The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-18
IN Sports Pan
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BY Roy Cook
BY Roy Cook

Yesterday we talked with one of the original sponsors
# the movement to organize a Sports Underwriting AS.
niation here $50. We asked him why the movement was
Tanned and he gave us this reason. Said he. "Whero CON
70 stage boxing, swimming, or for that matter. anv TYNE
If indoor sport! :. Ihls IS not a new question, we have
Sn yeIping about the indoor sports situation here for
months.
The idea was a good one and we were 100 percent be.
hind the plan offered -. But we raised the question If q
rre to stage the events then and we still saw Wilmino.
I'm Inn needs a modern athletic plant.
We have seen several local promoters trv tn STAGE hox
ng. wrestling and other indoor sports here. all failed and
mst because of one reason. A place large enough and suit-
ge to hold the shows. 1t is heartbreaking for = nromoter
o halvhoo his attractions and find that local citizens will
not travel out to the Barn" to witness any type of sport.
The only sport that Wilmington can play host In favor
ably is perhaps Football :. The American Legion Stadium
can take care of approximately 5000 fans, which included
ap removable bleacher seats on the east side If tho f;old
We will probably be taken to task by other sports
writer's for our stand on this situation, but we will still hold
to the fact that before Wilmington can promote athletic
events with any measure of success, it must have some place
10 hold the events.
We agree that it is a wise move to plan swimming
meets, basketball games and boxing or any other type of
indoor events here. But, let's look at this with an omen
mind The promoters cannot continue to lose money on
every card or show presented.
A point we would like to make clear in our aroumo ont
for a new indoor sports arena for this city is this. and we
cite an example that will prove our point next month.
The directors OF the Southeastern North Carolina Gold
en- Gloves tournament, to be sponsored by the James Man.
ley post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. are having to
erect removable bleacher seats in the Cape Fear Armory
on Market street. The rental fee, without the cost of plac-
ing the seats will average $50 per night.
In order to meet the building requirements, the com.
mhtee has discovered that after the ring has been installed
space for only 1850 seats can be found. This brings q
problem to the sponsors of the event.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars are not seeking to make
money on the Golden Gloves. They are seeking to provide
this section with some good clean boxing and they want
10 present the bouts as cheaply as possible.
But with the seating capacity limited at 1,050, it ma
tualy becomes necessary to increase the price of admis-
sion. More than 1000 persons will want to see the fights,
but will have to be turned away and the VFW stands a very
good chance of ending up in the ''red.' And nothing can
be done about it.
Yes, we agree that many. many sports should be held
here. but, it can't be done until some suitable place is built
TO hold them.
The sports minded citizens deserve a modern athletic
plant. This can only be done with the wholehearted SUD-
port Of every fan. We invite your opinions.