Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-07
GOOD ATHLETES AT
ARMSTRONG HIGH

Armstrong Iechn1cal ftlSn ScnOOl mas
been strong contender for athletic hon
ors among secondary schools since the
erection Of the magnificent building on
near I'd street northwest. Armstrong
lads have competed In foot ball. base ball,
ba sket ball and track and field athletics.
gaining most success in the first three
branches of sport The foot ball teams
were more formidable prior to the new
game. but are coming fast to their for
mer standing. Last years basket ball
team passed through the season with q
string Of nine victories and one defeat,
each game marked by close score after
a scrappy grueling contest. The team
though light. was game to the core,
brimful of confidence and possessed of
a never-say-die spirit. In track athlet-
les a few stars have shone, but mate
rial has not been promising until this
year. when quite a few good-lookers are
about.
Athletics are being fostered under sew
eral great handicaps at the school. There
is no gymnasium or drill hall. and all
the large vacant lots Of a few years
ago have been builded upon. This year
a small lot adjoining the school is being
fitted up as playground. However.
many of the boys are willing to go for
miles to places Tor training, and this
spirit will count in the end.
Many good athletes have represented
Armstrong in their day. whit" Bruce
and Henry Hardy were two sturdy foot
ball men. and boys still tell OF the ag-
gressive playing of Bruce or the general
ship and skillfulness of Hardy. Capt
Henderson of Company c. winner Of the
annual competitive drill Of 1905. was a
good base ball player. played foot ball.
won places in the mile run and high
jump. and was one of the first basket
ball players Of the District. The last
three captains to win laurels on the
competitive drill field have been stancl
and classy athletes. All four captains
Of the colored High School Cadets Of
this year are excellent athletes. No one
who witnessed the game Of foot ball OF
1907 between NJ Street and Armstrong
can ever forget the spectacular diving
tackles and all-around playing of Cliff
| ford of Armstrong, and this same ath
| lete'S skilled work on the basket ball
court Of that season puts him among
| the classy athletes of the past. At the
school now Kenny, Beckwith, Anderson,
| Tryce, Conway. Brown, Burwell and the
midget bunch, Mabry. Davis, Minor.
Scott, Henderson, are as hardy and good
sportsmanly a set as you would want.
| DR.. w. b. Evans, the principal of the
school. is the prime mover in the cause
for upright, wholesome sport He often
| has his boys assemble before games
|
enter the contests to put forth their best
efforts. to play the game as true sports
men, to enjoy the contest to the full, If
winning. to accept honors gracefully; If
| losing, be proud of having put up a good.
honest fight Mr. Washington, Mr.. Muir
ray and Mr.. Mattingly are always to be
| found on the field coaching in the va
ried athletic games. Nearly all Of the
| teachers give announcement, advice and
of their means for the sake of school
| boy athletics.
| The physical director in charge Of boys
believes that no complete system Of
education rs rightly founded In which
stress is not laid first upon physical,
then upon mental and moral develop
ment. His methods of training are those
which aim to aid the growth. increase
the strength. preserve the health of the
adolescent boy. from a physical stand
point, and train the boy to a control Of
self. to quicken perception. make keen
the Judgment and create a heal Thy, op-
tirnistic view Of life In general All of
the boys are encouraged to make q
hobby Of some phase of physical train
ing, some health and strengths giving
game, and are made to see the necessity
| of adapting some exercises to their
needs, as they do food or sleep, to keep
near to physical perfection.