Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-30
SPORTS WILL increase
GOVERNMENT DEVELOPING
GREAT LOT OF ATHLETES
A. A. L. President Says Training Now
Given In Connection With Military
Work Accomplish Results.
By CHARLES A. DEAN.
President Amateur Athletic Union of
he NIL


President Amateur Athletic Union of
the United States.
The year 1915 is going TO sec more
athletic competition than at any time
in the history OF our country. Most OF
IT viii. however. he of a different ma
iure tnan the competitive athletics we
have been accustomed to for many
years. The United States government
rs developing the greatest lot of ath-
leties that the world has ever known,
and although they may not have the
syateniatic physical training that the
Germans have had. il will not take this
country many years to surpass them. ii
the athletic training in connection with
the militarE training. at our various
army and navy camps is kept up the
same as in the past six months.
II has been, proven the past few
months that athletic training and COM
petition are as big an essential TO milf
tary training as shooting or bayonct
practice. Instead OF our biggest com
petitive games and meets being open
analrs this coming year. most Of these
are going TO be in connection with
army army and navy camps. Nevertheless.
ncld. and ! believe will be held as In
former years. The performances may
not be as classy. but We still have the
under or over the draft age, besides
the athletes now in the service and ad-
jacent to cen,ers where meets will be
held.
As regards championships. all the ma
t:onal championships in every line of
sport will be held, and an endeavor
made TO have the fourteen different as
sectional championships also. These
championships, as well as all the bi.
open athletic meets the coming year.
should be. and so per cent of them will
be. run for the benefit of athletic equip
ment funds for the different camps or
LOT the camps for our soldiers across
the water. The football season just
closed has netted thousands of dollars
Tor this fund for the different camps.
and the indoor season, which is so
much longer. should net thousands of
dollars additional
These camps arc all badly in need OF
athletic buildings to play basketball,
volleybali. hold boxing and wrestling
and othc" sports. Every one Of the
these buildings large enough 10 mark
off at least three basketball courts.
These buildings would probably cost in
the neighborhood Of $4,000 each So
amount of money will be required.
These buildings are an absolute ncces-
sity. especially in the Northern camps,
where outdoor athletics cannot he in
dulged in for possibly six months out
of the year. All competitive athIctics
should be kept up during this war, az
lose even one year and dcterioratc ply
Sically. This is President Wilson 8
wish. and we who arc vitality inter >
csted in the welfare of amateur ath.
our power 10 keep the game up to
standard.
have been asked many times what
will all these athletes that the govern
over. VIC Will take care of them.
Where one meet "A week is held now
three or four week will he held i'm ri,
the large ccntcrs and then when Wa
get the much needed universal service
let physical education and compctitiyc
athletics be part Of military training