OCR Text |
Show X Value of Athletics, t From Viewpoint of H. S. Boy An East high school pupil, complying with a call for an essay, wrote on the subject of the desirability of athletics in (he public schools. Some may not agree with this boy's views as to the superiority of athletics over military drilling as a means of promoting physical conditions, and these have a right to their own opinionsso opin-ionsso has the boy. The essay follows fol-lows : , WHY should a large majority of the students of this high school take part in athletics? We have frequently fre-quently heard the assertion that they ghould do so. and few of us, indeed, have taken exception to the declaration. declara-tion. Yet, despite this apparent agreement concerning the need for a larger representation of the student stu-dent body in the athletic activities of the school, we find that still only a minority of the boys are participating. partici-pating. The reason is that we favor gneral athletics without fully undemanding un-demanding why. An analysis of the benefits of athletics will go a long way toward the goal desired the participation of every boy in some form of sport. There are at least three important impor-tant reasons for universal athletic training in the schoois the duty which every student owes to his school, the physical benefits derived and the mental advantages which such activities bring to the race itself. THE phrase, "duty to his school," is not used simply in the sense that a boy should help win victory and honor for his alma mater. This Is a point, to be sure; he who has not been taught to be loyal to the colors and traditions of his school and the T wistful desires of his schoolmates Is not likely to be loyal to any person or any cause. The greater duty, how-eve1", how-eve1", Is that of contributing- his share to the unity of the students of his srhool-the co-operation in various school activities which, in later life, is such a powerful force in the community. com-munity. No activity has proved more effective In arousing this unity, this "school spirit," than athletics. The second reason why more bovs should take part in athletics Is the physical benefits which the training brings. What is to counter balance the hours of study if not athletics? The city boy no longer has physical duties at home which give his muscles the needed exercise, nor does the use of gymnasiums promise a solution, rjymnasium class work, lacking the Ylemcnts of competition, fails to at-raet at-raet boys, and as soon as gymnasium exercises are given this element of competition, arousing the desire for victory, they become forms of athletics. ath-letics. jlJlUTARY training is even less successful, in giving the desired exercise; first, because it is actually diBliked by boys; second, because the exercises are stiff and set, not designed de-signed to strengthen the growing, supple muscles of boys; and, third, bf-cause the drill contains features which aro actually Injurious to the health of immature bodies, as proved by the report of the educational survey sur-vey tm mission which investigated I he schools of Salt Lake about a year ago. Moreover athletics demand a self-discipline which is not necessary in the gymnasium or the niliitarv organization. Good habits must be cultivated or virtory can never be won. Keeping of regular hours, and Spartan-like abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, and even candies, cakes, pies and jellies, are necessarv in athletics. ath-letics. The mental stimulus comes from the perfect state of hea(Lh which athletic ath-letic training produces. I have heard a thletes pay that they can studv much easier when in training than at any other lime. The ancient Greeks fully realized the point and made the most of it. The 'winner of an event in tiie great national games of the Greeks became a hero for life. The youth of every city was given training train-ing in athletics. The Greek was noted for his physical perfection, but even more for his intellectual powers. pow-ers. At a time when all the rest of the world was In darkness, the light of a high civiiizaHon shone on Grece. Ia it not significant that the race worshiped athletics? Tjien there are three reasons, in addition to mere enjoyment, why cv-erv cv-erv boy should rake part in athletics ath-letics tiie duty which he owes his 'school, the physical development which follows, and the Intellectual powers which perfect health gives to a nation. |