Dean John Bunn, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California. Dear Johnny: Bruee Drake and Harold Keith of the University of Oklahoma, have written a story for The Saturday Evening Post the title of which is "Seven Foot Trouble". It deals with Kurland, the seven- footer. : : : I remember that you with your Stanford team did quite a bit of research on the higher basket, and the essence of the finding, , I believe, was that it fatigued tha boys more shooting at a 12 foot basket than at a 10 foot basket. a ' I would be very grateful to you if you could send me a copy ~ of your research work on that. I am tremendously interested, and if you will give me the method of your technique I think it wuld be worth while to run a similar finding on the work that’ you did so well a few years back. | I am sending you a copy of a rather lengthy letter that I wrote Hugh Fullerton, and in your added maturity I would appreciate your eriticizing my article in a very critical way. I think something ~ should be done, and mefely legislating against the defensive goal- tender does not answer the seven foot boy who can reach the basket. They are just taking one part of the situation into consideration. At any rate, I am still having a lot of fun. | Ze rt t that you, Bonnie and lirse Huf? are well. ith all good wishes, I am Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coach. — | | \ | ; 1002 EB, 7th Winfield, Kansas August 25, 1943 Dre Fe Ce Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, } Dear sire I am writing in regard to my twin sons who i, from Winfield High School last May. They are just seventeen : therefore not likely to be called for service during term since they will not be eighteen until May 28th 1944, ‘They are out- standing basketball players. Rebert broke the recall in individual scoring in Ark Valley League and Clarence did good werk in defense. These boys have plauned until recently to go to an Eastern school but, I prefer te have them closer home, School. own Wye Ig you are interested in them you can get any information concerning them from Principal HowkeWinfield High if interested just what can you do for them? If is necessary that they make a big part of their i am enclosing a clipping from the Wichita Beacon which appeared early in the seqson, crete MSI a a iid tale a ete ay a's Respectfully, Mrs. James G, Brannum August 26, 1943 Mrse eae G, Brannum, 1002 E, 7th Ste, | Minties, Maneess Dear lire. Brennums if ' I have your all letter of the 25th instant, and am writing te tell you that I am ratified that the mother of two fine sons such as yourg is interested in sending her boys to your cm state school. 1 believe if all parents would have the same desire to keep their song in Kansas, athletics in the state would be of a much higher standards | | I have heard a great deal of your two sons. Doubtless you may wonder why I have net called on them. I do not call on any boys because I believe that young boys who are interested tremendous- ly in athletics may get the wrong viewpoint. Coaches often picture roseate futures to young athletes out of all proportion to their im- portancee I beligwe thoroughly in athletics and the great value that they may teach a boys On the other hand, I find so many coaches that misrepresent to the boy an over-emphasis as to the value of athe letics. Athletics are good for espedially two things. They keep the boy training. The boy learns to say no a thousand times to temptation before he can say yes once to victory and a championships Secondly, they introduce a boy favorably to business and society. . But athletics only last about three or four years in - @ollege, and after that a boy may play independent basketball but ‘that is only for a short durétion. I tell the boys the most, import~ ant thing is learning to do sonething well that will carry him past the fifty or sixty year period with hs earning power constantly in- _ @reasing. Therefore, the academic training that a boy gets in college or university is much more important than the athletic training, but they both should complement each others They should go hand in glove. ZI do not write any boys, nor do I make rosy promises. Because of the fact that so many coaches do visit these boys and mis- represent the situation, I desist from doing this because I can only tell the boy one story and that is that life és a struggle and nothing is easy that is worth struggling for. You know, Mrs, Brannum, life has not been easy for you, and I can say that it has not been easy for mes Any~ one who has lived past fifty years of ace will testify that life has been a struggle, The Good Book says “the days of our years are three score years and.ten, and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is théir strength lat or and sorrow for they are soon cut off and we ray away." I only mention this to letyou spidenstinds that in raising a family mow the common problems, We have had six children = three — ~Qe boys and three girls, and we have four grandchildren. So i am writing you an understanding letter. : ; | On the campus at the present time we have enrolled less than a thousand Machinists Mates (Navy), 520 V#12 boys (Navy), 120 Naval Aviation Cadets, and 776 A#l2 Army boyse In addition, we have about 400 civilian beys under 18 years of age pursuing their courses. The boys in the service are not permitted to accept any compensation because Uncle Sem gives them board, room, tuition and books, and provides their allotment. ‘hat leaves a great field for work for the civilian students. With only about 400 civilian student to 2200 service men, you can see that there is ample opportunity for a boy to get his education and at the same time earn sufficient money to carry him through school if he has the ability te pass his work in school and alse work a maximum number of hours. This fall will be no exception to the rule. We will have about the same number of boys -on the campus who are in service and an additional number in civilian life, so I am very sure we would have no difficulty in providing work for your two sons, I am wondering what sort of grades the boys made in Winfield high school. A bey who is a good student can carry more working hours than a bey who has to spend more time on his books, Will you kindly let me know the grades they made? | I would be indeed happy if Bob and Clarence would come up and look over the school, However, there a great number of Winfield citizens who are alumni of the University of Kansas, Ex-Mayor Harry Janicke and Representative Chandler Jarvis are both graduates of the Law School of the University, who have done exceptionally well in Win- field. Of course there are a great many others, but I just mentioned these two to show you the success that comes to men who follow their | academic training throughs Adolph Rupp, the coach of the Univerwity of fentucky, came through Lawrence a couple of months ago and stopped to visit me, ie played on my championship team in 1928, He was from Halstead, Hansas,. He told me that he was going to call en Bob and Clarence and make them @ proposition, We de not have such things as athletic scholarships here, but we will be happy te offer them work, and I sm sure that the boys can use their athletics legitimately in aiding their educational progress» lp, Rupp stated that the boys were figuring on going to Oklahoma, You can see that I made no move toward encouraging then by offering them a better proposition than they had been offered, but ' if you are interested why would it not be possible for you to move te Lawrence with the boys? I know nothing about your family surroundings but Lawrence provides great opportunities for parents educating their children, I ams ure that we would be able to locate you and your family here with positions that would be attractive. MB sai seats ih Slain gs Soe You ean rest assured that I will help you and Beb and Clarence in every legitimate way, and when these boys graduate from the University of kansas they will have a professionier vecation that will assure them a good livelihood through life. I am wondering what the boys desire to study. If you will inform me I will be glad to send them a catalog from the college in which they are interested in this University. . With best wishes, I am Sinverely yours, : ae , Director of Physical Education, = FCA sAH : we. Varsity Basketball Coaches me - ee fz ; \ ee i : = | i * Mr. Harry 0. Janicke, Piret National Bank Bldg., Winfield, Kansas. Dear Harry: Thank you so much for your splendid help in writing me as you did regarding Bob and Clarence Brannum. I had figured out that the mother was shopping about, but I I would have an opportunity to be naive enough in my letter to get the main point across to her. Of course, those people very seldom see the bigger things. They are looking for a place to eat and sleep and get by, and of course they are hoping somebody else will pay the bill. : Again I want to thank you, and hope that I can reciprocate your many kindnesses. With all good wishes, I am Sincerely yours, Direoter of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coach. , pod 3 Harry O.JANICKE ATTORNEY AT Law First Natronau Bans Bios. WINFIELD, KANSAS September 10, 1943 Re:- Bob and Clarence Brannum Dr. Forrest C. Allen University Of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Phog: Your letter of August 22nd was missent originally, and then arrived here during my absence, and I am sorry I was not able to get an answer off to you at an earlier date. I have made inquiry about these boys, both of whom are definite- ly excellent basket ball players. Their scholastic attainments are very mediocre. The Principal of the High School doubts very much that unless they had some hand-picked instructors or classes, or the boys' “work habits" were completely made over, that either of the boys could get through a collegiate course. They have both taken a considerable amount of crafts work, and Clarence in particular is short in his mathematics requirements. Their I.Q. tests show them to be considerably above average in intelligence, but they have had poorly planned working arrangements and do not seem to have the facility of finishing up anything in good shape. Their mother is teaching in a rural school and their father, who has been in very poor health, is again employed on highway work. I found out that the mother had inquired of the Principal of the High School concerning the names of coaches of several of the high schools in this area. Henry Iba called the Principal in regard to a letter he received. From the information I can gather it seems there was considerable doubt they could get into Kentucky, but that at least one of them will now get by and per- haps the other one at mid-semester. T have not been able to talk to Chandler Jarvis about this matter as he is working for Boeing at Wichita and only occasionally gets down here. Your letter to Mrs. Brannum is a Maen yee and I like your style of approach. If I can be of any further service to you please feel free to call upon me. With best personal regards, I am Sincerely yours, HOT: IMK O le Wr. Fred Ellsworth, Alumni Association. Dear Fred: \ : _ Thanks a million for your confidential info on the Brannwa boys. I was convinced that there was a small Semigambian in the woodpile somewhere. You have uncovered him - and then. Director of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coach. 9/3/43 pee! & : The following is confidential information about the Brannum boys at ._ Winfield the source of which is reliable but does not want to be quoted to Brannums$ or to others in Winfield: Both boys are g0od basketball players Both have another year before becoming 18 Both visited U of Kentucky one week. That University. refused to accept them. — “one of them took work in English this summer at Southwestern to make up & unit therein end failed. Roth are said to have good ninds, hard to manage at times. One is married. Cordially, a le si ss iuaahiain i ae at 4 eae weton: es he hk ek Cag Denes nies I am also sending you a a i am sending, also, —ee hk \icscahated yi: eon Kap nk edeeed guthand your ania, together and giving me the benefit of your informtion on these boys. I am sure that I can use them very nicely and will be glad to help ee ee ee ey ey ee treet eli selves. oe lees Gu & Lek ot echoes: heen les ete te wl som attractive offers, so I am wondering how this letter from the mother. If she is interested, as she says she » in having these boys at the University there is no good reason : hould not be here. We can offer titm plenty of work - vv * "eppes aannete nanaie nat emmidead the smll a Seas deci: ne te rks, Dowie nok yo fim finty. - I have never forgotten the kindnesses shown me by you and Mrs. Jarvis in your lovely home, and I do want you to mow, Chandler, that I appreciate your taking your time out of your husy life to call on Goan cad ec eke eit A% Shale cotiens. You remexber what I promised Gerald at his home that morning - three of the toughest years of competition in the Big Six. Well, don't you agree tint he has been gotting it? With all good wishes, { am Very cordially yours, Director of Physical Bdudation, . Varsity Basketball Coach. Mr. Harry Jenioke, Winfield, Kansas. Dear Harry: ees I am sending you in confidence a copy of a letter written me by Bob and Clarence Branmaa's mother. I am also sending you a eopy of my reply to her. I am sending, also, sperma samen . Jarvis | S would eppreciate you two loyal alumni getting your heads Sccitiai ak divine se the teelts ut your Steeticn an these bon. I em sure that I ean use them very nicely and will be glad to help | ee SCL VGE o ‘ I do know that a lot of schools have been after them and have made some attractive offers, so I am wondering how this letter came to me from the mother. If she is interested, as she says she is, in having these boys at the University there is no good reason why they should not be here. We oan offer then plenty of work ~- moh nore than hes ever been offered before on account of the small civilian enrollment. With kindest rai, I am Very cordially yours, " Direstor of Physical Baueation, - | Varaity Basketball Conch. August 27, 1945. ‘Mr. Pred Ellaworth, Alumni Association, University of Kansas. I am enclosing copies of correspondence with Vrea. Bramum. Thanks for your cooperation. Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coach. | jal a We L ial eae shart auwatne the may for 1 rie Hh k ‘ ba } a if itesl i i fl ) ant tae 4s islfd topes Hine! ij itt i if ans zi (ho Hin i nae nit fe i tt Ll u y fi Hf an i iat a aa a wit { a en a con Gone ee She wil cere toe # col Uvitbon ag He : I am wondering what the t wil inform mo I will be glad to semi t I in witch tiay ave interested in Hide University. With boat wiehos, T an 9/3/43 <. ; The following is confidential information about the Brannum boys at Winfield the source of which is reliable but does not want to be quoted to Brannums3 or to others in Winfield: A Both boys are good basketball players Roth have another year before becoming 18 Both. visited V of Kentucky one week. That tudvesetty seek to accept them. One of them took work in Tnglish this summer at Southwestern to make up & unit therein and failed. | Both ere said to have mod minds, hard to manage at times. One is married. — Cordially, WINFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT WINFIELD, KANSAS My dear Mr. Ellsworths Your letter just came. I am perfectly willing that you show my previous letter to Dr. Allen if you cam assure me he will not quote it to the Brannum's, their mother, or to anyone who might quote it to them. I am quite willing that he know my feeling regarding him and the Tucker casee The University suffered considerably here by his unwarranted attack on one of the best sports, finest students, and most sportsmanlike athletes we have ever produced=-and we have done fairly well through the years. I just wrote to your sister before your letter came. Suppose you are awfully busy getting ready to roll--though i imagine the University has been rolling all summer. 2 Most sincgrety, (ie 4 oF G Evan Ee ——- oe Superintendent SEP 1 943 August 30, 1948 Wint eld, “er Dear Wr. Evans: . Thanks for your letter of August 27. I shall reavect your request that. I do not tell Dr. Allen abot: your letters He kmows that I wrote to you so I guess the only thing I can tell him is that you do not want to be quoteds He is greatly interested in Ae out avout the boys, and I would like to deliver to him the facts contained. Do you have any suggestions? I like what you have to say avout my sister. She has been showing up her littk brother through ell the years. You may, believe that we ere ell overjoyed at the recogni-+ tione she has received and the opportunity for the wide — - gontacts eand’service she gets in carrying out the type of thing thet is so dear to her and in which she hes her best talentse I don't know whether you know the bad breaks she hee had all e long the way and the obstacles _@he has overcome--not as bad of course as some people «ho ere orippled and blind, ut ehe has always been more than willing to take the rap for her meets and her friends and to ry the burdens “With kindest regards and best wishes, I am Cordially yours, Secretary WINFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT WINFIELD, KANSAS August 27, 1943 Mr. Fred Ellsworth, Secretary Alumi Ass'n. of University of Kansas Room 2 Frank Strong Hall Lawrence, Kansas My dear Mr. Elisworth: This letter is to you in personal confidence. Please do not tell Dr. Allen about it since I have no con- fidence at all in him regarding anything to do with the Winfield Schools. His Tucker stunt has put him off my list for life. The Brannum twins are high class basketball players and do have another year before they will be eighteen. They spent a week at the University of Kentucky this spring as guests of’ the University athletic depart- ment. The University would not accept their trans- cripts although they are graduates of this school. One of the boys had to make up a half unit of English credit. He took the work this summer at Southwestern College under a man greatly interested in athletics _ and very easy to get along with and failed in the work. The boys have good minds, They are not too easy to manage. Clarence is married. The mother is quite ambitious for them. I rather doubt if they will be interested in a place where they have to work for what they receive. I did enjoy being in your home both for the excellent food and for the equally excellent companionship. Your sister is one of the people for whom the Evans family has the very highest regard--so are the rest of you. Please do not tell Dr. Allen anything I have written you. Very a ? Evan Gui EEE: ch Superintendent AUG 28 1943 F air: X Bock, INA 786 . Pareia: Field 5 Zen Sherman, Texas Ais han 7 = ' United States Army Air Forces 18 August, 1944 Dear Dr. Allen, Thank you for sending me the Jayhawk Rebounds. I have received every issue and have enjoyed them, passing them on to two other KU fellows who are in my squadron. Since finishing five weeks basic training at Sheppard Field, I have attended two month's CTD at U. of Cincinnati and am now "on the line" at Perrin Field, Texas, between Sherman and Dennison. Please sand my next copy at this# address# for I am not sure when I will be sent to pre-flight at SAACC (San Antonio.) 250 leave in August with 250 more in September. 100 will be left over for Ocbbber.and since my squadron had the fewest weeks of CTD we'll probably remain here longest. We won't mind for we then would get 10 day furloughs and would enjoy? pre-fligkt under more favorable weather conditions. It's plenty hot there now. At Cincinnati I saw several Reds' games, seeing an entire Cardinal series. I also saw the Cubs# and Pirates. Tho not realizing it at the time, i saw the best two teams in the Am. League in action## tHe B4G when I saw the Browns and Red Sox in St. Louis in June. Other sports features enjoyed at Cincy was the finals of the Bri-State tennis matches in which Seguara beat Iglbert and Bundy beat the women's champ, P. Betz. All these attractions were for free. We lived in dormatories, ate better than any king, and naturally our morale was indeed high. Thus svoiled, we griped a little about adjusting back to Gt life here but find we are ag&&n enjoying most favorable circumstances. Here July 4th Sam Rayburn spoke and two new wwimming pools were opened. Yesterday I saw Waco AAF trounce the Perrin team. Waco, winners of Texas tourney, boasts Sid Hudson, Birdie Tebbets, and Nick Popovich, former major leaguers. a “ Two events that have occured at HU while I have been gone have pleased me very much. The Wm. Allen White founda#tion’ and fund should maké for KU's attaining a high role as a school of journalism, and since journalism is my interest, good news it certainly was. Then Ernie Quigley's appointment as athletic director should be a boost to the school, JI read the Topeka Capital article reporting his appointment, and I feel quite sure that Mr. Quigley means what he says and will give his ali to boost KU athletics. ° f+ve -never-read whether Elmer Schaake's bid for grid mentorship at Denver U. materialized. Probably not for poor as the Dallas and Ft. Worth paper's sports pages are they probably would have had that news. I hope KU doesn't lose Schaake for he and Henry Shenk make a good coa ching duods Give my best regards if you will to Mrs. Hulteen, Mr. Shenk, Strait, and Schaake. Yours very sincerely, Bob Bock