MAR. 5, 1965
Sports Slants
MY TEAM CAN whip your team anytime!"
"Oh yeah, wanna bet?"
That's how it starts, but where does it end? Does it end with that 50 cents ventured to defend the honor of your school, or does it blossom into wagers of five, 10, or 100 dollars? Gambling, no matter what the amount, is wrong and has no place in amateur sports. This fact can be aptly shown by examining college basketball and the recent wave of scandal which has accompanied it.
Not too long ago the sports pages of the nations' newspapers were ablaze with accusations against players on big-name teams like Seattle. Some players, basically good boys, had fallen prey to professional gamblers-the lowest form of person-who talked the players into "fixing" the game. These fast-talking con-men convinced these players not to lose on purpose, but just not to win by more than a given amount of points. The gambler would then bet accordingly and "clean up," knowing the final point spread. Rationalization and the desire for money often enabled the sharp shooting center or forward to have a "cold night" with a clear conscience. There can be no doubt that the pressure is great and the decision a tough one, but for the fierce competitor with a good moral background, the right course is clear.
Could such a thing happen in high school athletics? According to Mr. Ken Olson, athletic director at Maine West, "Such corruption will never work its way into our high school system; the authorities will always exercise too much control over their players. "It
Let's keep betting, both big and small amounts, out of the classroom, out of the soda shop, and, most of all, off the athletic field.
EVERYONE IS INVITED to attend the Dads' Club Winter Sports Night, Tuesday, March 16th at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. The sports being honored are basketball, gymnastics, swimming, and wrestling.
Members from each squad (V, JV, sophomore and freshmen) will receive awards. The freshman winners will receive numerals, the sophomore winners, 4-inch monograms; the JV winners, 6-inch monograms; and varsity winners, the M awards. After the awards are presented, refreshments will be served in the cafeteria. Cheerleaders and the Pom Pom squad will also be honored. Mr. John Mueller is chairman of the Sports Award Night.
STONEY JACKSON AND JIM SMITH represent Maine on the MSL all-conference basketball squad. These two Warriors finished third and second in the Conference scoring race. Joining Jackson and Smith were Bill Phillips and Jim La Rocco of Prospect, Dick McDermott of Deerfield, Mike Reeves and Chuck Stewart of Glenbrook South, Steve Jacobsen and Pat Dunnigan of Forest View, and Roger Thomas of Niles North. Don Kinder was also given honorable mention for the Warriors.
Recommended for all-State recognition by the Mid Suburban coaches were Jim Smith and Mike Reeves.