The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-07-02
Athletics Due
BigBoostby
Change
BY GARRETT WATERS


An important point has been
won by Birch E. Bayh in the
new revolutionary program for
the high schools, now in the
hands of the present school board
set-up, and which is 70 be passed
for the 1867 term beginning in
the fall.
1t is fact that Bayh, energetic
and full of ideas for high school
athletics, has at last the broad
powers supposed to be part OF
his position when he was brought
here last year.
This turn in events is indeed
fitting, proper and deserving.
There never was a more likable,
earnest or capable executive"
than Bayh when he first hit
town.
He knew what he wanted to
do, saw the possibilities for a
fine physical education program,
and understood the problems con-
fronting the student bodies OF
the five local high schools.
Unfortunately the Terre Haute,
Indiana, educator ran into many
difficulties when he began opening
up his program. Many knots were
to be united and it was well into
the football campaign of last fall
before he realized how difficult
those same knots were to be I'M
loosened
Old Order Before
A staid, SteadfaSt "old order"
ruled the high school system. The
policies, though very good on the
whole, were not as modern, or
workable" IL. me change of tempo
of the times. Too many people
tried to regulate athletics. There
was confusion, differences of
opinion.
In short, the crying need was APP
parent that one man should boss"
the "woikS." But that one man
had to be somebody who under
stood the set-up completely.
This realization now has come
to a head. Athletics in the high
schools should be better than ever
as the future unfoldS, particularly
after Bayh's understanding pro-
gram has had the chance to as
sert itself.
One of the first items Bayh has
before him is the coming interhigh
football series. He hopes to have
things "set" shortly after school
commences in September. He
must wait until then, since he
cannot get his new council Or
ganized until that time.
This council will be composed
of assistant principals of the
schools, and one physical educa-
ton director from each school.
The powers of this council will be
to govern interhigh competition,
formulate rules governing eligi-
bility, arrange schedules, manage
interhigh games and control
finances. This new group replaces
the former body known as the
board of faculty advisers which
handled interhigh athletics.
Nine New Items
Bayh has nine items in his new
program which he plans acting
upon to the nth degree, starting
in September. They regulate every
major sport in the schools and
they take in every conceivable
question which arises in interhigh
competition each year. The meat"
of the program is that each step
will be treated with the greatest
understanding.
In most every case athletics are
scrapped, such as football, which
allow teams to play only eight
games a season; basketball teams,
no more than 10 contests; baseball
mines, no more than II. and track
teams, no more than five meets
campaign.
But Bayh explains this in two
brief rules. Number One: Because
too many games are played for the
physical good of the boy. Number
Two: Because so many varsity
games have been played in the