Montana labor news., 1936-12-03
OPEN FORUM
In Answer to Article Appearing in
Montana Labor News, Issue of
Nov. II, Entitled fans OBJECT
TO THE IL MINUTE QUAR-


TIERS"
Quote: (From official football rules
of the National Collegiate Athletic
Association for 1886, Section l, Rule
4, Item 3, special note)
"The Rules Committee recon-
mends and urges that Preparatory
ana High School games be limited
to a maximum of 48 minutes, divided
into 4 periods Of II minutes each. II
Junior High School games are played
they should be limited to 80 minutes,
divided into 4 periods Of 8 minutes
each"
I feel that the opinion expressed
in the Montana Labor News, issue
of Nov. u, is harbored by a very
small minority. On the whole, the
mass of spectators at every game are
ION the boys side" Possibly one
out of a thousand wouldn't appre-
ciate the purpose of the 12-minute
rule. The coaches throughout Amer
lea are responsible for the above
rule. They incorporated it into the
football set-up, solely for the pro-
lection Of their players.
Let it be known that the game Of
football is essential to the happiness
and well-being of American Youth
It develops bodies and minds;
teaches cooperation. 1t bridges the
gap between the young and the ma
ture by stimulating in parents and
friends an interest in Youth which
no other phase of schooling has yet
been able to even initiate. In fact,
it was public demand and enthusi-
asm which incorporated football into
the school curriculum. Surely then,
it is not unreasonable to expect these
same fans to appreciate the many
phases Of the game, Football is re-
sponsible for developing and discov-
ering many gifts in boys which
would have been wasted and left in
their dormant state if football had
not unearthed them and brought
them to the fore. Too, opportunities
which would not have been within
the reach of many boys are now Of
fered them through the game of foot
ball.
BUT-please consider the follow
ing:
In the September issue of Good
Housekeeping, Bob Considine stated
that about 1OO,O 900 boys would be in
iured in the 1886 football season.
Approximately 10000 Of this num-
Der would be high school boys who
would receive PERMANENT IN
JURIES. A total of from 80 to 40
boys would meet DEATH So much
for 1886.
Why not challenge the rules gov
erning fouls, age limits, dangerous
equipment, etc? All these rules Of
fer protection to the players-which
is the purpose of the time rule. Have
you considered the responsibility
that coaches feel toward their play
ers and the parents of players?
Coaching is not made easier by such
uncalled-for and inhuman opinions.
Consider, too, that in addition to
hours, days, weeks and months of
training, boys are required to main
tain decent scholarship records. In
order to carry on they must, or
should, keep physically fit.
OF those who feel that 12-minute
quarters rob them Of their moneys
worth, or who feel that the success
and glamour of the game should be
measured by the complete exhaus-
ton of contestants-we feel free to
demand the following;
l. That you contribute literally to
the expenses incurred by players
through injuries received.
2. That you guarantee these boys
a secure future which will compen-
safe for all sacrifices made for your
amusement.
3. That you play a better game
yourself, with no time limit.
4. That you remain at home and
not burden the players with your
boredom. Much as the boys appre-
ciate your support, nothing justifies
the demands you make upon them
Yours, for more football, and APP
preciative spectators,
S. D. GRIFFITHS,
Butte High School.