DE PAUL UNIVERSIIY « DEPARIMENT OF ATHLETICS
ghee Shethicid Avcoue» Chicago « Illinois » Telephone Diversey 4340

ATHLETIC BOARD

Hon. John A. Sbarbaro
Rev. Joseph G. Phoenix, C. M.

Rev. Comerford J. O'Malley, C. M. GRADUATE MANAGER
Harry D. Taft

Paul J. Mattei Arthur B. Morse
December 5, 1942

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Paul J. Mattei

 

Dr. Forrest ¢. Allen
Basketball Coach
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas _

Dear Dr. Allen:

I wish to review what occured between us and I am sure
that you would like to know the situation also.

When I sent you my original wire asking whether you could
play on January 16th, to which you naturally replied in the
negative, I had in the meantime dispatched several other wires
to other Universities. When I received your wire declining’ the

Gaon. Waeee I also received a wire from another school accepting it
and I then proceeded to close this date. SubsequentyI received
your wire stating that the condition had changed and that you
could play on January 16th. Because of my admiration for you
and because of our friendship which I value very highly, and
because of my desire to see you once again, be in your company
and to have your fine team on our Program, I took the nec-
essary steps to cancel the other game.

This, of course, took diplomatic handling and required a
few days more then I had originally anticipated. When I fin-
ally succeeded in doing so I wired you to the effect that the
game was O.K, then I received your lasttelegram. As a result
of this I do not have Kansas University, and I do not have this
other school which I had originally contacted; I cannot go back
to this other school, so I am in a SPOT. I know you well enough
to know that you will not permit me to remain in this spot if
you can help it, so I am looking forward to your reply on Monday
or Tuesday of this coming week telling me that vou have been
able to maneuver and manipulate your schedule so as to enable
you to come in on January 16th.

Incidently, if nothing else will avail Michigan State
may agree to move its date from January 23rd to the 16th.