38 Years Ago At the Drake Relays

 By RON MALY

It was 38 years ago that award-winning photographer Bob Modersohn and I had a tremendously interesting weekend at the Drake Relays.

Bob Modersohn

Both of us were working at the paper then, and we cooked up an idea that turned out to be a winner for everyone.

Here's how Modersohn, who has been using his Facebook page to re-live some of his newspaper career, explained it on his social media outlet:


RESTROOM CHANGING ROOM - From Drake Relays, 1977, Al Feuerbach from Preston in NE Iowa, and Mac Wilkins a native Oregonian, change clothes in the men's room at then Des Moines Municipal Airport after competing in a special shot put event. Of course these photos were NOT published. Then-Des Moines Register reporter Ron Maly and I followed the two world-class weight event athletes through their time at the Relays for a special newsside feature for the Sunday paper. When they were done competing, we followed them in a special police-escorted shuttle to the airport. They were flying to San Jose, CA, to compete in another track meet that afternoon. The guy in the business suit drying his hands, talking to Wilkins asked, "What team do you play for?" Like, which football team. Wilkins, humble as can be, responded, "Oh, no, we're track and field athletes." The truth was, Wilkins was the defending Olympic Gold Medal winner in the discus. The year before he'd broken the World Record in that event four times, three times in one day! — on consecutive throws! Feuerbach, whom they say was 6 feet tall, and 265 pounds, didn't look nearly that big. He threw with his legs as much as his arms — and with speed. He broke a 7-year-old shot put world record in 1973 with a distance of 71' 7". Only weeks later, competing in Olympic-style weight lifting, he finished second in the heavyweight division at the U.S. weightlifting championships. On this Relays Saturday, though, it was Wilkins who won the special shot put event.

Here are the photos to which Modersohn was referring:

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  After seeing the pictures and reading what Modersohn wrote, I posted  this Facebook comment to him:
  
  Ronald Wesley Maly 1977? Has it been that long ago, Bob? I remember the day well. Outstanding work by you.
  
  Modersohn's response:
  
  Bob Modersohn Yep, that's the year, Ron. Since the track meet was in town, we couldn't have breakfast on the Register. You know, "primo hashbrowns" from Boswell's at MLK (then Harding Road) and Forest Ave., like we did before driving to AK-SAR-BEN in Omaha for a Picture Magazine story. 
  
  Ah, yes, those trips to the Ak-Sar-Ben horse track for stories. And, like Modersohn mentioned, the breakfasts at the old Boswell's restaurant in Des Moines before the trips. My next comment to him was:
  
  Ronald Wesley Maly If your basketball still has any air in it, there are a couple of outdoor courts at schools along highway 6 where we can shoot a game of h-o-r-s-e. I think the nets might be gone on the baskets, though. Things have been tough economically along highway 6. By the way, if your basketball is out of air, we can always get a cheap tire pump at a Walmart on the way west. Now you've got me thinking about those [tremendous primo] hashbrowns at Boswell's. The buckwheat pancakes, too.
  
  Bob Modersohn I remember those games of horse, Ron. Fun times.
  
  Indeed, they were fun. How time flies when you're having fun.