Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-06
BURD|CK GIVES OPINION
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISORS
INELIGIBLE AS AMATEURS
baltimore Nun Makes Dccision without
i.O0kinr Into Enrts-Renl Expert
Has Other Views.

There seems TO be no possible
chance FOR the playground supervisors
recently made professional athletes on
account Of their connection with that
movement, To have the snIirch removed
from their names. In accordance with
u suggestion from Dr. G. NJ. Hazen.
president of the Richmond Amateur
Athletic Federation, Dave Sattcrncld
jr.. Of Richmond College, recently
uar Of the South Atlantic Association
Of the Amateur Athletic Union. in re-
gard TO his case. but his appeal was or
TO avail, as the official. who stilI does
not know the facts. holds on, no
nope.
DR.. Burdick, IL seems. * at the head
Of the playground movement in Bal,i-
more, and cvidcntlS Judges the local
boys on conditions that prevail in that
city He Is 50 far off in his facts that
hc even does not knew who is in charge
OF the Richmond Fairgrounds. and
makes capital Of the fact that "a minor
official has not written him that the
Supervisors were not employed for
athletic ability. Vet, If he had cared
10 Investigate the case. he would learn
that Humphrey Calder, who is in charge
nf the city Fairgrounds, emphatically
declares the men were not employed
on account OF athletic prowess, but Oh
account OF their executive ability. Mr..
Calder has had 40 request from Dr.
Eurdick for his views on the subject
Or. BUrdiCk quotes the action taken
1T the big amateur meeting several
months ago to fix the status Of ANA
tours. He puts an incorporation on
what occurred then, which Is evidently
not held by Or. GustaVuS Towne
Kirby, chairman OF the advisory COM
nittce of the |. &. y. 4. \. A.. who as
sisted in drawing up the suggestions
which were offered 20 the meeting in
~
stated that 1t depended upon the indi
vidual case whether playground
teacher or Instructor would be regard
ed as Ineligible for amateur compc-
tition under the new rules If il were
shown. DR.. Kirby said. that this in
structor was not obliged TO teach ath-
lctics, he would not he considered in
eligible
Or. Kirby stated In simple language
that each ease should he decided on its
own merits He evidently, is not In
favor Of a man in Baltimore Judging
II matter which occurred In another
city. especially when ne does not take
the trouble to learn the true facts. but
give snap Judgment which is based
upon conditions which might prevail
only in his own city.
Extracts from Or. Burdick's letter
follows:
From what / know Of tho play
ground situation in Richmond am
confident that the people there would
not be willin. to have their play
grounds with no other purpose than Il
man there to keep order. The play
ground congress was held in Richmond
20 establish the principle that play
grounds have value when they arc
properly supervised. .. Men were
selected for the position that YOU took
because they stand IN the eyes OF the
community as athletes and appeal to
nine 10 nftcen years. Even the most
liberal Interpretation of such matters
as was suggested at "a conference in
New York during the Christmas Holt
days would not allow YOU To become a
competitors within Il year and the \. ~
I. rules are not Yet changed 10 make
that possible. No group of people
thinking about eligibility for amateur
competition have felt that one should
capitalize his athletic fame and re-
turn TO the same sort OF thing next
year,
g Page Is. article 10. section !
states: No person shall he eligible 10
compete for compensation or reward
IN any form Tor the display, exercise
or example of his Skill in or knowledge
of any athletic exercise, and I see no
reason why YOU do not come within
thiS classification.
II have never received any statement
from MI Niles 10 the effect that SUI
pcrvisors in Richmond are not sup
posed 10 have athletic ability as one
OF their qualifications for the position
! question very much whether he would
want 10 take the stand that the play
grounds Of Richmond have gone back
10 the days when policeman was all
that was necessary to handle play ac.
tiVities.
Athletics to-day doesn't mean
formal gymnastics. but all the games
OF the young people. Therefore if YOU
handled basketball games, YOU were
entering inIo the athletic field.
PERSONALLY ! am opposed to rein
stating YOU as an amateur for | do
not See that ! have the power to do so,
ana / feel very sure that the national
body would take the same viewpoint
that have.
IF a. y. t. should decide 10 rein
state II would he five years before