Controversy over eligibility of player caused Sylva High to leave conference

By Carey Phillips

The Ruralite, forerunner of The Sylva Herald, promoted the game two weeks in advance. The contest was to feature the local boys from SHS and the SCI team, comprised of both local boys and those from other areas who attended the Baptist boarding school.

Before game day arrived, controversy had erupted. Arthur Fincannon, Sylva's star player, was ruled ineligible by the Western North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Sylva did not take the action lying down.

"Sylva High School withdrew from the WNCAA Wednesday night, and the move was sanctioned by the populace of Sylva," The Ruralite reported. "This move followed the decision from the association that Fincannon, Sylva center, was not eligible to play."

Unfortunately, the paper doesn't explain why the conference ruled Fincannon ineligible. We do know some contributing writers to The Ruralite were none too happy about the decision. Three fictitious letters were published under the heading "Letters from coaches that they didn't write." The phony names of the alleged writers are apparently plays on the names of actual coaches in the conference.

One letter was signed by Mr. Ponderous, czar, WNC athletics. It reads as follows:

"I confess that I knew I could not win the conference title while Sylva High was a member of it. I am an important man in WNC and my team must win. I am the best athlete that ever went to any college or university from WNC. The stars on my manly chest proclaim to the world that I am good. It was stubbornness and big-headedness that caused me to pull such a dirty trick on the people of Sylva - people that have always admired me. It was just as dirty of me to send in the decision as unanimous. By sending in the decision in this way, the Hill coach had discredit cast on him unjustly and he had to help me bear the wrath of the fans. Then he turns out a team that my team cannot beat. I'll hatch up some scheme to wreck his team as I did the Bottom's."

The Hill refers to SCI, and the Bottom refers to Sylva High. From the letter, it appears that Manor Roberts, SCI's coach, did not support the move to make Fincannon ineligible. However, "Mr. Ponderous," whoever he was, apparently reported the decision as unanimous making Sylva fans think Roberts had gone against them.

A second fictitious letter was signed by Mr. Warlicker. It reads as follows:

"I am the man that first started the conference. I helped to adopt rules that will cause any boy to be ruled off his team - if he ever develops into a good player. All I have to do is prove that he touched a ball in 1912 and he is disqualified. I am the Yahoo that said it's according to who's the biggest liar and other disgusting remarks. I was prime minister of the Hill team's opposition Tuesday night and chased the two reporters from the visitors bench. I was afraid they would tell things that I was sure the visiting coach and his players were too good sports to mention. Now that SHS is out of the conference, I'll win the title."

The third fictitious letter, signed by Gen. Houlz, also alludes to Coach Roberts being wrongly accused of supporting the move to ban Fincannon. It reads as follows:

"I confess that I am the man that proved ŒFin' was not eligible because in 1923 he played a ukulele in the Hawaiian army. The shooting star of this conference had to be removed. The Big Czar had enough stars for us all. Napoleon and Caesar are two of my reserves and as general of the army across the mountain that I should be allowed to use them in battle if ŒFin' is to be a shooter for an enemy. Although I did all in my power to rule ŒFin' out, I am sorry that the terms of the treaty were so stated as to cause feelings against one of the generals in the town in question. It was his desire to be a decent sport and let the lad play. He argued for him long and loud and as a reward for his efforts the decision went as unanimous."

Despite the controversy, the "big game" was played Jan. 20, 1928, at the SCI gym. With Sylva High out of the conference, Fincannon was allowed to play. He scored 16 points helping his team to a 37-16 victory after leading 9-4 at halftime. Here's how The Ruralite reported the game:

"For the first few minutes, the Yellow Jackets defensive game was perfect. They kept the high school lads out of shooting distance with apparent ease. Then the Bottom outfit with Fincannon leading went on a rampage. Tatham and Fincannon performed spectacularly for their teams. Dillard gave fans a real kick when he tossed the ball among the rafters and registered a goal."

This is the weekly installment of a review of our back issues as The Sylva Herald and Ruralite celebrates its 75th anniversary throughout 2001.

Back to Archive: 01/18/01.