Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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Rec Center has run on dav of torch arrival presented with the Hag, Montagna said. Following the ceremony at the courthouse, there was a reception in the Chamber of Commerce confer- ence room to honor the runners. The same day the torch passed through Lubbock, Montagna said, the Tech Student Recreation Center sponsored an Olympics Torch Relay Fun Run. Tech students involvement in the 1984 Olympics didn ' t end with parades and receptions and fun runs. Several students trekked to Los Angeles to view the games in person. Julia Koncak, a Tech basketball player, traveled to LA to see her brother play on the U.S. basketball team. Koncak, who hopes to play in the ' 88 Games, said she was im- pressed by the widespread pro- USA atmosphere. People from the other countries even noticed it, she said. The best thing about the trip, Koncak said, was to see what gold looks like up close! — Jane Qitinn During the Summer Olympics, the United States won 83 gold medals. 61 silver and 30 bronze. Carl Lewis won four gold medals in the lOO-meterdash, the 200-meter dash, the 4x100 meter relay, and the longjump. Many communist countries boycotted the Olym- pics. Mary Lou Retton won the all-around gold medal and led the gymnastics team to a silver medal. She also won bronze medals for the floor exercise and the uneven parallel bars and took a silver medal for the vault. Area residents take turns carrying the torch through Lubbock on its way to Los Angeles for t he opening ceremony. The national theme of the torch was Legacy for the Fu- ture. Olympics — 21

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1 ech begins ceremoiiY Longest relay in history comes to Lubbock The Olympic torch ' s 82-day relay through the United States, which began May 8 in New York City and ended July 28 in Los Angeles Me- morial Coliseum, left sparks of pat- riotism and competition burning be- hind it. By the time the torch reached its destination in LA. Americans who were touched along the trail were ablaze with the Olympic spirit. The 9,000-mile Olympic relay from Greece to LA. the longest re- lay in Olympic history, included in its trek. Lubbock. Texas. The relay originally was sched- uled to come through the Panhandle north of Amarillo. said Liz Montag- na of AT T. The path was changed to include Lubbock, she said, be- cause more enthusiasm was gener- ated here. The Telephone Pioneers of Amer- ica, a service organization for AT T employees who have been in service for 17 years or more, were the sponsors of the American leg of the worldwide relay. The torch, which entered Texas north of Dallas, passed through Dal- las and Fort Worth before coming to Lubbock. Coming down Texas Highway 114. the runners carried the torch through Olney. Dickens, Crosbyton. Idalou, Ralls and Lorenzo before reaching Lubbock. Lubbock was the last major city in Texas that the torch passed through. Montagna said. Along the route, local runners who had raised and donated $3,000 to area youth organizations were permitted to carry the torch for one kilometer. The national theme of the torch run was Legacy for the Future, Montagna said. The idea was an in- vestment in our country s youth. Four of the runners who partici- pated June 16 when the torch passed through Lubbock were Special Olympians Kim Carter. 12: Jimmy Balmer. 14; Eric Pipes. 14; and John Skipper, 12. Each ran one kilometer carrying the torch. Montagna said. The torch ended its Lubbock trail at the Lubbock County Court- house on Broadway and Texas Ave- nue. The arrival of the torch at that spot was signaled with waving flags and helium balloons. The Texas Tech band played, beginning the ceremony to honor the runners and the Olympics. With the presentation of colors at the ceremony. Tom Jones. AT T vice president for external affairs, presented a Los Angeles Olympic Committee Flag to the city of Lub- bock. Lubbock was one of only three cities in the nation that was Sieve Mahre takes the gold medal in the giant slalom skiing event. The U.S. won four gold medals and four silver at the Winter Games. ; ■4-tff, 20 — Olympics

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Bush visits the Tech campus during campaign Heated debates For the most part in Campaign ' 84, the Tech campus was exube- rent with cheers. But some students and faculty slipped off with their tails between their legs as President Reagan won the most passionate election in the past few years. The American nation seemed to come alive with involvement in the 1984 election. Voters, as well as avid campaigners, made their voices heard in a high turnout. The obvious concern of the American people about this election brought the candidates to their toes. The active participation of Amer- ican citizens was not limited to the older generation. American college students came forth with a zeal not seen since the ' 60s. Brian Hennessy, an active mem- ber of the Young Democrats at Tech, said students came forward because of the tremendous stake they had in the outcome. This one shapes America for years to come , ' ' he said. The biggest effect of this election, Hennessy said, will be on the Sup- reme Court. The man elected to serve this term in the White House has the possibility of appointing several justices in the next four years. The involvement in the campaign by college students seems to be a tide, said Albert H. Ardis, a volun- teer at the Lubbock Republican headquarters. Ardis said he was amazed at the students ' level of dedication. Their involvement was a complete turn- around since the early ' 70s, he said. Several students from Tech traveled to Dallas in July for the Re- publican National Convention. Spencer Hayes, a junior who attended the convention, said some of the students in Dallas painted signs, blew up balloons and helped out at rallies. They expected yell- ing, he said. Hayes said he thought most of the students went to the convention because they believe in what ' s | going on in Reagan ' s administration. There ' s a positive change on the en- tire attitude of the country. He said he thought most of the student involvement in national campaigns was a result of the bandwagon effect which in this election was to the advantage of the Republicans. Ardis said many Tech students, whether Republican or Democratic, were active even in the local and state elections. Many of them, he said, had registered to vote in Lub- bock rather than in their home- towns. This tells me they are really | interested in their local and state leaders, he said. The sudden flux of student inter- est in politics absolutely! affected the outcome of the elec- tion, Ardis said. The students not only counted for their own votes, he said, but they influenced a certain amount of the votes of their friends and relatives. Throughout the campaign sea- son, the presentation of the candi- dates by the media kept students buzzing about the election. Time af- ter time debate was stirred as the media poured out ever-changing accounts of the candidates ' actions and policies. Following the tenden- cy of some candidates to sling mud, the voters themselves became hos- tile toward one another in many in- stances. The University Daily was full of letters to the editor addres- sing the political issues that gave the election its breath. After two televised debates be- I tween Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale , debates over who won en- s 22 — Elections