Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-09
RAPS MENCOACaESFOR GIRLS
james E. Sullivan Declares Women
Should Direct Girls.
MAN OUT OF PLACE IN WORK
Amateur Athletic Union Secretary
Tells How Male INSTRUCTOR IncIinea
so Rough Methods Of Practice
I'm Girls Gymnasium.


believes that women should control female
athletics in all branches. He says; Il have
very decided views on the subject Of men
conducting athletics for girls and women.
At a number Of schools girls basket ball
teams are coached by men and some Of the
athletic teams have men coaches and mana
gers It is a mlstake-a serious mistake.
Girls athletics. from a coaching or
managerial standpoint, should be absolutely
directed by women.
II am strongly and unaiterabiy opposed
having a man In a girls gymnasium, or
having him coach or direct girls IN their
athletic exercises. He is out OF place. and
those girls schools whose athletic activi-
ties are now being directed by men should
take steps to succeed them by women In
Structors.
I'm making this positive statement that
a girls team should not have a man coach
or manager, / do not mean 10 insinuate,
nor would / want my male friends who
are responsible for athletic activities IN
schools where there are girls to think that
I mean them This does not apply at all
70 capable and qualified medical men, who
have been striving for years to give to
girls athletics its proper position in the
world OF physical training. AS a rule, how
ever, they do not coach: they do not man
age nor do they take active control OF
athletics. There is no objection to a medi-
cal man or a professor conducting his regu-
lar courses of lectures on physical training
and explaining freely the many benefits
to be derived therefrom.
In other days, when we were without
women teachers who understood athletics
hygiene. health, and all that physical
training stands for, perhaps II was ofton
necessary to have male coach and mana
ger. II is not necessary today, because we
have thousands Of capable young women
teachers throughout the United States who
are well qualified to coach and manage
girls teams, and whose judgment on girls
athletics is much better than that OF the
average man.
1T Is now an established fact that girls
athletics, when conducted along safe and
sane lines. Is a real benefit to the health
Of the girls They must not be exploited
however, as female Sheppards, Sheridans
OF Shadows or as show girls. A girls bas-
ket ball team must not be trained in the
tricks and methods Of a mans champion
basket ball team or play under mems
rules nor should they be sent around the
country to exhibit themselves as experts
OF compete In open composition where gate
money is charged.
competitive athletes, where showmen ex-
plotted girls in any particular sport, It will
be found that the ones that the sport
should have helped, from physical stand
ing, have been driven from IT, This applies
particularly to public competition among
girls u cycling, base ball and pedestrian
ism; al a result these sports, for girls.
were discredited.
Competition for girls should be IN its
own group and in private, without an ad-
mission fee and without the sensation
seeking crowd that would have absolutely
no interest in the health OF the girl and
be on hand only from motives Of curiosity.
Therefore, II is safe TO say that II we are
to reap the benefits OF athletics for girls
land there are plenty OF benefits to be de-
rived-giris should be kept in their own
group and not be permitted to take part
In public sports. Schools Of 200, 800 and
900 girls can easily present the necessary
amount Of competition and contribute all
or the energetic exercise needed to in
sure good health grace and character
There is no necessity for seeking oompe-
ttlon beyond the school building or yard,
and. in mixed schools, with one gym
nasium, the girls should use the gym by
themselves.
"A mans coach in a girls school VIII
j hAAhAAAAJ present nih LueOEIoN from q mas
culine standpoint He will tell his pupils
70 play good, rough game ana instruct
them to do things as a boy or man would
do them. Therefore, ] have no hesitation
whatever in going absolutely on record
as saying that In the athletic activities
Of girls school a man has no place.
"Onca in awhile same enthusiast not
onS OF the old school, however, but some
newcomer in athletics, viii suggest a mann
moth public interschool athletic compe-
tition OF Interstate athletic competition
for girls schools. Luckily, to date we
have been spared these spectacles. Let
us hope that the educational authorities
will once and for all put the iron hand
down on open competitions. IN any shape,
manner Of form. for girls. and not allow
them to be paraded before the public as
athletic experts.
That the importance OF this subject is
recognized 10 borne out in the manner in
which athletic activities are conducted a.
Vassar. Smith. Wellesley, Bryn AaWp and
other leading girls schools We have vet
to hear OF Vassar playing Smith In a pub
lie basket ball game or Wellesley COM
peting against Bryn MaWT. or any one
OF them exhibiting where gate money Il
charged and the public admitted. and let
us hope We never viii II would be good
bear this IN mind when a suggestion Of q
public competition for girls 10 made. Ath-
ietics for girls must always be conducted
on safe iines-iines that stand for charao-
ter building. gaee. correct posture and
health.
THE competitive side Of sport-the pub
lie, safe money. end Of Il. the man coach
and man manager idea-has no place in q
girls school There are thousands Of
women teachers IN the United States who
are capable OF coaching and directing girls
athletics along lines that viii benefit then
Ga future life and improve them IN every
way. The period OF the man director fol
girls athletics has passed,
1T n worthy OF note that the Amateur
Athletic Union OF the United States. IN,
body that controls all amateur sport ir
the United States T. e.. track athletics
swimming, gymnastics etc. win not reg
lister female competitor and its registra
tion committees refuse sanction for
swimming contest or a set Of games wher,
an event for women is soheduled-and vii
any one question the wisdom OF such
poncyr
CROSS COUNTRY MEN ON TRACE