Decatur Catholic High School - Tattler Yearbook (Decatur, IN)

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D-C-H-S---T H E T A T T L E R-1 9 3 0 men who value fair dealings and fair play above the attainment of riches, fame, or any other goal. 'tVictory is dear to them, but they would sacri- fice even that for sportsmanship. They are clean fighters, honorable foeman, modest in triumph, unflinching in defeat. Coaches of today teach boys these traits, because a competent coach tand we have onel values the building of character above all else. I would judge a coach's real value and ability by the men he helps to mold, more than by the teams he succeeds in developing. APPLIED KNOVVLEDGE IS POVVER. The second lesson taught by the athletic coach in the gymnasium is the knack of putting knowledge to practicable use. The knowledge that they get in the class room is given to equip them for the struggles of life. What they are now learning in school the one who will succeed in life. We have heard of athletes who have failed in life, we have heard of others who have made a grand success. The failures failed because they failed to use their book learning as they once had used their knowledge of their sports-in actual combat. The Arabian proverb says, He who knows and knows he knows, he is wiseg follow him. Athletics should help to teach him who knows, to use what he knows. DON'T QUIT. During the course of the past basketball season, our team was confronted with the greatest number of difficulties that ever faced a Commodore team. Time came when the full personel of the team was available. Everyone now expected a great string of victories. Instead with the team at full strength and doing its best, unexpected, surprising defeats followed one another. We have already shown how the team met those facts. They didn't quit. They were defeatd but not whipped. They kept fighting-yes, fighting harder. And just as things looked the darkest there came flve straight victories, a state title and a great showing in the National Tournament. The team taught the school, the parish, the fans. the city, the state and then the nation a lesson that it already had well learned-don't quit. That bunch of fighting boys with the spirit that won't be downed rank now among the nation's best. They will carry that spirit from the basketball court into life. Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you. TEAM WORK. I have heard it wisely said that the man worth while in the game of life is the one who can lay down an occasional sacrifice hit. The lesson of team work, harmonious cooperation of each member of the team with the others is a lesson of great value. Our team was a great machine in which every cog played its assigned part well. Name any position on that team and you'll be obliged to admit that the player who filled that position was a star in his place. That machine ran so smoothly because it ran in oil. the oil of harmonious team work. Our team teamed. The lowliest substitute was an integral part of it. Out in the world there is need of team work. If our boys will learn the lesson that they practiced on the team and go forth to show the same spirit of harmonious team work in life they will be valuable citizens of their town, state, and country, they will be loyal members of their parish and of Holy Mother Church, they will be towers of strength for any cause that enlists their services. Ninety-three.

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D-C-H-S---T H li T A T T L li H-1 9 3 0 The impressive way they did it, the cool and smart basketball they dis- played, and the high brand of sportsmanship they manifested are bright jewels enhancing the glory of D. C. H. S. Phe team of which all but a few loyal hearts despaired in January was honored as the State Catholic High School Champion Team in March. History Repeats The ill luck that had haunted the Commodores during the season returned after the State Tournament. Wemhoif, our star center. was stricken with sickness a few days Lefore the opening of the National Cath- olic Tournament so that he could not accompany the team to Chicago. Carl Lose was saddened by his brother's serious illness. The Commodores crippled lineup bravely faced Altoona, champions of Pennsylvania, and St. Louis University High, defeating them both. Then came the game with the Natlonal champions. the big powerful De La Salle team of Chicago. No one conceded Decatur a chance to win. The boys. however, didnlt care what the odds were. The cards might be stack- ed against them. The opponents might Le holding a pair of wild onc- eyed Jacks but there VVOLllCl be a showdown, Those who saw that game, the game, in which the Commodores were eliminated 20-I6 after 32 min- utes of most bitter struggle, know that our team covered itself with glory in defeat. Five thousand people cheered each fighting Commodore as he returned lo his place atter that game, a beautiful tribute to a team that had fought a noble but losing battle against the nation's best team. Suc- cess deserved is success attained. Lessons The boys who have gone thru the long siege of interschool com- petition during this year have learned valuable lessons for life. lessons that they could not get from text books. These lessons were brought home to them in a concrete way. They had to live them. Thus they unconsciously developed traits of character which will remain with them and be part of them thru life. I am perfectly aware that many are opposed to athletics. I have felt the pressure of their opposition while trying to show the beneht of athletic training by giving them a fairer 'break' 'than they gave me. I know, too, that there have been abuses in athletics. I am aware that abuses exist today. I suppose abuses in the hand11ng of the athletic activ- ities of some one school or other wil always exist. The fact that a good thing is abused does not, however, justify doing away with that good thing. Abuses can be remedied. Athletics and athletes can be properly handled for the good of the students and for the good of the school. If the good of the school and the good of the student are the foremost considerations of those in charge of athleticsg if high ideals of training character are used as a measure of success rather than monetary gain or a record of victories. athletics can be made a prime factor in education. It has been our aim to so handle athletics that our boys may receive all the advantages of athletic training while being protected against the dangers and abuses. SPORTSMANSHIP. I shall recall some of the valuable lessons for life that our athletes have been taught thru their participation in athletics. Above all we count sportsmanship. Our boys have learned to give their opponents a square deal , they have disciplined themselves against tak- ing an unfair advantage of anyone. They will go into life sportsmen: ., Ninety-two.

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DEDICATION Decalur the Fair! Decatur the Beautiful! Decatur, the City Renowned! To You, Our City of Decatur do we, the Senior Class of '30 dedicate this, the 1930 edition of The Tattler