The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-24
WOULD DEVELOP
LOCAL AMATEURS
Frank S. Tousey Favors Organi-
cation of Athletic Asso-
citation.
LITTLE CASH NECESSARY
Local Baseballists Are Showing
Marked Talent-Other
Athletes Plentiful.

, sporting Editor, The Times-Dispatch:
In an article in The Times Dispatch
Sunday entitled English Committee
for Olympic Games May Employ
Trainer" Mr. James e. Sullivan said:
when England reaches the point
where athletics are part of her school.
church. club and college system, then
she will be developing athletes OF quail
ity that win make other nations look
games"
As one who is deeply interested in
the athletic life u our city, l greatly
deplore the fact that there is not at
present an organization in the city
of Richmond to foster an alliance with
the schools. churches. clubs and col
leges. knowing that our climate is
very mild from October to April-in
fact, ideal for cross-country runs. out
door athletic meets. etc.-isn't the time
ripe TO form an alliance for Il higher
standard OF athletics in our city?
Is it impossible to look forward 10
time when Richmond can be repre-
scented at the Olympic games? Ath-
letes are being discovered every year.
Baseball players are athletes of Ger
tain class, and Richmond is furnishing
first-class material for this department
of athletics.
II we had n Richmond Athletic Asso-
citation to conduct athletic meets in
the spring and fall outdOo and in
midwinter indoor meets, we, would
give our young men a chance to COM
pete, and who knows but that we
might find a champion in our midst?
Our schOolboys would have an incen-
tive to look forward to and keep in
training. and thPre is hardly year
goes by that some schoolboy doesn't
show signs Of great promise in ath-
letics. On November 10, at the outdoor
meet held for the East End School
al the Church Civic Association Field,
a fourteen-year- boy showed beau
tiful form in the running high jump
at four feet seven inches. and a coll
lege man who witnessed the event said
that If the boy kept it up he ought TO
be a wonder. Now the thing that in
terests me is to bring all the athletic
organizations in Richmond together
for mutual benefit.
The following schools. colleges and
clubs are conducting athletics for the
benefit of their members: Richmond
College. University College of Medicine.
Medical College of Virginia. Young
Mems Christian Association, j Dim Mar
shall High School. McGuires School.
Academy. Benedictne College, Rich
mond Blues, Howitzers, Richmond
Grays Church Civic Association and
the grammar schools. To my knowl-
edge all Of these organizations have
never been brought together in one
grand carnival Of athletic SPORTS. or
course there would have to be a great
I'D
W ould mean a lot of additional train
ing. which would still further spur on ,
to the goal those who felt that they
were entitled to be represented.
To stimulate an interest in ath-
letics and awaken the youth OF our
city to the joy Of athletic competition
would put a crimp in the demoralizlng
infunece of loaferism. In some cities
il is n common sight 10 see groups of
boys and young men in running suits
on the streets at night, cut for run
of a mile or two TO get themselves IN
condition for an athletic contest A
gang of boys in running suits, with a
purpose in view. would be quite con-
trast TO a gang OF boys on the corner /
with nothing in view
Many boy and young man has been
urged TO take a college course on ac-
and some of our brightest men of to-
day were the crack athletes of q few
years ago.
1t wouldn't be difficult to form u
Richmond Athletic Association. Three
or four men with the right sort OF
punch and SO or 81 spent on postage
would bring those interested together :
4 few conferences. and the association
is launched Amateur baseball began :
this way. and the coming season VIII
see over SOC men and boys interested
in this splendid sport Wouldn't II BIO
a splendid thing to have 500 men and !
boys interested in cross-country runs. I
dashes. jumps. relays and other ath-
Ietfc events Outside of a few football ;
and basketball games, Richmond is
athIetically asleep from September 10
70 March 10. Just one-half OF the year. !
and the very best half Of the year. too /
Personally I will be glad to cooper |
ate with any and every organization I
in the CITY to bring to pass a Richmond |
Athletic Association. SIX hundred dol !
lars a year would take care of three !
big athletic meets. furnish embiems and T,
medals for the winners and pay Tor !
printing and stationery The business |
men Il the city would be glad of the OPP !
portunity to help start such an organizes
ton. and in a few years. with proper
mana gemcnt. il could support itself
will be very glad TO be one OF COM
rnittee Of five II get together for ths
purpose of organization Those who
are interested may reach me at the foi- /.
lowing address. tSignedt
FRANK : TOJSEY.
Church civic Association. Church Hin. ,