The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 18, 1949, Page Page Nine, Image 9
JOE MOLVNY, Sports Editor
LLOYD "1UNTINGTON JACK MORGAN
Afst Sports Editor Intramural Editor
LEONARD DUCK1TT,'Sports Feature Editor
It's No Bolony
BY
Joe Molony
Why Is Track So Backward?
Track and field events are the oldest present-day sports
of our, day and time. Our own track team can be compared
with other Southern Conference squads and won't suffer
from it.
But does the sport on a nation-wide scale compare with
baseball, football or basketball as a crowd-pleaser? Unfortu
nately, the answer is-no.
When anyone speaks of modern day sports he usually
links up an individual showman with the specific game. Such
performers as Bobby Jones in golf, Bill Tilden in tennis,
Jack Dempsey, boxing, Johnny Weissmuller in swimming
4 and the Home Run King of baseball, the late Babe Ruth, are
considered the greatest showmen of all time.
Who does track offer to compete with these great ath
letes for showmanship? Is it Jim Thorpe? Not hardly, for
he was remembered mostly for his ability as a football
player with the old Carlisle Indians. Can it be Paavo Nurmi
or Glenn Cunningham? These two milers were great run
ners in their day, but they could hardly compare with Ruth,
Tilden, etc., as showmen.
The excuse for this situation is logical. A spectator's at
tention cannot be centered upon any one performer when
three or four track events are being run off at the same
time. His gaze may center on the high jump bar one in
stance and then it may travel to the 220 low hurdle event.
Then, too, he may be bored by such uninteresting field
events as the discus-throw, javelin and the shot-put.
100,000 See Olympics
Contrary to the above facts, however, it must be remem
bered that the Olympic games are witnessed annually by
over 100,000 thrilled speetators. It is a well-publicized and
gala occasion.
Furthermore, schools like Boston, Butler and New York
Universities hold well-planned and interesting indoor track
and field events before large crowds. And in the outdoor
line, Philadelphia, Des Moines and California hold great
track and field shows to the delight of huge crowds-even
larger than the indoor events.
The programs of these major colleges should be studied
carefully by other lesser-publicized universities-Carolina in
cluded-and they should be used as a criteria by the smaller
schools.
If a sport is to grow, then it would seem that its drawing
power would have to pave the way for its advance. Track
is said to be played for the interest of the spectators, there
fore, in order to be a drawing card it must please the people.
Major colleges have accomplished this pleasant attitude
between spectator and performer by introducing contestants
before events are run off and presenting the participants
with awards on the order of the Olympic Victory Ceremony.
All these suggestions would help greatly to increase the
fans? enjoyment, build up a higher degree of interest and
create a more cooperative spirit among the contestants.
Lack of Interest? Too Many Diversions?
This brings to mind the plight of the University of South
Carolina's track team, which will begin its season shortly
9minus the services, of Scooter Rucks, a great dash man and
individual showman. .The crowds which have heretofore
gathered on Melton Field, aside from looking at the
"Scooter," have seemed somewhat bored on occasions. Could
it be that they are not too well educated on the intricacies
of this age-old sport? Or is it a matter of too much diver
sified activity at field and track meets here?
If a careful check were kept of the track crowd at Melton
Field and a concensus taken, it would be noted that more
than half of the spectators leave before the completion of
the meet. This proves beyond all doubt that the events are
too tiresome and drawn out and some even unnecessary to be
of any great interest to the average spectator.
A remedy for this situation is still being sought, but from
this corner it appears some time yet before the answer is
found.
NO BOLONY-.
Don Barton of The Record came up with a good idea the
other day in the gym. "Why not start a Hall of Fame at
Carolina," he suggested, "every other school of importance
has one--why not Carolina ?" It's a fine thought and should
be considered by those in a position to push it. . . . Under
doctor's orders, Bill Rutledge has abandoned boxing this
year. He re-injured an old knee injury against Virginia.
4. . . . Bill Griffin and Red Wilson are selling engraved letters,
cards, etc., at the Block C. They say if you don't like the
job your money'll be refunded . . . What impressed Coach
Jess Alderman mostly after the Citadel fights, was the fine
condition of his team. He was mighty pleased . . . Tech
nically, Carolina needs only one win in its remaining five
games to get a Southern Conference tournament bid, but
actually, two or three are needed after the disastrous week
up North at Greenville . . . A weekly sports quiz covering
interpretation of the rules, identification of individual stars
of the past, sports quotes, etc. will be held by The Gamecock
beginning next week. Dave Garvin, manager of the Carolina
Theatre, will give the winner two tickets to a show. The
first-correct answer received gets the tickets . .. Joe Grugan
would like to hold a horseshoe tournament in the next week
or so. If any student is interested, please contact Grugan
at his office in the gym or drop a line to No Bolony, % The
Gamecock .. . One prominent sports authority covering the
Citadel-Carolina fights gave Timmy WIggins 10 points in the
second round last week as against Ray Avant's six. It was
this round that decided the fight . . . Ari intramural golf
tournament will be held around April 18, the intramural
department announced. The tournament will be match play
and it is sponsored through the cooperation of the National
Golf Foundation, which will provide the certificates of award
and medals for the winners. The closing date for- entries
will be April 11 . . . There's a worthwhile affair going on
at Melton Field tonight at 8 o'clock-The Powder Bowl. The
rival sororities, Pi Phi's and Tri Delts, are donating all gate
receipts beyond expenses to the Carolina Orphanage. For
Waistlines Fall
As Footballers
Continue Work
By LEONARD DUCKETT
Warm sunny weather coupled
with calisthenics and track work Is
already beginning to play havoc
with the winter's accumulation of
waist lines as Carolina's footballers
ended their second week of spring
practice.
Precision ball handling, which
makes the Enright T work, and
physical conditioning still keynote
these early drills.
A man-sized job remains for
Coach Rex Enright and his staff
before the Gamecocks open their
tough nine-game schedule on Sept.
24 against Baylor at Waco, Texas.
Out of this large group of prospec
tive Birds he has on hand, he must
find replacements for such men as
Phil Alexander and Bill Estes at
tackles, Al Faress at guard and
Red Harrison at fullback.
Last year's freshman team
should provide answers for some
of these question marks, but a long
search must be made for guards,
the position that plagued Enright
last year. Probably the biggest
problem will be finding adequate
reserve strength for all line posi
tions.
The only casualties reported so
far in the drills are a few blis
tered heels, one case of heat ex
haustion, and many tired, aching
muscles.
Southern Boxing
Tourney Tickets
On Sale March 1
, Individual tickets for separate
days of the Southern Invitational
Boxing Tournament here March 24,
25, and 26 will go on sale March 1,
Mrs. Netta Melton, chairman of the
ticket committee, announced this
week.
It is expected that all tickets sold
for individual matches will neces
sarily be the poorer seats since all
the better sets will be sold in season
ticket blocks. Season tickets alone
will be sold until March 1.
Plenty of seats still remain but a
complete sell-out it, expected at
least several weeks before the first
match gets underway, Mrs. Melton
said. All seats will be reserved re
gardless of there whereabouts in
proximity to the ringside. The
prices, however, fall into one of
three categories. Season tickets for
ringside seats sell for $9.50. Single
tickets for the same seats are
priced at $3.00.
Reserved non-ringside season
tickets cost $8.75 with the individ
ual tickets for this same seat sell
ing for $2.75.
All student season tickets are
selling for $4.80. Individual stu
dent tickets for any one day's fight
ing will cost $1.20.
Students will he required to pre
sent their athletic card each time
they enter the field house for one
of the fights. Since this also in
cludes students from the other par
ticipating colleges it will be neces
sary for doormen to strictly en
force this, Mrs. Meltov said.
THE IlC
FAMOUS FOR HOlt
Hours -- Monday A
BREAKFAST ......
LUNCH ... ....
DINNER
Special Discount on
1619 GREE
GR AY,
Your Headquarte
Sport
Card
Sla
Jaysor
Crosby Sqi
GRA Y
Distinctive:
1347 Ms
The Harry Temple-George Campi
Campsei fighting for the first tim4
cisively from the Carolina boy. SI
mark in the slugfest. (Photo by
Carolina Leading
In Maryland Series
If past recorm, mean anything
then the Gamecocks should beat
Maryland when they meet in foot
ball next fall at College Park but
figures do sometimes lie. The
Terps, who whipped Carolina 20-7
last season, will be stronger than
ever and they'll be rated odds-on
favorites to take the locals again
this coming season.
South Carolina has won five of
the eight games played since the
series started in 1926 when Branch
Bocock was the Gamecock's head
coach. That year Carolina blanked
the Terps 12-0 and the following
year, under Harry Lightsey,* the
Birds again shut...them out, 26-0
this time.
This is the third sketch, in a
series of observations giving
fans a summary of the Game
cocks' past record against 1949
football opponents. North Caro
lina and Wake Forest have al
ready been covered. Next week's
lineup will be Georgia Tech, then
Furman, Miami, The Citadel and
Clemson in that order. The other
opponents, Baylor and Mar
quette, haven't been played be
fore.
Billy Laval continued to keep the
Terps down by coaching Carolina
to 21-7 and 26-6 victories over them
in 1928 and 1929. But in 1945,
with Johnny McMillan at the helm,
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7:15 to 8:45
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;en fight was one of the highlig]
in the 155-pound division, showei
iown above is one of the rare mo:
tan Lewis.)
Slaughter Reg
As Top Scorer
Jim Slaughter regained top pos
last Saturday night as the lanky t
lina's 68-59 loss to Furman unive
who held the lead for one short
Furman's Middie Hughes and dr(
average.
The team remained behind their
have only 860 as against the oppo
The Gamecocks will return to t
battle the University of Maryland
lina in the Field House Monday n
then take to the road for games
Georgia, in Athens, Saturday night
Monday when Carolina moves into
with Wake Forest.
Statistics including the Furman g
Player and Position
Jim Slaughter, c.
Henry Martin, f.
Cy Szakacsi, g.
Harry Parone, g.
Red Coleman, f.
Estes Kitchens, f.
Keith Cribb, g. . . . . . .
Lhe locals lost their first game to
Nlaryland 19-13. Rex Enright fol
lioved up with a 21-17 win in 1946,
ut his team lost in 1947, 19-13 and
n 1948, 20-7.
So, from the above facts and fig
uires it looks like Maryland, who
started the series off at a slow
pace, has gained momentum over
the years and may close out the
rivalry in a blaze of glory.
Jim Tatum, former assistant
roach to Rex Enright at North
Carolina, has proven to be a good
pupil and his record with Mary
and is the most impressive in a
lecade. He has used Enright's
rormula to good advantage by win
iing the last two of three games
*rom Rex's Gamecocks. It's a good
~ase of pupil outdoing the teacher.
VAN HEUSEN
SHIRTS
Wright-Johnston,
INC.
*MEN'S CLOTHING
FORMAL DRESS FOR RENT
Phone 2-4223 1330 Main St.
Phone 2-9250
918 MAIN STREET
Joe Patrone's
Collegiate Inn
Specializing in
STEAKS
CHICKEN
SPAGHETTI
* * *
Dine and Dance In the
"GAMECOCK"
ROOM
its of the Carolina-Citadel fights.
I remarkable ability in winning de
nents when both boys missed their
zins Position
For Cagers
ition on the Gamecock scoring list
ap-in ace scored 19 points in Caro
raity in Greenville. Henry Martin,
week, was limited to 11 points by
opped to second place with a 15.3
opponents in total points and now
idon's even 900 points.
ieir home court tomorrow night to
. Carolina will meet North Caro
ght and Davidson Thursday. They
with The Citadel Friday and with
The season will end the following
North Carolina for a return match
ame are as follows: (Won 6. iost 9).
31 FG FT IF TP Ave.
i5 93 50 55 236 15.7
15 90 50 21 230 15.3
15 48 32 44 128 8.5
15 31 13 48 75 5.0
14 31 9 22 71 4.3
12 12 5 10 20 2.4
12 9 7 22 25 2.1
VTwo thAi
co11ege maTh
is paymI1entl due o
S~leep)s little
until son rises. S
tal-cumjjr lande!
you-k1 nos-chat5(1 in a
Thsis a("
Sz-Fixt ( fabric rem
less). I n white a
C A MPUS
THE MANHATTA
* ~ Conr. 1942. Tha
Georgia U. Next
On Boxing Slate
For Gamecocks
By LLOYD HUNTINGTON
With what was thought to be the
strongest divisions considerably
weakened, and what was thought to
be the weakest divisions somewhat
strengthened, the Gamecock boxers
take on the fighting Bulldogs from
the University of Georgia next Fri
day at Athens in another prelim
inary showing of what the South
ern Invitational Boxing Tourna
ment will bring to Columbia.
This is the second time in as
many weeks that the Carolina mitt
men have fought one of the tour
nament entries. The Birds pulled
a mild surprise by fighting a fa
vored Citadel team to a 4-4 draw
here this past weekend.
After the Citadel fight the
strength of the Bird boxers is more
of a controversy than was former
ly the case. The loss of Bill Rut
ledge, one of the South's outstand
ing collegiate heavyweights, will
hurt. Rutledge gave up boxing un
der orders from his doctor and
with his loss the Birds lose one
point that was near certain against
most opponents.
And with his loss one of the
year's most heated arguments will
probably never be settled. Fight
fans will for sometime to come
speculate as to who would have
been the winner had Rutledge and
Bill Ohlandt of the Citadel met in
their scheduled fight. Ohlandt was
last year's Conference champion,
but Rutledge was a much improved
fighter and last year as a novice
in the fight game earned one de
cision over the Charleston boy. Pete
Booth will probably fill in for the
injured Rutledge against Georgia.
Grady Decell, perhaps the most
improved man on the Gamecock
squad, fought his best fight of the
year in decisioning Cliff Harris of
the Citadel. Decell all year has ex
hibited a good left hand but in
previous fights seemed unable to
guide it to telling spots. He con
Sitently coilnected, h1owever,
against Harris and was awarded
a decision that even stern old Matty
Matthews, Citadel coach, must have
agreed to with envy.
The big surprise of the night
was Frank Singleton's amazing
comeback to decision The Citadel's
Bob Erdrich in the 175-pound
braeket. Singleton seemed alnost
done for when he caught a hard
right early in the first round. The
Carolina boy, however, got up off
the floor and came back to win a
close decision.
should know!
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F AV O RIT E
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