The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-12-07
LiquorUsed|
in Football
Carl1e,Clain|
Hastings High School Off.
cials File Charge Against
Grand Island Coach
and Players.
Counter Charges Filed

NOuiAlO1 Nlloi 5Oo ANO
Grand Island. Neb., Dec. 6.-Charges
that intoxicating liquor was used by
the Grand Island High school football
team to increase fighting spirit dur
ing the Hastings. Grand Island game
were filed with the Nebraska state
board OF control by officials of Hast.
ings.
The charges further state that the
players were deliberately coached to
~ rough tactics by Grand Island in.
structors and that similar disorderly
conduct was evident In the games at
Broken Bow, Lincoln and other
points.
Grand Island authorities have can
celled all basket ball games. with
Hastings and are preparing vigor-
Gus defense OF the Hastings charges
Football contests between the two
schools may be barred for 1924.
Hastings team came to Grand Is
land on Thanksgiving day. undefeat,
ed. 1t was followed by a large mum.
Der of boosters and there were eyi-
dences of their complete confidence In
taking away the game. They were
accompanied by band and their en-.
thusiasm was high. They were de-
feated by a score of 80 to O..
The merits of the game appear to
have been such that in filing their
charges with the state board the
Hastings authorities waived any claim
that the game should not be counted
or modified. superintendent Staley,
Principal Johnson and a Mr.. Kelly.
the latter purporting to represent the
players, appeared before the board
at meeting here and filed large
number OF affidavits Of Hastings citi-
zens In the alleged interest of high
school sports. The charges may be
summarized as being against the
Grand Island coach. the Grand Island
team and the Grand Island crowd.
Other Towns Complain.
In connection with the afidavits,
kilograms were fled with the state
board from Broken Bow, Fremont and
Aurora, all complaining Of the dis
orderly playing of the team away
9fn home. Mr.. Kelly, in an impas-
stoned address to the board, character
lied the record as one in which Grand
Island left trail of broken bones
from Lincoln to Broken Bow, adding
that the kilograms from these other
cities had been sent to him without
solicitation. The charges include:
That the Grand Island coach open
ly urged dirty football and that the
players followed directions.
That because of Grand Islands tac-
tics there was some retaliation by
Hastings.
That the game finally went out OF
the control OF the officials. citing an
instance In which Kelly, Hastings
player, had tackled a Grand Island
player and had him down Tor the
third time before the referee blew
the whistle.
That liquor was furnished to the
Grand Island players between halves
under the grandstand. (The affidavit
of a Hastings dentist stating that he
saw this. is attached)
That there was intoxication in the
crowd. This charge being contained
in the affidavits of a number of Hast
ings women that language Of a most
insulting nature was openly used.)
That group OF young fellows back
of the grandstand spat upon the mem.
bers Of the band.
That appeals to the police were
either laughed at or were met with a
statement that they could do nothing.
Principal johnson Noncommittal.
1t Is stated that members of the
state board made some informal and
npreliminary inquiry Of Principal john
IN Of the Hastings schools, the reply
Of the latter being that he had been
at the ticket window during the early
part of the game and had not OBJ
served what was going on on the
grounds.
The state board fixed no date at
which the hearing Of these charges
will be held. The local school author.
ities will make defense, In some In
stances even by pictures Of the plays.
Affidavits. they say. will be shown of
such incidents as a Hastings fan
throwing lime in the faces OF Grand
Island players.
Superintendent Gates has asked the
athletic board to cancel any games In
basket ball made with Hastings this
year or, II none have been arranged
for, that no Hastings game be booked.