A study to determine desirable practices and policies for conducting interscholastic athletics for secondary school girls

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A STUDY TO DETERMINE DESIRABLE PRACTICES AND POLICIES FOR CONDUCTING INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS

A Project Presented to the Faculty of the School of Education The University of Southern California

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Education

by Lucile Vance June 1950

UMI Number: EP46110

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T h is p r o je c t rep o rt, w ritten u n der the direction of the candidate's a d v ise r a n d a p p r o v e d by him , has been p rese n te d to an d a c c e p te d by the F a cu lty o f the S c h o o l of E d u c a tio n in p a r tia l fu lfillm e n t of the requirem ents f o r the deg ree of M a s te r of Science in E du cation .

Date.

A d viser

D ean

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I.

PAGE

THE PROBLEM, DEFINITION OF TERMS AND ORGANIZATION...............................

1

The problem

1

. .....................

Statement of the pro b l e m..................

1

. . ..............

1

Importance of the study

Definitions of t e r m s ....................... Policy .

...............................

Interscholastic

2

. .......................

2

T e a m .....................................

2

.............................

2

.....

3

.....................

3

Competition Organization

Method of procedure

II.

2

Liraitation and w e a k n e s s ..................

3

Organization of remaining chapters ........

3

ADMINISTRATION ...............................

4

Authori t y .................................

4

Duties of the administrator

..............

Chain of command.........................

5 3

Relation to rest of physical education p r o g r a m ............................... . .

7

Finances.................

8

S u m m a r y .............

9

CHAPTER III.

PAGE

PHYSICAL H E A L T H ............................. ..............

Healtli examination

Accidents and injuries............... Illnesses

-13 15

.....

16

Menstrual period..........................

16

S u m m a r y ...........

17

E L I G I B I L I T Y ...... ' .........................

19

Physical and emotional eligibility ..........

19

Physical eligibility................... . .

19

Emotional qualifications ..................

20

Grades and registration

V.

11

.........................

Temporary illness

IV.

11

....................

21

Academic eligibility .....................

21

Registration rules . .....................

22

S u m m a r y ...................................

24

SCHEDULING............. Classification and tournaments

25 ............

25

Classification ...........................

25

T o u r n a m e n t s .............................

27

Control of strenuousness

..............

28

Size of s q u a d ...........................

28

P r a c t i c e s ...............................

28

Number of g a m e s .........

29

iv

CHAPTER

PAGE Setting the g a m e s .........................

30

P l a c e ...................................

30

T h e ' g a m e ........................... * . .

31

Summary................................... VI.

33

Activities

36

. . . . . . .

..................

.................................

38

PERSONNEL...................................

39

Coaches.......................

39

Personal qualifications ..................

40

T r a i n i n g ...................

41

Duties

VIII.

33

C r i t e r i a ...........................

Summary VII.

..............

ACTIVITIES

32

.....

..............

.....

42

S a l a r y .................................

43

Officials.................................

43

S u m m a r y .............

44

PUBLICITY AND A W A R D S ...................

. .

Publicity.....................

46 46

Pur p o s e.................................

46

E m p h a s i s .....................

47

A w a r d s ...........................

48

T y p e ...................................

48

B a s i s ...................

49

V

CHAPTER

PAGE

S u m m a r y ........................................

IX.

S0MMA.Hr, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

50

.....

51

S u m m a r y ........................................

51

..................................

5E

Recommendations................................

54

BIBLIOGRAPHY.......................................

56

Findings

.

CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM, DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, AND ORGANIZATION Throughout the history of athletics, there have been countless problems and difficulties.

This has been particu­

larly true in the case of athletics for girls.

For some

time, interscholastic athletics for girls were practically abolished.

During recent years, there has been a tendency

to reinstate them in the program. I.

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the problem.

Many of the objections to

athletics have been against the manner in which the program is conducted.

The crux of the matter appears to be centered

in the conditions surrounding the play.

Therefore, the

answer seems simple -- control the conditions.

It was the

purpose of this study to set up policies to control the con­ duct of an interscholastic athletic program for secondary school girls. Importance of the study.

The elimination of inter-

scholastic competition did not solve the problem.

Making

a distinction between interscholastic competition as unsafe and intramurals as safe did not hold in the face of facts.

All the vicious aspects of competition may he present in any game.

The control of these undesirable conditions is of

utmost importance if competition is to survive in the school system. II, Policy.

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

A policy was interpreted to mean a settled

or definite course of procedure or conduct.

It has also

"been used throughout the study as a means of referring to rules or regulations on the various procedures involved in running an athletic program. Interscholastic.

Interscholastic has been used to

refer to scheduled competition between schools.

The term

was used to differentiate between regular, scheduled compet­ ition and play day or sports day competition. Team.

Team was used throughout the study to refer to

the varsity team which was a picked, trained team chosen to represent the school; Competition.

Throughout the report, competition was

used to mean strenuous activity in which two teams attempt to excel over each other in a sport.

3 III.

ORGAHIZATIOH

Method of procedure.

In the study, policies were set

up to cover the various phases of the program.

These policies

were determined "by an investigation of literature on the sub­ ject.

The sources used were hooks on the subjects of athlet­

ics and competition.

Periodicals and unpublished materials

were added to this. Limitation and weakness.

The study was, of necessity,

limited as it was impossible to obtain a group with which to experiment.

Ho new policies, based on evidence, could

be proposed due to the lack of experimentation. Organization of remaining chapters.

The first part of

the study dealt with the administration of the program.

The

policies for responsibility, relationship to the rest of the program, and finances were determined.

Chapter III set up

controls for the various aspects of physical health. to govern eligibility were dealt with in Chapter IV.

Policies 'The

controls to regulate scheduling of games were determined in Chapter V.

Chapter VI discussed some valid criteria for sel­

ecting activities.

Chapter VII was concerned with the qual­

ifications for personnel.

Desirable policies on awards and

publicity are dealt with in Chapter VIII.

Finally, the

summary, conclusions, and problems for future study were drawn up in Chapter IX.

CHAPTER II ADMINISTRATION In order to conduct an interscholastic athletic program, certain policies are needed relating to administra­ tion.

It is from the administrator that all policies for

the program must come.

However, there are some problems in

the realm of administration which must be covered.

These

policies are concerned with authority and responsibility, the relation of the athletic program to the rest of .the physical education program, and financing the activities, I . AUTHORITY There must be a definite policy regarding authority for the administration of athletics.

Lack of such a policy

has had a great deal to do with bringing about the existing situation in athletics in which all control over athletics is in the hands of persons outside the school.

In organizing

a program for girls, it is important to point out who is go­ ing to have control.

If athletics are to assume their right­

ful position as a part of the total pattern of education, then the administrator must be responsible for controlling this phase of education along-with his other responsibilities. Therefore, it must be stated clearly that actual control of the athletic program should be in the hands of the

5

administrator.^ Duties of the adiainistrator.

In the final analysis,

the superintendent must be responsible for the athletic activities of the school.

He must carefully select qualified

women to direct the program.

Furthermore, it is necessary

that he provide the facilities with equal distribution to carry on the activities.

Health safeguards must be set up

with the necessary provisions for carrying them out.

Also,

the administrator must see that the publicity is of the proper kind and amount.

2

Chain of command.

However, the superintendent cannot

properly do all of the duties connected with controlling athletics. others.

He must, of necessity, delegate authority to

This line of responsibility goes from the superin­

tendent, to the principal, and finally to the physical education teachers or coaches. The principal is the official representative of the school and is responsible for conduct of athletics by the coaches.

Athletics are a part of the -principal’s curriculum,

Zeno B. Katterle, ’’Administration of Athletics in Education,” The School Executive. 68:53? April, 1949. ^ Charles E. Forsythe, The Administration of High School Athletics (second edition; New York: Prentice-Hal1, Inc., 1948), p. 362.

He should follow the policies of the school in every respect. The principal should be responsible for eligibility of students based on complete information.

Also, he must instruct the

student body on the purposes of the program.

If difficulties

are encountered, publicity should be avoided.

It is desir­

able that the principal attend as many games as possible. He also must' be sure that the time and use of facilities is correctly proportioned among boys and girls, intramural activities, and interscholastic activities.-* The personnel for conducting the activities are dealt with in a later chapter, but a few words on the coach’s place in the line of responsibility are necessary.

The

coach must understand fully the athletic policies.

In every

case, he should follow these policies or persuade the super­ intendent to change them if he feels they are inadequate. In his dealings with the rest of the faculty,

he should be

friendly and informative, keeping them informed as to rules, schedules, and policies.

It is not desirable for the coach

to influence a teacher to declare a student eligible for par­ ticipation.^

3 Forsythe,

ojd

. cit., p. 366.

^ Committee on Standards of the National Section on Women’s Athletics of the American Physical Education Association, Standards in Athletics for Girls and Women, 1933, p. 34.

II.

RELATION TO REST OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

There is a relationship between athletics and, the physical education program. of the entire program.

Athletics are definitely a part

The physical education department

gives stability and guidance to athletics.^

The department,

does not sanction entirely extra-curricular activities on a high level of participation.

This is merely a part of it.

The varsity team represents the peak of the program, not the center.

Every girl in a game should be the standard which

culminates in proficient persons achieving membership on a varsity team.

In operating the department, the physical

education supervisor must maintain the proper balance between all phases of the program. This necessitates equal distribution of personnel and facilities.

One author suggested that the facilities and

time of personnel be devoted to interscholastic activities two nights a week with the remainder available for the intra­ mural program.6

In the purchasing of equipment, the head

of the department should not spend all the available funds on just the varsity team.

The best facilities for the most

students in diversified activities should be the rule.

5 Committee on Standards, op. cit., p. 8. 6 Forsythe, op. cit.. p. 328.

Only

after the needs are known should equipment be purchased. Also, it is wise to buy only from recognized and legitimate dealers.

To insure each student's receiving the maximum

benefit from the program, all equipment should be supplied by the school;

However, individual equipment should be issued

to the student, charged to him, and returned at the end of the season.

Again, the policy should be adhered to, and

the student held responsible.7 >

III.

.FINANCES'

Any competitive program is costly to maintain.

There

are only four practical ways to get the money.

It is possible

to charge an admission to games to get funds.

Or an appropri­

ation may be secured from the administrator along with his provisions for other school subjects.

Another means is to

have each student participating meet her own share of the expenses.

Also, money may be obtained from student enter­

prises.^ The least desirable practice was found to be charging admission for games.

One of the aims set up by the Women's

Division of the National Athletic Federation of America was

7 Forsythe, oj). cit., p. 214. ^ Clare Small, "Aspects of Competitive Athletics," Sports Bulletin for Girls and Women,2;3. February, 1948.

to protect athletic activities of girls from commercializa­ tion by interest in gate receipts.9

Again, in the standards

set up by leading women in physical education, the objection to gate receipts as a source of income was found.10

One

objection to gate receipts is that there must be a team worth paying to see if the public is paying admission.

This

entails the development of a highly trained team bent on winning to the exclusion of an extensive program.

If the

team is not to be exploited, it cannot be used as a money­ making enterprise. Schoolmen prefer to have athletics financed as any school subject.

This is the case in New' York.

The school

board furnishes funds for all equipment and supplies, includ­ ing personal items.

In some cases, the school board may be

prohibited by law from doing this.

In that case, it is

desirable to secure the funds from student funds rather than from charging admission.11 IV.

SUMMARY

Certain policies concerning the administration of the athletic program must be set up to insure its success.

9 Forsythe, op. cit., p. 3°4. 10 Ibid., p. 234. 11 Committee on Standards, ojm cit., p. S.

10

First, the control was found to rest in the hands of the school administrator.

In turn, he delegates authority to

a principal to carry out his policies.

Finally, the actual

conduct of the program is delegated to the coaches.

A close

relationship between the athletic program and the rest of the physical education program must be maintained.

This

insures wise and just appropriation of facilities, time, and personnel so that a proper balance between interscholastic, -ft

intramural, and class activities is achieved.

Finally, to

secure funds for the program, the most desirable policy found was that of providing funds by regular school allottment instead of charging admission.

CHAPTER III PHYSICAL HEALTH One of the most frequently used arguments against using interschool athletics as a form of competition has been harm to the physical health of the participants.

Therefore,

in setting up policies for conducting the athletic program, it is necessary to have definite, set standards and policies governing protection of the health of individuals.

It is the

purpose of this chapter to set forth policies on such matters of health as the physical examination, accidents and injuries,' and temporary illness. I . HEALTH EXAMINATION The health examination is one of the most important features of any properly controlled athletic program.

It is

necessary to determine the status of the physical health of each individual before she is permitted to participate in competition.

One of the standards set up for women’s ath­

letics states specifically that participation in athletics must depend on an evaluation of the health status of the participant.1

1 Committee on Standards of the National Section on Women's Athletics of the American Physical Education Association, Standards in Athletics for Girls and Women, 1933, p. 7.

12

In a study conducted in California a jury of experts gave a unanimous opinion requiring physical examinations.2 There are some differences of opinion concerning just when and how often the examination should be given.

In the

study of practices in California, four of the experts asked thought the examination should be given at the beginning of each year while three thought it should be given at the be­ ginning of each sport.3

When the necessity of being in top

condition for strenuous participation is carefully considered, it is easy to see the importance of frequent examinations. It is possible for the physical condition of individuals to change by the reaction to many factors such as scholastic difficulties, failure to get enough sleep, not eating right food, or participating in too many activities.

Therefore,

from the information available, it would seem desirable to require an examination both at the beginning of the year and prior to participation in each sport. The health examination must be given by a licensed physician, preferably a woman.

There are many types of

physical examinations which include many different factors.

? Zena G-. Leek, ’’Present Practices in Women's Athletic Associations in the Public Junior Colleges of California,” (unpublished Master's thesis, The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1943)» p. 107. 3 Ibid., p. 108.

However, the examination for participation in vigorous activ­ ity should he complete.

It should include an appropriate

test for the physical condition and performance of the heart and lungs.

An urinalysis should be required.

eyes, and ears should be examined.

Also, the feet,

Insofar as possible, the

menstrual function should be checked.

It is also important

to include examination of the teeth, skin, throat, and weight. For weight, a running chart should be kept.

If there is a

continued loss of weight, less practice with more sleep and rest should be prescribed.^

It is necessary to include in

the policies governing health examinations just which articles shall be included, or it may be that the physical examination will turn into a mere routine to comply on paper with the regulation requiring physical examinations. II.

ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES

The first policy in regard to accidents should be one of prevention.

The policies should definitely require that

all facilities, equipment, and materials be certified to be in top condition before the game b e g i n s . 5

Also, in the line

^ Charles E. Forsythe, The Administration of High School Athletics (second edition; New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1948), p. 370. 5 Katherine W. Montgomery, "Principles, and Procedures in the Conduct of Interscholastic Athletics for Adolescent Girls,” Research Quarterly, 13:64, March, 1942.

of prevention, the coach should make every effort to teach players to relax during the game and rest periods.

It is

the tense, nervous, upset player who is most likely to cause an accident with injury to himself or other players. In addition, there must be adequate preparation in case accidents do occur.

The school should have first aid

equipment and service available for immediate use during practice and games.

As another feature in taking care of

injuries, a physician should be present at each contest. There may be some physicians in the community who are inter­ ested enough in athletics to attend free of charge. it may be necessary to pay for his services.

If not,

In any case, it

is a desirable practice to always have a physician present in order to protect the school and the contestants.? It is necessary to have a definite policy for injuries The students must be instructed to report injuries to the coach immediately.

The coach should remove all injured

players from the game at once regardless of team strategy. This should be a definite requirement and a part of the rules

6 Forsythe, op. cit., p. 368. 7 Ibid., p. 188. 8 Ibid. , p. 281+.

15

If injuries do occur, some definite means for finan­ cial care should be made.

The trend is toward establishing

an athletic accident benefit and protection plan.

This plan

for insurance may be operated by the state association, local board, or a private c o m p a n y . 9

In a study conducted in Cal­

ifornia, it was found that half of the schools had insurance for one or more sports.

The only sport in which the insurance

was economically wise was football. included in the girls' activities. a plan other than insurance.

This, of course, is not Most of the schools used

The student body responsibility

was the most common procedure with individual responsibility of participants the least frequently used.

The school author­

ities were all in favor of formation of a mutual benefit athletic injury insurance plan.10

In any case, a definite

plan for caring for injuries must be set up.

It is desirable

that this plan be formulated so that the individual does not bear the financial burden for injuries.

The means will be

determined by the particular school situation. III.

ILLNESSES

There may be times when individuals are unable to play

9 Forsythe,

ojd

. cit., p. 325.

Richard H. Spaulding, "An Inquiry Into Methods of Financing the Care of Athletic Injuries in California Junior Colleges," (unpublished Master’s thesis, The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1948), p. 64.

16 on the team because of a temporary ailment.

In this case,

a policy must be set up to determine the action in such cases. Temporary illness.

If an individual is ill for a short

time, there must be a provision for his returning to play. To be sure that the individual is fit for competition, a medical examination should be required.

This may be the form

of a certificate signed by the individual’s physician.

Follow­

ing an illness, accident, or injury, it should be required that written permission signed by a physician be presented before returning to participation.

Also, the coach should

be responsible for proper reconditioning of the individual before competition.^ Menstrual period.

In the case of girls’ athletics,

there arises a special problem concerned with participation during menstruation. in recent years.

This has been a point of much dispute

In one study, the author found that there

was no reason to avoid activities not involving undue fatigue and jumping at this time.

There has been no known

harm done to any girl with strong ligaments from any kind of exercise during this period.

Professionals never take cog-

11 Prudence Fleming, "Training Women for Competitive Swimming,” Journal of Health and Physical Education, 19:664, December, 1943.

17

nizance of the period.-*-2

Another author found the human

machine as fit for activity during this time as any other in the complete cycle.

The evidence was found to be in favor

of continuance of exercise for normal females during the menses.-*-3 Therefore, we need not forbid girls playing during the menstrual period.

We should only prohibit those from

playing who have some abnormal condition connected with the period.

It is suggested that practice and competition during

the menstrual period should be voluntary and with parent’s consent.

The standards set up for women set forth a safe,

sane rule to follow.

The policy should be determined by

individual differences with conservatism in the absence of evidence as the rule.-*-^ IV.

SUMMARY