The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1960-11-25
of TIMES
HOW Good
Are Polls?
BY LOU FARRO
Times Sports Editor

There's one thing certain about athletic polls
plenty of fans will disagree with them-no matter what
the team standings may be.
And so the question is asked: how accurate are
team ratings compiled by the major wire services?
The question is timely for Diocesan high school
fans-especially for those loyal Watterson followers
who were disappointed because they felt the unbeaten
Eagles weren't given their Just due.
WATTERSON CERTAINLY there will be some
who will dispute the statement had the strongest team
in Franklin County and all bordering counties.
THE EAGLES PILED up $50 points and allowed
Ill while winning all nine of their games. Among Wat
terson's victims were Linden-McKinley, City League
c~o-champion, and Greenfield-McClai South-Central
Ohio League hampton.
Watterson got no attention in earliest ratings, a
bare notice in later ones and fairly good support in
the final polls in which they were ranked above all in
Central Ohio. Ironically, the Eagles picked up their
biggest voting strength the Monday after a weekend
in which they didn't even play. Their season had ended
the week before.
Switching to the national scene for a moment,
Missouri shot to the top in both polls after Minnesota
was upset by Purdue. But did the Nilsson Tigers de-
serve the top spot?
BOB NEAL, sPoRTscAsTER for the ABC net.
work, said "any one of five Big Ten teams could beat
Missouri" Neal, who handles the NCAA ~televlslon
game of the week, made his comment at the St. Charles
High School Alumni banquet last week.
The well-known sports announcer, a Catholic,
punctuated his remark by declaring the best football
is played in the Midwest.
"That's his opinion would be the sharp reply
from Missouri fans and those who voted for the Tigers
in the polls.
OPINION. THAT'S the key word. After all, the
ratings reflect the sum total Of opinions of those vot-
ing. And opinions aren't immune to inaccuracy. And
If opinions aren't immune to error neither are the
polls.
A perfect example of what we mean occurred
several years ago. In final tabulations, one wire SER
vice labeled Ohio State No. / in the country. Another
tabled Auburn as best in the nation. Both couldn't be
right.
SPORTS EDITORS and coaches who vote in the
polls. don't have the time to make accurate judgments.
it's impossible for them to be positive about relative
strengths of teams. This is especially true IN the high
school polls. And in Watterson's case, the school isn't
well known outside Of Central Ohio. This hurts too.
Although polls aren't perfect, they are very use
full. They still give fans a good picture of what teams
are the strongest. And that's what the fans want. Polls
are here to stay, and rightly so.
ONE or THE BEST Catholic Youth Council foot
ball seasons has just ended. Some 600 grade school age
boys on 80 teams had the opportunity of playing foot
BAH in the eyes five leagues.
a WORD OF HANKS is in order for the team
coaches and their assistants who devoted their time
to this useful program.
Certainly deserving Of recognition is jim RelSer
of Holy Name Parish, who supervised the program as
mems recreation director. Jim worked long and hard
to insure smooth operation of the grid program.
Championship teams are:
st. Agnes $50, Lightweight League; Our Lady Of
Peace $50, Light-Heavyweight st. Augustine 900
Middle-HeaVyweight; Immaculate Conception CO.
HEAVYWEIGHT: and st. Leo (4-1-n, B~antamWeight.
to attend the annual basketball Mission Prevue"
which will be held this Saturday at Hartley High
School.
Not only will fans be able to get a peak at eight
Diocesan cage teams, but more Importantly, they'll be
aiding the Diocese's 20 rural missions.