The Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom is pleased to introduce the staff working hard to host a successful Drake Relays in April despite challenging circumstances. These highly-qualified staff members are collaborating and innovating to create a world-class event while prioritizing safety and following COVID-19 guidelines.
The staff members are working closely with public health experts, government officials, and the appropriate sports governing bodies. Considerable adjustments to the Drake Relays' format and competition schedules are likely due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and concern for the safety of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and the general public. The Relays staff is evaluating every detail of the Drake Relays, including attendance and ticketing policies, and is committed to communicating those decisions promptly in the coming weeks.
"While imagining the possibilities for all of our events in 2021, we knew the first step was to assemble the appropriate planning team," said Blake Boldon, Franklin P. Johnson Drake Relays Director. "In addition to Drake athletics staff, the Drake Relays Committee, Drake University campus leadership and community partners like Mediacom, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Catch Des Moines and many others, we have brought together a dream team to collaboratively and safely bring our events to life this spring."
Casey Collins is an event professional who will oversee the logistics and operations of all in-person events in April, with special emphasis on protocols relating to COVID-19.
Ryan Elsbernd currently chairs the Drake Relays Committee and serves as a track official for a variety of meets – most notably the Drake Relays. Outside of track and field, Ryan serves as operations manager for the 80/35 Music Festival and is an IT professional with Principal.
Carolyn Hill, who retired as the Assistant Athletic Director-Relays Operations in 2019 after 13 years with the Relays, has stepped out of retirement this year to serve as the Drake Relays Special Director, overseeing the meet management team.
Dan Hostager, a veteran cross country and track & field coach and the previous Drake Relays Assistant Director, will be working on the Drake Road Races and Grand Blue Mile. Additionally, Hostager is taking up several Drake Relays duties in the stadium.
Brette Jensen serves as the current coordinator of operations, assistant coach, and home meet director for Drake University track & field while also aiding in the 2021 Drake Relays meet operations with equipment. Jensen previously served as a volunteer assistant coach for two years at her alma mater, UNI, where she also competed in cross country and track and field for five years.
Neva Lesch is a sophomore at Drake University with a double major in management and organizational leadership and writing. She is the marketing and communications coordinator, focusing on social media scripting, email marketing, and the website and app.
Mark Movic, a Drake grad, has been helping with the Relays for 15 years and will be providing support to the overall project management of the event. Movic has spent his professional career working in the insurance business in Des Moines.
Alexis Nelson is a senior at Iowa State University graduating this May with a degree in event management. She is the special events intern and will be assisting with the Drake Road Races, Grand Blue Mile, and various other tasks.
Tanner Nissen joined the Drake Relays staff in December 2019 and has taken a leading role with the Drake Road Races and Grand Blue Mile. In 2021, Nissen continues to serve as the race director for those events along with an increased role in meet operations.
Elin Phipps serves as Drake Relays Meet Operations Manager assisting with the logistics and operations of all in-person events and pre-event preparation. Phipps was an All-Conference middle-distance runner and captain on the Central College track & field team from 2012-2016. Additionally, she served as the director of volunteers at Special Olympics Iowa for three years.
Dave Remund recently completed nearly five years of service to Drake as executive director of the University's communications and marketing. He has agreed to help steer public relations, marketing, and communication support for the 2021 Drake Relays. Remund is now a full-time consultant and an adjunct professor for Florida State University and San Diego State University.
Jim Walczyk serves as the Drake Relays Officials Coordinator as well as a member of the Relays Executive Committee and Relays Committee. No stranger to track and field, he has been involved with the sport for almost 50 years as an athlete, coach, official, and administrator. He is currently the managing director for the Iowa Association of USA Track and Field.
