Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-14

Yale's gymnasium is an old-fashioned build
ing which was erected probably about thirty
years ago. DIR. Seaver is the professor of ath-
letics and his system is identical with that orig
mated by DIR. Hitchcock. similar to that in
use at Harvard. In Yale it is optional with
the student whether he take the gymnastic
course or not. Yale for some years back has
been the most successful college in the country
IN athletics, eclipsing her rivals in almost
every sport. Even though she has been beaten
this year l still regard her as the leading col
lege. Her superiority in the field of sports /
believe to be due to the intense college feeling
that is characteristic of Yale men. the bust
ness-like way in which they go to work and the
thorough coaching of their graduates. Eu-
thusiasm has won victories for Yale again and
again. She goes in determined to win. What
ever she goes into she does with her whole
heart and soul Yet she has very poor gym
nasium and her general facilities are insig-
niticant and away behind the times. They are
good enough for a school, but entirely made
quate for university. Yet with all these
drawbacks Yale has shown better generalship
and more headwork than any college in the
country until this year.
Her eclipse is only temporary. such as any
college might sustain. and it will force her to
still harder and better work in the future. for
it is unquestionable that Yale will never res,
till she regains her old-time prestige as the
leading athletic college in the Union.
Prlncetons interest in athletics dates from
1868, when she built gymnasium at consider
able cost. 1t was considered marvel Of per.
lection at that time, but it is now much toe
small and old-fashioned besides. From the
years 1869 till 1885 held the post of instructor
OF athletics at Princeton, as l have already
stated, and | can therefore speak with some
authority of the college that has come to the
front IN the sport that requires more than al
other strength. skill. courage and endurance
hear now there is some talk of enlarging the
old gymnasium or of building new one, but the
same talk has been going on for years, yet moth
ing has been done. Prof. Turner. the present
instructor, is an Englishman, and has adopted
what is known as the English military system
OF gymnasium training. Princeton as l said
| suffers from old-fashioned apparatus. yet the
efficient that they ffset this to great extent
and this is doubtless one of the main causes OF
her superiority in the field
Almost every student in Princeton takes an
active interest in athletics of some kind. The
success OF the foot ball team was owing think
to the excellent coaching of the graduates. who
brought team play to perfection, and also to
the magnificent physical condition of each man
through the skiliful training of Mr. James Rob.
inson, who certainly deserves great credit
This was plainly demonstrated in the games
with Harvard and Yale. Princeton men ap.
peared to be as strong at the finish as at the
commencement of the games, whereas the
other teams were notably weaker in the second
half. This was especially marked in the Har-
ward game and was due, think. to overtrain-
ing. Princeton. besides the foot ball, holds
the lacrosse championship. She also stands an
excellent chance of winning the base ball and
athletic championships.