McDonnell’s Irish eyes are smiling

FAYETTEVILLE - Somewhere up above John McDonnell’s Irish eyes are smiling.

The Razorbacks men’s track program that Arkansas’ 42-times national champion coach made famous in Philadelphia, runs again at next week’s Penn Relays.

That or the also prestigious Drake Relays, always run the same late April weekend in Des Moines, Ia. where McDonnell’s men first garnered national attention, is where McDonnell always wanted the Razorbacks running but predicted would become difficult to schedule. He predicted that around 20 years before passing away in 2021.

Adding the NCAA Outdoor Regional qualifying meets, which Arkansas this May Arkansas hosts, would detract from Penn and Drake, McDonnell said as did Lance Harter, then and still Arkansas’ women’s coach.

“I knew John’s feelings about it and I said the same thing that those two big relay meets are going to take a huge hit,” Chris Bucknam said.

Upon McDonnell’s 2008 retirement, Bucknam has coached Arkansas’ men after 25 years coaching the University of Northern Iowa.

“We were up at the Drake Relays territory and it was a stalwart part of our schedule,” Bucknam said. “But things changed in the 2-thousands when Regionals came into play.”

Conference meets got scheduled earlier because of Regionals. Fewer colleges competed at Penn and Drake. Athletes chased Regional qualifying marks rather than run relay carnivals with events not run at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

“You can only go to the well with your guys so many times,” Bucknam said.

Always with room for high school, colleges and pros, Penn and Drake became increasingly pro oriented with less collegiate impact.

There had been ample room for all when McDonnell made Arkansas as Philadelphia as cheesesteak dominating Penn even with Philadelphia power Villanova still strong.

That Penn dominance helped McDonnell recruit worldwide.

Upon arrival Bucknam took Arkansas to Penn but eventually he and Harter pulled out, even for awhile hosting a meet called the National Relays that was OK but certainly no Penn or Drake.

Next Thursday through Saturday Penn returns after a 2-year covid absence. The Razorbacks return with it.

Harter takes distance runners, especially a powerhouse 4x1500 team.

Bucknam brings his team whole Hog.

“Hopefully after covid there’s a rejuvenation process with Penn and Drake,” Bucknam said. “Let’s go back and help with that rejuvenation. I’d listen to alums talk about their national championships and whatever but it’s Penn where they had the most fun. That’s their fondest memories.”

Arkansas senior All-American halfmiler Kieran Taylor of Little Rock is the son of Englishman Gary Taylor, a member of Arkansas’ record-setting Penn Relays distance medley relay along with the great quartermiler Roddie Haley recently deceased.

“You see a picture of Gary Taylor and Roddie Haley on that distance medley relay team holding up that wheel (Penn’s iconic trophy) and the expression on their faces - it’s priceless,” Bucknam said. “I wanted K.T. to have the experience where his dad and Arkansas had great success. We are going to give it another shot.”

Among Arkansas alums more than just Irish eyes are smiling.