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[Instrumental music]
>>VOICE-OVER: The best way to enjoy sports
is to participate. That's the guiding spirit of Grinnell's athletic
program centered at Darby Gymnasium, gift of beloved Fred Darby and headquarters for
present and future sports pioneers. Meet Grinnell's Physical [inaudible] John
Truesdale to tell you more about Grinnell's Intramural Program.
>>TRUESDALE: Here at Grinnell, our physical education and athletic program are designed
to reach as many students as possible.
Every man and every woman participates in
some recreational sports activity every year. Our program was designed to reach as many students
as possible. More sports for more students is our aim rather
than more sports for the same students. We believe that a strong intramural program
is the best means to strong varsity teams. We look on our intramurals as the place where
we discover and develop varsity material.
>>V-O: Grinnell's physical fitness program
includes both theory for coaches and teachers and a strong service program for the vast
majority of students. Physical and medical examinations determine
aptitudes and deficiencies of the student, so as counsel as to his best sports and corrective
remedies for his defects, can be followed during the college course.
Posture irregularities are closely noted as the student walks to and from a given point.
Foot troubles are specially studied.
Much can be deduced by the way feet are laid
down during the walk. Even spine and torso faults are reflected in the footstep.
The ankle bone is a good indicator of arch defects.
General sports ability and aptitude is tested in several ways.
The shot put tests dynamic ability: the translation of strength
into performance, the coordination of muscular resources.
The broad jump is another measure of the student's
ability to handle his weight.
A third test of dynamic or explosive power is the jump up.
The difference between natural reach and height attained in jumping gives a standard of dynamic
ability.
The quarter mile is one of the best measures of condition, often denoting the runner's
athletic ability for endurance sports as differentiated from skill sports.
The chinning test often reveals that Americans develop leg and back strength more than arm
muscularity, hence some of the most outstanding athletes are sometimes lacking in this branch
of athletic efficiency.
Physical conditioning classes are high on
the roster of activities for students.
Regular drill and exercise are devoted to building stamina, energy, endurance, and general
athletic proficiency. Intercollegiate and intramural games are important to provide
competitive sets and stimulation, fun sports that are a constant source of pleasure.
But calisthenics provide the other half of the regular training routine that make sound
bodies for all. Calisthenics develops helpful traits and good
living habits that remain long after college days are over.
Grinnell features a strong intramural house
competition for both men and women, with plaques and trophies to champions being the most prized
possessions of the athletic year.
Softball, basketball, swimming, tennis, and track;
these are only a few of the annual intramural events.
Women's athletics are under control of the Women's Athletic Association.
Here to, physical condition is deemed of paramount and primary importance.
Condition is the foundation for a many sided intramural program and for interscholastic
contests with women from other colleges. There's nothing like calisthenics to bring
out that natural red to the cheeks or a little exercise to keep the face and figure in trim
for the prom.
There are many phases to the women's athletic
program. Archery is one of them.
Archery is an optional class that's always
popular, leap year or not.
There are literally scores of recreational
activities offered at Grinnell. Track, rifle teams, hockey teams, volleyball,
and squash are only a few of many in the curriculum that can be enjoyed both in college and for
years to follow.
[inaudible], one of the routines in the class of rhythmics where modern dancing and exercise
promote good posture, grace, and rhythm of motion: aesthetic attributes that are lasting
helps for any form of sport or activity.
Advanced classes in the modern dance are open to both men and women.
Some of the graduates have achieved Broadway success in this special field.
All appreciate, enjoy, and are helped by its teaching and conditioning.
For members of the horsey set, riding instruction is offered at the college stables.
The campus and the surrounding vicinity abound in miles of interesting bridle paths.
Full-time riding masters and year-round stables are maintained for one of the most popular
of physical education subjects. And when some of these damsels go for a ride
in the forest — well boys, it's no time to have horse asthma.
In tennis, intramural stars often develop into varsity standouts.
Everyone is therefore encouraged to play.
Grinnell has had several nationally ranked
tennis stars in past years; masters of this ancient game that brings years and years of
sports and relaxation to its ardent devotees.
Within walking distance of the campus, a nine-hole Grinnell country club course is available
to all students who choose golf as a physical education activity.
From golf star to high-salary business executive — isn't that supposed to be the great American
success story?
Every student at Grinnell must know how to swim, along with elementary techniques of
life saving, before receiving a diploma.
Few events of the school year are more wholeheartedly supported than the water pageants and swimming ballet.
In the present instance, it's synchronized
swimming and breast stroke and waltz crawl, a streamline study of coordinated grace and
rhythm, natatorial niceties to please mankind's ceaseless urge for the loveliness of things poetic.
Need we repeat? Coming to see these pageants
is very popular. Floating formations, egg *** variety, results
of weeks of drill and coaching.
And the fountain of youth that springs eternal in the college pool, aqua belles in hilarious
review. Fortunate is Grinnell in having one of the
foremost authorities on water pageants as a member of its physical education staff.
Most coveted honor of the entire athletic year is the Honor G award, symbolic of highest
achievement in the chosen varsity sport. Symbolic also of sportsmanship, comradeship,
and loyalty. Grinnell's tradition of athletic greatness is deep-rooted and enduring.
Grinnell teams have beaten larger universities as Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Members of Grinnell track squad have run and placed in four Olympics.
Almost every branch of sport has received national recognition at one time or another.
Today, everywhere, alumni and Honor G men unite to raise post-war athletics to the Grinnell
standard. The quarterback squad, composed of Grinnell
businessmen, forms that important link between college and outside world.
Interhouse basketball brings spirited rivalry every year.
[pause] Intramural games also help to uncover potential
talent for varsity teams that represent Grinnell in the Midwest Conference.
Pioneer track teams are traditionally strong. Grinnell has specialized in dash men, quarter
milers, half milers, and hurdlers in the past. Ask any Olympic or AAU official.
The return of GIs in recent years has increased athletic resources. A fullback, class of 1965,
no doubt. Rebuilding Grinnell [inaudible] more and more
a matter of squad strength rather than individual stars. This means that plenty of material
must be forthcoming and that alumni should be on the alert for likely candidates — men
who are also good college material to replenish this ever graduating roster.
Intersquad games and scrimmages help condition the men, build precision plays, and pave the
way for victories against some of the toughest teams in the Midwest Conference.
Grinnell interscholastic track meet attracts high school and secondary school athletes
from many points. Varsity and freshman stars are on the greeting
committee. You name the freshmen here. Coaches and competitors from scores of cities
and towns meet and get better acquainted. Five hundred or more can be fed at one time
in the dining room. Housing is provided for all.
[pause] Preparation and care of the athlete is unsurpassed.
For this particular meet, Fred [inaudible], former Grinnell all-around star is honorary
starter, along with beloved Mike Augustine, another
all-time Grinnell great. And in the 120-yard high hurdles, it's quite
a race! [pause]
Grinnell interscholastic is the first large high school meet west of the Mississippi.
The record in the 100-yard dash dates back to 1914, [inadible] of Greenfield at 9.8,
considerably faster than today's time incidently. Few events anywhere year after year can boast
the class and style of performance seen at the Grinnell interscholastic.
An excellent program of events, expert officiating, and the best equipment, appeal to athletes
and coaches alike. Even the queens are happy about today's events.
No expense or trouble is too great so long as it ensures top performance, safety, and
comfort for the participants in this annual track classic.
The Grinnell interscholastic is an opportunity for participants from everywhere to know better
the ideals of fair play and team competition that are the foundation for Grinnell's entire
athletic program. At Grinnell, intramural and intercollegiate
contests teach the self-reliance that comes when there are more sports for all.
Yes, Grinnell takes pride in its rich athletic past, and with the combined support of its
loyal alumni and new students, looks forward to an equally bright future.
[instrumental music]