BASKETBALL AND THE WAR

By NELS NORGREN
University of Chicago

President, National Association of Basketball Coaches

 

N DECEMBER twelfth Con-
gress received a most com-
prehensive new draft bill that
would require every man in the
nation between the ages of
eighteen and sixty-five to regis-
ter for service. It further pro-
vides that all those from nine-
teen to forty-five are liable to
military service, the others to
"register in other phases of our
vast war effort.

 

NELS NORGREN

The military authorities have
said that they are not primarily concerned with the
military knowledge of the recruits, but that they
would be thankful if the recruits were in adequate
physical condition and appreciated the value of the
proper health habits which are necessary to main-
tain efficient physical and mental health. The
quickest way to train recruits for fighting is to
have them study and practice the specitic activities
‘nvolved in war. But, the authorities know that the
progress of such learning, if it is to be practical,
must necessarily be in keeping with the physical
ability of the individual to stand such a rigorous
training. There can be no question that a program
of military training pursued with lads who are in
first class. physical condition will proceed more
rapidly than a program organized for recruits who,
in addition to being in need of training in military
activities, also requre a great deal of time to get
them into satisfactory condition to practice and
perform these activities effectively.

In the face of these facts it is our duty to con-
tinue to promote basketball contests and to en-
courage as many of the boys of our schools as we
can to participate in this sport, which develops so
many attributes that may be useful to the fighting

man. Some may ask, in what way sport is related to
the subject of military preparedness. Sport is essen-
tially play and war is essentially work. The two
seem to be at opposite poles. Nevertheless, it has
been recognized by coaches that there is a direct
and positive relationship between the play of sports
and the work of war; and | may add, the work of
living. Activity in sports is a primary means of
developing and maintaining the high degree of
physical competence needed by fighting men. As
a means to this end basketball is an effective aid.
It is becoming more and more a game of speed, of
skill, of alertness, of quick judgment, of cleverness,
of stamina, and of sportsmanship and morale. It is
becoming less and less a game of brute strength.
Assessing the qualities necessary for a capable
soldier we will make no mistake when we advise a
young man to prepare himself for his national duty
by seriously playing basketball. Every muscle of his
body will be developed for stamina, for quick action
and deliberate action. His mental reactions will be
quickened by the rapidly changing phases of the
game.

There are three factors in basketball, no less than
in other competitive sports, which the player should
keep in mind. Assuming the necessary educational
background, a lad aspiring to a commission in the
military services has a strong recommendation in
his favor if he has had the experience of competi-
tive sports. Secondly, if he has had this experience
recently, in all probability, he is in the necessary
physical condition to weather the exacting discipline
which he must undergo to prove himself worthy
of a commission. And, finally, he knows quite a
lot about discipline because he has willingly sub-
jected himself to exacting discipline. He has proved
he can take it! He is in a better position to impose
it if he must.

 

ORGANIZE CHICAGO WRITERS GROUP

When West Texas State set a record of 70 points
in the Oklahoma City all-college tournament, sub-
stitute Chuck Johnson made the 66th point which
broke the record and substitutes Ledru Jacobs and
Norman Trimble sank a field goal each . . . Coach
Shorty Almquist, Rock Island (Ilk) H. S., claims Jim
Holland holds scoring ace of opponents scoreless

by hypnotism . . . Art Morse, graduate manager
of athletics at DePaul University, is trying to get a

Basketball Writer's Association started in Chicago

modeled after the one in N. Y... . Wally Borrevik,

6-8 Oregon center, injured in an auto accident last
spring and advised to give up college competition
for a year, is now playing with an oil company team.