COPY

Jenuary 14, 1945.

Mr. Henry Iba,

Basketball Coach,
Oklahoma Ae & Me College,
Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Dear Henry:

I have been thinking pretty seriously concerning what you said
to me after the game last night. I am writing you frankly and freely, ex-
pressing my best thoughts regarding our game.

I can well remember when we started our series, when we brought
a sophomore team down to your field house and we had tvo fine games. We lost
both of them but the spirit was fine. In fact, I remember a game that Parke
Carroll and Ted ofSulliven worked at your place when there were but two fouls
‘called, as I remember it, and those fouls wete right near the end of the game.
The game was free and open, with a lot of fine passing and no rough bodily con-
tact marring the issue.

I am thinking particularly of our last two games here in Lawrence.
They have been dull, multiple-fouling contests in which the spectators have
been very much displeased at the type of exhibition. Last year many of our
spectators came to me and said, “I hope you never play another game with the
Aggies because this is not basketball." I was impressed this year with the
toughness of the contest. It did not look like our former Aggie games. And
then we played this one last night and it took on the seme sort of a near
brawl, Many of the people, different ones, this year came up with the same
criticism. 5

I am wondering, Hank, if these games continue like this, frankly
if it is the best thing to continue or to wait a while after this yeare I
know you felt pretty strongly regarding last night, but I did not have an
opportunity to talk to yau concerning your criticism. I kmow that you were
not pleased end I was disappointed. Won't you write me as frankly as I have
written you and explain why the two last games played here have had to be like
this? We do not have them at Stillwater, and I am wondering why we have to
have it here. The Kansas public simply does not like that kind of basketball.

And too, they could not understand why you finished the game with
but four men when you had other men that you could have filled in with to make
a five-man team.

Wishing you continued success, and assuring you of my friendship

for you, lam

Very sincerely yours,

Director of Physical Education,
PCA:AH Varsity Basketball Coach.