The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1919-03-20
PRAISES VIRTUES OF
TOWN ATHLETIC FIELD
WRITER SAYS ATHLETICS is
GREAT FOR STUDENTS
Although Athletic Field Is Not a
Thing Of Beauty" Il Is One Of
City's Most Useful Institutions
From Scholastic Viewpoint.

To The casual passerby the gymna
, Stun is not a very interesting place
: Many people pass there daily, an
perhaps many wonder just where tn
, town Is realizing anything on tn
large investment IN grounds an,
buildings But to one who investi
gates the matter many revelation
appear.
The value Of athletic facilities tt
the county high school is not to b.
measured in dollars and cents, Tit
, county high school means the boy
and girls Of Upton county who MAKE
-lup that school. Whatever benefit:
the school benefits the boys anC
girls, and in turn benefits the coun
ty of which they are to be the lead.
ing citizens within a very few years
From the schools of the city anc
county the athletic field receives its
chief number Of interested parties
The gymnasium through the long
winter months furnishes a place
where the boys and girls under strict
supervision engage separately in
athletic contests that mean far more
than mere games. With practically
no equipment, the gymnasium is a
center Of interest for the pupils Five
days in the week from 3 to 5 o'clock
each afternoon, and from z to 8 each
night. there is an instructor in the
gymnasium with from two to five
basket ball teams lined up for prac-
tice and exercise. Now what is the
value of athletics to the school?
The great draft laws of this coun-
try revealed one startling fact Many
young men of draft age were not
physically fit. Defects Of body
through Acknowledgement or neg
lect disqualified them for service
to their country. Thousands of these
men had come up through the old
school idea that schools were places
of nothing but mental effort, that
any kind of play was wrong and to
be frowned upon. The modern school
idea is different. 1t is known that a
healthy mental development can not
occur in a weak body. Physical
sanity is necessary to mental acu-
men. Today boys and girls who play
and work in the gymnasium and on
the athletic field learn to take care
of their bodies, to coordinate mus
Gle and brain, to think quickly and
to act deity. They learn to over
look little scratches and bruises, to
breathe deeply, to stand correctly, to
use brain and Drawn together. They
learn that for the sake of good team
work their own personal wishes must
often be discarded that good may
come to the whole team. In this
they are being prepared to work to-
gether in after life for the common
good of the community. In dealing
with teams from other schools they
learn how to conduct themselves with
strangers, to play vigorously but
clearly with opponents, and to use
good craftsmanship, which means
gentlemanly conduct.
1t is really astonishing, too, to see
boys accumulate muscle and endur-
ance through work in the gymnasium.
They acquire great skill and endur-
ance, and this physical fitness en-
ables them to cast off minor ailments
and diseases.
The girls who engage in gymnastlc
exercises are benefitting themselves
by getting work that loosens their
muscles, gives them endurance, trains
them to neglect petty jealousies, and
to develop sanely, moderately and
BEAUTIFULLY.
Instead Of being a hindrance to
school work, the gymnasium is an
aid. Knowing that school authorities
are interested in the pleasure and
physical development as well as their
lessons, the boys and girls study bet
ter, behave themselves better, and
help work for the good Of the school.
School becomes not school of the
teachers, but mental workshop IN
which teacher and pupil work to-
gether for the best results. ASK
any teacher whether or not school
is better for athletics, and note the
answer.
In brief: The athletic field and
gymnasium is noteworthy adjunct
q the schools because it brings about
i more harmonious development be-
,ween pupil and teacher, because it
Helps create a sound body to carry
/ sound mind, because it trains boys
ind girls in principles that are worth
while in after life.
ANY movement to increase facil-
ties at the park means that more
boys and girls will be reached in
more ways helped in more ways,
This article deals with athletics
rom scholastic standpoint. Much
nay be said later concerning athletics
rom a community standpoint.
What kind of people do you like
Q have about you? Anaemic, flabby-
nuscled, weakly boys and girls Or
,oys and girls graceful, strong, clear
f eye and mind, radiant with
trength and health, confident and
ure Of filling a true citizens place
h this county?