Mr. Edward J. Hickox (2) January 13, 1940

The National Intercollegiate Basketball Championship Tournament
has been netional in scope since 1938 when representative teams from
19 states competed. In 1939 teams from 21 states competed. The 1940
tournament is to be conducted under the same general plans. If a tour-
nament intercollegiete in character and national in scope, in which
representative teams have an opportunity to qualify if they so choose,
and where provision is mede for them to qualify, is not national, then
the National Intercollegiate Besketball Championship Tournament is "so-
called" netional,.

It is open to members of thi Associetion without payment of ae tour-
nament entrance fee, and to non-members of this Association upon payment
of a $25 tournament fee, (Non-members wishing to quelify must meet the
same academic standards as members.) In either case, teams must qualify
eccording to plans set up by the district committee. There ere 32 dis-
tricts.

It is not unlikely that the programs of two natioffiel organizations
interested in basketball would engage in overlapping activities. I am
sure that the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball is not
envious of the accomplishments of the National Association of Basketball
Coaches. In fact, many of us are cooperating in the work of the National
&ssociation of Basketball Coaches and in its program. If the min con-
troversy is that of determining the national champion, my suggestion is
that the teams qualifying for the N. C. A. A. play-offs or those that
can qualify, compete in the National Intercollegiate Championship Tour-
nament or allow those teams that qualify for play in the Netional Inter-
collegiate Championship Tournament, or those that can quelify, partici-
pate in the N. Cc. A. A. playoffs, This would settle once and for all
the controversy. Until that is done, there will be a Naticnal Inter-
collegiate Champion (Open Championship), and an N.C.A.A. Champion (Closed
Championship).

At each meeting of the National Association of Basketball Coaches
it has been my privilege to attend, there has been much effort put forth
to enroll members. It has been my pleasure to help secure members, but
let us be cpen-minded and be careful lest we alienate some of the workers
in the National Association of Basketball Coaches and consequently retard
the growth of that organization in attempting to discourage the develop-
ment of another.

Then in the spirit of cooperation, for, Mr. Hickox, "in unity there
is strength," wouldn't it be better to go along in these respective fields,
working in the interests of the geme without fear that one essociation
will do what the other has not yet been able to do? Let the best interests
of basketball be foremost and not those of any individual or group.

I beg to remein

Very truly yours,

bd baito~

E. S. Liston
Director of Athletics
Beaker University
Acting Executive Secretary
National Association of Intercollegiate
ESL:SC Basketball