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Show backseat thriving Mi I By FRANK K. BAKER II Taltgram Sport Editor Behind the high hopes and brave expectations for iports improvement in 1941 lie a flock of resolutions some articulate, others without evident expression that prove the nation's sports figures are an extremely human set of folks. Most athletes and sports figures take their resolutions seriously, too. Theirs are not the fashionable whim of a moment's conclusion. con-clusion. No sir, they represent the earnest expression of a heartfelt heart-felt desire to do something definite toward a betterment of their sport. Thafa because most athletes are proud, proud to the point rf continually wanting to excel. A youngster just breaking into a game dreams of some day becoming a champion. If that hope is gone, the individual cherishes the thought of at least being able to bfat a few acquaintances of his own age, physical condition con-dition and background. Fortunately, this urge to beat somebody or Improve never iteems to be satisfied. It's the spirit that drives one-legged golfers and skiers to almost unbelievable heights. It's the generating power behind players who learn to golf surprisingly well despite the loss of a hand or an arm. And it's the factor that enables players to endure grueling practice hours in quest of the perfection they need for stardom. No ten-year-old determining that henceforth he'll not be late to school will tackle his task more resolutely than the club golfer who figures that with a little more practice he could check all those humiliating losses to his partner in the law firm. And no resolution was ever more sincere than that of the impetuous individual who swears that from here on he'll not let his temperament upset his game. It's easy to visualize what many of the well known athletic characters would resolve if they had to make a formal declaration declara-tion at the beginning of the new year. No matter what else General Manager Eddie Mulligan of the Salt Lake Bees has on his mind In the way of uncovering uncov-ering new pitchers and Improved grandstand facilities at Community park, you're almost certain to find him resolved to get a harder hitting outfield combination. Speaking of baseball, it's a good bet that Jack Bowen has vowed many a time since last summer that he'll do something about gaining pitching control this year or give up his baseball hopes altogether . . . And Cleveland's Ken Kcltner has undoubtedly determined long, long ago that he'll stick to third basing from here on out and avoid such unfavorable situations like he ran into last winter by applying for unemployment compensation during the off season. I'ootball gives us Referee Pat Fricscll with his resolution resolu-tion to give only four downs this year.. .Tom Harmon with his avowed determination to forego the professional game... and Colorado university with a plea for a new coach ... but that's not all... It affords us four local officials who have long since resolved as an aftcrmjth of the Utah-Arizona game to read up thoroughly on the rules governing an on-side kick. . . Not to mention Utah's Coach Ike Armstrong who has undoubtedly decided he'd not hold any more impromptu debates on the field with of ficials and rival coaches ... even it in his own confusion... con-fusion... he did influence officials to give his team a "break." For that matter, the weather man might well resolve to give Utah a little better break in football weather this year . . . atoning, aton-ing, perhaps, for the snow which so drastically reduced the crowds for the Colorado State and Idaho games of 1940. Utah and Utah Aggies could well resolve to exploit their ' spacious new field houses a little more by holding a couple of dual indoor track meets . . . All three of Utah's members of the Big Seven Utah, the Aggies and Brigham Young university could start paying more attention to carry-over sports such as golf, baseball and skiing. Finally, it wouldn't be such a bad resolution for all of us myself included to try to put ourselves in the player's shoes ... so we can try to visualize how we'd have acted under similar conditions .... before we start censoring him for a mental or physical bobble . . . And I'm sure that even a small return on all these high resolves will help us go a long way toward an improved sports program for the coming 12 months. |