The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-06-26

In athletics a very decided improve
ment was manifested during the ses-
sion lust closed. over any previous ses-
sion IN the history Of the University.
Heretofore there has prevailed spirit
of general listlessness in this regard.
resulting. naturally. in the University's
playing but a very uuimportant part IN
the collegiate athletic world. This may
also be accounted one of the chief
causes Of the lack Of unity and con-
mon feeling of the student body.
which in tue past has been such
serious fault Of the University. To
remedy this. step in the right direc-
tion was made at the beginning OF this
session by the organizing Of a Cen
eral Athletic Association, IN whose pro
vince it was 10 unite the different attn
letic organizations. and to create "a com
mon interest among them, thus making
each one assist the other. and IN its turn
be assisted by them. Considering that
this was the first year Of It's existence.
the success Of the experiment cannot be
questioned.
Another cause for the vast improve
ment shown in atheletics, aud one more
productive of direct beneficial results
than the General Atheletic Association,
was the erection. through the efforts OF
the officials of the baseball club, a
fence around the baseball and foot
ball grounds. BY means Of the reve-
nues arising from the admission fees
to the games. these two clubs have been
placed on perfectly secure financial
basis. whereas in previous sessions II
was often impossible to raise sufficient
money t0keep the clubs IN existence.
Tie matter Of finances being thus re-
moved. there is nothing to prevent the
various teams Of the University M
creasing in efficiency until they reach TIE
high standard established by the
Northern colleges.
Following out IN most fitting man
ner the enterprise Of the officers OF the
club in enclosing their grounds. The
nine proved itself 90 be most excel
lent one. Adding victory to victory on
the green diamond until they began to
bs looked upon as Inyincible' they
reused the students to pitch OF enthu-
siasm that has never been equalled
here, and that cannot fail to be OF IN
calculable benefit in advancing the
cause of athletics in the future.
So creditable is their record, that II
deserves being mentioned, and is as
follows: At Annapolis they dele ated
the United States Naval Academy Nine;
at Alexandria. the Episcopal High
school Nine: at Lexington. the virginia
Military Institute Nine and the wash
mgtOn and Lee Nine. On their own
grounds they defeated the Johns Hop
kins University, Richmond College
Randolph-Mac0n College, Washington
and Lee University. and picked teams
from Culpeper. Charlottesville. and
Richmond. and were themselves de
feated i'm one game by the last named
club. making the handsome total ol
eleven victories and one defeat. rms
one defeat ought scarcely TO be lnclui-
ed IN the record, for in that game the
Richmond team employed battery oil
professionals. with whom the Varsity
men naturally could not successfully
cope.
Among the players. three at least de-
serve the highest praise for thelr lnNal'
uable assistance iu bringing about TINS
magnificent result. They are Messrs.
Grcenway and Powell, pitchers, and
Mr.. Wood. the catcher, who, unaided'
caught the whole season. The entire
team. However. is worthy Of great
credit. and they may be sure that the
| University is proud of them.
On all sides can be heard the OPINION
that the excellent achievements OF the
baseball team will rebound IN every
way To the benefit of the University
| That il will advertise the name OF the
University is certain. and that II VIII
/ aid i'm bringing into her walls many
Young men who are anxious TO leaii'
/ but sui believe in the mems san" Z"
Sauo coyp0rc doctrine. can scarcely be
gainsaid.
The football team of the session Just
closed had greater obstacle TO contend
with than the baseball team, IN tna'
| the former game is not nearly 50 we'll
/ known i'm the South as the later, ana
hence presents much less material from
| which TO select a team. SUI lhey
made a very good showing and addeu
considerably to the popularity oil the
pame among tine students. lheIe II
every reason to believe that the eleven
] lit Nl riFNlOU- " III b' WI h-N'
The boat crew has been IN active
training throughout the session ana
will make hard fight to win the ffencn
prize Gun nc the regatta in Richmond on
/ July 4th Quite number ot students
will accompany the crew to hichmohu
TO encourage them to victory by theli
presence. Taken altogether, athletics
Al the University during the session OF
! fSSS-Sg have been markedly successful
The Rives Boat Crew was established
in 1877 by Mr.. Frances RIves. oil New
York. 1t has made theiollOwing RECORD
Lvuchburg, 1877, won by the Tobacco
City Crew. n.
Lynchburg, 1878, won by the Rive'
fredericksburg, 1879, won by th'
~ Fredericksburg, 1880. won by TIT
Rives Crew. p;no
/ Crew. a,
Rives Crew.
Lynchburg, 1888, won by the Apo
mattox Crew.
Great improvements are proposed
Measures are on foot to erect a neat cot
taee boat-house at the Charlottesviil
Woolen mills, on the Rivanna river
and to provide practice, race and pleas
ure boats.
The Rives will endeavor to enter mex
year at the Pdssaic regatta, at Newark
\. j.. and the People s regatta at fhii'
deiphia.
.rr,xa, # william walter PHELPS.
,euNGrON. ID. c.. June %