Ea UUTL. THE tie tt FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO ARNOLD GINGRICH ,EDITOR October 7, 1941. Dr. Forrest ©, Allen Department of Physical Education University of “ansas Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Dr. Allen: I was very glad to get your letter of Uetober 3 reporting that you are already working on a basketball article for Esquire. With regard to style, I believe you will find Esquire quite free of iron-bound restrictions or inhibitions, and you need not worry about calling a spade a spade. They want chiefly good, live, forceful copy that will arouse interest or controversy from one end of the country to the other. The rotating center idea struck me as both interesting and timely, in view of the apparently growing criticism of basketball as a killer in its present form. I want you to feel perfectly free to speak openly and strongly, especially with reference to changes that may be needed for the future benefit of the game. With respect to the Olympic thoughts, 1 might suggest that in view of the apparent permanent death of the Olympic Games this time at the hands of the Germans, perhaps. they are no longer of news value. I happened to be working with Mr. Brundage on the Olympic promotion when it all blew up under me over-night. tn addition, we had an article touching on this a few years ago, as per inclosed clipping you requested. Nevertheless, basketball at the present moment seems to be in a stage of turbulent transition, and an authority like yourself interpreting this confusion,and perhaps pointing the way for its future certainly should make a wonderful article of interest to everyone who has any interest in the game at all. The moment seems to be just right for such a comprehensive survey of the present state of Blux, and the needed introduction of some clarifying agent that might save the sport from actually blowing up. In our Sports Poll summary (and incidentally we may include the rotating center idea in our next Poll) we found considerable comment in favor of a return of the center—jump. In fact, you probably will be interested to learn that the public voted in favor of its return, although sports editors and athletic directors voted against the center—jump. There is no question that the center-jump gives more variety to the game, and offers opportunity for the development of set plays that are very pretty when smoothly executed. The objection is mainly , of course, the exorbitantly tall center, but your "batting order" idea would eliminate that. Let me add that we would be most happy to have your article for our February issue, which will circulate during January, and for that purpose would need your copy by November 1. I enjoyed your letter to your players very much. I played basketball and baseball at James Millikin years ago, and your pep talk really warmed me up on the inside. Those were the only two games to me, yet oddly enough in the newspaper game I became identified as a football writer-—-a game I had played very little. Cordially, Batk ae EAGQUUTL. THE Ag UU FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO ARNOLD GINGRICH, EDITOR October 15, 1941 Dear Dr. Allen: Convinced that there is a place for a nation-wide monthly forum of public expression on sporting themes, the publishers of Hsquire, the Magazine for Men, are conducting the Esquire Sports Poll. Enclosed you will find one of the ballots of this new regular fea- ture of Esquire. It will be a great favor to us, and much appre- ciated, if you will check your own views on this ballot and then slip it into the stamped envelope supplied for its return. We believe you will find a certain amount of pleasure in marking your ballot, at the same time crystallizing your own thoughts on these various topics. We thought you probably would be interested to know that already ballots in the new sports poll have been cast by such outstanding personalities as Alfred M. Landon, Senator Millard E. Tydings of Maryland, Senator Scott W. Lucas of Tilinois, H. V. Kaltenborn, Bing Crosby, Joe E. Brown, Ted Husing, William Allen White, Louis Bromfield, Dizzy.Dean, John Kieran, Eddie Cantor, Larry MacPhail, Major George Fielding Eliot, Edgar A. Guest, Rex Stout, Jimmy Dykes, Ted Lyons, Franklin P. Adams, A. A. Stagg, Charlie Paddock, Tom Harmon, Branch Rickey, and many others. Any questions on sport of your own that you would like to see put up for nation-wide decision will be most heartily welcomed. The first story about the new Esquire Sports Poll will appear in the December issue of Esquire, which will be on the stands on November 15. We believe you will find many interesting facts about American public opinion on sports in this article. Cordially, / 4 AG:ib Arnold Gingrich, Hé@itor November 4, 1941 Miss Helen Richards resin, Se to Mr. Arnold ——- ibis utonions ave : Chicago, Illinois Dear Miss Richards, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your check for $150 the sane to cover remuneration for the article, “Rotate the Center fag! eeiyen by Doster Aiken fer Shieh te Seeks yon I em sending you sia teak tees Mate ie te Rien tear I trust that thie will be sufficient data on Doctor Allen. If it is not sufficient, please write me and I will be glad to give you anything additional thet you might desire. I am also sending you a gless for your “Backstage Department". Doctor Allen was granted the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy in = oh ae a oS athletic work. Very sincerely, puc/g : Secretary to Doctor Forrest C. Alien October 28, 1941 ‘Bear Mre Cannon, I am enclosing the article, “Rotate the Center Jump". I trust that Hr. Gingrich and you will like it. I've put mch thought on this thing which I believe will be provocative of discussion. I take it thet you will use cute or illustrations in the article that you have access to there, I know that any article without the “dolling up" »rovided by pictures or caricatures does not get the job done. I've been told that the research poople in printing heave found that a picture is 629 times as strong as the printed word. ‘Take the word, “man”. By looking at a picture of a man it's possible to get 629 descriptions of what he has or has not. We've tried it here in the office and after much work with our helpers we were able to work out 629 adjectives describing the mane So I know that with your assistance in building this up that it should have a good play. At least I think so. Some of the physicians that have sounded this signal note of danger are: Charles H. Keone, A.B. and U.D.,Directer of Health and Physical Education University of Buffalo; A.B. Bower, M.D. and $.J. Morris, M.D. of the health unit of the University of West Virginia; C.A. Greenleaf, M.D., Buffalo; Semual C. Robinson, M.D. of Chicage on the range of normal blood pressure. Here are some of the pamphlets and writings protesting against the strenuosity of the present game of basketball: Health Service Problems in Basketball ~~ Charles H. Keene, A.B. and U.D., Director of Health and Physical Education, University of Buffalc. fhe Effect-of Rule Changes upon the Distance Traversed by Basketbell Players «- Paul J. Fay and Lloyd L. Messersmith, fhe Research Quarterly of the American Association for Health and Physical Education, May 4008» Illinois Medical Journal, - oe i938, Pe 10. : a ” Effects of Basketball on Junior High School Boys -- A.B. Bowyer end N. S. Anderson, West Virginia Medical Journal ~2= Articles in the Buffalo Courler-Express, Peb. 11, 1940 and in the Buffalo Evening News, Jan. 3 and March 7, 1940. ‘Blood Pressure Studies on Basketball Players in Olean .Y. CoA. Greenleaf, MeDe, The Journal of School Health, Feb. 1940. Most of the physicians all over the country who have supervision of school health protest against the came as it is now being administered. You will notice that I did not append any of these references to my co article. There is such a general protest against this thing that I ého it would be best to take the entire responsibility for the article at th present tine ané then ist the physisiaus state Cheir eeu case a5 the article causes corment end discussion. Thank you for giving me the information and uleiar: regarding Marshal} Diebold's inquiry. This clears up the points that I desired to know, If the article is accepted then you can’cive 1 might. want su De tlt of both vuvs-OF america and the Joint Basketball ‘Rules Cormattee for a number of ‘years. I'm not serving in that capacity .., for either one of then at present. ‘Therefore, I feel that I can make these statements as an individual and not as an official of either organization, I feel that my position is stronger now that I'm speaking as an individual cnt me & cone ane oe the Director of Physical Education and Recreation. After Ure Gingrich and you have looked over the article I'd be glad to have your diagnosis and your prognosis. Sincerely, Director of Physical Education and R,creation Fea/pg ~ Varsity Basketballand Basebal} Coach P.3. Did you get the Evaluation of Team and Individual Performance in Basketball brochure? | | PCA EAGULTL. THE nM FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO ARNOLD GINGRICH, EDITOR October 23, 1941. Dr. Forrest ©. Allen, Director of Athletics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Dr. Allen: It was good news to me to learn that your article is practically on the way. We will try to hold fer Form so that we can get it into the February issue—- provided it suits Mr. Gingrich. I will be iharesies also in seeing your box score. When 1 was on the newspapers I used to keep a long and short shot box score on the games in town, listing Long Shots, Long Baskets, Short Shots, and Short Baskets of each pleyere. It was an interesting way to cover a game, and met with considerable response here in town. I am interested also in your color scheme, provided it can be done in sufficiently striking color work to be worth the heavy expense of reproduction. We have been trying to get some color art on sports, but without success so far. If you want to send us a few samples, I will see what they think about it. We have wonderful color printing here, as you know, and if your diagrams can be made up so that they will really stick, it seems to me they should be very interesting to high school people, and even the fans. Such things help to°getting people who are interested in sports to turning to Esquire for new stuff in sports. That, at least, is my conviction, though of course you understand I don't have all the say here, having come here only in the middle of last August. Believe it or not, I used to play in the orchestra(pretty ineptly) at “illikin under Mr. Swarthout. They are all fery fine people. Remember me to him the next time you see him. He will reméber me for being always slightly off in pitch on the clarinet. Originally we had in mind two facing articles on the center-—jump, yours in favor and Marshall Diebold on the other side. We have wandered away somewhat from the plan, but I think it will all work out. Of course you should save your thunder for your own article. Cordially, fige Gone October 22, 1941 - Wr. Ralph Cannon Esquire Magegine Sid forth Wichicen Ave. Chicago, Illinois Dear Mr. Cannon, I am working very definitely on the article, “Rotate the Center dup" and I am planning on sending this to you for your con- sideration at the end of this week. I think it reads pretty well, and has enough meat in it that it should commend attention. I hope so at any rate. - Last week I filled out the questionnaire for Mr. Arnold Gingrich, — your editor. However, I have a sneaking feeling that you made out the questionnaire. Did you or did you not? It was a good one. I knew that you wrote football stories, of course, and I'm glad te learn that you played baseball and basketball at James Miliken years ago. The dean of our School of Fine Arts here is Donald M. Swarthout. Doubtless he was at Miliken when you were there. He is a grand feliow. : - ZI believe I have a darned clever idea if I do say it nih It's on basketball rescarch. I sterted research in basketball years ago arguing with the Rules Committee that it was much better to - try out these things in a research way before we proposed them for adoption by the Rules Committee. served as the first Research Chairman of the National Basketball Rules Committee and also as the first chairman of the Research Coumittee of the National Basketball Coaches Association. Years ago when I played varsity baseball here at ‘Kansas, we were always ganging around the bulletin board and estimating our batting - and fielding average for the last game. This gave me an idea in basketball. Why not have a batting and fielding average in basket- pall? I celled it by that name first to popularize it with the basketball players because every basketball player kmew about the batting and fielding average of baseball players. Por research we used the term of respective weights with positive and negative items. This effort of mine has gone on over a period of five years, and last year Dr. EB. R. Elbel in our Department of Physical Education wrote out this story that I think will be interesting, | Evaiuat: ng ae and ao Performance in Basketball. project o spine 0 ne a f fing vel? hae, ingresced rare Sana a has showed me oa Of course the coach relies on his judgement in evaluating players, but this research not only confirms his judgement, but stimlates athletic interest. For that reason I think it is worth-while. Now for a very new project and this is it. I have an idea that you can motivate the teaching of set plays and team plays in high school by diagramming the floor using different colored water colors. Each color of diagram will represent a pley. I ran onto the idea of mixing this poster and show- ecard color with Le Page's glue. This glue makes the color impervious to wear, and it will remain on the floor for several years unless you desire it removed and then a towel soaked in warm water will immediately remove that material without in- juring the floor an iota. One can use black and white and all the other colors that he desires. I have used this plan in coaching my fundamental movements of the players for over ten years. When John Bunn who is now dean of men at Stanford was my assistant, here at the University, I had him put on the first set of diagrams. I trust you get the idea. The one color scheme is diagranmed for every movement of every player during the feinting movements end the consummation of their play. These movements soon become reflexes and then the boys can do them _ without the diagrams, but it does help tremendously. Practically all the high school coaches say thet it's too diffi- cult to teach set pleys to high school players. By following this scheme it would be easy indeed because every boy on the team knows exactly what movements to follow by watching his d@iagrem and color. There are set plays definitely made to work through the gone defense and there are set plays made to work through the man-toeman defense. I do not know whether your magazine would be interested in rumning a series of diagram colors showing this scheme or not, but if it would this would be a revolutionary article on research that no one has attempted. _ We have worked this out in such a way that I positively know there are few flaws in it and it works for us and I believe it will show the way of opening up the field to high school coaches in basketball that has never before been attempted. I am sending you this work, Evaluating Team and Individual Per- formance in Basketball, for your scanning at your convenience. Sincerely, Direotor of Physical Education end Recreation PCA/pE Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach PS, (Mr. Ralph Cannon) 1. Doos modern basketball require more stanina, better health, and condition than when you played? 2. Does modern basketball represent a health hazard? He asks that I be kind enough to write a brief statement relative to the two questions mentioned. He further states that he is at @ loss to understand why you asked him to write the article, but possibly it is merely the duty of the secretary of the National Association of Basketball Coaches to collect the opinions of the You can naturally see, Ralph, why I would not want to answer that question inmediately because I have already answered that in my article. Will you kindly keep this confidential because Marsh is & very good friend of mine, and while I want to cooperate with hin, I will answer him telling him that I am preparing an article for youe In that article I have stated what I consider the hasards to health in modern basketball. After you have seen my article * and passed on it, one wey or the other, then I will be in position Nove 4, 1941 Mr. Ralph Cannon Esquire Magazine . 919 No. Michigan Blvd. Chicago, Illinois Dear Mr. Cannon, I've just received a letter from Dean Swarthout and I'm sending you a copy of the letter that I wrote regarding you. I know that you will be pleased. Sincerely, Director of Physical Education and Recreation FCA/pg Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach &Aa Lif. THE ACU FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO ARNOLD GINGRICH, EDITOR October 30, 1941. Dr, Forrest C. 4llen University of Kansas Lawrence , Kansas. Dear Dr. Allen: Your basketball story arrived on time as you promised, and everyone here was quite pleased with it. Good live, timely, controversial material, and excellently written. We feel certain it will do quite well in our “ ebruary issue, which runs throughout January in the midst of the basketball season. It will tie in very well also with our Poll for that month, which includes the rotation question. Unfortunately, it seems to me, the majority are voting against the center-jump. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if your article eventually swings a lot of people the other way. At the same time, I want to thank you personally for the prompt response you gave us on this idea, and your completely competent handling of the assighment. With heartiest good wishes, Cordially, Cm Ootcber 28, 1941 the progress of our correspondence I learned that he was 6 Millikin man and @ baseball player. Naturally, it followed that I told him about your. and my game of golf and suggested that he doubtless Imew yous fie replied as follows, "Believe 4% or not, I used to play in the orchestra (pretty ineptly) at Millikin under Mr. Swarthout. They ere all very fine — people. Remember me to him the next time you see hin. He will remember mo for being always slightly off in piteh on the clarinet." Sines my memory is so treacherous, I'm resorting to the type~ writer to convey his good thoughts to yous Sincerely, _ Director of Physical Bducation and Recreation PCA/pE Varsity Basketbell and Baseball Coach THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS LAWRENCE OFFICE OF THE DEAN October 30, 1941 Mr. Forrest Ce Allen Director of Physical Education Robinson Gymnasium University of Kansas My dear Forrest: Thanks for sending on the kind greeting from Ralph Cannone I remember him real well and if my memory serves me right, as I believe it does, his sister was a gifted piano student of mine. Her first name fails me right now but it was not a very usual one. Interesting to have our paths cross in this way, isn't it? Give him my very best when you write him again. Kind regards. Cordially yours, De Me Swarthout Dean DMS sm QVNeo Pe Se I believe his sister's name was Gleise, maybe I am wronge Hovember 3, 1941 Mr. Ralph Cannon re Macazine :; Michigan Ave. Chicago, Tllinois Dear Mr. Cannon, Thank you for your kind words of the 30th ultimo concerning our contribution of the basketball article. I've always enjoyed working with newsmen because they're perfectly frank and tell you what they want or what they do not want. In thet way, it is easy to work with them. | Regarding the center jump. I expected that your poll would _ show the ratio indicated because the center jump has been out quite some times and too, it's very difficult to advocate any change in the rules that people are not doubtful about et first. Change is always womething the human race is neyer ready fo and becomes accustomed to only slowlye There was @ greet build-up against the center jump by a great many people who objected to the domination of the game by the tall fellow at conter. As I stated in my article, the real damage was done by the tall man under the basket. But the prejudice persisted in so many minds and still exists anong the opporents of the center jump for the reason just stated. I wrote Marshall Diebold and told hin that I hac he asked by you for an article, therefore, I thought it wou ae for me to reserve what arguments I had for my article, rather than for me to pass them on to hime ~ : Again, thank you for your kindness.’ [I assure you that it was & pleasure to do this assignment for you and for Esquire. Sincerely yours, . Director of Physical Education and Recreation PCA/pE Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach November 7, 1941 Miss “elene ——- vadi-vin Arnold Gingrich Secre ein gentoo Ave. Chicago, Illinois Dear Miss Richards, I am sending you another cless of Doctor Allen. This is a ee re ee ee et eee oe ee Gesire this over the other one. The one that I sent you has been used much more frequently. This one that I am sending you now may not be satisfactory, but it Ais newer photograph - by at least 11 or 12 months. Tae gioss that you do not use will you please send back to us at your convenience? | Sincerely, PuG/¢ - Seeretary to Dr. Forrest ©. Allen AZINE FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO rq ULTL. ARNOLD GINGRICH ,EDITOR November 3, 1941 Mr. Forrest ©, Allen Director, Ph, Ed, & Recreation University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Mr, Allens We hereby accept your manuscript, "Rotate the Center Jump" and enclose a check for $150.00 in payment of all magazine rights, and the right to make reprints for publicity and non- commercial purposes, It is understood that if the article is reprinted either in full or in digest form, anywhere, with our permission as the owners of the copyright, we will pay you one-half of the net proceeds received by us for such use of the article, except that in the case of the Reader's Digest, all payment for the author will be turned over to you in full, Will you please send us a paragraph of biographical informa- tion and a picturefor our Backstage Department, at your earliest convenience? Sincerely yours, . kichwrh Helene Richards, Secretary to Mr. Gingrich HR:C Encl: $150,00=check . Nevember 135, 1941 ae Mecazine e Michicen Ave. Chicago, Illinois: — Bear Mr. Cannon, I am belatedly answering your good letter of the 7th instent. You discussed the possibility of whether or not shere was any way that college baseball could be revived Duilt up. Here is one angle that you might follow up gust to see what ine terest there is in the high schools in the v@rious states by writing to the executive secretaries of the commissioners of athletics in all the states. By doing this you could get a pretty good line-up on the situation. Last week I wrote to the commissioner of the high school ath- letic associations to determine how many high school teems there were competing in the ious sports activities. I was ema,ed to find that there were . t ae many teams playing baseball in the State of a \as there were playing football. I knew that you will be interested to know that there are nearly twiee as many teams playing basketball in the state as are playing football. In fact, there are only seven high schools in the state that do not have heskettahl Seems I am sending you a summary of the sports participation in Kansas high schools and if you would like me to work this out showing the number of high schcols participating and liné-4 subsidized activities of college coaches I believe interesting reading. Of course, I realize that you cannot give me this as a definite assignment, but if you think the idea is good I will work on.it and see what we gote What you really wrote to find ol wa how many teams were playing baseball in the state, but when I learned wo many were pbying baseball I found that your idea didn't hold up and as we continued to exchenge letters new ideas popped up. I know that the State of Iowa has a trememdously large number of high school teams playing baseball. I know most of these high school executive secretaries ani if you think this is a good angle I will work on it. I also — coaches in colleges that are earning a good deal of money on the side for developing baseball talent. So tell me what you think of this angle of the idea and Er Mitt. THE oe FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO ARNOLD GINGRICH, EDITOR November 7 1941 3 e Dr. Forrest ¥. Allen Director of Athletics University of Sansas Lawrence, Kansas. Dear “r. Allen: Thanks very much for the news from Dean Swarthout,I am forwarding his letter to my sister in St. Louis. He was right about her name. Here is another tentative project I have in mind. And while I don't know whether anything will come of it, I thought you might be thinking it over. One of the questions that came in on the poll had to do with whether or not there was any way that college baseball could be revived and built up. I know you will have ideas along this line, but whether or not the subject is of general enough interest to carry, I'm not sure. Of course you could go into the matter of college coaches being subsidized by teams like the Red Sox as sub-scouts, and the whole problem of finding young ball players I believe is more and more centering around the colleges. I can't give you this as a definite assignment because it is all a little too nebulous right now, but I can shoot 4 pass in your direction and you may want to catch it and try to put the ball through the hoop. Incidentally, in our April poll we are planning an all-baseball questionnaire, which will be sent to the big league ball players as a bloc. If you have any baseball auestions in mind that you would want to give me, 1 would appreciate them very much. After baseball, we may try an all golf poll, and in time perhaps work in these single sport polls as a sort of change-of~pace. With thanks for the fine job you did on the basketball piece, and with hopes thet we can get together on some other projects in the future. Sincerely, Lafok annem Hoveuber Bl, 194le 919 Tos iichigan Aveey Chicago, lllinoise This is merely an eclmowledgnont of your very good letter of the 16th instante I will do a lot of thinking on the mtter concerning baseball, ‘There are so many angles end possibilities that a fellow might strike on a good leade I will take a try at it and if it doesnt click now body is hurte | : Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FPOAsAR Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coaches EAGULTL. THE ey va FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO November 15, 1941. ARNOLD GINGRICH , EDITOR Dr.. Forrest C. Allen Virector of Athletics University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Dr, Allen: The vague idea I had about the baseball piece was along the lines of ways and means to build up college baseball, rather than considering the game in the high schools. However, there is probably a better article, provided you wanted to dabble in it, in the under-ground tie-ups of the college coaches with the big league ball clubs. An expose of that, I believe, would stir up considerable interest. I would say, though, that it is a question whether you would desire to tie your name and reputation to just such an expose. I am wondering, too, vaguely whether there are any possibilities in considering the probable future effect of the army on college athletics, or American sports in general. Unquestionably there will be decisive changes, if our war program has to continue for very many years; but I just don't myself foresee exactly what those changes are likely to be. Possibly you do. You understand that I am largely fly-catching at the moment. I thought your basketball piece worked out swell--a smooth job; and would like very much to have some other articles from you. However, don't let my meanderings , * mislead you. I would prefer to rely on your judgment on what you have in mind that would work up into a useful article for us. Your basketball piece--to my way of thinking--was an ideal job; and I was groping for a way to translate the same technique into some phase of baseball-- not necessarily even college baseball, either. Baseball, in general, as I see it, right now faces two very serious problems. First, the war; and secondly, the shortage of material in the on-coming generations. The colleges look like the last oasis, and if they are more or less polhuted by too much subsidagation, from the majors, the situation may grow progressively worse. The American Leg ehen did unquestionable good with their program, but even it is not emough. Baseball is too good a game to be allowed to deteriorate, and if some one can point the way to salvation it would be a very real service . . . and incidentally a very good magazine article. ~ If this leads up to any thoughts in your mind, rest assured I would be most pleased to see you develope then. Cordially, Fat aint September 19, 1941.. Ur. Arnold Gingrich, Editor, Exquire, 919 No. Mi¢higan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Dear Mr. Gingrich: I have filled out the questionnaire on the Esquire Sports Poll and mailed it to you. This thought occurred to me later - that I should have given you a little background so that our opinions that we based our judgments on could be weighed a little more carefully. I saw the Maxie Baer~ Carnera fight and the Joe Louis- Maxie Beer fight. The reason why I picked Dempsey was because of the fact that Dempsey could take punishment and he could deal it out as effectively as he could absorb pumishment. While Joe Louis was hard to hit it has been the opinion of a great many followers that he had a semi-glass jaw. : I have always been of the opinion that Louis's left is as quick and as dangerous as a cobra's thrust, but I do not believe that he could have taken Dempsey'’s battering even in his palmiest days. For ten years I was chairman of the Kansas State Boxing Commission and waw a great many fights, end my judgaent is based on this head. Guna aeheandg Shee f teled dee Gb 0 Vieiee Onl he wae who has been very onthusiastic about the sport from the skill angle and not the standard of sportemanship that is generally shown in the professional ring. I have always followed baseball very closely, having played here at the University and played semi~pro ball, but I did not care for the professional side. I think the American League is much the stronger organization, but the National has the close races and that, after all, is the thing that creates interest. I wish that I might have had time to elaborate more fully on each question asked, but this has been the opening of our en- rollment here at the University and I have been terribly rushed. I trust in the future if such questionnaires come to me I will have more time for elaboration. | Very sincerely yours, | | Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCA:AH : Varsity Basketball and Baseball Coach. EAQULTL. CAG FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO ARNOLD GINGRICH ,EDITOR September 15, 1941. Dr. Forrest ©. Allen Basketball Coach University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas. Dear lir. “llen: tn all the big games, the main thing of course is always the final score. But in most matters of opinion on sports, nobody now can tell just what the score really is. That's why ESQUIRE, the Magazine for Men, has inaugurated the Esquire Sports Poll through which the public can register their views and opinions on current sports subjects. Inclosed you will find one of our ballots. It will be a great favor to us if you will check your own opinions on it and then slip it into the inclosed stamped envelope. This will take but a few minutes of your time and we believe you will find sport in the process of thus clarifying your own views on these controversial topics of athletics, which occupy so large a share of our interest and discussion. Yours sincerely, AG:RC Arnold Gingrich , Editor. EA ULTL. THE he io FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO ARNOLD GINGRICH ,EDITOR September 30, 1941. Dr. Forrest ¥. 4llen Head Basketball ~“oach University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Yr. Allen: So much comment has been coming in about the detrimental health angle in basketball now that the center-—jump is gone that 1 believe your article on the rotating center-jump system would meet with a lot of response. It would give you a chance to propose 4 specific cure for a danger to the game. Mr. Alfred Smart has told me to tell you that they will pay around #150.00 or $175.00 for such an article, depending on how well it pleases them. I believe there is a real opportunity to make a forceful stand for basketball here, and your standing would serve to make such a recommendation "stick." If you wish to undertake such an article, rest assured that we would certainly want to have the chance to consider it. It seems to me that basketball was being slowed down to a death dirge; now it is becoming a run-away that is almost as bad for the sport. Apparently some one who is big enough needs to step in and get it off this tangent. We should be in position to give such an article a real showing before the public. With thanks for yow interest, Sincerely, June SO, 1942. cayse a great deal of comment because a very few people know some of the things we are apt to say« certainly the basketbal reader public, and even the athletes, know nothing about the | N.CteA. adopting the same policy as has been the A.A.UJ. policy toward tournaments. ee ee ee ee _ know what the N.C.A.A. big-wigs are doing. S a Director of Physical Education, FCAaH _- Varsity Basketball Coach. 6 EAGUUUL THE Aq FOR MEN 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO June 22, 1942. Dr. Forrest C. Allen Director of “thletics University of Kansas Lawrence,Kansas. Dear Dr. “lien: Glad to get your letter of June 16. 1 figure probably the livest time to run the article would be at the time of the N.C.A.A. tournament. That probably will be the last of March, which would mean we would catch it in our April issue, going to pressdJanuary 1. Of course it would be good any of the winter months, but I feel that the tie-up for promotion would be a little better to hit tournament time. Feel perfectly free to speak your mind. I don't think you can make the article toos trong for us. Glad you are to do it for us. Cordially, July 3, 1942. Mr. Ralph Cannon, Esquire, 919 No, Michigan “ves, Chicago, Illinois. Dear lir,. Cannon: Maybe the bird is too carly! I haven't even started om the article but have thought about it a the when one of e at the University returns from .& Vacation in about two weeks ; : 2 will get it ready and shoot it along to you — for your inspection at the earliest possible moment. | Winey yours, : Director of Physical Education, PCAsAIL Varsity Basketball Coach. | THE MAG Craquit FOR Cc 919 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO July 1, 1942. Dear Yr, “llen: Maybe you are right about the early bird. I was aiming to give you plenty of time, but 1 believe you are right that the article will be sharver and carry a longer carry-over in comment if printed early in the season rather than late. So why not shoot it along when you are ready. - Best regards,