Rock Island Argus., 1918-02-25
NO SPRING TRACK
MEETS THIS YEAR
Officers Of Illinois High School Ath.
letic Association Halt the
Schedules.
PUPILS ARE TO WORK on FARMS
Medals to Take Place Of Sweaters and
Prizes for Letter Men In
All Cities.

At the annual meeting OF the I'LL
nois High School Athletic association
q. Urbana there was a consensus Of
opinion in the association that spring
interscholastic athletics should be
abandoned in view OF the present war
conditions.
II was the feeling Of the members
that the schools should encourage
food production In every way possible
and that the young do important work
II WAS decided that a final decision
with reference to the matter ought to
be made later in the school year, when
the need for this farm work should be
more thoroughly canvassed and after
the plans Of the state council OF de-
fense in outlining this project were
better known. For these reasons the
matter was referred to the board Of
control for final action. When the
final action was taken the board OF
control decided to abandon all high
school athletics this spring.
These athletics only take in the
spring interscholastic athletics. In
this way all weekend trips will be
abandoned and then the boys can put
that time In work on the farms or
work in some garden. The pupils
thus preparing to 60 to the farms will
either 60 to the farm and work or
they will stay in the city and study
farm craft. There has been a specia.
course arranged by the high schools
In each town for the course Of farm
craft which consists OF every kind CT
farm work imaginable. The athletics
and physical training within the
schools themselves is important ano
should not be abandoned. 1t should
be curtailed only in so far as it con-
flicts with the plan outlined above.
The basketball tournaments will go
on as usual. There are no reasons at
present evident why plans for fall
and winter interscholastic athletics of
next year should not go forward.
With this cessation Of activity ath
letics next fall will be renewed with
vigor. 1t has been estimated that ten
thousand boys will go to the farms
this summer The plan of the men al
the head Of the working boys reserve
it to have the boys out Of school by
April 20, and during now and that
time have the boys drop two studies
and In their place take course in
the farm craft.
II is rule Of the Illinois High
School Athletic association that no
reward for athletic prowess shall be
given among the members Of the as
sociation which has utilitarian value
OF more than one dollar. However
there is still some confusion about
this matter among some of the schools
in Illinois, and to prevent this matter
the state board of control has decid
ed to inaugurate what is known as
the Illinois high school athletic letter
club, composed Of pupils who have
won the letter Of their Individual
school. This athletic distinction is
recognized by a bronze medal signifi
cant in design but inexpensive ir
price.
The medal is Of good weight ant
tasteful appearance. so that the BOYS
will be glad to wear it on account o
its appearance as we'll as for what Il
signifies. This medal will help Il
build up statewide fraternity o
true craftsmanship among the higl
school boys. AS boys travel arount
on their athletic trips 1t after a while
will become a real token Of athletI'
distinction.
The medal is mounted in the forL
Of a watch fob. 1t can be mounted
differently by special order. Tf'
name Of the sport in which the pupi
wor the distinction is engraved OF
tie back. The design of the medal l.
the exclusive property of the associa
ton and will be copyrighted.
One to Each.
Orl- one OF these medals may b.
awarded to a pupil in any calenda
year. II pupil has school letter!
more than once during the year h
nay turn in his medal and have j
engraved on the back for each addl
tional sport in which he wins his let
ter. The local school rules prevail
as to the winning Of the school lette-
The medals may be awarded at an,
time by school in accordance will
its custom in awarding its letter.
is suggested that all pupils now il
school who have been awarded letter!
might be awarded medals if the schoo
wishes TO do SO.