Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-08
SOUTH PHILLY.
SPORTS BOOM
UNDER DIR. KER
New Athletic Director In
strumental in Reviving
Interest in Athletics
IN T EREST IN CAGE

Under the supervision OF DR.. Richard A.
Ker. director of athletics, sporting activ-
tiles at the South Philadelphia High
School have received an impetus that is
expected to place them on the plane es-
tablished by the teams of 1909-19l0, when
the downtown Red and Black boasted OF
such well-known schoolboys as the Coo
gan brothers, Maxim. Murphy and Nc
Guckin.
Doctor Ker became n member OF the
South Philadelphia faculty last year and
at once renewed an interest in sports,
which for several years were In the dol
drums. The new athletic director was at
one time associated with Hermann's gym
nasium. and has won reputation as n
boxer and gymnast. Under his direction
n football team was organized last fall
and won position in local scholastic cir
cles that has proven to be stepping
stone to membership In the Inter
scholastic Gridron League, the teams of
which contest each season for the Gimbel
trophy, indicative of the public High
School championship.
At present the new athletic director is
forging ahead with the athletics by put
ting in shape the new gymnasium, on
the fourth floor of the school building
where gym classes will be organized
and the basketball candidates may take
private workout each afternoon. When
the new gymnasium is fully equipped and
the routine Is put in running order. Doc
tor ker will organize a class of faculty
members, the first in Philadelphia
The new athletic director also is plan
ming campaign to interest prominent
south Philadelphia business men In Sc
curing much-needed athletic field for
the school. Since the school opened, in
1907, the drills of the various teams had
to be conducted in rented gymnaslums
or at the field of the Southwark Club.
10th street and Oregon avenue, a great
distance from the school,
Although football enjoyed a big run of
success during the last season, the in
tercst already manifested in basketball
is expected to eclipse the interest demon
strated over the gridiron game The cage
game has been a big factor in South
Philadelphia athletics even since the
downtown institution made its debut in
scholastic athletics. In this branch of
sport the South Philly boys always turn
out high-calibre te..ms and each year
compare favorably with the older high
schools.
The teams victory over Central High
IN recent championship contest has
stirred up interest to a flaming point. and
basketball this season. as i'm seasons past
is assured the unreserved support of the
student body. In the past the basket
ball team has always produced high
class players. as shown by the players
later making rood on college fYes At
the present time Doctor Ker Is eXamin-
ing tie scholastic marks OF the members
of the regular squad to make certain that
the men will be in good classroom stand
ing next week, when the monthly reports
are Issued.
The one great drawback to the financial
support OF the basketball team is the
inability to charge admission to the
gymnasium, an ideal place to stage the
big championship games. II was pointed
out at the school yesterday that the
Board of Education, as. with the West
Philadelphia High. has prohibited the ac-
ceptance of money for contests or enter
tainments in the public school buildings.
This ruling forces the basketball man
agement to play the games on the near
est floor, in order that funds may be
raised TO defray the expenses OF the
team. As result South Philly's league
games this year will be staged In the
Madonna Club cage, 18th and Wharton
streets.
Basketball has created such a stir at
the school this season that an intersec-
tional league, composed of the sections OF
the various classes is in big demand.
Doctor ker is at present working out a
schedule. and 1t is expected that the play
ing of these games will bring to light
several expert players who otherwise
would go undiscovered.
To intensity the interest in the indoor
game the first team has started off with
a string of victories. To date such COM
binations as Trades School. Palmyra
Darby and Central High have been de-
feated. On Tuesday the second Public
School League game will be played with
the strong West Phillles, who have never
been big factor in scholastic basketball,
but this season are speeding along in
grand style.