The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-07
BRINK THORNE SEES
NEED FOR ATHLETICS
Famous Yale Gridder Praises
Y. NJ. C. A. Recreation Work
cover There"
GIVES NEEDED REACTION

8. Brinckerhon Thorne, known TO
every Yale man as Brink Thorne. who
ended his football career with spec
tacular forty yard run through the
Princeton team at Manhattan Fteid on
Thanksgiving Day. 1895, believes that
one Of the surest means Of quickly put
ting the Germans on the run Is to stimu-
late clean, healthy sports In the forces
OF the American fighting men In Europe.
In the current issue OF the Spur he
quotes eminent authorities to prove his
theory.
This war has proved the need of
athletics and physical recreation for
the soldier" says Mr.. Thorne. Gen.
Pershing and the commanders of the
allied forces recognize It. Governments
recognize 1t. The men themselves rec
ognize It. The soldiers, with muscles
and bodies weary as the result of days
of digging trenches. charging across No
Mans Land. throwing hand grenades or
marching many miles, all need physical
relaxation-the right kind.
I'VE want no battles, campaigns or
minor engagements lost because OF the
imperfect physical condition Of Amerf-
can fighters. particularly conditions re-
sulting from careless living. Our SOL
diers must not break training even
though it lasts for years.
After cover the Top"
THE physical training which ia given
the soldier. the setting up exercises. the
rife drills. the handling Of artillery.
the long trying marches. all contribute
TO making a man hard, muscular. Mt
But physical training or manual labor
Is not physical recreation. Men who
have returned from the front tell US
that when the men come out OF the
trenches after the terrific strain OF be-
Ing under fire they are half crazy. They
want to seize a stuffed club and pound
some one, to shout, laugh and play in
order to work off steam, to ease their
nerves Many of sucn men In civil life.
after a like nerve racking. probably
would hasten to take a drink-several
Misunderstanding to obtain the reaction
| which would ease the tension.
THE soldier feels the same urge: he
requires a reaction, and unless the right
means to this end Is provided he will
find the wrong one. Here is where
physical recreation Is destined to play
a great part in keeping up the morale
Of our fighters. A great movement to
enable the fighting men to avoid ex-
cesses or depression into which they
| might slip In the let down after a bat
| ties fury or in the long waits between
| engagements is now under full head
way. Hundreds OF men who have had
| athletic experience but who because of
| age or other reasons are not fitted for
| military service are giving themselves
to this gigantic task.
| This necessary work Of keeping the
soldiers in good physical trim and in
good spirits has been taken UP by the
War Work Council of the Young Mems
Christian Association. Several hundred
sport leaders have been sent TO France
already, and Or. George J. Fisher. d.
rector Of physical education OF the Y. NJ
c. A.. hopes to have at least eight hun
dred in the field by October 1.
| MANY varieties OF physical recreation
are necessary for an army. These
legions of young soldiers going over
seas must have healthy games to pre-
serve to them healthy bodies and healthy
cheerful minds for their great task OF
making the world a decent place In
which to live They must have baseball
and football in season. tennis. hockey
boxing, wrestling, handball. volley bal
and golf. All fight and no play would
take off their edge and make them dull
soldiers.
ITO provide the soldiers with these
sports during their recreation periods
the Y. NJ c. A, at the request of the
United States Government has stepped
In with physical directors and sports
| apparatus can be furnished; but mer
are needed. men who have had athletic
| experience who have brains to know
how the Job must be tackled and who
are willing to give at least a year II
this service TO their country and theii
| young countrymen.
Napoleon said, An army travels or
It's stomach but 1t might be added. II
rests on its funny bone Men who car
laugh in the war zone do not fear battle
II is a task for fun sized man, one
with ability to inspire the soldiers to ge
the best results. Such directors mus
have originality. adaptability. resource
fulness and tact.
Adams to Sail Soon.
Directors who have been successful
In inducing the greatest number OF mel
to play and enjoy themselves have giver
amusing examples Of the games which
furnished the most amusement. Swat
ball swattag, horse and rider. blind
folded swatting. leg wrestling and SINH
lar rudimentary pastimes all sound to'
extravagant to interest grown men, We
they have proved great favorltes
Humorous as 1t seems, a French Officer
at a camp in this country recently sai'
that the poilus are entertained by play
ing our old childhood game. pussy in {
corner"
Lest there be feeling that the "Y'
discriminates in favor of college men. 1
was announced yesterday that Plat
Adams, Olympic champion Jumper. ha'
been assigned to set up campaign 4
obtain sport leaders among leaders II
athletics who would not come within tn
province Of the College Committee OIL
Recruiting. Adams has been ready 70
some time to go to France for the dura
ton of the war. but the Y NJ. c. A. de
sided that because of his wide knowl
edge of athletics and Acquaintance
among the prominent men in sport h
could be OF more value as recruiting
officer for the present He will sail 70
France soon. His slogan is not: "Wh.
don't you go overseas and do your bit :?
but:
"Come along with mo and togethe
we'll help to win the war"