Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-30
SCHOOLS SHOULD
NUMBER PLAYERS
Such a System Would Help
the Spectators and
Athletic Funds
COULD SELL PROGRAM NJ S
By PAUL PREP

Now that the board Of officials Of the
Philadelphia High School Basketball League
has decided to number the members OF the
first and also the second teams this year,
why not number the members of the Inter
scholastic Football League?
II is about time the officials In charge
Of the sports at the six high schools OF the
city arouse themselves and follow the sys-
tern which has already been adopted with
great success by the colleges and leading
preparatory schools all over the country.
The school authorities ask, why should
they number the boys In their athletic
sports?" II they should number the various
teams It would not make any difference to
the spectators, as the schools do not print
programs and the numbers would do no
good. Also the average student II he takes
any interest at all in his school teams
would know the players, and a program
would only be thrown away.
But on the other hand student of one
school might possibly recognize the members
of his eleven but does he know the other
team well enough to pick out who attempted
line plunge? Certainly not. 1t was dem
onstrated last Friday and Saturday. and
even in the early games, that scholastic root
ball In this city has lost none OF its prestige.
Scholastic Football Popular
If any change has taken place it is in
the increase in number of spectators. The
spectators at the opening league matches
last week were by no means composed en-
tirely Of students of the rival schools
twenty per cent of the persons In the standS
and around the gridiron were not students
Of the schools engaged in the fall pastime.
Many former alumni were seen as well
as several hundred young girls who did
not know more than three or four OF the
twenty-five active players
Several high schols in the city have print
ing presses. Why not turn these TO some
advantage? The players could be num-
bered and programs printed for each game
The programs could be sold at the entrance
to the playing fields for a small sum and
the proceeds turned over to the athletic
funds Of each school In this way the spec
tators would not only be able to enjoy the
game more, but the school athletic teams
would be greatly helped The high schools
at the present time could use little extra
money in repairing their grandstands and
tracks.
The Interscholastic Football League is
already under way but five weeks are left
which might be used to good advantage
The Interacademic League does not open
until November 9, and many followers Of
the two circuits have expressed desire to
see the players numbered
The spectators are not the only ones who
would appreciate the numbering of the foot
ball players. The alumuni of the high
schools are interested in the welfare Of the
elevens and IT IS not possible for a majority
of them TO witness the games every week
They therefore purchase a newspaper to
read description Of the game. 1t is quite
possible for the scribes to make a mistake
In regard TO the men several plays when
they are on the side lines. Numbering the
players would enable the members of the
teams to receive the credit which they de-
serve instead of teammate who did not
make the play.