VOL. XV, NO. 8
FEBRUARY 22, 1974
Bench Beat
By BROCK AKERS
Two‑hundred and thirty‑two years ago today our first president was born. But where is all the fanfare, the parades, the Washington's birthday cards, the school closures? In the days of date changes to facilitate three day weekends, last Monday the biggest celebration was the closing of City Hall.
A bit more attention should be paid to the twenty‑second, after all George Washington was the only president ever to be elected without telling a lie. What better way to commemorate the occasion than by creating some athletic "classic" to be played only at this time in February. Other holidays have classics: New Year's has bowl games, Memorial Day has the Indy 500, Thanksgiving . . . eating, why shouldn't good old George's birthday?
But what in February of all months could be used for that classic? Football is out of season, and it occupies too many holidays as it is. We wouldn't want the NFL, NCAA, and the CSL cited in an anti‑trust suit. Baseball too is out of season. Even if it weren't, this classic could never be scheduled in Montreal.
Two‑hundred and thirty‑two years ago today our first president was born. But where is all the fanfare, the parades, the Washington's birthday cards, the school closures? In the days of date changes to facilitate three day weekends, last Monday the biggest celebration was the closing of City Hall.
A bit more attention should be paid to the twenty‑second, after all George Washington was the only president ever to be elected without telling a lie. What better way to commemorate the occasion than by creating some athletic "classic" to be played only at this time in February. Other holidays have classics: New Year's has bowl games, Memorial Day has the Indy 500, Thanksgiving . . . eating, why shouldn't good old George's birthday?
But what in February of all months could be used for that classic? Football is out of season, and it occupies too many holidays as it is. We wouldn't want the NFL, NCAA, and the CSL cited in an anti‑trust suit. Baseball too is out of season. Even if it weren't, this classic could never be scheduled in Montreal.
As for the sports that are in season, there is little choice. Excluding high school athletics which were never destined to be classics anyway, hockey and basketball are all that are left.
Hockey can be stricken right away. George Washington was an American; this is supposed to be a patriotic holiday, so the classic must be an American sport. Even the Russkies play hockey, so it can't be considered inherently American.
It's too close to the end of the season for a basketball classic. That would probably deter the ticket sales for the playoffs.
Just about all that's left which is both seasonal and pure American is Roller Derby. All we need is to build a stadium at Mount Vernon.
Hockey can be stricken right away. George Washington was an American; this is supposed to be a patriotic holiday, so the classic must be an American sport. Even the Russkies play hockey, so it can't be considered inherently American.
It's too close to the end of the season for a basketball classic. That would probably deter the ticket sales for the playoffs.
Just about all that's left which is both seasonal and pure American is Roller Derby. All we need is to build a stadium at Mount Vernon.