London Normal School - Spectrum Yearbook (London, Ontario Canada)

Page 30 text:

2ND TERM LITERARY SOCIETY Standing — Harry Pullen, Eva Adams, Marjorie Corless, Ina Law, Eleanor Mcintosh, Lillian Thompson. Sitting — Carol Evans (Sec), Gordon Duffin (Pres.), Mary Claus (Treas.), Mr. Prendergast (Hon. Pres.), Jean Edmonson (Vice- Pres.). 28

Page 29 text:

1ST TERM LITERARY SOCIETY First Row— M. Campbell H.Cunningham B.Wilcox F.Stewart E.Duckworth J.Daley G. Booth Sec. Treas. Yice-Pres. Second Row — A. McKenzie M. Cline N. Alderman Mr. Stevenson E. Steadman Pres. Hon. Pres. 27

Page 31 text:

Boys ' Athletic Activities Early in the term, the same problem of discover- ing the athletic abilities of the men students had to be faced. From the outset, sports were entered into in a truly earnest manner. As it was late in the season, interest in the field of basketball was most prev- alent. Not many days had elapsed, when Mr. Roy Macklem, an extremely enthusiastic worker, had the young men thinking of forming a school team. One cannot estimate the interest taken, or the efforts exhibited by Mr. Macklem, in organiz- ing a successful team. As a result, the boys formed an Athletic Association. The important office of president was ably filled by Mr. Macklem. Very soon a number of the boys eager to develop a strong school team, tried out for it. The material looked very hopeful. These boys, too, were from different cities and had played different rules. Rut it was with the co-operation of each member that the noted Normal Team was organ- ized. Undoubtedly the boys selected the most com- petent player as captain of their team: Mr. Roy Macklem. Shortly afterwards the gymnasium became the scene of very frequent practices. Mr. Harry Pullen, Mr. Roy Macklem and Mr. Alex. Gilroy formed a trio of splendid forwards on the team. The defense was well supported by Mr. Albert Heaton and Mr. Murray Merritt. Assistance rendered by the substitute players, Mr. Hugh Cunningham and Mr. Maurice Cline, was extremely valuable. Mr. Macklem, our captain, was a very energetic player. His ability to think and act quickly was admirable. He always played a good game, ever- ready, and always on the job. His effective passes and sure shots placed the team where it is to-day. A dashing young player was our Harry. His celever passes and rapid travelling on the floor made him an outstanding player. Many times we were spellbound as Harry unexpectedly dropped the ball through the ring, from the centre of the floor. In Alex. Gilroy we found a very reliable player. At all times he was good-natured and a good sportsman. He never wearied in his well-doing. Mr. Merritt and Mr. Heaton were our husky- defense players. They were clean, steady players, and each kept one eye on the ball and one on his man. Mr. Cline and Mr. Cunningham were used quite frequently in the games, and both played exception- ally well. Mr. Cline played his position unusually well on many occasions, particularly in the game with Toronto Normal. Sonny. the smallest player on the team, was possessed with a strong, fighting spirit, eager for success. The team secured many games soon after its formation. The boys had a real practice once a week, at least, in our gymnasium. The basketball season opened with four straight victories. The first of the games was with the Olympics of Knox Church. This was followed by strong opposition from Western University Arts ' 27, Strathroy C. I., and South C. I. The game with Strathroy C. I. was extremely closely contested, the Normalites gaining a one-point lead when the final whistle sounded. However, since it is better for a winning team to lose a game or two, by losing the next two games the Normal team was greatly benefited. The Olympics and Meds ' 28 defeated us, with the result that the boys gained a stronger ambition to go over the top. 29 Mr. Mc. Macklem ' s untiring efforts in coaching, the boys were in splendid form to enter the No- Lo-We-No League. This league consisted of the Northern Life Insurance Co., London Life Insurance Co., Westervelts and the Normal School. In the first two games played in this league the Normalites were successful over the Northern Life and London Life teams, but later were defeated by Westervelts. The boys were pleased in having their first inter-Normal game with Stratford. The Normal boys showed great ability and form; the passes and the shots were excellent, the final score being in our favor 21-18. The visitors played an ex- ceedingly clean and fast game. The visiting and home teams enjoyed a social evening at the close of the games. The Aylmer High School presented close com- petition for our team. From the first minute of the game, the play was fast. Because excellent team work and good combination never fail, our team was victorious 20-17. The outstanding game was with Toronto Normal. This game was played in the Jarvis St. Collegiate. The teams were so equally matched, they checked so carefully that it was hard to decide which was the better team. The Londoners worked calmly but thoughtfully throughout the game. Cline gave the team a good send off, dropping the ball through the ring several times. Quick, accurate passes between Macklem and Pullen, together with skillful shooting, account for many of the points scored. Merritt and Heaton were in exceptionally good form. They checked up closely and let nothing slip by. For many moments the score wavered. With the fixed determination of winning our boys came through with flying colors, the score being 25-23. This was a memorable day in their course of basketball. The basketball season was closed with a game with the Westervelts played in the Y. M. C. A. Everyone remarked about the splendid showing our team made in defeating this team 25-14. The close of the season was just as bright as its opening. Inter-form teams were organized, and the games were carried out with a very friendly spirit. Our boys had certainly established a worthy record. We are all proud of the splendid showing they had made during their short basketball career. On April 1, the basketball season was brought to a final close by the girls ' and boys ' teams sponsor- ing a delightful social evening.