H. G Olsen, of Ohio State, reporting for the Officials Committee, |
said that there was a decided need for uniformity of rules interpretations.
He called for agreement within the various groups through the country, and
then for the various sections to agree, as nearly as possible, so that in»
tersectional games may be carried on with a minimum of friction. The ques=
tion of "whistle tooting" and the exact position of officials were also
brought up. The relation of the coach and officials likewise was dis~
cussed, and the conduct of the coach to officials made clear.

Dr. John Brown, a member of the National Basketball Rules Committee,
reported on the relative functions of basketball coaches and officialse
He pointed out that some coaches have to win to maintain their positions,
but they selfishly teach points detrimental to the best interests of the
gamee He added that the referees are "on the spot" during the course of
the game and, while they are capable of "making or breaking a game",
coaches can help ruin officials, but "officials have little or nothing
to do with the terms of the engagement of the coach by the institution
employing him." Good officials as well as good coaches were absolutely
essential for the best interests of the sport, he said, but, if everybody
strove together to study the role of the official and gave him his united
support, the future of basketball would be exceptionally bright.

Aims of the Basketball Writers! Association

To strive for the elimination of sectional differences, to promote
mutual understanding of the problems of all groups associated with the
administration of the game, to promote and maintain close and harmonious
relations with coaches and officials, to recommend to the various authori~
ties such neasures as nay be advisable for the good of basketball, and
to raise the standard of basketball reporting and comment in the daily
newsoapers of the United States, and maintain it on a high plane, techni-
cally and ethically.

—-1L5-