INTERCOLLEGIATE
AMTHLETICS

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

NORMAN - OKLAHOMA
Feb. 25, 1944

Forrest C. Allen
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

Dear "Doc":-

Since 1939, our National Association of Basketball
Coaches of the United States has been opposed:to "goal-tending".
That year the Rules Recommendation Committee made the following
recommendation: "It is believed that goul-tending would be
eliminated if the team whose player touched the ball in its down-
ward flight following a shot, before the ball has hit the back-
board or rim of the basket, be penalized by awarding the goal to the
opposing team".

This year the national rules committee has finally come

-around to our point of view. J. W. St. Clair, chairman of the

National Rules Committee, recently made the statement, "After
observing the basketball games in Madison Square Garden during the
holidays, the N. C. A. A. Tournaments and Inivtution Tournament,

I am convinced more than ever that the biggest problem in basket-
ball today, and one I hope can be solved soon, is the matter of the
tall man in the role of a goal-tender".

In this year's guide, under, "Changes in Rules", one of
the proposals to be studied and covered in the questionaire is
practically the same suggestion our organization made in 1939 which
reads, "Award a field goal when a defensive player touches a try for
goal above the level of the basket after the ball has started its
downward arc..."

As you know this questionaire will go to the high school
coaches as well as the college coaches which means the picture will
not be a clear one. We are out-numbered about 25 to 1, and yet
high schools are not bothered with this goal thievery to the extent of
colleges. I would appreciate:a prompt reply to the enclosed form
along with any suggestions you might have not covered in my questions.
Since our national organization will not convene until after the war,

I am in hopes that I can submit your answers as evidence to the members
of the rules committee before they convene in March this year. That
is why it is imperative I should hear from you by return mail.

Sincerely,

bre rake

Bruce Drake
Coach of Basketball
bd:rh