Again thanking you for your note, end with — Varsity Basketball Coathe | DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK YELLOWSTONE PARK, WYO. OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT June 21,1939 Dr. Forrest C. "Phog” Allen, Basketball Coach, Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. ‘Dear Dr. Allen: I have just had a letter from Gilbert Wilson, one of my basketball players last year and in his letter he tells me of having a visit with you. He seemed to be very much thrilled over the courtesies shown him while there. He seemed to appreciate very much the attitude you took in his case. Naturally it pleased me and I want to thank you for what you did for him. If you remember my talking with you in Sioux City during the Physical Education meeting he is the boy I mentioned fo you. As soon as I told him that I had spoken to you about him he was immediately interested in going to see you. He has, as far as I know, very meager finances and I do not know if he will be able to pay out of State fees. If he can get enough to pay his out State fees I am sure he will enroll with you next fall. You are probably surprised to know that I am working in Yellowstone for my third summer as Ranger- Naturalist and that I was granted a years leave from school to do work on my Phe D. and that Mr. LaPorte of U. 5. C. gave me a teaching fellowship for next year. Fishing is good and I say the best in the workd and if you come up this way ask for me at Old Yaithful ranger s#asion and I will take you on a real fishing trip and guarantee you your limit of fish. thanks again for the interest shown in Wilson. Eh mabe yours, ReDeWatkins, State Fieckek. Kearney Ranger-Naturalist 4 i yas a oBe i} gaa ag 5: if sits 3 agae 4 sf! aa’ i in§ é nt 3 ai i tat i THE 3 ia Hu . a3} of ou athletes on the tasket- ae BEne 9, 2 Mal Wt nil 543; 3 ; 338 i ij ile re Ht HH au i at et | HN ut . i ia; i: i he : teh et g* : : q aa mt P21, war 4 : Niet ca rn ay 1934 — Bockethatl Coach Novena lnc. ear dur: Diy Aaah teat Conch, Rd Wathen of oe “es Ch, Porws, ne td ore tof. te ee ee ee ee 0 ee 4a | hike @ es 14 Me 0A a? Siva 7 aia peed eka via LIE BRIE Fae es Dear I am very glad to mow of your interest in the University of Kansas, but as you know, we do not have any special scholarships of any kind for athletes here at the University, and of course we do not make any special offers to athletes on account of their athletic abilitye I know that you do not want to sell your academic birthright for a mess of pottagee I tell all the boys that you can get propositions from many schools, but if I were you I would pick out a school that you really want ) to attend, and then go to that school regardless of whether you make $15.00 a 1 month or $3000 a month. : ; If you have saved enough money to pay for your books, tuition and incidental expenses, then I am sure that you will have no difficulty in 2 I do not want to appear p making the grade here at the University of Kansase to preach, because no one is converted after very much preachinge I tell all the boys that the first thing they must get is their academic worke That is the thing you go to school for, and you will find that your degree from the University of Kansas will amount to just as much as you think it is worth, or as much as you put into ite ia aad a epg ee at ee ibaa ST ETS oar AS PY tes ie a It is necessary for you to make definite progress toward graduation to establish yourself as a student in the Universitye ‘There are three other things besides academics which a student may indulge in here on Mount Oread = athletics, politics and social lifee A boy who works his way through, either partially or wholly, can only choose one of those three and still make a go of his academic work and his chosen avocation or hobbye About 15% of the students at the University participate in athletics; about 15% take part in politics as their hobby; and about 15% are active in the social life. To endeavor to do more than one of these three prime non=necessities of student existence is a sure debacle as far as your academic work is con- cerned. You will find that I am not trying to entice you here as a student because you played basketball. I have never contacted basketball players because I think that any coach who offers a boy a job on account of hisathletic ability is doing the boy a real injurye I tell each athlete that he cannot help the University on account of his athletic skille ‘The University helps hime When I think of the great scientists here, - such as Dr. Cady who discovered hebium gas - and other great men of science, then I am reminded of the insignificance of the contribution of an athlete to his universitye Of course, people come to see the game in which you or I are playing, but if you or I had never been born they would still go to see the game and to see other boys playinge So, when you consider the University of Kansas please do not think that I am endeavoring to entice you to the University on account of your basketball abilitye If you should decide to attend the University I would be glad to help you help yourself, but I cannot promise anyone assistance until he has definitely made up his mind to enroll at Ke. U. Very sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coache and of course we do not make A TO AL special offers to athletes on account of their athletic ability. — ator’ | I know that you do not went to sell your academic birthright for a mess of pottage. I tell all the boys that you can get propositions from many schools, but if I were you I would pick out a sehool that you really want to attend, and then go to that school regardless of whether you make $15.00 a kind for athletes here at the University, : three other things besides academics which a student may indulge in here on Mount Oread = athletics, politics and social life. A boy who works his way still make a go of his academic work and his chosen avocation or hobby. About 15% of the students at the University participate in athletics; about 15% take part in politics as their hobby; and about 15% are active in the social life. To endeavor te do more than one of these three prime non-necessities of student existence is a sure debacle as far as your academic work is con- cerned. é ; : F i é ‘ his a thletic University helps him. When I think of the grea am reminded of the insignif: : university. Of course, people come to see thé yr la playing, but if you or I had never | i born they would still go to see the game, and to, see other boys playing. pray. : : What , Betestie / ae think that I am endeavoring to entice you to the University on account of your basketball ability. If should decide to attend the University I would be glad to help you help ‘self, but I cannot promise anyone assistance util _ he has definitely made up his mind to enroll at Rete /12 Lecce Kaige F E f : i Pa f f Uf Ve j _ 5 po ery sincerely yours, i / pf / fr" | Director of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coach. ie the University of Kansas, tions really #00 or % for know of your interest in special shi) a ede Hdeeb a tng fh ne He i peal a le ee bt ees i HE E Hit ial ul gee i i 4 Ce ity tie (aad ‘Hi Hh Ike Davis, 6'55", Paseo High 3 years ago ) Bill - Stock, Woxtvort High ). Bud Kennedy ~ Igrold Wright, Dwight, Kansas, over 6* (Joel Ne Martin, Prine) ‘~ Ear Bozeman, Nickerson, 6°4" (Le Re Buell) Ingellend, Hickerson a - __Reed Anderson, Noreataz, 6°53" (Russell “Dutch” Anderson, Oberlin}— Russell Reimesker, MePherson, 6'S“ (Ernie Vanek) “ Wictor Bbaugh, MePherson, 6°1" © | Hoover’, ELisworth, 614" - Schubert, Ramona, over Gt " oh Clayton Guith, Prescott (Harry Miller, Prosootts Dick Anerine) Douglas Condit, Salina, Oklase, 66" (Le Le Gayler, Prine) ~ Byron Kern, Atchison , (Rice Phelps) LON -Seetty Rides tu 6/3 (Dorel Grose) / VERN. Setmanttoger, Dodge City ' ¢f" . “ Vanoe Hall, Downs | (Vins He Harrison) Allen Verhage, Doms ee Max Kissell, Portis ee “Charles Read, Baxter Springs (Min Tate) Richard Chubb, a Welter Hartley " ' Paul Heap, Tulsa (Buck Trombold) Gerald Buxton, Tulsa (Sidney Rice) Lou Steimeyer, Kansas City, Kans, 65" (pr. Billingsiey) Roy and Guy Mitchell, a (Herbert St aentite) ? Warren Settles, Scott City, 685" (As Se Foulks, Ness Sky) - James Weir, Green River, Pi xt 6°6" - “(Tine Timothy) v Don Blair, Ottawa, 613" a DON BLAIR, Ottawa, 6'1$" (Horace llason says he may even be taller than thise He is better than the average players; the best Ottawa had this year. Horace saw him play against Lawrence this year.) ROBERT Le KLAWUHN = 1400 Ohio Street, tele 1486 Enrolled this semester as a sophomore in Elece Engre, carrying 13 hours, on probation. His record follows: 3 entered in Summer '36 and made « e e-« « e 8 hrss tn 2831 Of 'S6 made <4 6 «0 «+ 6 e 8. 7 hrse On probation spring '37, made e e« « » « e 9 hrse Tn tel Or WAGs . se 64 SF ee 6a 4 hrse In spring '38 made « « « « « « ee © « @ 8 hrse (failed in 5 hrs; passed in 8) . Total << « 36 hrse JIMMY WEIR, Green River, Wyoming, 6'6" (Bill Timothy and Lester Kappelman are coming in to talk to you about this boye) : Kansas High School Basketball GERALD TUCKER, Winfield- Easily the outstanding high school player in the state this year. About 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds or better. Only 16 years old and a junior. Does all of his damage around the basket. A one hand shooter almost entirely, but does not shoot pivot shots very often. Directs his team's play more than any other player I have ever seen. Practically a coach out on the floor. Very cool and calm. My only possible criticism is that he did not fight quite enough at times. A good man on defense, however, and a sweet rebounder. Plays it smart. Very strong and can throw the ball like it was an orange. His passing may lack finesse, but he gets the job done. Feeds his teammates plenty. Did not show up as well in the championship game as he had in others, but was being guarded by a fine guard, In addition, his teammates were not too hot at getting the ball in to him when he was playing the post. The fact that he got only 8 points agdinst ElDorado was due in large part to the fact that he played inside on offense only about half the time, being in the back line the rest of the time. Plays back there part of the time to settle the team down. Leading scorer in the Ark Valley this year by a good margin. One of the best high school tennis players in the state. Always came up the floor slowly, but this does not mean he cannot run. last year, when Win- field used the fast break at times, he was the first man down the floor. That he is still plenty speedy was indicated by the way he got back on defense, Does not shoot nearly as much as most players would under the circumstances/ and yet piles up big totals any way. The slow break, also, handicaps Tucker in trying to keep up with the scoring pace set by Miller and Engleman when they were in high school. High School Basketball (Cont. ) JACK WEDDLE, Winfield- One of the two best guards at the tournament. Slightly over 6 feet tall and weighs about 165 pounds. Another junior. An all-Ark Valley guard this year. Leading scorer among guards in the Ark Valley this season. A good one hand shot and a boy who drives hard for the basket. His play is characterized by lots of energy and fight, directed in the right channels. Seldom makes unneccessary fouls. A beautiful rebounder, he and Tucker got almost every rebound. On defense, he is a tenacious guard, with re- markable reflexes. A fine ball player. DALE COVERT, ElDorado- The other outstanding guard in the tournament. Did a beautiful job of guarding Tucker in the game . for the championship and is the only man who has held fucker down all season. Guarded him three times. Is 6'4" tall and weighs about 185 pounds. Plays tackle on the football team and looks about like Fred Bosilevac did when he was in high school as far as build goes, Very good at guarding post men. Not an especially hot ball handler. Plays outside on offense part of the time and also plays post part of the time. About as much a center as a guard. A good man on re- covery shots under the basket. An all-Ark Valley guard. A Junior. DICK NOLAN, Ward- One of the few good men who graduate this year. Made the two all-state teams. Plays the post beautifully for a man who isn't any bigger than he is. Slightly over 6 feet tall and weighs about 155 pounds. The only returning regular from last yearts championship team. Can make practically any shot off the post. Dribbled around the Lawrence guards till they went crazy. Against tight defenses, he whipped the ball back out as fast as he got it to give his guards good set shots. Plays the post very smart. Had very good feeders and took advantage of it. Is a good clutch player. High School Basketball (Cont. ) LOU STEINMSIR, Wyandotte- Biggest boy in the tournament. Is 615" tall and weighs about 190 I would guess. A senior and I under- stand from a reliable source he wants to come to K.U. His play in the two games Wyandotte was in was very encouraging. He looked greatly impppved over last year. Got around well and has good movement. Scored 8 of Wyandotte's 15 points when they lost to Wififfield. Got all of his points around the basket. Might be pretty good if wé get him up here. At least is worth a try. Leading scorer of Wyandotte team. DICK SHAKESHAFT, Topeka- Tall, red head. Is 613" or better. Missed a million layups when Topeka lost to Hays, but I still think he is a fine prospect. Has good enough co#ordination to be a red-hot high hurdler. Has size, speed and natural ability. Also has had considerable experience. Bagged 15 points against Law- rence in the regional final. Goes up into the aar very well. A senior this year and a good prospect in both basketball and track. VESTIE WHITE, Ark City- Only a sophomore, he is by far the best college prospect on the Ark City team. About 611" tall and weighs around 165. Plays mm with the codlness and poise of a veteram and can battle like a wildcat when fight is the thing that is neededmost. A sweet pivot shot and a good all-around player. Rebounds very nicely and is good on defense. A fine ball handler. Comes from an athletic family. Should be awfully good. GUY MITCHELL, Hutchinsonp Another sophomore ace. Better than White right now, but will not develop as much I Believe. Attitude is not very good. Guy and his brother are pretty cocky. Lof@ks old and plays like and old hand. A beautiful one hand shot. Can hit long as well but seldom shoots from far out. Fine floor man and an exceptional ball player for a sophomore. If he improves at a normal rate he will be a sensation, but I don't think he willfimrpove that much. High Sehool Basketball (Cont.) ROY MITCHELL, Hutchinson- Did not look so hot at the tournament, but apparently was playing considerably below par. Is about 6'1", I believe, and his brother is around the same height. The Mitchell boys had practically the same point average in Ark Valley play, so Roy must have just been off. He {did not appear to be as agressive as Guy, however, and played in the back line part of the time. Hutchinson's favorite setup was a double post with the Mitchell boys playing them, but they did not use &his all of the time. A junior. DANNY SIDENER, Ark City- This boy made the Capitol's at guard, all-state teamj but if he is that good,I certainly could not see it. He is a nice ball player and better-than-average, but he certainly is not a scoring ercat La anybody's league. Sidener stands 6'1" or taller and weighs about 185 pounds. He was a star end on the football team and is a senior. Sidener is a good rebounder and a fair guard, but is certainly not the best man on defense I ever saw. J.T. JAMES, Ark City- James is Ark City's other guard and a better prospect than Sidener it seemed to me. James is only a junior and he is a scoring threat as well as a good guard. He is around six feet tall, we&zghs 175 pounds or so and rebounds well. He has a sweet long shot on which he does not have to get set. Plays post on offense once in a while, as does Sidener. Not too smart ldoking. BARNEY OLDHAM, Hays- The best dribbler in the tournament in recent years. Dribbles around men and just keeps dribbling and dodging until he can get a one hand hook shot at the basket. Was red hot on them against Ark City and scored 20 points. Such a performance against a quick team like Ark City proved that he was a genuinely fine dribbler and not just looking good .by any faults of his opponents. I thought he was a senior, but the Capital said he is a junior. Too short, about §'7". High School Basketball (Cont.) LARRY McSPADDEN, ElDorado- A smooth player, but I am not sure just how good a college player he will make. Did not mix it up enough, it seemed to me. Let the other boys get the rebounds. An even six feet tall and trimly built. The only really smooth ball handler on the team. A sweet pivot shot and a good two hand shot, especially from the corner. An All-Ark Valley forward and a senior. BOB KENT, ElDorado- ElDorado teams are the Wildcats and this boy is certainly a wildeat. He was the smallest man on the tean, not making six feet, but how this boy scraps. He dogs the ball and rebounds with a vengeance. Also was the best two hand shot on the team, Drives hard fow layups, but if he has a guard on him who will not let him in, shoots long with accuracy. Supposed to be a junior. JIM ROBERTS, Winfield- One of the many nice looking juniors in the tomrnament. Six feet tall and plays with a reckless abandon. Takes lots of chances and either looks like a champ or a chump.Always trying to intercept the passes between the offensive guards. A hard driver for the basket. Fouls out frequently because he plays so recklessly. He might develop into a pretty nice forward next year. CLIFFORD SICKLES, Winfield- Not a conspicuous player, but a pretty reliable one. Played the other forward with Roberts. About 6 feet or 6 feet 1 and a junior. Can zip down the floor when he wants to. Seraps hard for rebounds, although he is not very heavy. Just a nice ball player, nothing to boast about, but might develop next year. IARRY SMITH, Wyandotte- A senior guard, who is plenty sweet on defense. Less than average on offense, however. About 6'1" tall and weighs 180 to 185. A tackle on the football team and supposedly is headed for Kansas State. This boy really puts the clamps on the man he is guarding, usually by good position and good foot work. Not too hot. High School Basketball (Cont.) RAY EVANS, Wyandotte- The Bulldogs other guard and prac- tically the opposite of Smith. Plays like a wild man. May dribble the . length of the floor any moment. A big boy and it is no fun getting in front of him. Is 6'1" tall and weighs around 180 pounds. Only a junior. Was a sensationm at end in football last fall. A great football prospect. Overflowing with drive and pep and if he can be polished up a little more, should be a red hot next year. A diamond in the rough. TZO HEADRICK, Wyandotte- Another Wyandotte boy who will be back next year. Lean and rugged. Is 6'1" tall and weigh around 163. Was hot the first night and just as cold the next night when they needed peints. A good all-around man on offense. Can hit one hand and two hand shots with equal facility and is a nice ball handler. Awfully good on defense for a forward because he used to be a guard. A junior. BILL BRILL, Wyandotte- Wyandotte's third regular who will be back next year. A junior forward, standing about 612" tall, A nice ball handler, who showed more fight at the tournament than I had ex- pected from him. Sprained his ankle badly in the second quarter of the first game. Supposed to be the best rebounder on the team. A disappointment to Wyandotte fans in scoring, however. A regular as a sophomore also. CHRONISTER, Coffeyville- One of the best lobking prospects at the agains in the single game Coffeyville got to play. Is a 613" senior forward weighing about 175 pounds. Banging long ones from the corner. Got three from there I think. Drives hard for one hand shots and has very good movement. Rebounds well. Also played sensationally in their three regional games, but was only medium during the regular season I believe. Got 12 or 13 points in the game at Topeka. High School Basketball (Cont.) WARREN SETTLES, Scott City- A big, rugged boy. A senior who is 613" tall and weighs around 190 pounds. A center. Seemed to be a fairly good boy potentially. Apparently had not had too much coaching or experience and was far from a finished player. Did not handle the ball smoothly, but was effective. He fairly waded around around the basket. Not a bad pivot shot, but missed setups and free throws. DON PAIMATEER, Lawrence- A pretty good high school guard, but I dontt know how good he will be as a college ball player. A plenty rugged boy, who rebounds nicely. A sweet ball handler. Is 6t1" tall and weighs 185 pounds. Pretty good on defense. Probably be better in football in college. Is a good shot however, both on long shots and one handers. Has the old fight, but fouls out occashonally as a result. JACK CORLIS, Lawrence- Another senior at cautones high. is a 6! senior center. Afraid he is too weak on scoring to make a good college ball player. Also lacks fight. A sweet ball handler, but a little too methodical. Looked good on defense at times, His passing might get him by, but personally I don't bhink so. JUNIUS PENNY, Lawrence- A sophomore who is one of the finest natural athletes Lawrence has had in recent years. A sweet football player as a center and a fine forward in basketball. Is 510" tall, weighs about 168 pounds and is built beautifully. Makes most of his points on recovery shots, but when he gets hot makes some uncanny goals. A real scrapper and a fairly good ball handler. Needs just a little more polish. High School Basketball (Cont.) GLEN TRYON, Pittsburg- A tall junior center who may be pretty good next year. Is 6134" tall and skinny. All-conference center this year. Must have had the "buck" at Topeka, because he played like he was walking in his sleep. Made several nice pivot shots at that, but made little effort to get the ball when it was passed wide to himf or in any other way show enthusiasm. HORACE HUGGINS, Coffeyville- Another tall boy from the same conference who was a considerably worst bust at the tournament. Huggins, Coffeyville's leading scorer during the regular season,did not get a single point at Topeka and did not look good in any department of the game. This does not prove he is a poor prospect, but it gave me apoor opinion of him after reading about him all year. A 6'3" senior. JUNIOR WILLIAMS, Salina- A nice high school ball player, but I am dubious of him as a college player. Onlgy a junior, however, and might improve even more next year. Hustles the ball all over the floor and is a sweet shot. About 5'9" tall, I would guess. Has that old fight and was the boy who kept Salina in the ball game. Tall High School Basketball Players 617" Dick Dolloff, Winfield 617" Roller, Marquette 6'5" Tou Steinmeir, Wyandotte 6'5" George Andresen, Wyandotte 615" Darren Schneider, St.Francis (Junior) 614" Covert, ElDorado (Junior) 6t4" Miller, Coffeyville a. . 6134" Gerald Tucker, Winfield (Junior) 6134" Ned Tryon, Pittsburg (Junior) 613" Siuk Srakochart, Topeka De. 6t3" Bow Kirchner, Topeka 613" Horace Huggins, Coffeyville An. ran Chronister, Coffeyville 6/8" EUGENE WATSON, HOUSTOX, MO. G4 NERN SCHNERTFEGER, DODGE C/TY Z.¢. bo > Runmtt— Doty OH MS, Looked good two seasons ago; not so good last season = reason « Imtelligent to talk toe (For further information write 0. Wilkemson, of ; J TALL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS ey } \o Burnett, Dodge City Schwertfeger (6'4"), Dodge City Bledsoe, Great Bend Brock, Stafford Vance Hall, Downs - eke Cleyton Smith, Prescott (Dick Amerine) = Coach Carrier, Harry As Miller