ae Che National Collegiate Athletic Association

‘PRESIDENT HONORARY PRESIDENTS SECRETARY-TREASURER
.-~ PROFESSOR W. B. OWENS BRIGADIER-GENERAL PALMER E. PIERCE JOHN L. GRIFFITH
STANFORD UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR CHARLES W. KENNEDY HOTEL SHERMAN, CHICAGO, ILL.
CALIFORNIA MAJOR JOHN L. GRIFFITH HONORARY SECRETARY-TREASURER
DEAN FRANK W. NICOLSON
VICE-PRESIDENTS MEMBERS AT LARGE “EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dean L. K. Nerpitincer, Dartmouth College, First District ProFessor C. E. BILHEIMER, Gettysburg College Tue PresIpENT AND SECRETARY
Dr. E. LERoy Mercer, University of Pennsylvania, Second District Director W. J. Brincuam, Harvard University Proressor P. O. BapGcrr
Dr. A. H. Armstronc, Georgia Tech, Third District Proressor H. H. Kine, Kansas State College Director H. W. Crarx
Director Frank J. McCormick, University of Minnesota, Fourth Proressor E. L. Larson, University of Arizona PresipEnt T. J. Davirs
District Proressor T. N. Metcatr, University of Chicago Director R. A, FETZER
Dr. F. H. Ewreruarvt, Washington University, Fifth District Proressor S. C. Parmer, Swarthmore College Dean L. K. NEIDLINGER
Proressor JAMEs C. Dotizy, University of Texas, Sixth District Prorrssor H. C. Wittett, University of Southern Proressor L. W. St. Joun
Recistrar R. E. McWuHInnNIz, University of Wyoming, Seventh California j Proressor C. C. May

District
Prorrssor C. C. May, University of Washington, Eighth District

October 25, 1940,

From: John L, Griffith, Secretary of the National Collegtate Athletic Assn,
To: The Athletic Directors in the N.C.A.A, Colleges and Universities,

Subject: Athletics in the N.C,A,A, Colleges and Universities
and National Defense,

Last summer President W. B. Owens asked Mr. H. W. Clark to £0
to Washington, D,C, and to ascertain, if possible, what was contemplated
or being planned by the Government or the War Department along the lines
of developing a physical and athletic training program,

On October 21st a committee of three, representing the N.C.A.As,
met in Washington and the members of this committee conferred with indi~
viduals representing various governmental and other organizations regard-
ing the part that the colleges might play in the efforts that are being
made to defend America,

While no one probably knows at this time just what will be
expected of the educational institutions, it seems clear that if the
athletic, physical education and health education departments in the
colleges and universities that compose the National Collegiate Athletic
Association are conducting a satisfactory program, there would then be
no need for the Government or the War Department to improve the work that
was already being done, |

It occurred to me that if a report of what the majority of the
member institutions were doing or were planning to do by way of assist~
ing in the defense program were made available ‘to the proper officials in
Washington that these officials would be glad to have such a comprehensive
statement, Therefore, I, representing President Owens and as Secretary
of the N.C,AA,, am attaching blank with the request that you fill it out
and return the same at your earliest convenience,

On September 18th copies of a resolution adopted by the N.C.A.A.
Executive Committee on September 6th & 7th were sent to all of the
Presidents and Athletic Directors in the member colleges. . Some of the
university and college presidents have since then advised that they have
decided to make physical education compulsory for the four undergraduate ..