February 2, 1944

Coach Forrest C (Phog) Allen
Athletic Dept, Kansas University
Lawrence, Kansas

Dear Sir:

Enclosed in this letter you will find a written story of a new
basketball change suggested by Lt George Wells, former head basketball
coach at Upper Iowa University and Kirksville Teachers College. Lt Wells
is trying to get the reaction of the top basketball coaches in the country
on this rule so any comment from you will be greatly appreciated.

This new rule of his tends to do away with the zone defense completely
and will give basketball backs to the fans where it really belongs. It is
very radical, Il assure you, but many of our modern rules of today were
thought to be radical when they were first proposed. Personally, I think
that it is no more radical than that new suggested baseball rule whereby a
runner has the option of running to first or third upon hitting the ball,

If it is at ap all possible, Lt Wells Suggests that you try this new
rule out with a picked team and see how it works. We have tried it out here
and the comments that we received from the players and the spectators indicated
that it was very thrilling and exciting to them and definitely added speed
and a lot more action than we have in basketball as it exists today. Two teams
of equal ability were picked and the final score was 67-59, a very interesting

Gane.

X£XXE Thanking you in advance for any consideration and comment you
may give the enclosed story, I maam remain,

Yery Truly Yours,

~ Whe ie
Former Ass't Sports Publicity Bépt

Texas A&M College

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