May 24, 1938 "at the Chicago convention of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the motion was passed that the incoming President appoint a Tourna- ment and Olympic Committee, this committee to communicate with and petition the NeCeAede to take basketball ‘under its wing! in much the same way 4s it has sponsored national collegiate championship contests in track and field, swimming, wrestling, tennis and golfe President Chandler of the NeA.BeBeCe, appointed the following committee: He Gs Olsen, Ohio State University, chairman; John W, Bumn, Stanford Univer- sity, and Dre Fe Ce. Allen, University of Kansase Our committee; after considerable deliberation and correspondence, is ready to make the following proposal to the NeCeAcAe: le That the N.CeAeds assume responsibility for the conduct of a National Collegiate Basketball Tournament in the Spring of 1959.6 This championship play to be so arranged thot any longthy, time consuming district play-offs be avoidede One team to represont each of tho eight N.CeAsihs districts might very well bo chosen by a scloection committoe from cach districts. The teams representing districts 1, 2, 5 and 4 (East of the Mississippi River) might play a four teom tournament at some point whero intocrest would be high, travol expenses low and time away from school negligiblee For oxample, Indianapolis, Indiana, The other four teams from districts 5, 6, 7 and 8 (West of the Miss- issippi River) might mect in a four tooam tournament ot Kansas City or Denvcre Thon the two winnors could play at some central point for the NeCehehe Basket= ball Championshipe It is the belicf of our committee that such a plan for 1939 would be feasible and practical, It should produce cnough revenue to pay all expenses and it is not likely to meet with stronuous objections from conferences and from individual schools who frown on postescason contests, ctce In 1940, the Olympic year, o more ambitious and comprehensive program of elimination tournaments in each district might well be considercde 2. That a Games Committee to conduct the NeCeAeAe Championship play be appointed. It is suggested this committee might be composed of the Tourna= — ment and Olympic Committee of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, plus a representative from cach district of tho NeCeAsile Personnel as follows: District #1 « Woslcy Feslor, Harvard University District #2 - H. He Salmon, Jre, Now York City District #3 = Curtis Parker, Centenary Colloge District #4 - W. S. Chandlor, Marquette University District #5 = George Edwards, University of Missouri District #6 « Jamos Ste Clair, Southern Methodist District #7 « Le Mahoney, Denver University District «~ J. Fred Bohler, State Colloge of Washington Our committee urges that the NeCeAche act on our proposal at its earliest convenience so that the plans for the Tournanont Play in 1939 may be gotten under ° under way very soone"