THE VALUE OF BASKETBALL

By John Bunn

DEAN OF MEN—STANFORD UNIVERSITY

HE occasion of The Golden Jubilee of Basket-

ball suggests that an evaluation of the sport
is in order. Future trends can best be directed by
an intelligent review of the past.

The far-sightedness and modesty of Dr. Naismith,
as he tackled the problem submitted to him by Dr.
Gulick back in 1891, augured well for the future
growth of the sport. First, he set up the limitation
incident to an indoor game and then established
the principles under which it should be played.

to score a goal, but with the requirement to avoid
personal contact under the most intense situation
tests the caliber of every red blooded individual.

While some specialization is possible, the game
emphasizes team play first of all. Co-operation or
the lack of it can be easily observed. As I look back
on my coaching experiences with one of the game’s
greatest, Hank Luisetti, | remember not that-he Was
a great scorer, passer, dribbler or guard. I see him
rather as a boy who was an unselfish part of a team

These same five princi-
ples, throwing the ball in
any direction, prohibition
of running with the ball,
elimination of blocking
and tackling (personal
contact), an elevated lon-
gitudinal goal and the ele-
ment of continuous con-
test for possession of the
ball; have been main-
tained inviolate through-
out the life of the game.

These factors and the
comparative simplicity of
the game have permitted
and encouraged a world

wide spread and continu-

ous growth. It is doubtful
if any other game is played
by as many people in as
many countries and by as
4 many different groups.
Herein lies its greatest
value. The game fits a
4 recreational and physical
education program.
Youngsters of twelve, the
high school, college, club,
YiM.C.Ai, indtstrial
groups and girls enjoy it
with equal enthusiasm and
play it with comparable
vigor. There seems to be

 

 

BASKETBALL

IDES OF MARCH

(1)

The gym lights gleam like a beacon beam
And a million motors hum

In a good will flight on a Friday night;
For basketball beckons, “Come!”

A sharp-shooting mite is king tonight.
The Madness of March is running.

The winged feet fly, the ball. sails high
And field goal hunters are gunning.

(2)
The colors clash as silk suits flash
And race on a shimmering floor.
Repressions die, and partisans vie
In a goal acclaiming roar.
On Championship Trail toward a holy grail,
All fans are birds of a feather.
It’s fiesta night and cares lie light
When the air is full of leather.

(3)

Since time began, the instincts of man
Prove cave and current men kin.

On tournament night the sage and the wight
Are relatives under the skin.

It’s festival time—sans reason or rhyme
But with nation-wide appeal.

In a cyclone of hate, our-ship of state
Rides high on an even keel.

(4)

With war nerves tense, the final defense
Is the courage, strength and will

In a million lives where freedom thrives
And liberty lingers still.

Let dictators clash and empires crash
’Neath a bloody victory arch!

Let our boys tread where hate is dead,
In this happy Madness of March!

—H. V. Porter

 

 

and who insisted upon be-
ing considered as one of
a team. Any game which
can develop this trait or
can bring it out in a play-
er is of inestimable value
in our society today. How
we do need to teach more
cooperation so that we
can get along with each
other on friendly, unsel-
fish terms!

Finally, the game has
value for me for senti-
mental reasons. I knew
the man who developed
the idea. I had the privi-
lege of working under him
for fifteen years. How
pleased he was to see his
brain child give pleasure
to so many. How modest
he was to refrain from
assuming any great amount
of credit. Dr. Naismith
would not permit the
game to be named after
him. -

The objectives of the

_.game, as indicated by the

values listed above, repre-
sent the ideals of the man
himself. It was fortunate
that he should receive rec-

equal fun for the dub and the expert; for the gym
class, the intramural group and the highly organ-
ized teams.

A second value lies in its test of self control.
The challenge to get the ball from the other fellow,

ognition for it all while he lived and how fitting
now that we should commemorate fifty years of
growth and perpetuate by a memorial at the birth
place of the game, the memory of the noble man
and the game he created. |

Official Wateh for Timing N.C.A.A. and A.A.U. Championships Is LONGINES —
The Sports-World’s Most Honored Watch