Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-29
ATHLETICS one
OF ESSENTIALS
= IN ARMY LIFE
Training Camp Commission
Endeavoring to Accom-
plish Much in This Way!

Washington, July 29.-Statements
indicative Of the part athletics plays
in the life of the average soldier are
contained in a report that has been
made to the war department COM
mission on training camp activities by
Capt. T. G. Cook. the commissions
athletic director at Camp Lewis,
American Lake, Wash.
The report gives a clear idea Of
what the training camp commission is
e~ndeavoring to accomplish through
the athletic program it has introduce
ed in the principal camps of the
country. Commenting on the success
of this program at Camp Lewis, Major
General II. A. Greene has declared he
is thoroughly convinced that athletics
Is a most essential part Of the SOL
diers' education.
zone has only to compare the APP
pearance of this command today with
that presented at the time they re-
ported for duty here to be convinced
of the value of athletic training in de-
veloping fighting men," said General
Greene. IT cannot too strongly en-
Quoted training of the body in devel-
oping the fighting efficiency of these
men. No matter how willing and pa
triotic a mar nay be he accomplishes
little as a soldier unless he has a
vigorous, sound, athletic body"
According to Captain Cooks report
there are between 40 and SO baseball
diamonds in various parts Of the
camn. and 1913 baseball teams repre-
senting various companies use them
daily. There r two baseball leagues,
which play every weAk. The 361st
regiment has II teams completely
equipped from cleats to gloves: is
company teams, officers teams and
the regimental, team. The Camp Lewis
baseball team, which is composed
largely of ex-major league players,
and is a divisional organization, plays
two anne weekly with teams from
the Pacific International Coast league.
Willie Richie, representing the
training camp commission, is in
a approximately 500 assistant in
structors who have been trained in
the f1stic art for the past six months.
These men in urn teach boxing to
groups of men from SO to rs in num-
Der. At the Camp Lewis boxing cham
p%ionship, held to the first week in
June, ~fifty-seven bouts were staged.
Football also comes in for a great
deal of attention at Camp Lewis. Last
Oil SAAteeH Teams participated IN the
sport and each regiment and a large
number of company units were rep
resented. Two hundred and twenty
five basketball teams also were or
ganized in the camp. Track meets are
popular among the soldiers. In June.
a meet was held in which 785 sol
diers took part before an audience
estimated at more than $1,000.
Through the training camp COM
mission, Camp Lewis field has been
equipped with a grandstand and
bleachers and a club house with lock-
ers, shower baths, etc. The Camp
Lewis arena has a 1-3 mile track and
a seating capacity of $4,000. At the
present time there are ten tennis
courts. and several more are to be
erected within a short time.
Various impromptu games are en-
gagged in at all times, the report con-
General Greene, whose slogan
is Athletics for Every Man." set aside
n hour daily-3:30 to 4:s0-for
r~ecreative athletics, and it is a. won
derful sight, according to Captain
Cook, to pass along the parade
grounds at this hour and see from
10000 to 10000 men engaged in va
rlous forms Of athletics.