THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

Jan.25, 1941.

Dr.Forrest C.Allen.

Director of Physical Education
The University © of Kansas
Lawrence,

Kansas *

Dear Dr.Allen:

Your two recent letters were deeply appreciated
but frankly they hurt my conscience just a bit because I know
how desperately, busy you are at this time of the year and you
have no time to be spending writing letters to fellows like me-
much as they may iInepire us,

Alice and I were so happy to have had those few minutes with
you and NMre.Allen and the family(two of them,at least)at the
time of your New York debut.Alice fell in love with Mrs.Aallen,
as I knew she would. You were both so kind to find time to talk
with us in the midst of your many friendships and precious time.

I dont know when a basketball gamehss hurt me more than the one
your sick kids played that night;certainly I couldnt have felt
worse had I been coaching them myself.Coming right on top of that
justly deserved article it was a shame that they wernt in shape
to show that critical crowd just how an Allen coached team can
really, play the game of basketball.

But to. your tone erecit. altho few realized the situation,no ali-
bis appeared in any columns even mentioning the fact that your
kids, including yourself were really quite sick with the flu.What
greater tribute can be paid any team and any coach ? None, to my
mind in this da, and age of commercialized, phoney intercollegiate
athletics when alibis are the commonest stock in trade of far too
many so-called coaches. Your sportstmanship in txis instance is one
which I shall never forget and one which I am using every time I
have the opportunity, in meking talks to groups of people in this
region.

Thanks so much for your most generous letter to Bushnell. if that
Gosnt secure me an opportunity to officiate a few games under his
direction nothing will,and I only hope I shall be able to live up
to the many kind things you said.I'm working many high school game
and have one at Colgate in two weeks.Saw Notre Dame play Syracuse
Monday in the roughest,dirtiest game I have ever seen two college
teams: play - and it was all the fault of two lax officials, three
boys seriously hurt and seven expelled bifore it was overt!?

Thanks again anc kindest personal regards Mrs.Allen and the fam
ily from the DeGroote. : ;