Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-03-22
Says Athletics Power in
School.

letics is coming more and more to 5e
recognized, and the Importance OF
controlling and supervising these
athletics is demanding attention"
said DIR. Henry D. Phillips, rector OF
Trinity Episcopal church, yesterday
afternoon in addressing school men
and women who had gathered at the
Columbia theatre for the second gen.
eral session of the State Teachers
association.
"Most thoughtful men recognize
that the training of the physical maj
is putting into the background the
training of the mental and spiritual
Qualities. What are we going to do
about it?
"Athletics is taking more time
than should be devoted to-it-what
are you school people going to do
about it?" he asked.
"There is everywhere a tremen-
dous interest in school and college
athletics. We have gone mad on the
subject of athletics. If we build up
a strong group of citizens, it will be
because of the contributions made to
that citizenship by school teachers.
All of us see what an important part
athletics plays in the life of the
school. and college boy and girl, and
we are also coming to know the val
ne of athletics as a trainer and de-
yeloper of character.
Fair, Square and Honest.
"Fair, square, honest athletics will
produce fair, square and honest men.
We all know there have been irregu-
larities. in athletics-whether these
irregularities begin in high schools or
in colleges we can not say. We know,
though they are there, and it is U
duty to deal with. them.
ga town wants to have a winning
ball team. The citizens of the town
want a winner; some big strong boy,
a star player, not a boda ide student,
plays on the school team and helps it
to win. What is the effect of such
tactics on the other members of the
team and on the boy himself? Is any
n deceived? Can you fool a boy?
Does he not know that crooked ath-
letics are being INDUCED in? What
is the effect of such c%rookedness on
the student body?
cover Jealous alumni pay part OF
a Students expenses to college so
that ne may play football. Is this fair
and square athletics?
"Are we, through our athletics,
teaching our boys and girls that we
will not connive at irregularity? Are
we showing that we r honest to the
core?
..In our high schools we have got
to require a standard Of scholarship.
"We must let is be known that g.
boy who has not enough brains to
keep up with his classes has not
enough brains to play football and to
engage in right and ethical practices
on the athletic field. W. should let
il standards of ethics and honesty
of the class room prevail on the ath-
letic field. Athletics is a power for
good or for evil, all depending on the
way it is managed. The management
of athletics is worthy of the serious
attention of our school men and
school women. Clean athletics, honest
athletics, square athletics produce
men of cleanness, honesty and
~squareness."
DR.. Phillips was heard with much
interest and was warmly applauded at
the conclusion of his address.
DR.. Swearingen Speaks.
At the conclusion Of the address
of Dr.. Phillips, DR.. j. E. Swearingen,
state superintendent of education,
was presented.
During the course of his remarks
DIR. swearingen said, "We will pay
every high school application in full
and also every term extension claim.
We will also pay vocational educa-
tional teachers IN full-so do not
worry" This statement was received
with applause.
DR.. Swearingen devoted a consid-
cradle part of his address to a discus
sion of financial and legislative sub
jects. saying at the outset that the
legislature was the highest school