wor
MONDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
and FRIDAYS

7:15 P.M.

ALBERT MITCHELL

THE ANSWER MAN =

STATION WOR—1440 BROADWAY
New York, N. Y.

March 28, 1939

Dr. Forrest C. Allen
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

Dear Sir:

My radio program is of an educational nature. I attempt to answer
any question submitted by the radio audience.

One of my listeners has written me:

"A well known sports writer stated in his column recently
that the average basketball player runs from six to seven
miles per game. This statement has caused no end of con-
troversy between my friends and myself.

The question I would like you to answer is, 'do you believe

it possible for the average basketball pleyer to run six to
Seven miles a game.’ In making your reply, here are a few
facts you can consider. The record for the 5,000 meter run

is 14:27. Although it is hardly possible, we will say that

a distant runner could cover the 10,000 meters (six to seven
miles) in thirty minutes. A. basketball game is consisted

of two-20 min. halves. The average basketball player, there-
fore, covers the same distance in just ten minutes more than
the champion runners of the country. At the same time he must
dribble, jump, shoot, pass , catch, stop, and also turn a ball.
He also loses a good part of the forty minutes because of scrim-
mages, falls, jump balls, etc.

We can appreciate the fact that a basketball player runs in
sprints while a distance man runs a paced race, also that a
ball player has time outs in which he is able to catch his
breath. A distance runner is derived of this privilege.

We are anxious to settle this dispute as soon as possible, and
we assure you that your immediate attention will be greatly
appreciated."