The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-01-06
POPULARITY OF
 TENNIS GREATER
 THAN EVER NOW

"The most striking proof or the l general interest in tennis is the at tention being given the game in the colleges said Julian s. Myrick. vice president of the United States Ma tional Lawn Tennis Association, in commenting upon the notable phases of the sport during 1919. ''Of course, he great comeback which tennis en- sOyed after the war was a tribute 10 the real worth of the game. and ill this quickenipg of popular interest. the visit of the Australians was all important factor. But in the minds of those who are following the ten dencies of sport most keenly, the sig nifcant activity was in the colleges" This was manifest in many ways. At Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Colum- bIa, to name some of the more inn portant universities in the East, there was a spontaneous effort on the part of the undergraduates to gain in creased recognition Of the merit of tennis as a sport. from the authori- ties in charge of athletics. The entry lists in their tournaments show how keen many undergraduates are for the game. That this feeling is not local was seen in the fact that Ohio State University, for instance, arranged q big interscholastic tournament, and ill Indiana and other universities of the Middle West play increased notably. Along with this activity of the col leges, was a similar movement in some of the important preparatory schools, so I think it is fair to say that the promotion of tournament play among juniors and boys is bear ing fruit in the schools and col leges.
 That brings up the point which is Of fundamental importance in con sidering this whole question, and which some times is overlooked, namely, that of all the sports which appeal to those of school and college age, tennis is the only that can be learned early in life and kept up for many years. Baseball, track, football, rowing-all these have their place, but at best that place is limited by considerations of time and oppor- tunity. No matter how good an ath- lete may be in college, in the vast majority of cases his chance to enjoy such sports ends with his graduation. The average man can count on the fingers of one hand the men in his acquaintance, five years out of col lege. who take any active part in such games.
 Therein lies their fault, in the opinion of those qualified to speak as experts regarding present conditions of business and ho1nelife. They do not stay with a man during the years wEe they could do him the most good, and that is why the men who know the possi bilities of tennis are so keen to spread it's gospel. Any one can play it, without expensive equipment or great outlay of time and m Oney. Wherever q man goes, in the civilized world, he is likely to find tennis courts, as it is the one game which seems to be known everywhere. If he begins as a youngster he will have a means of health giving exer- cise and recreation Which possesses a definite value to him, because he can play it anywhere. any time.
 This point was emphasized by Dr. Edwin Fauver in a recent address at the annual meeting of directors of physical education, when he Laid: II seems to me that physical education has two distinct and yet related func. tiOns, each of fundamental import ance. First. physical education must promote health, habits and physical power. Secord 1t must contribute to the general education and training of the individual, not only through in-
 
 public, but through the training of the individuals will power, physical and moral courage, initiative, deter minauon, cooperation, obedience and capacity for concentration. 4 train ing of the highest worth in his gen. eral education, physical training must do this not merely as a training fol the present time. but a training that will be a vital factor in all the life of the individual
 That idea of the continuous use, fu'ness of q sport as q means of pro. noting physical well-being underlin. the Associations interest in the nov, to make tennis a major sport in tho colleges. It is probably that the re organization of the Intercollegiat, Tennis Association along lines tha will establish definite and pernanen policies will be Of material help i; obtaining this recognition. Certainl, Indications now point that way.
 Tn connection with all this it 1 surprising that in a matter which S, NitallE concerns the future of tn race, progress has been 50 slow. Mil lions of dollars have been set asid for Foundations to promote nusi education and to broaden inc field o medical and scientific knowledge, bu as yet no phiiaR thropist has scene 10 recoSnize the truth and enjoymen of an these otha- things. Perha P some day there will be Foundations to promote sport. on the theory tha outdoor exercise and recreation ar essential requirements for the bes developments of manhood and VIC manhood
 Meanwhile the National Associa ten is doing ali it can to establis the idea that tennis is a game tfa helps to meet this need, and that
 offers real service to the con, munity. by qualifying it's citizer physically to meet the stress ( modern life It's immediate task is help the college and school author ties, who recognize the importance, ', giving their students the best phys cal equipment to make their nent. training really efficient. We have 8 ready gone . long way on that roa, and this progress is the best profnis for the future"