The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-06
Hampton Schools Plan
to Reform Games by
This Method.
S YSTEM w ILL BE
THOROUGHLY TRIED
No Member Of Any Team Can
4 Play Unless His School Work
Is Satisfactory to the
Faculty Reasons for
Proposed
Changes.
fSpcciaI To Tho Ti,nea.nI,na.oh

Especial to The Times- Dispa. CHI
Hampton. Va. February Sowing to
the existing condition In school atfle-
tics by which those not especially
qualified are given precedence over
those whose scholarship and deport-
ment should entitle them to leadership.
the Hampton High School. with the CO.
operation OF the school authorities OF
the city. has started a general reyolu-
ton In all athletics.
In order to encourage the student to
provide good. wholesome exercise for
MIN. and above all to build better
and more perfect character, the follow
Ing plan has been agreed upon:
l. No pupil shall be permitted to
play on an athletic team unless at the
time OF such play he Is making pass
mark on each subject with us rs per
cent?.
2 No pupil shall be eligible unless
ne is satisfactory on department
3. No pupil shall be eligible until he
has made formal application to the
faculty and signed pledge, not for the
football or baseball season, but for the
entire session.
T. Any pupil violating any part OF the
foregoing will be disqualified from
athletics OF all kinds until the entire
faculty has been assured that the evil
has been remedied sufficiently to war
rant reinstatement to athletic privi-
leges.
Few Outside Games.
5. 1t is the aim to have league games
to be played between the grades of
the school with only enough contests
against outside teams to insure inter
and enfhnsfasy, In nrar{{ra
6. The purpose will be not to train
star performers, but to furnish exer-
else for the pupil who needs and de-
serves the privilege OF q well regulated
playground This will also deprive
those not measuring up to the standard
OF the sport derived from participating
in something which may consume time
that ought to be spent in study.
I. Above all else 1t is the aim to
train men and women with the best
possible character by encouraging the
faithful ard by stimulating those who
have fallen below the mark.
Reasons for Proposed Plan.
z The reasons this plan was found
necessary:
l. There is universal lack of stress
upon scholarship as q prerequisite for
athletic competition.
2. There is a great tendency to al
low pupils to set their own standards.
Ism and brutality rather to fair and
sportsmanlike competition
g. When the pledge is required 1t is
for season only. This encourages dis
sipation when the season ends. There
is no reason why some form of exer-
else cannot be pursued each month dur
ing the session.
4. The fatalities resulting from athle-
tic games must, In many cases, show
the lack of proper spirit of rivalry
that should characterize all scholastic
contests. Eliminate your professional
element and do away with your false
standard and the result will be sure
for then you have only gentlemen in
the game.
s. Since the manager or director must
depend upon public sentiment for A.
nancial support there Is too much OF
the spirit ito win at any COST
Has It's Disadvantages.
The disadvantages to be encounters
ed upon raising your standard:
l. One great disadvantage win be
poor teams entered in competition dur
ing the first session
2, The schools refusing TO adopt this
high standard Will have an advantage.
This may necessitate eliminating such
schools.
Appropriations for this purpose, al
though very small. are sometimes hard
to obtain.
I 4. The greatest Inconvenience Is the
need of proper supervision There should
be State director with board of as
sistants who will hold the principals
and school authorities responsible for
all discrepancies
i The system applied:
!. This system will be put into opera. ,
ton at the Hampton High School, I'M
der the direction OF ]. H. Bowen, and
will undoubtedly be adopted through
out Elizabeth CITY county before the
end of this session.
2. An effort will be made to induce
the other schools in Underwater to adopt
the same standard,