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Show Break from duties Reddish trips with bikes """""" Mjj i ! I if ; I i ;. : 1 ' Qt1 by NANCY ROBLEZ Chronicle Staff Don Reddish isn't your ordinary, everyday assistant athletic director. If not behind his desk in the Special Events Center (SEC), he can be found zooming through the mountainous regions of Utah on one of his three motorcycles. Though not (as he puts it) a "motorcycle freak," he does enjoy the great outdoors. "About a year and a half ago, I realized that I'd never ridden a motorcycle in my life. So I bought one, and really enjoyed it," said Coach Reddish. "I bought eight different motorcycles trying to find one which suited me best. Each time I would buy a bigger one." After auto accident Reddish took up motorcycle riding because an auto accident he was involved in four years ago limited the sports that he could become involved in. His collection of "bikes" has now been narrowed down from eight to three. "I realized I couldn't have one bike that does everything so I settled for three," said Reddish. Three motorcycles :one for trails, one for the mountains, and one for touring. Reddish said "I like to travel mostly in the mountains. I enjoy the fresh air. I do occasionaaly ride it to the University." Traveling through Dead Horse Point and down along the Colorado River was only one of Reddish's excursions. He has also traveled through Blanding and across southeastern Utah, but, so far his longest trip lasted for five days and covered aaproximately 2,000 miles. He said, "of course, I'm not like the younger guys who take a sleeping bag when they travel. I always find a nice motel." Varied responsibilities As full-time assistant athletic director and full-time University swimming coach, Reddish's responsibilities involve a conglomeration of various deeds. Those include attending meetings, keeping records, working with other coaches, and directing swim practices. As assistant athletic director, his main job is handling the finances of the department. As swimming coach Reddish has led a team of guys who enjoy aquatics to nine out of ten Western Athletic Conference swimming titles. What does he enjoy the most about coaching? "Working with the young people. It's a great job because we always work with the same age group. In a way it keeps you staying young. When a guy becomes 22 he is replaced with an 18-year-old. They get older and move on, but you stay with the young group," said Reddish. This easy-going man has been with the same age group as a swimming coach since 1955. Change of scenery Don Reddish steps out of his office at the SEC and puts away his motorcycles, for awhile to travel to far away places with the swim team. So far, he and the team have visited Africa, Tokyo, and Hawaii. Each team member provides his own funds for the trip; which is taken during the Christmas holidays. Although workouts still continue, there are good times involved. Tentatively the team Don Reddish...diverse i hopes to visit New Zeals- I year for a change of sw, f practicing. "It is a trert v experience for the guys, c Reddish. Times have changedsint-: f Don Reddish began his car 1 the U nive rsity. He said, ( men are stronger. They te c opportunity to swim f were growing up. The onli" limit now is mental, not p I It's a matter of gaining tori t in themselves. Now we w: ; their minds as much )i ' bodies." ' Up from maintenans Twenty-three years if Reddish began working; University as a superintend maintenance. Today as s c athletic director and swim: t he finds himself with somer do almost all the time, ft: ' out, though, "As long doing what you enjoy, it work. I like doing what I'f As long as they want n-: University I'll stay. lam ! ( here." f, |