted with Glenn Cunningham, a senior, who suggested and urged that I go out for track. I didn't take seriously the urging of this great athlete until he brought around to see me our good friend and coach, H. W. (Bill) Hargiss and was told that my equipment was waiting at the stadium and that I simply must report for track. I could not begin to enumerate the help that has been given to me by my participation in track at the University of Kansas, all of which was under the tutorage of Coach Hargiss. He convinced me that if a high jumper got up in the air he could come down and would not need to worry about aspects of the procedure, etc., etc. Without his encouragement and guidance I am sure I could never have overcome the mental block of jumping higher than six feet which was pretty high for a country boy in those days.

During 32 years of law practice and public service in the offices of Deputy District Attorney and now District Judge, it is strange how repeatedly my participation in track at the University has followed me into the latest of times as mentioned in any news coverage pertaining to my activities. I mention this simply because when my athletic activities are mentioned nowhere does the name of H. W. (Bill) Hargiss appear. Yet, as with me, and with hundreds of other students at the University down through the years, Coach Hargiss has made a contribution to each one of us which has contributed through our lives in ways too numerous and complicated to herein define and describe.

It is with regrets that I cannot personally attend on the evening honoring Coach Hargiss and only send my kindest regards, best wishes for his remaining years, and sincere thanks for all that he did for me as well as the other young men he has coached.

Sincerely yours,

DALE E. SHANNON