The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1909-10-06
The Moral Value of Athletics
Paper Read by Physical Director Sherwood of Calumet
YIN. c. A. at Recent Boys Conference Here

Nations Ike individuals. strusgl,
through hardship to supremacy, grow
weak through idleness, overcome by a
more yirile nation and lose their power
or even die.
With the ancient Greeks and Hell
lenes bodily exercise was always syn
onymous with life itself. The acqui-
sition of rugged strength must be sup
/ plemented by skill agility and endur-
ance in order FOR men to win, and so
/ the outcome was mental as well as
| muscular development Many Of the
great philosophers were noted athletes,
Plato as youth is said to have been
victorious in the Pythian and Isthman
games, Cicero and Socrates excclled
in gymnastic games.
The Spartan: with his perfect body,
fearlessness and calm in times of dan
ger. powers of endurance and loyalty
to his state is a type of military cour
age never surpassed.
These nations succeeded by strength
OF body plus qualities of mind AMI
morals dependent upon a life of sim
plicity and muscular activity
All nations since have marched on
To victory by the same road, for the
pioneers of new empires and nations
have ever been of the athletic type
men of strength, courage and ambition.
AS the Greek runners on the sands
were noticed by Socrates TO have
81
shoulders ana upper bodies, 80 today
We notice that the occupations OF mod |
ern life tend to over develop some
parts and leave other parts weak and
prone to disease. we find this true in |
the industries OF today where many Of
our boys are employed The young
apprentices have only one routine du-
~ to perform where in older times
they were jacks of all trades.
the effort of progressive physical
training, bathing, shop work and prop
or sanitary conditions are doing mucn
toward equipping degenerate youth for
useful citizenship and notably Is this
work being successfully accomplished
in such institutions as the Elmira
where thieves, sexual de-
and imbccils are noticeablyl
improved With known facts that a
weak and vicious mind is usually found
In a weak awkward body we may well
question If the means used for cure
may not be valuable as a preventative
and prevent i'm many lives
mental and moral degeneracy.
Systematic exercise, bathing and
careful diet have been recommended
or incurable epiloptics. Where cxer-
Use cannot be claimed as cure all
Ne do believe that as the body is The ,
basis Of human life so is it the base Of
I'll faculties and functions of the brain A.,
md soul. ,
We should realize the importance of I
exercise in developing the entire man, 6
md in beginning with the boy rather I
han attempting to reclaim the man. q
efforts should be made to develop men I
Who resembled the old Vikings not only
n physical prowess but also m pris- I
inc honor and morality. TIL, boys +
must looked to for social. commercial :
nd civic reform.
The moral value of a correct erect
arriage is worthy of consideration
/. 1t places each organ in the best q
position for work This means a I,
God ready"
2. In overcoming bad habits il de- -
elops self-respect and self-confidence. o
3. II gives others confidence in us. V
4. IL begets courage and energy. o
.. In forming the habit of standing e
DIRECTLY without effort It conserves p
nergy. q