Eastern Kentucky University Encompass The Athlete Kentucky High School Athletic Association 11-1-1964 The Kentucky High School Athlete, November 1964 Kentucky High School Athletic Association Follow this and additional works at: http://encompass.eku.edu/athlete Recommended Citation Kentucky High School Athletic Association, "The Kentucky High School Athlete, November 1964" (1964). The Athlete. Book 100. http://encompass.eku.edu/athlete/100 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association at Encompass. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Athlete by an authorized administrator of Encompass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HiqhkhoolAthMe K. H. S. A. A. SCHOOL FOR BASKETBALL OFFICIALS n (Left to Rijht) Front Row: Jack Wise, R. 10; Jerrv Kimmel. R. 4; Charlie Viitiiur, Siliool Direilor; E. B. Mav. Jr., R. 15: Gordon Reed. R. 9. Second Row: Ernie Ihattin. R. lb: Bill Nau, R. 13; Roy Settle. R. 3; Rov Winchester. R. 8; Howard Gardner, R. 6: Turner Elrod. R. 'i. Third Row: Norman Hammonds. R. 2; Claude Ricketts, R. 7; Goebel Ritter. R. 1 4 ; Rex Alexander. R. 1: Harr\ Stephenson. R. 11. Official Organ of tlie KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION November, 1964 ; Public Pressures intentions is most cases are good. However, these groups have been known to encourage Editor's nofe: This excellent' article, "Public Pressur- special athletic events, such as all-star es and Their Effects on Athletics," was written by games, state championships, intersectional Robert J. Weber, Director of Athletics, State Univer- or interstate contests, and other similar type sity of New York, State Teachers College, Courtland, activities. These New York. It appeared in the May issue of the games are usually advertis- "Ohio High' School Athlete," having first appeared in ed as being benefit contests. ihe NASSP bulletin. UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS One distinguishing feature of the inter- ON ATHLETES scholastic athletic program is the desire of The administrator should be able not only the public to watch local athletes partici- to identify pressure groups, but also to be pate. Naturally, the spectators prefer to see aware of the effects on athletics as a result their team win and with this desire for of public pressure. Some of the more unde- winning teams come attempts to improve sirable effects are described below. the school's chances of winning, plus a will- Over-emphasis upon winning. Knowing ingness to give special recognition and that his future depends upon winning teams, awards to athletes who perform exceeding- the coach will put excessive pressure on ly well. Generally speaking, the public himself and the athletes to the neglect of means well and in some instances their other aspects of the program. When the efforts prove to be worth while. However, public uses as its main criteria of a success- there are too many public groups causing ful coach the number of games he wins, undesirable effects on the total athletic pro- then it must follow that the coach will make gram through mis-directed pressures. The winning his ultimate goal no matter what problem of the educational administrator effect it may have upon others. Such a be- today is how to keep the interest of the lief is certainly contrary to sound educa- public and yet control or eliminate various tional philosophy. pressures. The use of key athletes, regardless of PRESSURE GROUPS physical condition. The win - at - all - costs First of all, it must be understood that theme has caused coaches to use valuable the general public is noted for its stron? players in crucial games when normally competitive spirit, and, as long as the pub- they would not play. Even though there may lic attends athletic contests, there will be be no immediate ill effects upon the player, pressures brought to bear to improve the such practices are certainly contrary to ac- chances of winning. With this in mind, ad- cepted health standards. ministrators should analyze the local situa- Public criticism of the coach. Criticism tion in an attempt to determie what groups usually comes with losing teams during might exert undue influence upon the ath- which time the coach needs encouragement letic program. The groups described below rather than discouragement. Regardless of have been known to exert their feelings, how hard a coach may be working, regard- good or bad, upon school athletics. less of the lack of good material, or of the Booster or Quarterback Clubs. These clubs fine influence of the coach upon the boys, are usually formed with one basic purpose the public demand for winning has brought in mind which is to foster and improve the about the release of many fine teacher- local school athletic program. Leadership is coaches. the key to the success of such organizations. Participation in championship or all-star Without proper guidance, numerous prob- games. Problems in this area have occurred lems can be created unnecessarily. when different publics have attempted to Parents. This group of fans might be di- exploit outstanding teams or players by vided into three problem areas: first, par- having them participate in specially arrang- ents of athletes who aren't playing enough ed championship contests or all-star games second, parents generally dissatisfied with despite the many adverse effects upon the how things are being run (this complaint is individual athletes and the school. In many usually associated with losing teams) ; and cases such participation is encouraged pri- third, parents of gifted athletes who want marily to bring glory and fame to the com- to exploit their children's athletic ability. munity. Sports writers and announcers. Problems Presentation of special awards to winning brought about by this group usually come teams and outstanding athletes. Athletes about through attempts to create material should be encouraged to participate for the for special interest stories. values to be derived from competition and Promoters of special events. These people should not be stimulated to participate are normally associated with civic or fra- through the giving of expensive awards. ternal groups within the communitj^ whose (Continued on Page Eight) The Kentucky High School Athlete Official Organ of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association VOL. XXVII—NO. 4 NOVEMBER, 1964 $1.00 Per Year College Recruiting allowed to make up work missed during periods of college visitation. The coach of (This report was given by K.H.S.A.A. Commission- any college seeking the services of a high er Ted Sanford during a Worltshop Session of the 45th school feel Annual National Federation Meeting, held at Jackson player would certainly that he Lake, Wyoming, on June 28-July 1, 1964.) would have a right to invite the player to There are many problems which arise at the college campus. NCAA regulations say: the high school level with respect to college "A member institution may finance one recruiting. Any one of these might well be and only one visit to its campus for a given discussed in a meeting such as this for a prospective student-athlete, such visit not long period of time. However, since time is to exceed two days and two nights." If of the essence in a panel discussion, I will numerous coaches thus exert their preroga- list briefly several college recruiting prob- tive in this area, should the high school lems which have come to my attention, with principal and coach discourage the athlete the thought that most of my allotted time missing days of school? might be devoted to questions and answers The Exploiting Of College Entertainment and to discussion from the floor. All over the United States colleges are Visitation By College Representatives entertaining high school athletes who know NCAA regulations say: "Any staff mem- when they accept this entertainment that ber or other representative of a member in- they will not enroll in the colleges involved. stitution desiring to visit a prospective stu- This is a matter of ethics, of course. It is dent-athlete at the student-athlete's high probable that no legislation can be devised school shall first contact the principal or at the high school or college level which will his authorized representative, explain the result in any particular individual being purpose of his call and request permission honest when his inclinations are apparently to contact the student-athlete. Only if per- otherwise. However, I think that every mission is granted may the contact be made principal, coach, and parent involved with a at the high school." This rule is being ob- student-athlete should do everything in his served carefully by most institutional rep- or her power to speak out against the abuse resentatives, although home contacts with mentioned and to get this message over to student-athletes are apparently getting out the high school athletes. If there is educa- of hand. The average principal or coach tional value in athletics, and I think that takes a dim view, I believe, of contacts made there is, we must all work harder at the by institutional representatives with their job of getting the message of ethics and athletes during the school day, but they can honesty over to the players who are under do little about home visitations. A player our supervision. sought by twenty or thirty institutions, who Recruitment of Juniors does not make his selection of colleges with- It has been reported in some areas of the in a few days after the signing date, might country that institutional representatives well be in a state of shock, along with his are becoming active in the contacting and parents, after he has been exposed to the recruiting of high school juniors, especially pressure of big time recruiting.