Athletics has a place in school life. The old platitude, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, is a true one. The school authorities from the Board to the High School Principal have recognized the place of athletics in school life. To Foot Ball, Basket Ball and Base Ball the teachers and superintendent have given their hearty support. In Foot Ball, as the scores given elsewhere indicate, a creditable showing was made. If some of those who were well equipped physically had used a little more midnight oil in the preparation of their school work, the success of the teams would have been much greater. The work in Basket Ball was very satisfactory. With practically no knowledge of the game, most of the players never having even seen a basket ball contest, the team began practice late in the season. The first contest brought victory to our team. This was probably the cause of the excess of confidence which resulted in our losing a few games which should have come to us.
One of the most pleasant events of the year was the athletic carnival held in Park’s field. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon the entire school with the Mooresville Cornet Band at the head of the procession marched from the school building through the town to the athletic field. The first event was a foot ball game between a Senior-Freshman team and a Junior-Sophmore team. Other events were running races and a tug of war between the Freshmen and the Sophmores. In all of these contests there was keen rivalry, but throughout the events of the entire afternoon the spirit of courtesy and consideration shown would have done credit to many colleges. With regrets for the defeats we met, and anticipations of more and greater victories next year, the athletic record for the year nineteen hundred eight and nine is closed.
There was a man named Howard,
Who certainly was a coward
For lazy was he, as much as could be,
And thought of work made him tired.
Mr. Payne is a very fine man.
He stays in the library all he can,
When he leaves he will certainly lock it,
And put the key in his pocket.
