1997 THE VOLUNTARY REPORT
Bv DON SARTEN
Furthermore, the Star's top man in its sports department tells the Arizona lad that "a purist in grammar can make himself obnoxious while consorting with athletes in a dugout." Because "he thrown me a high fast one the las' time on which he got me out and all I wishes is he gives me the same pitch, today."
This was evidently the buildup for a punch line with which he closed the space he so generously allotted himself for discouraging Clarence. "Even so a sportswriter should be able to divide and the better ones to subtract. But they seldom multiply."
A desire to prepare himself for a career in sportswriting prompted Clarence Bell, 15, from Winslow, Ariz., to write the sports editor of the Kansas City Star. He asked the scribe of the leading newspaper in this area what subjects he should take to help realize his ambition.
The high school youngster was told that he was "very wise in wanting to prepare himself in such a highly technical occupation." And, "fruitless years are spent in school taking grammar, languages, ancient history and French—none of which could possibly further the career of a sportswriter . . ."
Our first thought was "and no wonder!"
Then we realized that perhaps many of our older brethren in the game—comfortably seated at the top, didn't realize that many newspaper publishers require a college degree of all writers who are starting at the bottom.
Unfortunately, universities around the country have peculiar requirements. Only one of which is an English course designed to remove students lacking in knowledge of the "grammar" which the Star's employee claims is not necessary.
There is a current trend among pro ranks in all fields of sport—including baseball, of using athletes who have made names for themselves as college players. Most of these players have picked up enough grammar in college to know how to use the present and past tense of verbs.
Leading educators in the land can foresee a future for this nation that spells out 'everybody in America needs to be prepared for a change in even the sports, the sports
We wish that participation in sports while attending school would have been suggested as a necessary requirement. The teacher, instructor, or professor doesn't live that can direct a "would be" sportswriter to a library stocked with the "butterflies" you'll learn about in playing the game.
An acquaintance with the "lepidateria" will keep a young man's intended career in the writing field from becoming work. There are sportswriters running around still nuzzed by the realization they can receive payment for doing something that's fun. To which the synic would answer, "how juvenile can you get?"
Unfortunately we don't have an answer. But we do feel that another angle should be presented to this sophomore in an Arizona high school. Also, we are in a university—which has no bearing whatsoever on personal tastes in sportwriting quality.
We know of a writer or two—also on top in this field. They would have put inspiration in the breast of this same youth—where a crushed lump must now reside.
In Driving, Familiarity Seems To Breed Contempt
Chicago — (U.P.) — Inexperienced drivers are far safer than those who've been at it a long time, a Chicago Park District survey shows.
Drivers with less than a year's experience were responsible for only 28, or about 1% of the 2,424 traffic accidents in the Chicago area in one month, the survey revealed. Drivers with between 10 and 30 years experience were the cause of 1,077 or about 44% of the accidents.
Page 8B University Daily Kanson Friday, Nov. 30,1951
FIELDHOUSE CONSTRUCTION is under way west of Sunnyside. Contractors estimate three years before it reaches completion—Kansan photo by Al Marshall.
Likeable Red-Head Continues To Blaze New Track Trails
By DON PRINGLE
He is Herb Semper, called by Bill Easton, track coach, "the best distance runner KU has ever had."
A likeable, soft-spoken red-head is continuing to pile up honors, awards and prestige for the University in athletics and a shining record for himself.
Semper is twice winner of the Big Seven fall two-mile crown, possessor of all three Big Seven two-mile records—indoor, outdoor and cross-country, and the third man ever to twice win the individual championship at the annual NCAA meet at East Lansing, Mich.
At the 13th annual NCAA meet Monday he won the cross-country title for the second straight year, taking the lead at the three-mile mark and finishing 30 yards ahead of his nearest rival. He ran the race in 20:09.5, the second fastest time it has ever been run and the fastest ever run on the NCAA course.
He set this sizzling pace despite a wind velocity of 22 miles per hour which faced the runners in the hard last two miles, a 32 degree temperature and a snowy, slick track.
Herb is a king of track, but not of size. He generally weighs only 147 pounds, and his height is five feet eight inches. He impresses one immediately with his unassuming manner and his friendliness. Despite his modesty, he will not deny that track running takes a great deal of work.
On Nov. 17 Semper, along with Wes Santee and Art Daltell, swelt the first three places in the Big Seven conference two-mile track meet to hand Kansas its fifth straight triumph in the event.
"It's hard work all the time—and
includes not just running, but your eating, sleeping and other things. It's not like many sports, once you start going there are no substitutions, no time-outs; so you have to be in perfect condition to keep going," Herb said.
His lack of sight in one eye, a result of a childhood accident, almost caused him to lose the four mile NCAA race last year. The record-wrecking red-head was kept from taking a wrong turn a half mile from the finish line by Warren Druetzel, Michigan State's NCAA mile champ.
In high school he went out for football, but in the routine physical exam the coach discovered Herb was blind in one eye. He advised him to try out for track, thus his track career began.
Semper is not sure what he will do after school. He may keep running or enter business in his home town. But he definitely plans to enter the Olympic tryouts next June in Los Angeles. His sometimes—but always friendly—rival, Wes Santee, Ashland sophomore, will also be there.
Herb is not sure what he will enter at the tryouts, the 5,000 meters or the steeplechase.
"I think most of the athletes will fool round until they see who is going to enter the different events, since it makes a lot of difference how stiff the competition will be."
Whatever happens, sizzling centaur *Semper* will be trying his best—and what more can you ask of him?
Weary Dopester Prepare ForTopsy-TurvyCageSeason
By JOHNNY HERRINGTON
As the last of the football rating boards pack up their pencils for another year, the first of the basketball prognosticators are getting out their slide rules.
And if the tutours of the top ones in the basketball world fare as well as the gridiron Gallups, watch out for a topsy-turvy year.
Only three of the "Top Ten" that were chosen at the first of the football season are still around to claim honors along the fag end. Only one of the three has remained consistent.
Probably the greatest show came from Maryland university's Terrapins. From literally nowhere the Turtles of Jim Tatum have moved into third with a 9-0, won-lost record.
Tennessee was picked by many as the nation's number one club at the first of the year. With Vanderbilt's Commodores the only ones left on the volunteer slate it looks very much as though Tennessee will be at the top of the heap after tomorrow.
Other than the Vols only Michigan State and Illinois are "up amongst 'em." Michigan State climbed from sixth at the first of the season to second. The Illini came from 10th to fourth.
After the ratings have all been
The forecasters of the fortunes of college basketball have two paramount problems to cope with: (1) the proved corruption of many players, and (2) the return of many "Gullivers of the courts."
Despite the muddied texture caused by the scandals—that may reveal even more in the 1951-52 season—all roads seem to lead to another enthusiastic season.
erased Gen. Bob Neyland's Volunteers and Tatum's Terrapins will turn loose against each other in the Sugar Bowl New Year's Dav.
The ratings list the Jayhawkers in sixth place in the country behind Kentucky, Illinois. Oklahoma A&M, Washington, and St. John's.
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Officials Expect Fieldhouse To Be Completed In 3 Years
Construction of the new fieldhouse has begun and University officials hope that it will be completed in time for the 1953-54 basketball schedule.
Though there was a "slight controversy" over the steel problem in the new structure, a recent allocation of steel pile castings has enabled the workers to start on the building.
There will be nearly four times as many seats in the new building as there are available now in Hoch auditorium. The fieldhouse will have a seating capacity of 16,000. Hoch can handle a 4,200 capacity.
Completion date was set for three years. At the present, there doesn't seem to be any reason why the job cannot be finished in time for the 1953-54 season.
"Enough steel has been obtained now to give the fieldhouse a good start," J. J. Wilson, University business manager, said.
Total cost of the construction is estimated at about $2,500,000. All this sum has been provided for by the state legislature.
It will have a portable basketball floor with a surrounding track for indoor meets and practice. The floor can be removed for football and baseball practice. It will also serve as an armory for military units at the University.
At Kansas State, however, it proved to be unsatisfactory because of the inability to move the crowd in and out with ease until the construction was finished.
The structure is 344 feet long on the interior, 255 feet wide and 86 feet high. The exterior will be of limestone.
"It may be possible to play basketball in the fieldhouse before the actual completion of construction," Mr. Wilson said. This was done at Kansas State. he explained.
Jayhawks Rate 4th In Passing
The latest statistics show the Jayhawkers in fourth place in Big Seven pass offense with 1,009 yards.
But don't be too upset. Oklahoma's powerful team, while coasting to another title, is last in passing with only 839 yards.
Iowa State leads the pass parade with 1,425 yards and has the best percentage of completions with an even 50 per cent.
The Sooners have the second-best percentage of 49.4, while the Jayhawkers have completed 39.8 per cent. Only Kansas State ranks lower with 36.1 per cent.
In net yards rushing, however, there is a better indication of who's who. The Oklahomaans top the list with 2767 net yards rushing, with the league's next three best teams standing in ranking order.
Pass interceptions seem to be the best index this season. Here is the way the teams stand on the number of their own passes intercepted by opponents:
Oklahoma (6-0) 5. Colorado (5-1)
9. Kansas (3-2) 12. Iowa State (2-4)
18. Nebraska (1-4-1) 18. Kansas
State (1-4-1) 22 and Missouri (1-4)
29.
And look at the way they stand in total yards penalized: Oklahoma 664, Colorado 660, Kansas 437, Kansas State 430, Iowa State 427, Nebraska 388 and Missouri 348.
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