Gainesville High School - Hurricane Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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GAINESYILLE HIGH SCHOOL. 1915 this year, surely it cannot be said that it retards or hinders progress in a school. As a member of the Senior Class, I hesitate not at all, and I believe that I express the feelings of the majority of The Class, when I say that, without a doubt, this has been one of the most profitable as well as happiest years of my school experience. MARJORIE WHITE. ATHLETICS Athletics is a very important branch of the regular High School work. It is a very important element in the obtaining of a high school education. Man's life constitutes three great factors, namely: the mental, the moral, and the physical. The philosopher will say that the mental is, by far, the most important: the preacher will say, the moral: but the strong, healthy, robust athlete will stand for the physical. Why? Because the physical is the very foundation of both the moral and the mental. The mental and moral are both dependent on the physical. The purpose, therefore, of athletics in the High Schools is the develop- ment of a sound body, which is the basis of a sound mind. There are many benefits derived from good, clean athletics tand in this theme the word athletics means good, clean athleticsb. If a nian's physical nature is strong, healthy and robust, the mental and moral will naturally have a better chance to develop. Look into Nature! The most matured plant yields the greatest p1'oduct, the healthiest tree the sweetest fruit, and the greenest vine the prettiest llower. The old idea that mothers used to have, that athletics consisted only of rough, dangerous games, in which the dear son would get half killed, or at least crippled for life, is fast becoming an idea of the past. These loving mothers are beginning to see the real result of athletics. They see that son as he develops in alertness, activity, quick- ness of decision, self-control, and self-reliance. Friends, have you visited the state prisons, the penitentiaries, the re- form schools, and asylums all over this grand old republic? Have you no- ticed the physical condition of the occupants thereof? Statistics show that ninety per cent. of these men and women are abnormal physically. On the other hand, look about you in your every day life. Note your political lead- ers, your social leaders, and all your other leaders. What is their physical condition? Why did the ancient Roman value athletics so highly '? And why are the colleges and universities all over the civilized world today ad- vancing athletics? Then, why shouldn'tfthe high school advance athletics? Athletics then, does not consist of rough, dangerous games for the cle- - 0 Za

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GAINESYILLE HIGH SCHOOL. 1915 velopment of the brute: but it consists of games and other contests that are conducive to manliness, pride, and other gentlemanly qualities. Foot-bail, base-ball, basket-ball, and tennis games, gymnasium and track work are the most popular forms of athletics. These games are played under oiiicial rules which are revised every year for the main purpose of elimi- nating all forms of danger, such as roughness. So, even the girls take part in athletics. At least forty per cent. of those benented by athletics are girls. And the Ladies' Improvement Associations all over the South are endorsing ath- letics. The benefits, then, derived from athletics are too numerous to relate. These benefits, however, can only be fully realized by those receiving theni. The contestant develops that love for his school and for his fellow students, who have fought the battle of victories by his side. The fan with his school spirit, his support to the team by cheering it on to victory. also de- velops a love for his school. In both cases this same love follows them out into the world and is long remembered. Athletics attracts many students to the school: and athletics holds them there. In view of the above mentioned facts, the Gainesville High School has been very actively indulging in athletics for the past five years. But it was not until the past term of 1914-15 that she enjoyed athletics as taking a strongly established stand throughout the entire term. Tennis was the first to attract attention: clubs were formed and tennis became very pop- ular among the members of the faculty, as well as the student body. Thus, for the first time in the history of the school two tennis courts afforded much pleasure and recreation to those who desired athletics in this mild but refreshing form. Second in order but first in importance, was foot-ball. liarly in the season foot-ball attracted the chief attention texcept for the classesi of the boys, and thus, indirectly, the girls. Dr. W. J. Buck organ- ized and continued to coach the team, until relieved by Professors Buch- holz and Grimm. The team played seven games, winning five and losing two: scoring a total of one hundred and thirty-seven 11375 points, and twenty-one 121i scored to its loss. The two games lost were as follows: Duval 12-G. H. S. 03 Florida Scrubs 7-G. H. S. The most decisive games were played with Gcala High School, resulting in the scores of 32 to 0 and 41 to 0 in favor of G. H. S. This team then made the best record of any team in the history of the school, and justly claims second place in the list of Florida High Schools. Duval won the State championship, and Gainesville played them their closest score. A challenge to Duval for a return game, and one to Hillsboro for a game were both declined. It must be stated that at the time of the game with Duval the G. H. S. had had only 25