The History of '17 in Athletics
This article describes a team of girls, who were most successfule in Athletics for four years.This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: "The History Class of '17 in Athletics," Training School Quarterly, Vol. 4, pp. 90-92.
The class of '17, the winners of the cup for basketball for two years, are, it is safe to say, champions in athletics. It has on its team this year four girls who were among the number of the 27 little "A's." These four girls have been on the class team each year.
During the four years of our work, two of academic and two of professional, the class has made for itself an enviable reputation for its accomplishments and leadership. Its members have developed initiative and independence, and have ever been ready to contribute to all wholesome school activities.
The class has emphasized the fact that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." It is true, we were timid at first, but our "winning ways" soon took us to the head of the line--a place our sisters of '13 left for us. The athletic association was organized November 10, 1913, at the beginning of our "A" year. The class of 1913 had left the key to their dear little "A's," to unlock the door to all knowledge and vitory. We have used this key each year since we received it and still have it in use. We shall leave it for our sisters, the class of 1919.
During our entire "A" year, sustained interest was shown in all forms of athletics.We were small and could not walk far, so that accounts for out not being champions in cross-country walking. But what class has made the championship in anything the first year.In tennis we worked hard and played in the tryouts games. But our cheif interest even from the first was in basketball. Altough we were not in the final game we continued to play our best.Victory came, as it has come every time to the odd class, the class of '15, our sisters.
When we were "busy B's," we played on. We then had two basketball teams, a number of tennis players, a captain ball team, and many were interested in walking.
On Thanksgiving a match game of tennis was played. Of course the Juniors played, but who was to play with them? Mighty Seniors? Nay, the "B's" won a place in the match game. The Juniors were victorious, but we did not give up, for, in January the class teams for the basketball tournament were posted. Imagine the delight among us when we found it was between the "B's" and "D's" ('15-'17). We were proud of it, but it would never do for us to play against our dear sisters, so we played the tie off and the Juniors won. It is not necessary to tell that the class of '15 won the first two games, the cup, and the championship this year, for the "odds" are always at the head of the line.
It was during the year the League decided to give a cup for the other activities--captain ball, walking, and tennis combined--but as this was the first year, the cup was not awarded.
As Juniors, we returned ready for what was to come to us, with plenty of high school students enthusiastic in atletics, our 27 grew to 87. We had four teams in baskeball this year. We played twice a week every week the weather would permit. We lost only one game the whole year. It came time for the Thanksgiving game. We were already missing our '15 sisters, but the class of 1919 was standing by our side. The game was between Juniors and Seniors. The Juniors won, the score being 13-5. There was true sportsmanlike spirit shown on both sides. The two teams, Junior and Seniors, were entertained the following Monday by the Junior class.The spirit for basketball did not die, for, in January, the Juniors and Seniors played the tournament games. Each year we play the best two out of three games for the cup. How many games were played last year?Three?Nay, Two.How many the year '16?Three? Nay, two!What did this?The "winning ways" of the little "A's" of '17. It seemed as though it might be on the habit proved successful so we could use it again in 1916-'17.
The tennis tournament was played in May between Juniors and Seniors, but we were defeated by the Seniors.
This year have we are as 51 Seniors still enthusiastic in athletics. A new activity in athletics was put in this year.Ophelia O'Brian, '17 has charge of it. General playground games. The girls have taken a great interest, and enjoyed playing very much. In the fall Ophelia worked up a demonstration of playground games for the teachers of Pitt County.
"When a habit is good stick to it." That is what we have been doing in our Senior year, and did Thanksgiving. We won the Thanksgiving game over the Juniors in basketball, the score being 16-6. They took the defeat well, as was evidenced by the fact that they entertained the Senior team in the afternoon.
The tournament was postponed this year on account of the vaccinated arms and bad weather; but when we played, we played. The games were held on March 28th, 29th and 31st. This was the first time three games had ever had to be played, both teams worked hard, but the regular guards and substitute guard of the Juniors could not keep our three regular fowards from making the goal. The Seniors won the first game, the score being 12-9, the Juniors won the second, with a score of 5-6; and who won the third? Who has always won? "Odds," yes the Seniors, the score being 9-3.When the cup was presented by President Wright after the game, he expressed great pleasure at having to present the cup twice to the same class, stating that this was the first time he had had the pleasure of presenting it to the same class for two successive years. Owing to the absence of Mr. Wright in 1915, Mr. Wilson presented it to the class of '15. The Senior team was entertained in the evening by the "B" team, our sisters of '19.
The trial games for tennis are being played now, the Seniors and Juniors being the classes to play in the tournament. These contests can not be given.The Volleyball Tournament is also being played while this is in the press.But every one knows where the victory lies.
We are sorry that we shall have to leave so soon, but we shall come back next year and see the "nineteeners" carry on the tradition that the "odd" classes have so well established.
