New-York tribune., 1910-12-23
Athletics = Automobling - Other Sports

schools OF these 80 squads. having total
nlemoership of 4.0Oo, ia squads were COM
posed of girls.
Taking the whole series of athletic events
conducted under the direction of the league
the aggregate of the boys and girls taking
part during the year was estimated TO be
l5e,ooo To these are to be added the games
of the schools of the district leagues and
the championship games OF the league it
self, making in all tremendous aggre-
gate
These games were held both IN and out of
doors, and covered nearly every field of
athletic activity Running in all its forms
except for long distancesl. baseball basket
ball, lawn tennis, jumping. putting the
shot, pole Vaulting, swimming and soccer
tout not Rugby, football, lacrosse and
rifle shooting for boys, folk dancing and
/ appropriate athletic games and various
other exercises for girls were carried on
under the auspices of the league.
1T was with the idea CT interesting the
individual that the contests for the but
ton or athletic badge Of the league was
established. This button is analogous to
the soldiers marksmans badge, and is an
nually awarded to each boy who attains
a certain standard in running a short dis
tance, jumping and 'chinnIns' s, bar.
When il was first established the>nunber
OF badges that were won were few The
boys would run fairly well. But they
could not jump, and they had so little
strength in their arms and chests that fire.
quently In q good sized school only six
boys would be able TO chin themselves
four times. In 1so4-'o5 when this competi-
ton was established but /, l62 buttons were
oi,,
in 1901 the number was OS. 1es The
league has also organized and developed
with success a system Of competition be-
tween classes continued General Wingate,
where 50 per cent of each class must par
ticipate and the average Of all constitutes
the record
The interest which is taken in these con-
tests has brought into them such a large
number Of boys that they can now be
justly considered as being one of the
worlds greatest competitions. In the class
jumping alone 32,7h boys belonging to 1.246
classes and i24 schools took active part.
In Ginning 14.iSS boys competed while
about 5000 entered the running contests.
In soccer football seven high school
teams and four from elementary schools
competed. In baseball there were seventy
six teams. and the final games were wit
messed by 2S,eo0 spectators. Every high
school In the city has entered team
for the 1911 baseball tournament. The
league itself has held sixteen cham
pionship events and sanctioned twenty
two rotflers.
General Wingate dwelt at some length
on the Improvement in rife shooting and
expressed his appreciation for the good
will of the various commanding officers
of the National Guard who granted the
use OF their respective armories for school
games. Thanks were also extended to all
these who by contributions-the offering of
trophies and priaes-have helped the league
in its work.
One Ot the most interesting features of
the report was the discussion on the in
fuence of the league in building character
as well as physical prowess in the youth
fUI athletes. Clean standards of athletics
and fair dealing have worked marvels
among the boys, especially those of foreign
birth. Attention is given to developing
the robust. manly qualities of courage,
nerve and hardihood which are brought
out in competitive athletics and the games
of the league are having such a result
upon the boys.
In closing General Wingate said:
] congratulate you all upon the good
work that we have accomplished in the
brief period Of our organization. think
that you Will agree with me that, look
ing upon il on the ethical side alone and
ignoring the vast improvement that il has
effected in the strength. health and hap
riness of our school children, all those
who have contributed TO the creation of
the league. whether as subscribers or Of
fcers. have just cause for pride in having
achieved something which Will result in a
lasting good to the community and help
10 keep our memory green in the future