The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1922-11-18
THE LESSONS OF CLEAN ATHLETICS.

Among parents. well as the minds OF some of the
leading educators during the last few years. opinion
become quite prevalent that the schools have gone hog wild
football ard other kinds OF athletics The impression
been that both secondary schools and the colleges the
regard sports the important item
on the educational menu much to the derment of the
serious purposes OF the schools TO many observers has seemed
that school activities with athletics playing the major role
have been substituted for school itself
Without any desire to the debate that has been going
regard to these matters believe will be generally
agreed that there have been good grounds for this line
criticism but also believe that the pendulum now swinging
the other direction the tendency being put athletics back
their proper place the scheme of education doubt in
many schools the criticism still justified but is encouraging
TO note that for better conditions under
the matter is receiving the serious attention which merits
There little danger that the pendulum will swing far
in the opposite direction but at the time should be borne
in mind that football and all other athletics carried on in the
right spirit and with due regard to the place they should occupy
which they can receive in no other We do not
imply that physical development could be hered by
forms of exercise; what have in mind the spirit of
sport which developed by the right of athletic
To illustrate what do better than refer
to little talk which we heard father make at meeting of
this week. We omit because want the readers
attention directed the point of the story rather per-
sonties This fathers boy has been trying to make the high
school football team He has been permitted play part the
time several but he has hard competition for the par
cuar place he is seeking Now here's which
took place between the lad and his mother after Of the games
"Douy "Do you ,l, think K; you'll make the tean'"
"But you ought to have some idea about it,
We'll know this if play better than the other boy III
get the place"
"Bu isn't there something you can do to help YOU to get s
moments pause marked by signs of sober reflection on
youthful brow and then the 81 don't the place
the other boy play better than l can"
Now submit that the boys father had abundant
Tor the satisfaction which he when he pointed
his had acquired the spirit of sport which serve him
well not only school but also later in life a citizen Is there
important lesson for child adult than
that the place he wins the great game of he success he
achieves III of human endeavow be and Justly
should be determined by his ability his personal WORTH
This lad had no idea of using pulp influence any sort
rortng sort of unfair practice coveted
place. the lesson had been planted deep his that he was
to be the architect of his fortune and whatever might be
the result there would be no jealousy spirit Of envy
ior the sake OF the team and the school, he PLAYER
to win out, regardless of his personal ambitions
Now just suppose this spirit carried into the bust
world into the political realm and all the phases of
the big life gamedont you think it would make vast change
IN the whole thng If the lesson which this boy has learned
as football player if the spirit which he has acquired sport
were dominant in society wouldn't be long before would
have the better world of which dream.
After all said and done the great reoraons which make
or the betterment and the upt of mankind through
the individual because society whole will be better
than the sum total OF the units composing it. If through the
of clean sports schools and colleges succeed
imbung the coming generation with the ideals which have taken
possession of this Chckasa lad of the difficult problems
which pepex will be long way the toward solution
line schools are serving their purpose well when athletic
are used to convey such lessons.