December, 1940 3

THE ALL-AMERICAN MENACE
By Nat Holman

I have always felt that much will result from open discussion in which pro-
blems pertaining to business or sport, where facts are presented, are aired out
and carefully examined, However, the "All American Menace" is the loose talk
that creeps into our newspapers toward the tail end of each basketball season, in
which our coaches go ona "fault finding spree." The rules, the officials, the
ball, the backboards, etc., etc., are in for severe criticism, It seems to me
that any sport that will attract millions of people, is physically wholesome ,
mentally stimulating and socially sound, There is no sentiment in theperson who
puts his money across the counter at the box office, Basically, he wants enter-
tainment,

Is there anyone who can deny the fact that our game of basketball is the
most exciting, thrilling, pulse rendering sport than any other activity on the
entire winter calendar? What we need more from our teachers of the sport is a
"Boosters Club" who will broadcast the good things about the game rather than
condemn it, The game is always affected more by censure than by praise, Con=
structive criticism is good, But, when individuals, or groups, develop a "“des-
tructive philosophy" airing their "brainstorms" which are harmful to our great
geme, I believe, and I am not alone in that opinion, that action should be taken
to eliminate that group from our "inner circle",

Before "popping off", any man, who has been stricken with the lightning of
an idea, should submit his idea privately to the natural body of coaches, After
due consideration by the coaches, including "clinic games", discussion by rules
committees and any other means of scientific testing, then the idea should § re-
ceive publicity. With all of the present unconsidered criticism, the spectators,
who are paying the freight, will begin to believe that something is wrong with
the game,

Somewhere in my readings, I ran across the following lines which are apro-
pos at this time, It reads: "Once an eagle struck by a dart, said after exmin
ing the leneth of its shaft, with our own feathers and not by other hands, are
we now smitten,"

Summarizing that statement, we can safely say: "If our great gameis harmed
in any way -- it will not be by the existing rules, the officials,the backboards
or the ball -- but by loose-tongued men affiliated with the sport who mrinually
seek the headlines, Coaches who have endured, who have made contributions to
the game, who have been affiliated with the sport over an extended period of
years have seen it grow, feel, I am sure, the need of rounding up these men and
compelling them to "soft-pedal" on any comments which may be injurious to the
popularity of the sport,

This publication is eager to publish articles and news items that will beof
interest to coaches all over the country, Do you know of any topic that would
be worth discussing? Why not submit it to the Editor for publication inthe next
issue? All contributions will be duly acknowledged,

Springfield College, which represented New England in the national colle=-
giate tournament, has but one regular remaining, but Coach Eddie Hickox is prom-
ising another good team to maintain Springfield's fine reputation,