The Washington herald., 1915-02-07

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JOHN ID. O'REILLY.
lege. and when the position of super
visor of athletics in the Boston high
schools was offered him he entered
upon the work with a will. and even
now he is never happier than when
he is with the boys.
Swimming His Hobby.
His hobby is swimming. and when
ever he can he likes to spend his spare
time enjoying his favorite pastime
He is an honorary member of the L
Street Swimming Club. of Boston, and
the Irish-American Athletic Club. He
had charge of the Boston Newsboys'
Club with a membership of over 1900
youngsters of all ages and sizes, when
he was doing athletic work for the
Boston high schools, and he still cher
ishes very warm spot in his heart
for those young merchants.
The Georgetown coach is only thirty
six years old. although his gray hair
makes him look older. He still tells with
considerable relish the story of an Incl
dent of his early youth when he was
protested for being over age after hav-
ing entered an athletic meet in the Bean
City. At that time he was only fourteen
years of age.
Believing that athletics should not be
confined to the few brawny, well-fed
specimens who, by their very perfec-
ton physically, forge to the front and
easily make the athletic teams, O'Reil-
" has undertaken the titanic task of
getting every student on the Hilltop
interested in one branch of sport or
another.
That his efforts are being crowned with
success is a fact plainly evident to any
one who cares to stroll out to the Hill
top any fine afternoon and take a peep
At the scene of activity in the gym
nasIum.
Moro Students in TraininE.
When O'ReiIly took charge OF the ath-
letic end 1t Georgetown only - per cent
Of the students were engaged in any
line of sport whatever. but now. mainly
due to his coaXing. at the last count
only d few days ago it was found that
% per cent were registered for physical
exercise OF some kind.
Il believe in compulsory physical train
ing" said Coach O'Reilly one afternoon
last week as he paused in the midst OF
his many duties to chat with the writer.
1t is an easy matter to get those who
are big and strong and full of the vigor
OF perfect health to go out and take part
in athletics he continued. but the fel-
lows who are hard to get into a gym
suit are the little undeveloped boys who
are more or less timid. They're the fel-
lows l am after. and it's my ambition
TO get every student at Georgetown into
some kind of sport so that he will benefit
by the exercise"
Believes All should Take Part.
''I believe in masses. not classes" he
said. Il want everybody to take part
whether they're stars or not. The trou-
bIe nowadays is that too many students
are merely onlookeTs and not enough are
participants in college sport
The big and strong are able to Ia ke
care of themselves, but the weaklnGs
must be encouraged to develop their
bodies. Many a hidden star has been
lost because he was never cOaNed or
made to take part in sports. In the
fostering of class games, class track
meets. and the like, | hope to develop
the latent athletic ability OF every boy
i'm college"
But this is only one OF the many
unique ideas of GeorgetOwn's new
coach for since he came to take hold
OF Georgetown athletic affairs in Sep
tember. O'Reilly has gradually unfold
ed much that is new to Washington
hut which has already been OF great
benefit to his charges.
whole Body should BE Developed.
He believes in developing the whole
body instead of certain portion of 1t.
For instance, Il maintain that instead
of pitching with the arm alone you
pitch with the whole body" said he,
when you are running, you run with
the whole body. not the legs alone, and
the whole body should be developed il
you wish to receive any lasting benefit
Coach O'Reilly makes each boy sub
init to a physical examination before
he engages in athletics on the Hilltop,
Special attention is paid to the heart
lungs. and stomach, and il ii is found
that the bow being examined is weak
I in any of these spots. he is first given
| exercises TO strengthen and develop
them before he is allowed TO partake
! of strenuous sports.
Track candidates must weigh in each
| day before and after their regular prac-
tice, and a note is made of their gains
and losses in weight due to training,
Some men are shown in this way 10
lose weight when worked hard. while
lothers show a gain of flesh the harder
they are worked. Different instruc-
! tions are given to the different runners
land an attempt is made to study the
particular needs of each one.
Too Much Stress Placed on winning
ITO much stress is placed on win
ming in athletic competition" said
Coach O'Reilly. 'of course. I like to
J win with my teams as well as any
body. but want to win fairly and