The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-10-11
PROF. SMITH OP-
POSES ATHLETICS
WILL NOT SANCTION FOOTBALL
GAMES.
Has Threatened To Suspend The Boys
If They Play FootbalI-AppeaIs
OF Pearl High School Pupils
Are Turned Down-cIaim
Standard Has Been Low
cred In Examination.
cred In Examination.

Recently it is said the boys of Pearl
High Schoolwere given to understand
by Prof f, G. Smith, principal, that
they could not have football team
this year. This, it is said, was the
final decision of Prof. Smith after re-
peated appeals had been made to him
by the boys and many girls of the
school,
A few years ago Pearl High School
ranked with the Fading preparatory
schools from St. Louis to Alabama in
football. And the football team had
made the school rank with Sumner
High School, of st. Louis, and other
high schools that really outranked
Pearl several grades. But the great
reputation made by the boys who
wore the white and red caused Pearl
High to be classed with several Of
the colleges and academies in this sec
ton.
In those days Prof. Smith was a
great football enthusiast. 1t is re-
membered by the people what an ac-
tive part he took in the games played
by Pearl High against the second
teams of Fisk, Walden, Roger Will
Iliams Universities. and the high
schools Of Louisville and st. Louis,
and also against Burrill Academy, of
Florence, Ala. In all of these tests
Pearl High gave a splendid account
of herself. Prof Smith was always
on hand, and on several occasions of
ficiated in the games. The attend
ance of boys in Pearl High continued
greatly, and the number of boy grad
lates multiplied two-fold.
In 1911 the people of Nashville we're
startled to learn that there would be
no football at Pearl High School.
The game had grown in popularity
until it was threatening to outrival
the Meharry-Fisk game. The people
were awaking to the fact that the
High School team was the product Of
Nashville, and their athletic games
We're gaining in favor and it was only
a matter of time until the annual
football game between Pearl High
and the high schools of Louisville
and st. Louis would have been the
social event of the year It
W3s thought when it was announced
tnat there would be no football that
the matter would be patched up be-
fore 1912, and that Pearl High would
take her place along with other
schools in athletics. But Prof. Smith
says Nay" He was afraid that
some of the boys you'd get hurt.
And for that reason he cannot con-
sent for Pearl High to have a football
team.
It Is acknowledged by all the lead
ing educators that athletics are very
essential in our schools. Only re-
Gently two hundred dollars has been
for athletics in the
white high school, and it is being dis
cussed now of converting the Hay
Market and other portions of that
vicinity into an athletic field for the .
high school, Also in the white high .
school two instructors of athletics .
have been engaged for this year and .
put on regular salary. And every
is being given to- the .
boys of the white schools to engage
IN athletics; but Prof. Smith of the
Pearl High School, is afraid some of
he boys will get hurt.
It is said that the Superintendent
)f the city schools told the Principal
Of the high school to his face that
my man who was opposed to athletics
was abac k number. But none of
hese things moved the Principal of
Pearl High. He was afraid some of
he boys would get hurt.
School because there were no ath-
The people are clamoring for this
game, and more so since the loss Of
he Meharry game Football is the
'nly outdoor sport the masses can
njoy during the fall months, and
without these games they have no.
where to go to while away the melan-
holy days Of fall
Pearl High School always made a
rood showing against any opponent.
'he boys have stalked up against the
irst teams of Fisk and Meharry.
While they had no intention of win
ing they always made an interest
ne game
Another thing that has been no
iceable since the High School has
made a reputation in football ath-
atics, more boys remain in school un-
il graduation Since the football
cam has been abolished quite a num-
er Of the boys have left the high
chool and gone to the State Normal.
md it is said that they quit the High
chool because there were ma ath-
,tics.
Tt is not known whether or not
rof Smith will be induced to change
is mind, but at last reports he was
still upon his determination
OF to have football in the High
chool,
Miss Villa Paytes, of shelbyville,
enn., is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. {
VILLAIN Kinzer, Of 1907 Harding
-reet.