28 February, 1946
High Sehool
Great Bend. Kansas.

Dr. F.C. Allen

Director of Physical Hducation
Basketball Coach
University of Kansas,
Lawrence, fansas

Dear Dr. Allen:

I should like to express my heartiest congratulations
for the renewal on the Big Six basketball championship which the
Jayhawkers recently tucked away. I know it must feel good to
have that crown back in the right place even though it has been
_ gone such a short time.

I had the privilege of secing your boys play rour
games early in the season, soon after my return from overseas,
and I Was sure then that you nad them coming along. Doubtlessly,
the adaition of Ray Evens and Otto Sehnellbacher along with Jack
Ballard has helped considerably.

Like many other Kansas Saiceceits basketball fans se
all over this state, I am anxiously waiting to hear that some :
worthwhile post-season situation will develop for your champions.
More than anything else I would like to see you knock off those
Aggies from Oklahoma which I am equally sure you know your. lads
can do,

I had no definite plans when I last saw you just
before Christmas, but since then I came out to Great Bend to
finish the last semester in purely a teaching capacity. I was
a little late to coach this fine basketball team which they
have here this year. Allen Burns from K-State is the coach and
he has turned out e fine club. Unquestionably it is the best
court team Great Bend has ever had. The squad isn't too big,
but they handle the ball well and shoot from almost every con-
eeivable spot and position. Four of the first team are seniors,
but the second team made up entirely. of underclassmen didntt
lose a single game this season.

T have talked to some of the seniors and I am sure that
Don McTlrath, a fine guard is coming to the University next fall.
He is an exceptionally fine chap and ha® an excellent family
background. I am-sure that Don is the type of boy you like to
have around. He stands about 5'104", is still growing and weighs
about 165 pounds. He is an excellent jumper and gets more than
his share of the rebounds which is a prime requisite in your
tpye of ball. He should grow another inch or possibly more. He
has no bad habits and is a competitor of the highest caliber.

The other possibility here is Bill Mullin, the team
rene and the leading scorer of the Southwest Kansas League, of

which the Great Bend team is champion. He is 6' even and tips