Show e q ono SORT 1 TORI l o oo q o o By FR FRED M. M OLIVER O oeo Oi O e col mono PUBLICITY BOON TO GRID TEAMS It is remarkable what a dynamic influence publicity exerts in the establishment of reputations for rising football teams of the country Their real strength untested comparatively comparatively comparatively weak a grid machines have found a ranking spot in the thea minds of sporting fans cardinally because newspapers and press associations have literally donated their columns to the enhancement of their reputations Records of the last two seasons abound with notable cases in point In 1929 Tulane U of New Orleans was publicized extensively and its renown was acknowledged in every section of the country Its claim as a holder co-holder of the national grid title would have been disputed by few yet Tulane had only a fair and a mediocre record FORDHAM In 1930 the very antithesis of the previous years' years occurrence occurrence occurrence occur occur- rence rence appeared The same team Tulane U D with almost the identical grid eleven boasted a more impressive record yet had only a shadow of its 1929 reputation The singular distinction distinction distinction dis dis- between these two grid editions of Tulane U D was that publicity was lacking in 1930 and a fine football team suffered j thereby hereby Fordham's Fordham s case during the past season affirms even more mere decisively the contention With only a third-rate third grid team the New Yorkers were riding on the crest of ofa a generous outlay of favorable publicity that had boosted their stock earlier in the season But unfortunately for Fordham she had one tough game on her schedule and she struck her snag in St. St Marys Mary's Gaels of San Francisco The score was 6 20 and the bubble had For the remainder of the season Fordham was just another football football football foot foot- ball team to the fans HOW IT WORKS The layman ordinarily relics relies wholly on the postulations propounded in the sports pages of his favorite newspaper for opinion as to outstanding grid teams of the nation Too often however sports writ writers rs and press associations exhibit frank disregard for unbiased and unprejudiced comparisons These agencies like any others possess their favorites and upon the inclination of the moguls of the fourth estate rests mercilessly the fate and the reputation of the grid teams of the country Campaigns to publicize a particular grid machine originate in the locality of the teams team's maneuverings Local newspapers fill their own columns with favorable elucidation on the home teams prowess and at first opportunity induce a wide nation-wide press assod association tion to shoot a syndicated story over its wires Other press associations get hold of the story and they duplicate duplicate duplicate cate the performance Soon the entire nation is infested with witha a profusion cf high comment and the reputation of the little town home team is a reality Note A later article will treat on some of the ill effects which have grown out of the institution of publicity |