COACH STIDHAM went down in the record books for the many 4x400m teams and sprinters he coached as both an assistant and a head coach.  As a record-setting sprinter for LHS in the '80s, Coach Stidham knew how to get his team ready for May. As an assistant, he was a part of the 1997 Boys Team Championship and as a head coach, he was a part of the 2006 Boys Team Championship. Now, the 2006 title came down to the most exciting event on the track: the 4x400. The Lions needed to get 3rd or beat Garden City in order to win. It just so happens that it came down to a final surge and lean from then-senior Nathan Hickey to edge out Garden City for 3rd place – giving the Lions 47.75 points to Garden City's 47. The quote that Stidham always enjoyed saying and held true on that fateful evening in May, "When adversity hits, Lions make history." Stidham kept the winning tradition alive after taking over for Coach Skakal and placed it in good hands with Coach Hood after he stepped down.

SILVESTER BIRDSONG was one of those athletes that comes around every decade; talked about in middle school and lives up to the hype in high school. In middle school, he was talked about in Lawrence with his jumping abilities and even participating in the KU relays. Along with high jump, he was a ringer in the long jump – becoming a State Champion as a sophomore. Fast forward a couple of years and he repeats as a senior in a school record jump of 23'3". Birdsong was a great competitor and adhered to the Chesty Lion tradition.

COACH SKAKAL took over head coaching duties after Bob Lisher moved across town to the new high school in '96. Much like coaches prior, Coach Skakal upheld the Lawrence High tradition of excellence with leading the Lawrence Boys to the 1997 State Championship. Never one to miss wearing shorts, Coach Skakal was a presence on an off the track/field. He was encouraging when athletes failed and enthusiastic when they had break out moments. Coach Skakal is a what it means to be a Chesty Lion.