Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-12
TRAINER COURTNEY AT WORK.
He VIII Coach the Columbia Athletic
Club for the Coming Contests.
TALK WITH THE oARsNAN-HIs SUGGESTIONS
AS TO EowIsG-HE A STRICT DISCIPLINE
RIAN-A STORY ILLUSTRATING THIS TRAIT
WHAT HE SAYS OF CORNELL.

Il.
frequenter of the Columbia Athletic
Clubs boat house could not but help noticing
big difference in the attendance aud interest
at the boat house yesterday compared with the
day before, or in fact any day during the
present season. The number Of members at
tired in shell costumes lounging about the
float and incline was more than double what it
is usually.
whats the matter around here today?'
why this looks like old times!' and similar
remarks or questions were heard on all sides.
lhe cause was that
CHARLES COURTNEY,
the trainer and coach, was there at the boat
house in his professional capacity, closely
watching the crews as they shot out from the
hoat and noting the style of their rowing, and
asking questions the answers to which will, of
course, be of service to him in selecting crews
to represent the club Mt tine regattas in which
they will be entered if Courtney considers their
chances of winning good.
TALK WITH COURTNEY.
During conversation with the big brown
oarsmen. he stated to STAR reporter that they
must not expect too much of him or his work
with the crews. for it must be remembered
that the Atantas and Bradford and Atlanta
Fights have been training honestly for each
others scalp for months past, consequently
they are in prime condition and any crew win
ming with either OF these crews against it will
have to do great rowing.
PRAISE FOR CORNELL.
In speaking of the Cornell College crews
freshmen and'varsity-Courtney was profuse In
his praise of them-the style of rowing and
their earnestness from the time they are seated
in the shells until they are ordered to ''let her
rum"
Mr.. Courtney was asked as to the time the
Cornell crew devoted to training, and said
from March until June the actual work of the
varsity crew averaged about four hours and
twenty minutes each week, but during that
time the men worked hard, for in rowing one
has to work hard it is not a gift, nor does it
come to one during night but by dint of
practice and coaching.
A STORY ABOUT COURTNEY.
As disciplinarian Courtney is noted among
rowing men. and an idea of this may be OBJ
tanned from the following story: While train
ing u crew. and not far from the time of the
race, Courtney was approached by the stroke
of the crew. who asked permission to attend a
reception, which he was allowed to do provid-
ing he would be in his bed at a
certain hour. He failed by several
hours. When the time for practice came
the stroke was on hand and in readiness to take
his seat, but his trainer simply remarked: "Mr.
- your seat will be filed today by Mr.. So
and-so When asked about this Courtney said
that it was SO, and that while it was dangerous
move to make it had the desired effect. Eyes,
he added, Il mean to do SO in every case and
will make no exceptions"
IMPORTANCE OF RIGGING.
The subject of rigging was brought up.
Trainer Courtney is Of the opinion that az
least half depends upon the rigging of the
boat He cited the case of this years Cornell
crew and said that there were no two outrig-
gers rugged alike. "One has to have some me-
chanical IDEAS" continued Courtney, las we'll
as having knowledge of rowing to become sue
cessful trainer.
THE POTOMAC THE BEST COURSE IN THE COUNTRY
Without being interrogated as to the Poto-
mac course Courtney declared it to be one of
the finest in the country, and remarked that he
wished the college races were removed here
instead of going away up to New London
Washington is of easy access and there are here
a number Of commodious boat houses.
Mr.. Courtney is CHARTERED at the Morgan
House, Georgetown, 80 as to be near the boat
house.