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The War Industries League was formed in August of
1942 with 4 teams. A possible Tacoma entrant did not take shape.
Commissioner Wilcox, in an Associated Press story
on Sep 14, 1942 announced that 52% of all league profits would go to
military servicemen's funds. Jay Grabeal was announced as being
unavailable to travel to Spokane because of work commitments.
Wilcox and Edwin Atherton, commissioner of the
Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Conference, locked horns verbally over the
question of future amateur status of the athletes competing in the war
industries league.
Atherton had taken a hard stance and "Athertonized"
many collegiate athletes who had played on teams with pros and ex-pros.
Wilcox argued that due to the war setting, and the previous ruling
following World War I, that athletes had their amateur status reinstated
following the war-time sports. Wilcox stated there should be no
difference between the kids competing for military teams alongside
former pros and the kids playing for war-industry teams as both squads
were products of war-time conditions which in themselves call for a
different set of rules.
The Shipbuilders won the league championship after
losing to the Manlowes in the opener. They reeled off six-straight
victories including a 14-0 win over the Bremerton Red Raiders for the
Northwest Independent title.
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