The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-01-10
BENNY OWEN HOPES TO
HAVE MASS ATHLETICS
At THE OKLAHOMA J..

Norman, Okla, Jan. 10.-(SpecaD-
The intramural sports, modelled after
the plan in effect at the University of
Illinois conducted by J. L. Griffith
is the plan Ben G. owen, director OF
athletes at the University of Oklaho-
ma. hopes TO install for the Sooners.
James f. Pixley. former Oklahoma
Aggie director of athletics, is the man
Owen intends no place in charge OF
the intramurals. PiXley was asSociat-
ed in the army with DR.. John i.
Raycraft. Princeton University, ply
sicol education man Of national repu-
tation. who was the man the war de-
partment selected as head OF The ply
sical education department. of the
troops during the late war. Griffith
and Pixley were the field representa-
tives of Raycraft und it fell to them
to organize The soldiery for athletic
training.
Intramural sports as instituted in
many of the leading universities Of the
United States are the result Of the
tltltAlt M4fOAl'H VI isAltHN Ahi NN AAAN+As
Raycraft, Griffith and plxley, worked
ou. In the service. The success of
their plan with the troops proved the
worth Of mi SIS athletics ana team
exercises. II was found that of all The
minor physical, defects Of the soldiers,
less than . per cent needed correc-
tive exercises further than that given
10y the intramural sports
owen plans to establish organized
intramural sports 10 reach every mnn
enrolled in the state university by in
fer-class. inter-school. intcr-fraternity,
inter-society and al' rcrsity compe.
tition in games OF at. lc rivalry call
ing for both mental aud physical eG-
forts on the part of the participant.
In addition TO the inramural Spor,s
win be instituted n school for coaches
where athletic theories win be taught,
row to formulate and develop plays
TO meet certain conditions. in other
words, give a complete course covering
everything pertaining 10 the art of
coaching. Never has there been
time IN owens fifteen years at the
University OF Oklahoma that he mas
been able to supply even a small per-
cont OF the dei iands Of high schools
IN the state OF Oklahoma for coaches
The inrramural sports win be the
laboratory tor the coaches school. The
students OF athletics Win have the d.
rccilon OF the "enter" sport events and
there put into practice what they have
learned IN the classroom.
Athletics will be required OF every
able student ana credit toward gradu-
alton will be given for the work done.
Heretofore Oklahoma has not given
crcdl. for sport activities. ApproXi-
mhtely 100 0f the largest universities
In America now grant credp in attn
lc.lcs on The ground that 'mcn.ol
training Is dependent on physical de-
yclopmcnt and growth OF mind Is equal
TO physical limitations"
Under Tho present conditions less
than twelve per cent Of the mon en-
rolled In tho university participate In
all forms Of arhleics. with the in
trnmurl sports IN such schools AZ
Wisconsin and Illinois. more than az
ncr cent are reached. Special strcgt
will hc laid on tho four rrcaI fundi-
mcntals o, physical education the
run. jump. throw. and climh.
To successfully Introduce intramural
spors IN its entirety liequWc gym
nnsium facilities must be- obta.no with
sufficient funds TO equip st and supply
added men on ehe training staff. with
the present inadequate equipment gem
oral physical cduca ion cannot be given
IN Tho winter mou.hs but only when
tho weather permits outside work
Swimming IS ono Of The hest sports
for physical development known but