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

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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.

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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

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Girls ' Athletic Activities Play up! Play up! and play the game. No real progress can be made in human affairs without the spirit of co-operation. The spirit necessary for such moral and social progress can be obtained only through team play, and thus we find it an essential factor in school activities. To dis- play this spirit in team play, youth must be provided with a trained mind, a keen eye, and a skilled hand, all of which work harmoniously. In no better way can a youth analyze situations precisely, think quickly, or act promptly than by partaking in sport. He learns to concentrate his powers on the task he wishes to do successfully. And in no better way can he learn that victory is attained only through a fixed determination to do one ' s utmost. A sound body tends to develop a sound mind capable of solving problems that confront him in life. Putting forth every effort for a sound body will ultimately lead to success and happiness. With these purposes in mind, the Girls ' Athletic Association was formed early in the year. We arrived in the fall from all centres, and unacquainted with each other. Naturally the problem of finding out who and who were not athletically inclined presented itself. Moreover, even when the team representing our school was selected, it was com- posed of players from various schools using dif- ferent rules. After a little practice, however, our girls displayed exceedingly good form and ability. The society was fortunate in securing as its president an enthusiastic member — Miss Ruby Emerson. Mr. McKone rendered very valuable assistance in aiding us to organize a school team. It was with a feeling of gratitude that we received his kindly suggestions of combination and team play. In the beginning two teams were formed, but as the weeks passed by, ten faithful members turned out to practice. The Misses Ruby Emerson, Jeanne Edmondson, Georgina Hogg, Mary Claus and Mary Fletcher composed the forward line. The Misses Mary Bolton, Carol Evans, Helen Bertrand, Kathleen McGarvin, and Laurette Hyland constituted the strong defence line. It was unanimously decided at the first practice to have Miss Emerson fill the position of captain. Ruby ' s good sportsmanship and enthusiasm in the game led her team to victory on many occasions, and she proved to be the backbone of our team. Her encouraging words and unconquerable spirit account for the many victories the team has to record. She was noted for her exceptional ability in scoring. She played the running shot which seldom failed to score. In Georgina Hogg, we found a cool, dependable player. Many times she created breathless mo- ments for the spectators when she dropped the ball through the netting of the standard rings, from long distances. A quiet but very active player was Miss Jeanne Edmondson. On the court she was as quick as a flash. At all times she showed good sportsman- ship. The defence was strongly upheld by Miss Mary Bolton. Mary ' s rapid travelling on the court and effective passes were a noteworthy feature of her playing. Miss Carol Evans was an energetic and willing player. At all times she was an enthusiastic member of the team, playing a dashing game. Misses Kathleen McGarvin and Laurette Hyland as guards; Misses Mary Claus and Mary Fletcher as forwards, were four reliable substitutes, any of whom could be used without weakening the team in the slightest. In order to provide mass opportunity, a basket- ball team from each of the seven forms was organ- ized. This inter-form competition created much excitement and enthusiasm. Many of the games were played in our gym- nasium, but a number were played outside the school. The school team did not enter into any league, but received enough challenges to keep it constantly engaged. In every game the girls displayed the spirit of team work and fair play. The combination used by the three forwards was most effective, and that used by the guards was exceptionally good. The games played with the various University teams from the Arts classes always attracted a large number of spectators. These games always afforded the girls close competition. They were usually played in the Oxford Street or Medical School Gymnasium. Except in a very few cases, the Normal team was successful. The girls ' victories over the Technical School and the Wester- velt Juniors well deserve praise. Each encounter with the South Collegiate presented strong oppo- sition. Out of four games our team was successful in two. We were delighted to have the opportunity of playing some teams outside of the city. We had the pleasure of meeting Strathroy C. I. in our gym. Our girls defeated this team quite easily, but the game was fast and well played by both teams. This was follo wed by the visit of the Stratford Normal team to our school. The players were fairly well matched. Throughout the first half, the score was very even, but in the latter half, L. N. S. scored repeatedly. The Stratford girls were good sports and they put up a good fight. Even though our score was much higher, the game remained exciting to its close. The most interesting game play ed out of the city was with Toronto Normal School. We were very fortunate in being able to take this trip. No doubt, a closer relationship between the Normal Schools resulted. In this game the odds were against our team. During the first half the Torontonians willingly agreed to play by our rules. At half time the score was tied. Our girls played by Toronto ' s rules in the second period. This proved quite a drawback to our team, because the rules were unfamiliar and puzzling. Our opponents showed superior combination in these rules, and we were finally defeated. Our girls have played the game creditably, and in so doing demonstrated the existence of a school spirit that will he carried away with them. The girls were loyal to the captain and to their work, and out of that loyalty has grown the larger loyalty to our school. 30