The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-11-09

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ana State university's star pass re-
ceiver, all decked out in baseball
catcher's regalia. You may not like
it, but still it's publicity.
impossible. Football is being played
at approximately $50 colleges, and
less than 10 per cent of those schools
have been represented on All-Amer-
lea teams. It is obviously unfair
to attempt the selection of IL men
out of the 10000 and more who
play the game.
Neglected Heroes
Figuring loosely we find that be-
tween five and six hundred colleges
have never had an All-America foot
ball player. It's just bit far-fetched
to assume that those schools haven't
had players worthy of the honor.
Some of them certainly have had
standout performers who deserved
the rating. Among their well-drilled
numbers are bound to be equals of
those picked, but in the narrowing
down process many are neglected
because of the comparative unim-
portance of their school.
That's where the college publicity
Office enters into the scheme of
things. Their job is to build up
any promising candidate. His name
must be known from coast to coast.
Sports writers are targets for pub
licity releases extolling the virtues
of Lawrence (Can me Larry Blap,
Podunk colleges sure-fire All-Amer-
lea end. Some of the publicity-in
fact, most of it's perfectly legiti-
mate. It cites facts and figures.
At other times the publicity is mean
ingless. Crackpot stuff developed
with a feature" angle It is for
tunate that the latter type is frowned
upon by most schools.
The larger schools get the breaks
when All-America selections are
made. It is only natural that a
brighter light is focused on them
during the season. Untold thousands
of fans eagerly await the outcome
of a Minnesota-Notre Dame game
and watch the individual perform
ances. How many of those fans
know what's happening at Jones'
vile State Teachers college?
Power In Names
That doesn't mean, of course, that
the small college fails to produce its
share of what should be All-America
players. 1t does mean that those
potential gridiron greats are neg
leeted, except locally, because all
too few people know of them or are
interested in them.
Many of the smaller college teams
are indicated by the professional
squads. A surprising number of lit
tie known schools are represented
on pro rosters. They are chosen for
their ability. It is true that many
big name players are picked each
year. Highly publicized, they mean
increased box Office returns. Anoth-
er surprising feature is the fact that
SO many All-America selections fail
to make good IN the pro ranks while
the lads from small colleges contin-
ue to play heads-up football year
after year.
All this is no reflection on the
men who select All-America teams.
They are usually conscientious and
as careful as possible In their Sc
lections. But an analysis of the
situation minimiZes the value of
picking III men as the best players
of the nation. There are too many
teams and too many players.
Regardless of the obvious unfair
ness, the average fan would not dis
pense with All-America selections.
He wants his players rewarded. He
hopes his judgment viii be vindi-
Gated.
And hope still springs eternal in
the human breast.