Lawrence man organizes local fitness program

By Rustin Dodd

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Don Gardner stood near the south endzone of Memorial Stadium at 6 a.m. last Tuesday. Microphone in hand, the long-time Lawrence resident gazed out at more than 800 people lined up on the field’s yard lines and barked instructions.

“Alright, roll over on your stomach, and do push-ups for a minute.” Gardner said, his voice crackling out of the stadium speakers. “Keep track of how many you can do. Then see if you can do more next week.”

The mass of people fell to the ground and rolled over in unison, hoisting their torsos in the air. The sun had barely risen above Memorial Stadium, but Gardner was wide awake, standing above the sweaty bodies on the stadium turf.

Welcome to Dog Days, Lawrence’s largest community workout, and meet its founder, Don “Red Dog” Gardner.

For 25 years, Gardner has organized and run Dog Days, a twice-a-week, 6 a.m. workout at Memorial Stadium. Gardner also runs an evening session at 6 p.m. For 25 years, Gardner has endured 4 a.m. wake-up calls to make sure he opens the stadium gates on time. And for 25 years, Gardner has kept Dog Days free of charge, even if that meant Gardner, who’s retired, had to mow lawns in the summer for extra cash.

For Gardner, Dog Days is worth it. He’ll celebrate 25 years of morning workouts in July, and he’s turned Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the stadium into a community-bonding event — albeit a sweaty one. Just don’t call the man with the microphone “Don.” That’s “Red Dog” to you – and he’s got a license plate to prove it.

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Sitting on bench in front of Snow Hall, a blue notebook in his left hand, Gardner’s not sure if people know why he’s on campus. He’s here to check athlete’s attendance for the Athletics Department. He makes sure athletes are going to class, and if not, he’s got the blue notebook to record who missed.

He explains where he acquired his peculiar nickname. Gardner’s junior high coach called all the kids with red hair Red Dog.

“He nicknamed me Red Dog, and it stuck with me,” Gardner said.

Gardner grew up in Lawrence, attended Lawrence High School and spent time in the Marine Corps. He eventually returned to Lawrence and worked with young Lawrence athletes in the summer.

That’s where Dogs Days began. Eventually, the parents, little brothers and sisters of the athletes were joining in on the workouts.

After two years at Lawrence High, Gardner moved Dog Days to Memorial Stadium in 1986.

The workout regimen varies, generally consisting of some light stretching, calisthenics such as push-ups and sit-ups, and jogging on the stadium track.

“Everything’s always a little different,” Gardner said. “The ultimate is running up Campanile Hill backwards.”

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Julie Coleman, Naperville, Ill., graduate student, Rachel Ashworth, Prairie Village graduate student, and Kelsey Cline, Lawrence senior, walked on the track last Tuesday after their workout. The trio had never been to Dog Days before this summer.

“There’s a nice sense of community,” Cline said.

Gardner said he’d like to see more KU students at Dog Days. He said he saw a steady flow of college kids a few summers ago, but the early morning wok-outs have always lacked 18- to 22-year-olds.

Tom Atchity, Overland Park senior, couldn’t believe the crowd he experienced the first time he went to Dog Days.

“I definitely thought maybe 50 or 60, and it’s close to 500 or 1,000,” Atchity said.

Gardner said the attendance this summer had been at an all-time high.

“I like the bonding and friendships that develop,” Gardner said, noting that Dog Days has resulted in three marriages and one proposal. “Everyone’s invited.”

“You’ve got to want to do it,” Gardner said. But he’ll still be the first to convince you to give it a try.

“I think you ought to enjoy life,” Gardner said.

— Edited by Brieun Scott

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