“There’s nothing like it,” the Coach was saying to Father a few minutes later, while the Boy kept silent and admired. “There’s nothing like regular, well-coached athletics to keep a boy—or girl either—sound and healthy during college years and when they get out in life. We try to get everybody into these sports here, so they will enjoy the exercise they get. We have class teams and fraternity teams; first, second and third teams; and this Gymnasium’s just the busiest place on the campus.”
“Does it take much time from their studies?” asked Father, always cautious.
“Not at all. It clears their brains and they can study all the better.”
“I’d rather make the big teams—like the one tonight,” suggested the boy.
That’s Why We Win
“And you’ll have a good chance, too. Everybody in school has, after his first year.” Then the Coach got enthusiastic. “Before long every high-school boy in Idaho will be looking to the day when he can represent his own state university in athletic sports. We’ll have Idaho coaches in Idaho schools and our teams here will be a big factor in making every citizen proud that he lives in Idaho. There’s no finer loyalty anywhere than our boys have right now. That’s why we win.”
Over in an adjoining building Father and the Boy found a spacious auditorium, beautiful beyond their dreams.
“They say it’s like the old college chapels in England, only newer,” volunteered Tom. “I don’t know much about such things.”