Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to trace the development of the struggle over athletic priorities in the Louisville Y.M.C.A. between 1892 and 1912. The focus is on the attempt by Louisville Y.M.C.A. General Secretaries and Physical Directors to win acceptance for Gulicks philosophy of athleticism among members of the Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors and among Y.M.C.A. athletes. This focus directs attention to three interrelated parts of the struggle: first, the consequences of relying on Gulicks philosophy of athleticism as the principal means of legitimating Y.M.C.A. athletics to Boards of Directors when Y.M.C.A. athletic teams began to compete against teams outside the confines of the Y.M.C.A.; second, the problems incurred when General Secretaries and Physical Directors tried to impose the philosophy of athleticism on Y.M.C.A. team members who were concerned about team victories; and third, the response of Y.M.C.A. athletes and avid fans when Y.M.C.A. Boards of Directors imposed sanctions against athletic practices that did not conform to the policy of athleticism. Verf.-Referat