oe WHY BASKETBALL? given before ‘The Rosewater High School ( Aihieta gow a / Nelson Sullivan “Jan.. 8,, 1939 BASKETBALL. Professor Smith and athletes, it is with extreme pleas sure that.I appear before you this evening to discuss asub- which I hope you will approve... An incident occurred to me just a few miles out of town that struck me in an amusing light,.but later I realized its true significance.. In stop- ping for slight repairs on my car, I asked the station attend- ant as to my position from this town.. He looked at me rather sharply and said that I must certainly be a stranger for every- one knew where Rosewater was in this district, since they have one of the best football teams in the state... I could have eas- ily replied that I knew of their team, but was merely curious -eoneerning the time that it etek take me to cover the remain- ing distances. It has always seemed rather odd to me that when two alumni of a high school or college get together they always discuss their alma mater in the realm of its athletic achievements. For example, when I go back to my home town I gnevitably return to the Y.MC.A..where bee ceeds congregate and discuss the old athletic heroes and contests. I am sure that wherever you roam you will at some time run across an old school chum, then it is my wager that the two of you will speak of the “grand old days" and that last minute victory over "Paduch.."" My presence, in reality, is due to happenings that occur- red some 49 years agoe. A professor at the Y.M.C.A.. college in Springfield, Mass..set the stage and gave’ birth to a peach- basket game called basketball. He was given charge of a gym class that others had been unable to handle.. Naismith after working on a new game gave it to this class, and from that day on never had any more disturbance for those eighteen boys took to the game and relished every available minute that they: were allowed to play.. That game has grown from one that off- ered entertainment and recreation to eighteen future Y.M.C.A.. secretaries to one that attracts, as it did last year, eighty million people under its portals. The game was given inter- national recognition in the 1936 Olympics when 21 nations com- peted for the championship which was awarded to the United St- atese. To show how the game has grown from the eastern coast of the United States to the farmost eastern point in the world,, would be comparatively easy if E. C. Quigley, national auth- ority in referring and officiating, were to tell you of the number of participants and the interest that the Japanese show- ed in an elimination contest that he had the job of handling.. Today you and I are remotely interested in things that occur outside of our community and yet when we read of the game of basketball being played in the Olympics and all of the major powers and secondary powers with the exception of Spain, entered into competition we must surely comprehend that the game has grown to gigantic proportions... The reasons for this rapid growth and why it should be part of every high school curriculum is the real purpose of my speaking here tonight.. The game was originally developed to give youths an opp- ortunity for recreation throught play during the winter months.. Its wide acceptance by youths who pledge allegience to many different flags all over the country today shows that the game 4s popular. I am sure that thie is one phase of emphasis that need not be stressed for one would be blind not to recognize this fact. There are rumors to the effect that the game is too strenuous for the high setae athlete. Dr. James Naismith and others have made research investigations to determine the basis for such assertions and find them totally without any foundation.. Several years ago a former coach of mine told me of Forrest DeBernarde, one of the greatest basketball players. of all time, whom he had ¢oached in high school.. He said that Forrest was unable to play very long in any game due to palpit- ation of his heart, but this did not prevent him from continuing his practicing... The coach claimed that the youth soon built himself up physically ee place where he was able to stay in the entire game. On the contrary, as regards the statement that the game has a tendency to be detrimental to one's health, I contend that it acts in the opposite manner. ‘Binee it is a sport that. demands as much stamina and physical conditioning as possible,. the youths that participate must follow certain rules of health. often while in high school a student has no incentive for pro-- hibiting his destre to smoke and "sow his wild oats," but when siven the opportunity to play on the school's athletic teams,, he will have a real desire to conform with certain training rules so that his chances may be bettered.. These tr2ining habits then started in high school and continued on into college are often the reasons why so many athletes never smoke. These habits that aid to keep one in physical fitness through his school days are the same ones that become of benefit in later life. Besides the benefits that one. accrues from following health rules there is also the desire to learn more about our body-. Our curosity is aroused when we are being worked on by the coach or trainer and we desire to know more about our phy- sical makeup. In other words it might be said that we become body conscious.. | You might easily ask “How does basketball cause one to obtain better grades?" In the first place before any. team member is eligible to participate he must have average grades... Some athletes if they didn't have some incentive to study wou- id never manage to get through high schools. In order to sec- ure these grades the individuals must budget their time to allow them to practice basketball and also to study. The story is told of Barry wood, great Harvard all-around athlete das when asked by his coach to report for a ckull practice that evening replied that he was sorry, but he had planned to study that evenings. It was said that he had a budget which allowed him time to participate in three major sports, and also to give him ranking at the top of the scholastic ladder. It frequently occurs that an athlete is not particularly interested in scholastic work but does it because he desires to be eligible for athletics. Then a*ter graduating from high school he manages to go to college where he actually "finds himself" and desires to study, not principally because of his eligibility, but because of his desire to improve himself. Many athletes that formerly were shoved through high school and college now find their vocation in coaching which has been wide- ly extended thru the addition of eduest ional institutions and a more prominent vlace of athletics in their curriculums.. An athlete that has an enviable record in scholarship and athletics is given many opportunities for employment. A story that Dr. Allen once told his team before they were to be guests of an alumni group was in part, that they would be given an opportunity to acquaint themselves with (divi duels who were civic leaders whereas before they would have never been allow- ed entrence into their office. Through athletics an introduct- ion is made- whereby you ae favorably brought into contact with individuals who might help youe..I do not mean to infer that | athletics will give you a job after completing your course of study but I will say that when one's name appears in print be- Pore the public eye it is good advertising... This is often the opportunity that gives an athlete a start,, although the rest depends upon what the individual does after his chance has come.. Take for example "Boots" Adams, president of Philips Petroleum, and Paul Endicott, vice president of Phillips, both former star athletes of the University of Kansas,.who were given em- ployment after leaving college.. They took advantage of the opportunities so many other athletes are ziven.. A coach is proudest over those proteges een neha later success, rather than those who falter by the wayside, because he takes pride not nie an winning championships but in influencing and Help-- ing to develop men.. The next point that I deem very important and one that the game of basketball is responsible for in a large measure is that of developing sportsmanship. Today in any field of endeavor we must have the faculty of setting alonz with people.. some executives and personnel manasers contend that this ability is worth more than 50 per cent. in computing the amount of in- gredients that are necessary in making one a successful indivi- dual. Unless we can develop the cooperative spirit to a point where we allow other individuals the opnortunity to "shine" as well as ourselves we often fail to achieve any honor on our own. in basketball as in few other games does the spirity of team- work appear so necessary... There are only five men on a team and unless they work together the unit is likely to fail in its purpose; the quintet that uaordinnies the best is the one that will carry away the vie es Tn the game of basket- ball with its many moments of tenseness and ecitement when one is likely to lose his hamper. he can eigher accept and learn a valuable lesson in self control or "live to learn" ‘another day. Sports that are high in body contact are often the very ones that bring out the greatest amount of character traits in an individual. The spirit of fair play is inborn in all persons but it is given an opportunity for development and expression in the game of basketball.. A character trait that showed very conclusively that the person was thinking more of the team than he was of his own ' personal glory was demonstrated by a great Kansas athlete in a recent championship basketball gamee. I refer to this indivi- dual as a great basketball volayer because of his ability to play the game and because of his ability to develop team morale.. It was during the half period that the coach was telling what must be done in the second half in order to pull the game “out of the Tire." He asked this player, Smitty, if he thought that he would be able to get back to protest his post before the opposition could execute their playse- Smitty, who was breath- ing heavily, partly because of the cirst half, and also because of some physical defects, said that he was unable to beat the opponents back. He wasn't admitting failure, for he was giving his best, but merely knowing his own physical prowess and its limitations, gave his ideas in relation to how it might affect the team and not himself. This is a test of character that his coach will probably ever remember, and one that any coach would be proud to relate.. I have never been thoroughly convinced that "Keeping up? with the Joneses" is the best policy, but I do believe that for the sake of self-preservation, the policy of “When in Rome do as the Romans do’ "is adviseable.. In the state of Kansas there are over 600 high school basketball teams. This number shows the enmeet number of teams in any one sport.. The game of basketball in the state has risen to heights that few states in the union can boast of. We have in our state both the in- ventor of the same and the greatest and oldest living coach,, Dr. Forrest Allen. Both of these individuals are connected with the University of Kansas and not as some authors would have you believe, the University of Nebraska.. Communities are no longer isolated members of townships but are all sovaeen te and are part of the whole.. This small _ community has received recognition - its gridiron sport be- cause of its great teams but these same towns also have basket- ball teams.. Are you thrown out of the association with them during the winter months because you do not have a team? / You then ask the question as to the place that we might be able to practice? I have taken inventory and believe that the town auditorium without much additional exvense could be revamped during the winter months for our practic sessions and league games. I have asked concerning the possibilities of using it during the a‘ternoons and there seems to be no objections. | Since it is not very far from the school I suggest that if the sport is incorporated we use ite. Your school spirit must be of the very best for I have heard of it Seon my neighboring community.. Basketball would be the ideal sport for the students to back during the winter months, for it is one that is interesting not only to the students but also to the adults... I daresay that within a month or. tw@ after the season is underway we could have the auditorium part- tally filled with spectators.. The game of bsketball is phowken by leaps and pounds; there is no doubt in my nied but that it is distinctiy the game with the least objectionable features.. injuries that are so frequent in many sports do not occur as often in basketball when the vroper precautions are taken.. From the athletes that I have heard of from this school and from their appearance when I met them previously before speaking,, I am convinced that we would give the Southwestern Conference: leaders a real battle for the championships. If you are skeptical because of the financial risk I will say that judging from the size of this town we can by means of a slight admission price, plus an activity fee, from the students,, finance the game with no additional burden to the school's: Kiget.. The equipment and suits would entail an initial cost that we would goon be able to pay off after a season or two of play.. I feel safe in prophesying, due to the popularity of the sport in Kansas, that we would actually make enought money to partially help another causé or save and have a reserve fund for future emergencies.. Yentlemen, I have stated the facts as I perceive then,. ana am firmly convinced that the game of basketball would be beneficial to this wanond and community... I say that not only would you fae vely your school spirit throughout. the winter months but that you would also give the town people an opport- unity to keep in contact with the educational center. I have told you how it would give recreational play and eetovaent to the students without affecting their scholastic standing. It is not necessary to sell this sport to you tor 1 am firmly convinced that this fine game possesses enough attributes to sell itself.. September 27, 1958. Hire Dorman O'Leary, Vice President, Stern Brothers, 1012 Baltimore Aves, Kansas City, 'issourie Dear" Dummy" s : ss Carolyn Stockwell stopped by the office today das na es ach es Sd Gn nde ta K ns coats with your firme I think you mow me well enough to know that when I write a recamendation for anyone that I would endeavor te tell the truth and not build the individual up undulys Miss See eee ee aoe ee im the Athietie Office, and she also assisted Mr. aril Talken- stien, -ow financial secretary, with his bookkeeping ledgerse I ee ee ee ee ee eee 2 eee ee x ee Oe \ inform you of her fine qualitiese She is an especially intelligent youmg women, with fine disorininati one She has poisee ler character and perpon= ality are exellent. She has initiative and enthusiasm for hor work. She was such en exceptional student that she comeanded the respect of those with whom she worked as well as the leaders in the student body. shes fais hak ak Sk 6 Seeds Tale ie bees English construction perfectly will make you appreciate this facte ‘hen I wrote my new text, “Setter Sasketbali", published by MeGraw-[%11 and Gompany of New York, I used Miss Stockwell as one of my critics on sentence constructions I most heartily recamend her to you without reservation or evasion. She is one of the most promising and brilliant young wonen that I Imowe Very sincerely yours, 2 ne < ee PCAsAH - Varsity Basketball Coaches 22, 1938e TAPE iiss {7 Kansas City, Dear Carolyns ante fit BE gate’ 3g a is ie ay a8 r aes ty a Tete na Director of Physical Education, ' Varsity Basketball Coach. September 30, 1938 Miss Carolyn Stockwell, 107 Tard Parlwey, Kenses City, Moe Dear Carolyn: I am enclosing a copy of the letter 1 reccived yesterday from Dorman O*Learye I just wanted to keep you in touch with the situations : Josephine liellings, as you doubtless know, wes \whi here a few years ago, and later took secretarial worlke Hex father is a banker, and that might weigh in her favote Here's wishing you the best of luchke Cordially yours, a -. Director of Physical Education, FOAsAli Varsity Basketball Coachs September 30, 1938. Myre Dorman He O'Leary, Vice President, Stern Brothers, Kansas City, lissourie Dear "Dummy": san ee er So See erm! aaa Deen af ie an Ee Yes, indeed, I lmow Miss Josephine Hellingéive: well. She is a beautiful girl, and I wmderstend she took secretarial work. She would be a dandy. ak ie eee, Se ee ee ee ren Seren and the Hellings are wonderful people. I want you to Imow how good you made mo feel to arte She Letine Pint you aide With ell good wishes, I an Sincerely yours, Di rector of Physical Education, eee — Varsity Basketball Coaches STERN BROTHERS & COMPANY DORMAN H. O LEARY VICE PRESIDENT KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI September 28, 1938. Dear Phog: Thank you very much for your letter about Miss Stockwell. It made an excellent impression on all of us and while we have not decided definitely whom we will employ, this will be settled within the next day or SO. You might be interested to know that the other girl we are considering is Miss Josephine Hellings, whom you probably knew when she was a student at the University two or three years ago. I personally think Miss Stockwell's experience qualifies her more completely for the place we have open, and I was very glad to get your letter confirming my own ideas. With kindest regards, I am Veyy sincerely yours, sree i ae Dr. Forrest C. Allen, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. DHO: AE October &, 1958, Very cordially yours, Bireator of Fiysieal siuontion, October 27, 1938. lire Stanley Schwahn, Manager, Grenada. Theater, Lawrence, Fansase Dear Stans J em enclosing herewith our completed tasketball : schedule for the 1959039 sensone All home games will be played in Hoch Auditoriun at the University of Kansas, | at 7:50 pene The reserved seat segson ticket is $5.50 plus tax), and the single admissions are 75¢ plus sales texe Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coach. October Sy 19586 Feeiuener tense Bo Selitiny Law Sehool, University of Kensese Dear Professor Suiths I am sending you the Kiplinger Yeshington Letter which ninsi'td he Ob population as it atteete Mtn aitodls I thought it might be interesting to yous I em also sending a couple of other recent letters for you to scan overs I thought the Jewish problem and how the Se giving the war debte shout tin washes efter Kisivign*s infeamtion tunthes us on some of these matters the local papers put it out, but it is treated in propaganda form as it affects the pepers' policye Tt was good to have a visit with you yesterday, end I enjoyed it very much, I assure youe Sincerely yours, | | trector of Physical Bimation, at Varsity Basketball Coachs Oo | g 3 —ghdg F8F Ow ! al Ny fi ye i, Hl in Hy yu 1H ne! jt a ae i § sil fifi if! pu : i: Ay ie, nei’ gig Cabs S23" : = | ave 4 ia 7 2 ahas i fla bi inl fa fil : E. E. Stockebrand, Coach V. E. Oman, Director C. S. Johnson, Clerk Frank A. Rahe, Treasurer Naomi R. Chronister Science and Woodwork Music, English LEONARDVILLE RURAL HIGH SCHOOL =e spin eigaagy Lloyd M. Miller, Principal. bics Gate ee Leonardville, Kansas October 4, 1958 Dre Fe Ce. Allen . Kansas University Lawrence, Kansas Dear Dr. Allen: I am writing to you in regard to one of our boys who has considerable trouble with his knee. About two years ago he ran a locus thorne into the side of the knee, about a quarter or half an inch deep, but got it all out without any diffi- culty. However, blood-poisoning set in and after getting over that it seems the knee was left in a weakened condition. Last season he had to give up football and in basket-ball it troubled him on a few occasions. At the present time, and even last year, before the knee was injured it looked normal. Hard knocks on the knee cause it. to swell up and pains severely. Any information, you might give to us on the matter, will be greatly appreciateg. Yours truly EES: LM E. E. Stockebrand , Nath alt goed wishen, I em Very sincerely yours, Mrecter of Physical Mducation, Varsity Basketbell Goache en Public Schools, Kansas City, Missouri ne : NINTH AND LOCUST STREETS GEORGE MELCHER, SUPERINTENDENT October 20, 1938 JOHN L. SHOUSE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Forrest C. Allen Department of Physical Education University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas. My dear Dr. Allen; On returning to my office I have examined our records and find that Miss Jose Stapleton's salary for 1938-39 is $230 per month less 122% discount for, 10% months. I think you understand that we are operating under & discount because of the financial condition of the School District. Very respectfully yours, Oe ohn L. Shouse, Assistant Superintendent In Charge of High Schools JLS: EH October 255 1938 School of Fine Arts. | ey Deeye Tnen Bwerthouts | eas wi ts Se ped anon ee Series | tickets for Mrs. Allen and myself. We are especially looking forward to the coneert by Gladys Swarthout this winter. Wath grateful appreciation, I am Very cordially yours, Director of Paysiical Edueation, PCAsAR : Versity Sasketball Coaches