Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-10
COLLEGE ATHLETICS.
The Good That Will Follow Physical
Training for Students.

Prof. J. NJ Coulter In Indianapolis Journal.
| College management should never in these
| days be given over to recluses or bookworms
who have small sympathy with the physical
needs Of young men. There is an opinion too
current among college faculties that whatever
| diverts the mind of the student, even for a
short time, from his studies is necessarily dis
astrous. A day now and then devoted to recrea-
ton, an occasional hour conceded to physical
needs, are things to be strictly denied. The
difference in the results during years of train
ing of a few hours more or less of close appli-
cation to study is 30 infnItesimal that it is not
worth considering. 1t most surely smacks of
the penny wise and pound foolish policy.
The college president who judciously turns
| its students "out to grass" will develop strong
mental prodlgies and physical imbeciles, but
men who are both mentally and physically able
to shoulder their way among men. The most
deplorable picture in our colleges is that of a
young man consuming his forming strength
by close application to study. This thing of
close application becomes possible after both
brain and body are hardened. No time for
recreation" is burning the candle at both ends
while it is still soft and wasteful. All colleges
may claim that these very sentiments find a
prominent place in their advice, but to advise
is one thing, while to provide is a very differ
ent thing.
The inference may be that this means a gym
naslum at every college, but not necessarily so.
gymnasium under proper management Is a
good thing, but very expensive-in fact, too ex-
penSive for most Indiana colleges. By gym
nasium do not refer to collection of para
phernalia that may be used at random. but to
one IN charge OF an instructor. This puts it
out of the reach of most of our colleges. The
play ground Is really a better substitute and
that would be all-sufficient if exercise could be
a n1nS "a
the fact, however, that we are very seldom in
clned to do thing for its own sake. In any
kind of training goal must be set up, the
sight of which, Is constantly squirting our eff
orts. There would be very little study in our
colleges for studys sake. but the increased
power that such study will bring is the great
incentive.
This underlying fact we must recognize in
the matter of physical training, also by con-
irving something that will act a stimulus.
For this reasen, it is my firm belief that inter-
collegiate contests in athletics are among the
wisest things that can be devised by colleges.
Conceived IN wisdom does not always imply
executed in wisdom" and there is a constant
need OF judlclous oversight. 1t is certain how
ever, that these contests keep the play grounds
full, Induce physical training of the most rigo-
rous kind, exalt in the eyes of the students the
value of a strong, healthy body, and teach
them how to secure it. 1t is far from true that
these contests imply only the training of
chosen few, for the spirit of training. of exer-
else, is infused through the whole college. A
very important incidental benefit is one that all
college faculties Will appreciate. Boyish spirit
must ind expression in some way, and a strong
interest IN athletic sports will go far toward
clearing out from our colleges the rubbish of
old-time pranks.
The true theory of education is to develop
all the powers. and any training which involves
a repression of the physical man should not be
tolerated. A college is no longer a place for
monastic seclusion, but place where men are
trained TO fight for success, and no greater
factor underlies success than a strong, healthy
body