Illinois was one of the first states to offer high school Christmas holiday basketball tournaments. Back then the tournaments were strictly for boys. Think Pontiac, DeKalb in the 1920s. There are many other boys tournaments with nearly all schools playing tournament basketball. Think East Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale Central, IC Catholic/Westmont, Jacobs, Maine East, Plano, Proviso West, York, and more.
Wisely, there are girls tournaments in basketball. Add wrestling holiday tournaments, bowling, gymnastics, however, not as full as basketball. Nonetheless, communities become involved in promoting high school holiday events in sports.
College events, mainly basketball and football take center stage during the Christmas holiday season. College football bowl games bring in huge crowds and parades, and other events in a focus on bowl events, such as Orange, Cotton, Peach, Sugar, Rose, Bowls. See the list of results and upcoming games on page 9. Television portrays the events and games and offers huge numbers of viewers to the games.
Just think when games were starting their courses more than 100 years ago following the dip into the 20th Century in the abundant growth of the still young United States. Stadiums for football, especially, often were filled, there was no television, and radio either did not exist, or, was in its infancy.
We are in a different world. The answer always is to make the best of the situation, whatever it may be. Professional sports and high-level college competition continue to be dominant in its revenue, coverage, and exposure. Nonetheless, in its relevance, amateur sports of all ages, six to 60 (and plus) means learning, exercise, joy, if taken in proper perspective.
Sports, recreation, and exercise, are an important part of Americana. Good examples for the youth are important well beyond the games.
We will have interspersed views of tournament basketball at several levels, the college bowl games, and soon the National Football League (NFL) playoffs. The Chicago Bears have two regular-season games remaining to find positive attitudes to begin thinking of next season. The NFL playoffs will begin in the middle of January with a view to Super Bowl 57 Sunday, Feb. 12 to end the 32-team League bonanza. Next?