Norwich bulletin., 1921-02-17
442 4S5 1456 1863
Team s. Capt. J. Hayes
N. F. A. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
 HAS SOMETHING TO SA'

The sports editor of The Bulletin has very kindly and with very good judgment requested statement on an article recently written in the New London Day and printed in a local paper. The article explained the posi- tion of the Norwich Free Academy in athletics in letter written by me, and added to this were editorial remarks which 1 feel should not go unanswer- ed.
 The position of the Norwich Free academy in athletic affairs and in ath- letic relations with other schools has been clearly defined and set forth. N. F: A. has belonged to every high school league that has been in force i'll eastern Connecticut and desires to continue it's membership when league is formed to meet the. present need. It. has beer the policy of our school. however, that high school league should be managed by the schools which make up the league and that organizations or men who are in no way connected with the schools should have no voice or interest in such league.
 Early this winter meeting of most of the high schools in eastern Connec ticut was held in New London for the purpose of forming an athletic league It was impossible for me to attend this meeting. A draft of the constitution of the proposed league was sent to me by Mir. Young of the l New London I. M. c. A. The draft was read and discussed by the authori- | ties of the academy. One of the sec tions provided that the Y. NJ. c. A. would have representation because of | the privilege extended to the high schools for the use of the gymnasium | and track. The academy could not enter under the condition that an or ganization outside of the schools was | to be part of the league. I went to New London and explained to MT. Young our position. What all the i other schools have done I have. not | learned directly.
 l Recently telephoned to MT. Taylor the athletic director of Vocational schoolto learn if anything further had been done to form league. He. in. formed me that a new draft of g i! league was being made and would bt sent to the academy in few days I believe it is the intention to call tht high schools together again in hope oi organizing them into league. Int N. F. A. is ready and anxious for ( league managed by the high schools am inclined to take a more chari
 table attitude in responding to tn comments that were attached to m! ] letter to the New London Day, and tt say that while for the most part, beinl absolutely false in their context ant implications, they may have been writ ten on transformation given about tn facts. 1 have never threatened no implied that I would resign from tn athletic relations of the academy. Tn construction given to my remark about the Y. M. C. A. would imply ex ceeding narrow mindedness and bia on my part. I believe that the I. N C.. A. acted in very good faith an with the highest motive in trying t remedy defect in the athletic rela
 tions of the high schools in this sec tion, and their effort to form a leag gu
 between the schools was very edifyint
 The fact that it was the '. M. c.
 that was promulgating league, c
 that they especially should have repre-
 sentation in such a league was nc
 the motive or reason for the Norwic
 Free academy declining to join, bu
 the fact that an organization outsid
 of the school should be represente barred us. The attitude of our schoc