THE RUSSELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

. . Office of THOMAS L. IDEN, Superintendent . . . . 1] RUSSELL, KANSAS
a 7 May 26, 1945

 

 

 

Mr. Forrest C. Allen,

Varsity Basketball Coach,
Department of Physicial Education,
University of Kansas,

Lawrence, Kansas.

Dear Mr. Allens

I have your letter of the 24th. We were certainly pleased to have
you with us for your splendid address and the fine visit. May I
say for the boys that they enjoyed your enthusiasm immensely.

In regard to Herb Michaelis, I talked to him yesterday. He now
feels that he would like to come to K.U. beginning with the summer
session. His parents are agreeable to this. I wouldn't say that

it is absolutely certain, but barring a change in mind, I beliewe

he will be in Lawrence for the beginning of the session. We had a
good talk later in the afternoon that you were here. Bill Hainline,
myx other good big boy of this years team, the one you met just before
Herb after the Rotary Meeting, was with us. I stressed the valwe

of your fundamentals and of getting them this summer while you could
give them considerable attention. Bill, who had planned to attend
Kansas State either this summer or fall, became enthused and after
talking with his parents now has decided tentatively to attend K.U.
this summer. His decision has helped to bring Herb around.

Bill Hainline's address is 642 East First Street, Russell, Kansas.
I would have written you previously concerning him, but with his
eighteenth birthday coming October 9, 1945, I doubted if he would
be able to play any basketball before the army calls him. However,
he wants to get all the extra schooling he can before that and be
in position for a school deferment if they should be doing anything
of the sort at that time. One of his main reasons for attending
college is to play basketball if possible.

Bill is over 6' 2", wéighs about 175 and is naturally left handed.
He has been regular center for two years and he is without question
the most improved player of the squad this year. Michaelis was
selected by the boys as honorary captain. I suppose it was due to
his leading the team in scoring and his chumming with the boys more.
However, with my practice of selecting a senior regular for game
captain each game, I depended on Bill for the key games. He is a
hard worker which makes up for his slight awkardness. He is a tough
defensive man and a good rebounder. He does very well with his left
hand around the basket. As a student he is a strong "C",. The only
question in Bill's mind is whether you will consider him good enough
on which to spend your time this summer. I have tried to overcome
this fear and now he seems ready to enter the summer term. I would
appreciate you writing to Bill giving him your personal invitation
to aft@en&é K.U,