October 1, 1938. Very sincerely yours, FCAsAH Varsity Basketball Coache NATIONAL COLLEGIATE A. A. - CHAIRMEN OF SUB-COMMITTEES Publication Oswatp TOwER Executive H. H. SALMON, JR. Research Forrest C. ALLEN Game Administration Sumner A. Dote Complete List of Committee Members F. C. Allen Univ. of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas John Brown 347 Madison Ave. New York, New York John Bunn Stanford Univ. Palo Alto, California J. H. Crocker Univ. of Western Ontario London, Ont., Canada M. C. Cunningham High School Desloge, Missouri Sumner A. Dole Connecticut State College Storrs, Connecticut H. Chicago, Illinois E. J. Hickox Springfield College Springfield, Massachusetts Frank P. Maguire Questionnaire H. V. Porter . D. Edgren George Williams College NATIONAL FEDERATION H. S.A. A. - Y.M.C.A. - CANADIAN I. A U. and A. B. A. NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE of the UNITED STATES and CANADA Vice CHairMAN, JOHN BUNN Stanford Univ., Palo Alto, Cal. _ Treasurer, FLOYD A. ROWE Board of Education, Cleveland, Ohio Epitorn, OSWALD TOWER Andover, Massachusetts CuairmMan, H. H. SALMON, Jr. 40 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Secretary, H. V. PORTER 11 So. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois September 27, 1938 Mre ee. Cc. Allen Univ. of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Mr. Allen: In response to your letter of September 26th I am enclosing some rough drawings which might serve as a starter for experimental work along the line of backboards. Of course, there are a number of other possibilities but since it is necessary to start somewhere, these might serve as the starting point. We will be in a position to do considerable experimental work along this line and will use these diagrams unless you have some modifications to suggest. We plan on proceeding along two lines. On some backboards Dept. of Public Instructionthe border space will be blacked out leaving only the section agreed Harrisburg, Pennsylvania W. E. Meanwell Shorewood Hills Madison, Wisconsin Curtis Parker Centennary College Shreveport, Louisiana H. V. Porter 11 So. LaSalle St. Chicago, Illinois Samuel Rogers upon in white paint. Records can then be kept as to the use which is actually made of the border surface and also the general effect on the player. In a few cases we will be able to have manual training departments make backbords of the designated size and shape and it will probably be possible to have games played with these boards where mitual consent of the two managers can be secured. 210 Confederation Life Blidget me have your reaction to the proposed designs. Toronto, Ont., Canada Floyd A. Rowe Board of Education Cleveland, Ohio J. W. St. Clair Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas, Texas H. H. Salmon, Jr. 40 Wall St. New York, New York Oswald Tower Andover, Massachusetts Willard A. Witte Univ. of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming Yours truly, WU Cab Secretary HVP/; lll tly iy ay ay em te be em oe Ge em ae i i | | 4 | ‘ | i ‘i < al , 4 a oe ae eee SE ee ee ee ee ee ee 2 seme ee eee ee ee ee oe 0 ww td ep es ee ee ee Be ee wl ee ee —_ Pe = = me oe (fee A -t- — ements ee ame @ Ot Ei ee me ee eam ae poe eter ee ew eS Ow ae , 3 i { $ i { i t } | 3 { i i 4 I t | i 4 | ae ren re rN TOS Bic cali a eielil | | | } | Fr atte —_ ae ee op ae ee ep oe ante oy a =e ee oa oe ee tee me eh cm oem, teal nod f E 4 ‘ A { & 3 g t 8 a t ‘ $ ‘ i j t i § i { f 1 j A i 4 t 8 i i i j i j ee ee ee ip ie et ee oe om an oe te eee ae ate [eee ae oe ey eo ee ee ts te eh October 1, 1938. Thank you for your letter of September 27. ra Be Te TEs Of CEOREts ww 56 ememtiee tuts tick 0 eee eee people who will not want Sn shone: time Seah, tak Games sin unde ts WAL Ge ok sane sort of research problem which will be interesting, et least. These lower corners are cut off for the purpose of not obstructing the ball that is passed in from thet area four feet back of the baskets : FCAsAll | Varsity Sashetiall Coach. : IOWA STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND MECHANIC ARTS AMES, IOWA ENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION ve ee September 27, 1938 Dr. Fe Ce Allen Director of P. E. and Basketball Coach University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Doc: In reply to your letter of September 16 relative to the possible change in the shape of the backboard, I certainly would be in favor of some sort of uniformity in the construction of the back- board and the manner in which it is erected. Take, for example, our boards here--because of the fact that we have them suspended fran the ceiling we have a difficult time making them rigid. As @ result there is more play in our boards than there is in those which are attached to the walls. Just off hand I would say some sort of an arrangement whereby the boards are erected on a standard platform might be the answer for uniformity. I don't see any objections in reducing the size of the board as I really don't think we need a board 6 feet long. I doubt, howe ever, if the 4 foot dimension could be lessened very much. Be- cause of the expense involved I just wonder if a reduction in size or shape would be worth while. I haven't given this matter a great deal of thought but these are my first reactions as I think about it. With best wishes, I am Ss rely,, oeeec/ Le Ee Menze LEM: JH Basketball Coach September 50, 1958. Bite We He Browne, Rasketimll Conch, University of Nebrasin, Lincoln, Nebrasine Dear Brownies Thank you for your letter of Septenber 22% Director of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coaches £ " THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR September 22, 1938 Dr. Forrest C. Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Dr. Allen: I want to acknowledge receipt of your letter of September 16th in regard to some experimentation to reduce the size and shape of the basketball backboard. Personally, I am heartily in sympathy with any move to reduce the necessary construction around these goals, and possibly the reduction in size, in order that greater vision may be obtained from the ends of the court. As you know, my association with the football team makes it practically impossible for me to hardly think basketball at this time of year. If you have any sugzestions as to what some of the other schools are doing in the way of changing the shape and size of the goal and lessening the construction, I would appreciate your advising me, in order that I might give some thought to them. I think it quite possible that the Bond nicht be reduced in width as well as length and still get the maximum results in our shooting. This would lessen the wide end of the goal and make the construction much less. If you have time to inform me as to what is being done, I will appreciate it. 26 W. H. Browne WHB: gt Head Basketball Coach ire Bruce Drake, University of Old " eg Mare ‘Deaz* Bruces Thank you for your letter of the 23rd instant. ate He Ve Porter nt Cideugas wie Ub eehiien uaaueieey oF Win Yoke inois High School Athletic Association, and a member of the Research Committee, is interested in reducing the size of the backboard. Ie fecls that a fen-shaped board would do as well as a larger sixby~ four bounds The objection to the glass backboard is that Rules Committee says that the boards shall be painted whites That a ee ee eee Se ee ee ee eee started many of sporting goods houses sold glass backboardge The reflection of light on the glass and the fact thet the class me Sir Ge wae cede te ot ee ce ee caused the Rules Comittee to put in this mandatory rulings It ie et REE Sh RE Se eee Oute © ee At any rete, I went to thank you for your good With all good wishes, I an FCAsAH Varsity Basketball Coach. Che University of Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS September 23, 1938 Dr. Forrest C. Allen Basketball Coach University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Allen: Your research on basketboards should bring together some interesting data in opinions. With the invention of this new Bask-O-lite and with the light so arranged that the spectators will register or react simultaneously with the shooting of the basket, we still seem to be at a dis- tant point in bringing those spectators who find seats at the end of the court in a desirable focus of the plajh’field. It might be that glass backboards would solve the problem, using as few supports as necessary to hold it rigid. With wood or steel backboards about all that we can use to increase the visibility directly behind the baskets would be to round the top of the backboards. I say the rounding because of the few times that the ball actually hits the corner of the backboard. Either this or by decreasing the dimensions all the way around. I personally would be in favor of anything reasonable that would make for better seats of the ones at either end of the courts. Best of luck to you and continued success. Sincerely yours, Bruce Drake ) YOUNS, Director of Physical Education, I have written to a number of coaches ree Varsity Basketball Coachse garding the reduction in the size of the backboard. None be kind « you have are not i aac Ges I ‘be happy to hear on reduc With all good wishes, I am 7 September 26, 1938. of the coaches have as well a defined idea toward the reduce TAR OF Te NONE 00. TON HORE So Nhs | corners of more definite if you ctions have ro oe that you aa ideas thet Lite He Ve Porter’, 11 South LaSalle Ste, Chicago, Illinoise tiff ti sisi tt Deaz ir, Porter: POAsAH September 26, 1938¢ Sy Gade OK Sith eek eed ees ath thas of tee ta, to Porter. I was gathering data to submit to hime He believes —— "2 am eee Sntuwected in thn experince Git ‘you are milking on the increase in the diameter of the rime I am still more interested in the wiring of a call coil spring at eo toting af the net tat wuld aumo 8 the | uae eer Neate ection if they oan got a light thet will flesh on I will be the first one to swing over oe arrangenente 1 a ee es Bae ane 6 te Se SS Gey from i will be happy to hear a en ee oe Om if you wid lot no lau how thay Upe Very cordially yours, : Mrector of Physical Education, — FOASAH 4 Varsity Basketball Coache UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI COLUMBIA | INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS September 23, 1938. Dr, F. &. Allen, Director of Physical Education, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan. Dear Dr. Allen: I have been studying your letter of the 16th relative to reduction of the size of the backboard, and find that I am unable to answer the proposal by a simple "yes" or "no". If a smaller size would decrease construction costs and increase spectator enjoyment without a material decrease in scoring effecieney I would be heartly in favor of the change. But if the decrease in size would be a handicap to offensive play my answer would be "no". In other words, my reply will depend upon the results of adequate tests made in practice and game conditions. This fall I am running some experiénts with the effects on shooting accuracy of a two inch increase in diameter of the rim. I expect to cheek results from about 20,000 testa shots taken from various angles and distances. If it will aid any I will will draw a line on the board outlining the decreased size of the backstop and record tmenumber and effect of shots which hit outside that area. Should such a test appear to have any value I would appreciate suggestions as to dimensions to be be given the smaller board. , Also I would like to report that a local electrician has been experimenting with a switch to be placed in the net of the standard basket which will give all of the results of the Basks0-Lite goal. He has had it patented. It consists of two small coil springs which narrow the bottom of the net so that when a ball passes through the expansion of the springs closes the switch and either will turn on a light or ring a gong. The contraption is invisible, attaches to any net, and has no effect upon the net action or the basket. He estimates the price of the equipment to be about $10 for a pair of goals if the lights are used but the cost of gongs increases the price according to the size of the gong used. A set of these switches is to be installed on our baskets and additional reports will be sent to you after they have been thorougkly tested. Yours truly, See George Ré/Edwards. John Bumn «= The Rules Body of the National Basketball Committee has suggested that some experimentation should be made along the lines of reduction in size and possible change in shape of the backboard. The purposes of such change might be set forth as follows: _ | le Simplification of construction, and consequently reduction in cost of construction through eliminating the necessity for sails of the complicated bridgework that is now necessary. 2e Lessening the amount of obstruction in visition from the ends of the court. Se Increasing the possibility for play behind the plane of the backboarde It is quite probable that most of us would agree that these objectives are desirable. However, it remains to be determined whether the disadvantages are enough to outweigh the. value of these objectives. I em wondering if the Pacific Coast coaches are thinking of eliminating any part of the backboard. Has this change been brought to their attention? I should also like to know your om reaction to this proposale What do you think should be done in the way of experimentation? Awaiting your reply with interest, I am Sincerely yours, Chairman, 5th Diste, NeCehehe August 12, 1938. Mis He Ve Porter Soe LaSalle Chicago, Illinoiss Dear My. Porters Please do not think that I value your letter any the less because I did not answer it promptly. I have been “ NATIONAL COLLEGIATE A. A. - NATIONAL FEDERATION H. S.A.A. - Y.M.C.A. - CANADIAN l. A U. and A. B. A. NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE of the UNITED STATES and CANADA CHAIRMEN OF SUB-COMMITTEES Vice CHairman, JOHN BUNN Executive Publication Cuairman, H. H. SALMON, Jr. Stanford Univ., Palo Alto, Cal. H. H. SALMon, Jr. Oswatp Tower 40 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Treasurer, FLOYD A. ROWE Research Questionnaire Sucastany, H. V. PORTER Board of Education, Cleveland, Ohio Forrest C. ALLEN H. V. Porter 11 So. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois 7 . Eviror, OSWALD TOWER Game Administration Andover, Massachusetts Sumner A. Dote July 18, 1938 Complete List of Committee Members F. C. Allen Mre Fe C. Allen Univ. of Kansas Univ : of K. ansas Lawrence, Kansas f Lawrence, Kansas John Brown 847 Madison Ave. New York, New York Dear Mr. Allen: John Bunn Sheng Cee heii alo » Vall 5 agi cee, I have been out of the office a couple of weeks and consequently the answer Univ, ot ate Gee Se peur letter of July 6th has been delayed. M. C. Cunningham High School I believe the experimentation with backboards should be along the line eee nee of reduction in size and possible chars’ in shape. If changes are made Connecticut State College I suppose the purposes would be: Storrs, Connecticut ee cies Ts Simplification of construction and consequently reduction in cost of — construction through eliminating the necessity for some of the com- E. J. Hickox Springfield Gollege ss plicated bridgework that is now necessarye pringntiela, assacnuse Frank P. Maguire ion 2. Lessening the amount of obstruction in vision from the ends of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania courte W. E. Meanwell Shorewood Hills Madison, Wisconsin 5. The increasing of the possibility for play behind the plane of the Curtis Park Cepicunaes College backboar de Shreveport, Louisiana ge ee I think it probable that almost anyone would agree that these objectives Chicago, Illinois are desirable. It remains to be determined whether disadvantages are Sanne) Rogers tion Life BugeOUsn to outweigh the value of these objectives. The only way conclusions Toronto, Ont.,Canada can be reached is through the charting of that portion of the backboard gt which is actually used. We might direct our attention to two possi- Cleveland, Ohio bilities e J. W. St. Clair Southern Methodist Univ. x 5 Dallas, Texas 1. The elimination of as much of the lower part of the backboard as can H. H, Salmon, Jr. be taken away without ruining the support for the basket. At least eight | New York,NewYork inches could be taken from the bottom and still leave room for a base Oswald Tower support and if a small square were to be left in the center at the bottom Andover, Massachusetts gi of the board, more than eight inches could be eliminated. We might start Univ. of Wyoming with eight inches. Along with this change we could probably cut off at Saree Noeeite least ten inches from all the other edges of the board. This would reduce the size by pproximately ten square feet. 2e The second possibility would be in connection with change in shape as well as reduction in size. The boards might be changed to a fan shape or to a semi-circle. This could be done by using a spot direetly behind the ring as the center and drawing the major are of a circle with a radius of NATIONAL COLLEGIATE A. A. - NATIONAL FEDERATION H.S. A.A. - Y.M.C.A. - CANADIAN I. A U. and A. B. A. NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE of the UNITED STATES and CANADA CHAIRMEN OF SUB-COMMITTEES Vice Cuairman, JOHN BUNN Exceutive Publication Cuamman, H. H. SALMON, Je. Stanford Univ., Palo Alto, Cal. H. H. Satmon, Jr. Oswatp TOWER 40 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Treasurer, FLOYD A. ROWE Research Questionnaire Suchstany, H. V. PORTER Board of Education, Cleveland, Ohio Forrest C. ALLEN H. V. Porter 11 So. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois Epiror, OSWALD TOWER Game Administration Andover, Massachusetts Sumner A. Doe Page two - sae an aanegole ee about two feet. The lower edge of the backboard might remain parallel ce with the floor or if the fan shape is to be tried, it might be sloped Univ. of Kansas upward from the center. Lawrence, Kansas John Brown 347 Madison Ave. 4 - think it might be well for the Research Committee to standardize by i a recommending experimentation with definite board sizes as indicated Stanford Univ. above. We could then make up a table which would give us informtion as Palo Alto, California pee to how many times the border surface outside the marked areas were actually Le tiegie aes ea used, ies., how many times the ball was prevented from going out of bounds eo through hitting this extra surface and how many times a basket was actually High School made through banking from the border surface. We should also provide a 3 i. place for the reaction of players to actual use of the smaller surface. Connecticut State College This might help determine whether the larger target has a good or bad ae eas ‘i mental effect. We might also find how much of the corner floor space at George Williams College the end would be made available for shooting territory through the ree Chicago, Illinois ga duction of the backboard size and also how much more opportunity there is "Springfield College for a player to shoot from farther under the backboard through the elirine- Springfield, Massachusetts e tion of the lower eight or ten inches. We could also determine the addi- vrerht of Exbhe Instruction tLONG1l number of end seats that might be within view of the basket ring Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in a given sized gymnasium. W shorewood Hills oe If you decide to specify the actual portions that are to be eliminated Cantey ger Callas for expsrimentatl purposes, we will be glad to conduct rather extensive Shreveport, Louisiana ¢xpéerimentation and will give the matter considerable publicity through HV.Porter the Illinois High School Atilete and from it through other state publi- Chicago, Illinois cations. Samuel Rogers 210 Confederation Life Bld Toronto, Ont., Canada “het me have your reaction. Floyd A. Rowe Board of Education Cleveland, Ohio Yours truly, J. W. St. Clair Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas, Texas at H. H. Salmon, Jr. 40 Wall St. New York, New York € » Oswald Tower Andover, Massachusetts Se cretary Willard A. Witte Univ. of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming AP / 5 daly 6, 19886 Mire He Ve Porter, Secretary, Notional Federation of State High School Athle Acsne, 11 Sowth Lasalle Street, Chicago, Tilinoiss Dear Friend Porters I acknowledge with thanks the special edition of your 1958889 Official Tasketball Rules. iI have been through it and find it very clear and concise. It is a tribute to your usual energy and porseveratwes Very cordially yours, 7 Director of Physical Education, FCAsAH Varsity Dasietball Cosche I July 6, 1938 To Members, National Basketball Comnittes: Under separate cover I have sent you a copy of the Special Edition of the 1938-9 rulese The Editor and Secretary have been working on these since the annual meeting. The wording of this special edition is the same as will be used in the Almanac Edition to be published at a later date. You will note that this is published by the National Federation. This plan was agreed upon by the Publications Committee when it developed that the American Sports Publishing Company found it impossible to get out the guide before fall. Also, they did not find it pro- fitable to publish the separates and were glad to be relieved of thistaske A happy solution seemed to be to have the National Federation run a few hundred copies of the Special Edition at the same time they ran their books for the high school associations. This special edition will be available for summer coaching schools and similar groups but no special attempt is being made to sell them and they will not be sold through dealers. In accordance with the action at the annual meeting, four cents royalty will pe paid the Committee on all copies of the Special Edition which are sold during the summer. Heretofore, one cent royalty was paid by the American Sports Publishing Company on the separates. The only publicity being given this Special Edition is through members of the Committee and a circular which is being sent to kmown coaching schools and colle ges which are known to have summer sessions. The books may be secured through the Federation office at 11 South LaSalle St., Chicago. In a few days I shall send a copy of the book Basketball Play Situations. This year Mr. Tower is collaborating in the making of the book and the rulings are official for college and independent groups as well as for high schools. I hope you will be able to find some good use for your copye In my opinion, these developments represent a great step forward toward uniform interpretations and toward universal use of the rules as formulated by the committee. The next step is to organize the work of the members so that through the season, planned experimentation and investigation will be promoted. The various sub-committees will work along these lines. They are open to sug- © gestions. Yours truly, NU Oke H. Ve PORTER HVP jj PeCohe i \ | October S_ 1938— lite Frank Py Root, Basketball Coash, Kensas State College, Dear Franks : I find thet I have failed to acknowledge your Kind letter of the 2lst ultimo in regard to a possible basketball gane with my cousin dow the Tews Frenk, nothing would please me more, but wo just talked a little late because I have ell my twenty gmen lined up. Iwas sorry thet I didn't got to sit in with you on the powwow thet the coaches had in Zansas City with the _ football ceaches and athletic directors. We diseussed then af base to diene to soaee Watts PUAgAI Varsity Basketball Coach KANSAS STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS MANHATTAN, KANSAS September 21, 1938 Dr. Forrest C. Allen Basketball Coach University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Dre Allen: In answer to the three questions in your letter of September 17, it might be possible to put the basket on the bottom of the backstop, and make it six feet by three feet as eliminating the skirt below the basket would simply assist in more playable balls that were short, since the backstop will be four feet inside. Sorry that I have no dimension or construction changes to suggest. Would you be interested in an exchange of games in December, the second week or as late in the third week as the L3th? Very sincerely yours, Pi cial Frank P. Root Coach of Basketball FPR:LR October 1, 1953- lire John We Buns HHH tal ui : ait a rE pi 2 Reg or get} ae jie jut fu We fd ae a pel in is pet iH, 5 ggke Bg i eg 3 ae OR EG tp a uid 1, Hapa ‘i hal a aaah Hal te i is pif os get sa Saini a . ti “3 "% at va Bt é ii : fo sa na yi uf a RE I ae ae your reactionse With Kindest personal regards and best wishes, I em. Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Raucation, Varsity Basketball Coaches STANFORD UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF THE DEAN-OF MEN STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA Sept. 13, 1938 Mr. Forrest C. Allen Department of Physical Education University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Allen: This will acknowledge your letter of Septem- ber 9. Evidently our paths just failed to cross. I tried to get in touch with you on Sunday when I arrived in Topeka, then again on Thursday after I had completed the coaching school. These were my two opportunities to play golf. I learned that you were in town on Thurs- day, but for some reason or other I could not reach you by telephone. I had a good visit with George and rather short chats with a number of people on the campus. I am sorry though that I missed you. Now with respect to Rose Bowl tickets, there are two sources to which you might apply. The one avail- able now is the Oe we ot Roses Committee in Pasadena; the other is the Conference representative. This latter of course has not yet been determined. If you desire, it will be possible for me to secure tickets for you through our office here. The probabilities are that I shall attend the game this year. It will be my first opportunity since I have been on the Coast. Basketball has always held my attention before. Please let me know with regard to the tickets and I will make the proper arrangements. With best wishes to you, I am Very cordially yours, STANFORD UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF MEN STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA - September 19th, 1938. Dean F. ©. Allen, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Dean Allen: This will acknowledge your letter of September 16th concerning research in connection with reduction in size of the basketball black board. { have been thinking somewhat about this matter since the last meeting of the Rules Committee. We have had it under discussion here on the coast. My suggestion would be that we not move too rapidly in this connection. I suggest that we get several coaches over the country to put up prectice black boards of reduced size in order to try them out. We should, of course, specify the size that should be tried. If, after we have done this, there does not seem to be any objection, because of playing dis- advantages,to the smaller board then I would suggest that we get several conferences to try them out during the regular season. ‘Where is, of course, no doubt but what the smaller board would help the vision of the spectators. I doubt if the smaller board will effect the players but I think we should make sure before we go too far. I should be glad to get Everett Dean to put up a smeller board here. First, however, will you send me the dimensions which you think should be tried out? With best wishes, I an, othe