Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-11-27
SPORT NEWS
MANY MISTAKEN
ABOUT PURPOSE
OF GRID STORY
BY "TUFFY..

81 ~IUF t.
Misunderstanding seems to have
arisen regarding the article in
Mondays issue OF The Argus con-
corning the Rock Island-Moline
high school football game staged at
Douglas park, Rock Island, Satur-
day afternoon.
In order to make clear the mo-
tive of the writer let it be under
stood that his purpose was of con-
struction rather than of destruc-
ton; his tone one of friendly crit
icism rather than of disloyalty-
Aside from a few incidents occur
ring upon the field of play during
the match, il was assuredly not in
tended, considering existent cOndi-
tons, to reflect odiously upon the
present high school coach or his
work.
1t is understood that he is not a
director of athletics. not being
hired by the Rock Island board Of
education in that capacity. He is
employed as an Instructor in man
uaI training. Approaching the
need of a coach at the high school
this year he kindly agreed to I'M
dertake the job, apart from his
scholastic duties. Probably, in light
of the comparatively small amount
of time and attention which he has
been able to bestow upon the foot
ball team, he has done well. For
that which he has accomplished he
must be given credit. To belittle
results obtained by him under
great handicaps was not aimed at
or intended.
However, it was intended that the
acute need of an exclusive director
of athletics and coach at the high
school should be made apparent.
In order that this need might be
fulfilled, however, it is realized
that an appropriation by the school
board is necessary. Good men come
high, and if the sum is not suffic-
lent to secure a man of reputation
and experience for the position it
is just that much money wasted.
Not since 1914 has the Rock Is
land high school had an athletic
director and coach upon its faculty
staff. Poor results due to ineffic-
iency and leadership in athletics
that year brought bitter disap-
pointment to the school authori-
ties and to the public. Since then,
unfortunately, the duty of coaching
has deVOlVed upon some faculty
member, hired and paid as an in
structor or professor in one of the
various branches of scholastic
duty. Physical culture and calls
thenic work, recognized as almost
an essential in training maturing
youth, of necessity has been aban
doned.
Rock Islanders and alumni are
interested in the high school. The
latter are loyal, and glory in the
progress and success of their alma
mater. Rock Island has not a
small high school as high schools
go. and it is growing rapidly as the
! years pass. Ever-increasing mater
/ iaI of excellent quality is being at
! fOrded in athletics, needing only
the time and attention of a coach
of ability to whip it into champion
ship form.
/ Such an addition to the faculty
corps of the Rock Island high
! school, hired and paid to direct
athletics and to coach. would give
4 the school more than athletic pre-
tense. Provided with perhaps one
or two assistants, depending upon
| the volume of work in the grades.
such a man should produce winning
crimson and gold teams and pre-
possessing student bodies, com
posed Of clean, hard-fghting
spoTtsmen.