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