The Phoenix index., 1941-03-15
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National Basketball Tourney Experiment
Runs Into Serious Problems But Definite
Step In Right Direction; Clark Declines
By LUc7us Melanchozu Zones

THE DETERMINED EFFORT of Knoxville College
alumni in Cincinnati to stage the first national nercoleg
late basketball tournament in history should with fav
orabe reaction all over the country.
Negro college football has of age. Traditional
classics provided less local interest
stitutions involved But recently, the Orange Blossom and
Peach Blossom Classics have originated.
Just the first of the current year. the first
Bowl Classic into being: No longer will "myhical'
rational football titles abound with so much prevalence
that twice and hrcebeaten clubs will try figure them
selves into position of national emnence.
The Peach and Orange Blossom Classics and the Stee
Bowl dream game will take care of that henceforh and
forever
competition with football Thus similar development along
promotlona lines that has, been made in regard football
certainly is in line for basketball
Two years ago, President |R. B. Atwood of Kentucky
state College at Frankfort sent out eeers seeking the
reaction of recognized Negro sports editors the country
to national intercollegiate basketball tournament of sepia
Mr. Atwood's plan was ITO have rotating host yearly
with the four major confer filling the role each in
It's turn with participation restricted to eight teams-the
No and No 2 clubs of the respective loops.
By way of Mr.. Atwoods plan. the coIorfu tournament
could be off SUCCESSFULLY either three two days
whatever met the favor 1.-THE majority The tournament
would decide the undisputea national basketball champion
just future years. the Steel Bowl Classic will inevi
tably decide the national champion.
AS tar as the naked eye Gan perceive, the plan now
underway in Cincinnati is simply adoption by private pro-
moers, either wholly in part Of the ideas of President
Atwood.
In fact, President Atwoods plan seems even more po-
tent this observer than to be the procedure
used by the Cincinnati sponsors in promoting their first
annual national basketball tournament.
The Cincinnati KnoSaeailt College Alumni, headed by
Leon Render former sa Ed of the 1928 929 1891
Knoxville Bulldogs, conaasas poll of the leading ten
sor seams OF edn the county, @ the reaction Of the leading
T@i then M EsA to sssnss sopse hf in hs
national tournament. ) r tM"2
read: IT Ely ' '''
Xavier, Virginia Unbn IQsArk, North Carolina State
Sentucky ks State West XEg State, Tusegee Virginia
state North Carolina Aand T. Morgan Florida, Johnson
Z. Smith and Morris Brown lRthat order.
and Seyera T no of those fu M aped invitations but Clark
aho va Union made flat and, yet Xavier
Is JUST ehdng OOuthW8sS1 tour and has not been signed
Thus, is clear the first annual national intercollegiate
basketball tournament experiment is in jeopardy
Should CLARK Virginia Unon and Xavier fail to compete
there is no way in the world official stamp could
placed upon the meet settlement of the national title
no matter who else participates
For the simple that Xavier is champion of two
conferences the SlAC and Southwest-and sports the
most impressive record in Negro basketball 81 straight
victories TO date In fact Xavier has lost only seven STAG
contests IN the entire history the school, Equally sing
uar is the fact that Xavier has been beaten at home bu
oNE me IN the history of the Coored Catholic institution
- 10 have national basketball tournament without
Xavier THIS YEAR would be have an American League
without the New York Yankees. Meanwhile Clark and Vr
gnla Unon second rankefs in their respective confer
ence pack more national prestige than either North Caro-
ma state or Bishop newspaper winners in the CIAA
and Southwest this year =
De Hart Hubbard. former Olvmpc and world broad
Jump champion, working with the Cincinnati tournament
promotion committee petitioHed for his ranking
OF the top ten sepla teams Of the country month ago
ton OF the first annual national basketball tournament The
past Saturday afternoon he talked with the column bv long
distance from Cincinnati effort to bag Coach Ralph
u hoDnsOns signature On.a contract leading to Carks
participation in the proposed Nlarch 21-22 meet
Uo An i mo "ns eee luck E % %snts HGs out o Ditto N yrgH @
the attempt alone, in initial collapse represents
progress BY 1872 locks certain real national ourna