Stanley Redwine, who dedicated his month of July to coaching the United States Pan American Games men’s track team, now hits the road recruiting in the early portion of August.

“I’m not burned out, (but) it made for a very short summer,” eighth-year Kansas University coach Redwine said late last week after returning from Rio de Janeiro, site of the July 22-29 Games.

“Now it’s time to hit the recruiting trail. We have a week to do that. Right after that we start cross country practice on Aug. 12. I’m ready to go. I’m fired up. I hope the athletes are, too.”

A bronze medalist in the 800 in both the 1983 and ’87 Pan Am Games, Redwine enjoyed watching from the sidelines as his U.S. men’s athletes accounted for 12 medals in individual events and eight more in Relays in Brazil.

“As an athlete you always want to do you best. Coaching there … it was really rewarding to help the athletes achieve their goals,” Redwine said, asked whether it was more exciting to compete or coach.

“Both were satisfying in different ways. We had a young group. It was great to see a lot of them on the podium.”

The U.S. men’s effort was highlighted by gold and silver medal performances in the discus (Michael Robertson and Adam Kuehl) and 3,000 steeplechase (Josh McAdams, Michael Spence). Also, Ed Moran won gold in the 5,000.

“They really treated us well, but I think when we went to the meet it was a stadium full of soccer fans. It was a like a soccer game to them. It was something we weren’t used to and something a lot of the other countries weren’t used to, but it was a great atmosphere,” he said of the loud crowds.

“If you are from Brazil, you want your country supporting you. If you are not from Brazil, you might find it a little intimidating. Our pole vaulter, April Steiner (silver) … it was down to her and a Brazilian. Every time she (Steiner) did not make a bar the fans would clap. She ended up second and the Brazilian won, and the crowd went crazy, but it was a great learning experience for her (Steiner), I’m sure.”

The U.S. women’s team, which won medals in eight individual events and two relays, was directed by Southern Illinois coach Connie Price-Smith.

“I think we did a good job of helping each other,” Redwine said. “What happened is the athletes came in and had a couple days before they competed and left the next day. It was not an issue of them doing our training schedule. We made sure they knew where they should be at a certain time, and if they needed training guidance as far as timing or anything, we were there. Most of their personal coaches got them there. We didn’t want to change anything at that point.”

Redwine, who was an assistant coach at the ’03 Pan Am Games, made sure to soak in all aspects of the head coaching experience.

“I really learned a lot as far as the organization of putting a meet like that on,” he said, acknowledging he is interested in continuing to represent the U.S. at future championship events.

“Hopefully the career is long and it’s something I can do in the future. I hope to continue to learn and maybe coach world championship teams in the future. I can help as an assistant and to become a head coach would be exciting as well.”

His status on the world scene just might help KU on his upcoming recruiting travels.

“I hope so. Time will tell,” he said. “We’ll do everything we can to use it to our advantage.”