BASKETBALL "BILL OF RIGHTS" VIOLATED
| BY

E. S. HICKEY
Business Manager of Athletics and
Basketball Coach, Creighton University,
Omaha, Nebraska 3

America's modern game of basketball, producing an abund-
ance of action, speed and scoring, serves as a lasting and
monumental tribute to Dr. James Naismith, its originator. Fort-
unately the game developed to its greatest peak within the life
span of this brilliant educator. In keeping with its present
development and national popularity I should not advocate any
drastic changes in our playing rules. With one exception the
rules are well balanced between offense and defense. However,
basketball is the only competitive game today that penalizes
an offensive effort. The present loss of the ball following
a successful play is emphatically opposed to the very purpose
of the game. The game was founded on the principal "...TO
SCORE AS MANY POINTS AS POSSIBLE BY TOSSING THE BALL INTO ITS
OWN BASKET, AND AT THE SAME TIME PREVENT THE OTHER TEAM FROM
SECURING POSSESSION OF THE BALL OR SCORING." Present day
basketball violates the "bill of rights" of basketball. A con-
tinuation of the game with loss of the ball on scoring efforts
is communistie in the realms of an American sport. If we are
to have a new game let's call it "Raceball" but for one, in the
interest of a national American sport and in keeping with its
original purpose, I should advocate the emphasis on cleverness
and skill rather than speed, heighth and stamina.

We need not necessarily return to the former center
jump rule. However, equal opportunity of securing possession of
the ball is as important following a score as at the beginning
of the playing periods. In this respect I heartily endorse the
suggestion of Dr. Forrest C. Allen, University of Kansas, to
return to the center jump but require the players to alternate
in jumping. Likewise the suggestion of Harold Browne, University
of Nebraska, is commendable. Coach Browne would require the
player scoring to jump against any one of the five opponents at
the nearer free throw line. I would endorse this provision pro-
viding the jump would be at the center cirle. In any event every
effort of those interested in the welfare of basketball, the
physical condition of the players and a "breathing spell" for
the spectators, should tend to legislation restoring the original
purpose of the game of basketball. It is unfortunate that Dr.
Naismith should have lived to see his creation distorted and
a new game played under the misnomer "Basketball."