isa-normaladvance-1903-00071

Description:	THE NORMAL ADVANCE.71oughly. The finance committee made a reportwhich showed a net gain of over two hundred dollars, after buying all the necessary apparatus forsuch a meet. This is an example of a true liveathletic spirit which has done much toward developing a flourishing high school, that has thesupport of every citizen of that town.That school could be duplicated in every commissioned high school in the state, if the teachershave the proper interest and knowledge of athletics.The students must be met on a common leveland there is not a better place than the athleticpark or gymnasium. However, unless the teacherknows something about athletics he loses a goldenopportunity to enter into the life of the students.This is too often the condition, but if the teacherhas ever been a student in a college for any lengthof time, he has had the opportunity to acquirethese essentials.Recently a city superintendent visited a collegefor the purpose of procuring a high school teacher.His two requirements were scholarship and aknowledge of athletics and he chose the person whohad been the most active in athletic sports. Atthe present day the teacher who is most in demandis the college student who knows athletics and ishimself an athlete.Of course, every one can not be an athlete, buthe can know enough about the subject to be ableto teach and encourage pupils when he becomestheir teacher.Yet there are a few who object to athletics inany form in our schools. They like the old Jeware .opposed to anything except the prosaic andmotheaten. Persons ignorant of the subject can,indeed, make many objections. Some of theseare: That the contests are not held, fair thatthe officials are incompetent and dishonest, andthat contestants are sometimes allowed to take unfair advantage of their opponents. This is not afault of the sport, but of the officials and can notrightfully be credited to athletics. On the otherhand are not judges of debates and oratoricalssometimes dishonest and incompetent? Do notcontestants often plagiarize? Then should we beadverse to these also ? Happily this is the exception and not the usual condition in such cases.Another objection is that students spend too muchtime in athletics, and neglect their studies. Thisis surely sufficient ground for criticism, if it betrue, and perhaps at one time such was the case.But now, nearly all institutions do not allow persons on athletic teams who are not in full creditupon their scholastic record. Furthermore investigation shows that the strongest students in thecolleges generally are very active in athletic sports.They are also usually better fitted to go out intothe world-and overcome the obstacles which theynaturally meet in this strenuous commercial age,because they have become used to competition onthe gridiron, the field or the track. The studentgains in self-control and in cooperation. Hecomes in contact with students and visits otherschools, thereby broadening his experience andmaking himself a better man. He develops forhimself good, strong, brawny muscles, a full chestand a clear thinking brain. It inculcates himwith the habit of activity, which never will allowhim to become the slovenly, shiftless dry-goodsbox whittler. These are some of the things gainedby a study and practice of athletics and by allmeans let this good work be encouraged.Frank D. McElroy.Brazil, Ind.
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/33820
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

Further information on this record can be found at its source.