The Washington times., 1921-03-08
WOULD FORM
NEW LEAGUE
South Atlantic Colleges to Be
Asked to Join Basketball
Circuit.
BY BRYAN MORSE.

Plans are under way for the for
nation of South Atlantic Basket
ball League, somewhat similar to
that started twelve years ago by
/ Joseph T. England, of Johns Hop
lins University, for field and track
meets. The question has been
broached to representatives of five
institutions already. The idea has
apparently found favor, and the in
2situtions appearing to be in re-
teptive mood will be sounded out
further and asked for a final decision
at the big field and track games here
end at the meeting to be held on May
z in this city.
Certain colleges in the South At
lantic section fail to meet each
other in dual engagements. Virginia
does not play Washington and Lee;
Washington ard Lee does not meet
Virginia Military Institute; George
town does not meet Virginia or Cath
olic University.
Other combinations have failed to
work out. with the result that compe-
tition, save in track, is almost nil.
All Of the colleges who do not meet
each other in baseball, football. bas-
ketball or tennis engage in the an
nual outdoor field and track meet and
the indoor engagements.
WOULD CUT EXPENSE.
It is now almo4t prohibitive for
South Atlantic teams north of the
Potomac to so down to play the Vir-.
ginia teams.
If il were possible to hook up three
South Atlaatic teams on trips and at
the same time have these teams come
to Washington and Baltimore. for
three games. considerable expense
would be saved o.:
In baseball the idea worked out
fairly well year ago, with George
town, Catholic University and Mary
land University entertaining " p. I.
Since then the idea of South Allan
tic competition among colleges in
other than track athletics has been
dropped.
1t was recently pointed out that
considerable money might be saved
and made in scheduling South Allan
tic teams for two or three games
here in Washington, and that District
teams and Maryland teams, for that
matter, arranging trips into Virginia
would do we'll to book three or four
games on the trips
A home and home series with ten
teams competing is contemplated and
the matter has been talked over with
at least six of the South Atlantic
teams
A South Atlantic conference in
basketball might be unusually at
tractive providing Washington could
have a large hall centrally located
where the colleges equipped with
small gymnasium could entertain out
of town teams.
MEETINGS AT CENTERs.
Similarly IL might be practicable
for the District and Maryland teams
to meet the South Atlantic contenders
at Virginia centers known to be
patronizers of sports.
= Roanoke, Lynchburg, Richmond, as
we'll as Norfolk. have only recently
developed what are being named
sports corporations" to encourage all
kinds OF sports. Norfolk is finding
favor with colleges and at least Ave
big intercollegiate contests are being
booked there next fall.
Roanoke and Lynchburg are known
to be frst-class towns for staging
both football and basketball contests.
When the South Atlantic repre-
sentatives convene here for their an
nual meeting the proposition will be
presented and an effort made to hook
Basketball League.
IDEA IS FAVORED.
The idea has already been favored
by several leaders in various South
Atlantic institutions. Basketball has
taken a great hold upon the South
Atlantic section Virginia, Virginia
Poly, and Virginia Military Institute
played to record crowds this season.
Catholic University, Georgetown,
Hopkins and George Washington were
we'll patronized. By combining with
the South Atlantic teams the District
institutions, along with Maryland
University which expects to compete
in basketball in another year, might
further their ends to considerable
extent
Those who see ahead declare that
all of the South Atlantic teams will
be either competing with each other.
or that even the one organization
which exists in track. will be mater
tally weakened. At present there il
. disposition all over the section to
get together and form a really strong
association which will handle all
forms Of athletics.