The Wilmington morning star., 1947-10-18
mi SPORTS PAN ...
w 49, BY Roy Cook
BY Roy Cook

Yesterday, we printed a letter from "A Shorts Fan -
who said ne was an ardent and loyal fan of football and
the New Hanover Wildcats in particular.
The writer praised the Wildcats of last wear hut added
quite a lou Oh crltlclsm OF the coaches and the. general
football setup at New Hanover High school this season.
We pointed out yesterday that this column does mt
always agree with the opinions of contributors and we
would like to make a couple of things clear.
To begin with it is a known fact that Wilmington
sports fans are as a whole hard to please. Not onlv do the
fans lose patience and become disguised when the local
teams hit a losing streak, they insist on jumping on the
manager, officials and coaches of the various sports pro-
grams.
Coach Leon Brogden was attacked rather viciouslv nv
the letter writer for his decisions. The writer apparently
blames everything on the coach. He blames Brogden for
not using good Judgement and for letting PLAYERS sit IN
the bench and other things.
We have known Coach Leon Brogden since he came
to New Hanover High school, and although sometimes we
do not agree with the coach, we have found him to he q
hard worker, CONSCIENTIOUS in his efforts to give New Han
over a winning team, not only in football, but basketball
baseball and other sports.
The remarks aimed at the coach were a little harsh,
in our opinion. Perhaps many of the local fans can remem-
Der, not so many years ago, only a handful of fans went
out to see the Wildcats in action.
Since Brogden has been head coach at MINIS, the at
tendance at the various athletic events has reached record
highs. Several outstanding athletes have been produced
under the watchful eye of the genial coach.
Before taking pot shots at Brogden, the fans should
take it upon themselves to trek out to the 18th and Ann
streets drill field on any afternoon to see the Wildcat team
in practice. We ask them to note the careful way in which
BrOgden explains the mistakes to each boy. Notice also
the cool, leVeleQ headed way IN which he gives them in
structions.
Think back over a period of years, compare the athletic
setup IN New hanover county then with the program that
has been placed into effect since Brogden came here.
We have spent a lot of time with Brogden in his work
and have found him cooperative in many ways. He does
not like to talk much and it is awfully hard to get material
for a story on his team. But We can understand his posi-
ton, He dislikes for the writer's to throw verbal bouquets
at the players, nor does he like to have them critized when
they make mistakes.
We remember the swell baseball program Brogden
organized during the summer and most of his time was
donated. But, fans seem to forget all this when the Wild
cats lose a ball game.
OF athletics in this county can get along with his fans is
to win every bail game, which is impossible.
The mechanic is no better than his tools, and we think
much OF the criticism of Brogden should be leveled at his
players. He can only tell them what to do and if they fail
to carry out his instructions, the fans jump on the coach
Lets study the facts before We hurl mud.
Maybe the fans are to blame.