“And I want to accept it. But especially I want you to believe that the team is not at fault. We’ve got a good team, a fine lot of players, willing, hard-working, cheerful. It’s not the best team we’ve ever had. None of you will claim that. But it’s more than an average good one. It’s good enough to beat Springdale. I say that assuredly. If it doesn’t beat Springdale the fault will be mine and not the players’. But I don’t think it’s going to be necessary to find fault with anyone, for I firmly believe we’re going to win.”
More applause then, heartier and less restricted to the element supporting the speaker. But with it came a challenge from across the hall: “Talk’s cheap, Lovering! Show us something!” “That’s right!” cried Carter. “Win a game and we’ll believe it!”
“My one reason for speaking this evening,” continued Dick, calmly, “is to tell you plainly, to thoroughly convince you that if we have lost three games out of five it is not the fault of the players. I don’t say that we could have won all five games, but I am pretty sure that we could have won three of them. That we didn’t was because I thought it unwise to push the team, as it would have had to be pushed, to a condition where it could have won. This, please understand, is not an apology, but merely an explanation. Not only did I think that the team should not have been pushed then, but I still think it should not be pushed, and I shall not be in the least surprised if we are again defeated next Saturday.”
A howl of protest greeted that announcement. Sears rapped hard for order. Dick smiled slightly and waited. When comparative silence fell once more he went on.
“When I accepted the honor of the position I hold—and it is an honor, and I appreciate it—it was with the distinct understanding that I was to have a free hand. So far I have had it. And I intend to have it, with all respect to you, as long as I am in charge. I am doing my best to turn out a team that will win from Springdale High School, and I tell you frankly that I don’t care a button how many lickings we get meanwhile. Springdale has a strong team this year; it looks now as if she would be stronger than last year, when she had no trouble beating us. Some fellows might win all or nearly all of the early games and then win from Springdale with the material we have this Fall. But I tell you candidly that I am afraid to risk it. I am working for just one result and to obtain that result I am going about it in the manner I think best. And I firmly believe that my work should be judged by whether or not I obtain the result I am after. I have no wish to antagonize a single fellow, a single person, in this hall to-night, but I tell you quite frankly that I shall continue to go my own way as long as I am coach, that I shall not resign and that I shall resist to the utmost any attempt to oust me. I thank you for listening so patiently.”
There was a moment of silence. Then applause broke out deafeningly. Hand-clapping, shouts, stamping made a pandemonium of the meeting. Sears helplessly banged on the table. Half a dozen fellows claimed recognition. But it was long before Sears could make himself heard. When he at last succeeded it was in recognition of Sprague McCoy.
“Mr. Chairman!” shouted McCoy, trying to be heard the length of the assembly hall above the din. “Mr. Chairman, I move you that a vote of confidence be given Coach Lovering, doggone it!”
Laughter, shouts of approval, cries of disapprobation followed. Carter, Bingham and half a dozen others sought for recognition. But Sears was strangely blind. Several fellows seconded the motion and Sears rapped and rapped for order.
“Are you ready for the question?”