The Portland daily press., 1888-04-19
on colby's Campus.

The growth of athletics at Colby began In
1927, when the trustees, after mature and
careful deliberation, decided that something
must be done in the way of physical culture
for the pale, sunken-eyed student. Large
colleges already had gymnasiums; but our
good masters looked askance at that which
seemed to them a quixotic waste OF time.
Straightway work shops were constructed
upon the campus in which the student could
employ himself at any of the common trades
of life, but in which, also, he could better
his physical condition and lay foundation
that would be advantageous to him after en-
terng upon professional life. The first re-
port fairly teens with glowing pictures Of
the success of this new departure
But six years later we hear that
liabilities to the amount of several thousand
dollars have been paid, and the buildings re-
moved from the campus.
After this there is no manifest interest in
athletics until the year 1858, when the class
of '62 entered. Immediately thare is great
athletic fever. A ring tess was purchased,
horizontal bar was arranged between TWO
trees, a base ball nine was organized, and
still the fever RACES.
A wooden gymnasium was built in 1868,
only to be destroyed by fire few years later
In 1877 the present gym was built. Inc ofh-
GERS this year of the Athletic Association
are:
President-Pulsifer 88.
Vice President-W00dS, 'S9.
Secretary-Miller, 80.
Observation-Disclosures, '91.
Directors-Stewart, 'ss; Pepper s9, Roberts,
80; johnson, '91.
Today, with the old gym thoroughly reno
waited, so as to make it one of the best In the
State, with apparatus of the latest pattern,
with students in whom the fever OF " mas
not abated, the prospects for the fnture are
indeed bright
In regard to sports tennis and base ball
hold chief place. When tennis had become
popular amusement a club Of students
bought a set and being not yet sklltuil
enough to endure the jibes and jeers OF their
fellows stealthily set it up outside OF the
city. Now there are eight courts on the
campus.
But upon the nine Colby centers her pride
and affection, and justly for from its organ
ization it has been the leading amateur
club in Maine; and since the formation OF a
Maine State College League has taken the
pennant every season except that OF o.
when she came In close second.
This spring Colby again enters the field
with increased spirit and confidence.
Pulsifer, 'SS, captain and catcher, comes
from Auburn, and is q good all round ath-
lete. This is his fourth season on the Cor
bys, during which time he has filled the po-
sition of catcher and short stop. In 'S5 he
led the League in batting.
Gibbs, S8, the left fielder halls from Lly-
ermore, and is also an old player, this being
his fourth season. A good batter, a sure
catch and an accurate thrower to home plate
makes him an invaluable man.
WaqV 'Q0 Ditchpr and second DaSoman.
came from Auburn. He is an experienced
player, and not easily ratified. Vigorous
training this winter and daily practice in the
box will make him one of the most effective
pitchers in the league. This is his second
season.
Gilmore, go, the first baseman came from
Belfast. He is good batter and lends one
years experience to his position.
The remaining men are new players, but
their work last Fall showed them to be good
material They are, Mcguire, SO, rf., King,
80, ss., Roberts, 90, cf., Bangs, '9l, Sb, Par
sons, 91, 2b.