The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-31
Benefit Of Athletic Sports.

Even il we look at the question only
from the standpoint OF the student IL is
probable that there Is 10 just ground for
the complaints against athletics. InVesti-
cation of the records made by athletes at
Harvard few years ago disclosed the
fact that their average standing was
above that Of the rest of the class My
own observation leads me 10 believe that
this wili hold tFae as 81 general rule. for
though athletes may stand below the hard
working men who know nothing but study.
they usually stand wei above the men Of
vicious or hbrelesS character. who natu-
rally fan % the foot Of the class.
IT, on the other hand. We adOpt the
staudpoin OF the man who looks to the
results ir afterife. the athlete appears
10 even better advantage The men who
take part ia vigorous sports. whether they
attain 10 the first rank OF merely stand
among those who get no particular honor
at the time. but have nearly as much fun
and just as much ultimate benefit are apt
In after-life 10 do rather better in the
rough work Of the world than those OF
their fellows who had no taste for athle-
&c work. 3f course there are exceptions
10 this and 10 does not apply AT AN 10
these who follow sport for their business.
one very great benefit Of athletic sports
arises from their tendency 10 minimize
dissipation They have been very riOtent
allies I'm the fight against debauchery.
Another good thing Is that they tend TO
lessen the Importance Of the merely social
clubs, and OF popular leaders in tho diff
ftrent colleges. II the victorious athlete
sometimes ecnpgcs the glory that -ight-
fully belongs 20 the hard student II is
yet true. ON the other hand. that ne also
throws into the shade the old time COLLEGE
hero who strove 10 obtain leadership by
his wealth, his social position. or his
prominence I'm fast life. This Is. OF course.
an unaduiterated Deucft. especially 90 the
boys after-career, Looking over the mon
whom | knew I'm my day at college. II Is
noteworthy that those who then we've
leaders I'm athletic sports. now, twelve or
fifteen years afterwards. stand on the
average above rather than below their
fellows who did not take part In manly
exercises; just exactly as on the average
the men who stood we'll In their studies
then row occupy a position. as a rule
rather better than that Of those who did
not. There are many exceptions 10 both
rules. Of course, and II IS a very melan-
choly thing 60 see a man who in middle
life tests his sole title 20 consideration
upon the fact that he was once a member
OF a university team or was once q man
VINO was marked highest IN his Lafin
courses: but these are exceptions only and
they are not much more exceptional
among the athletes than amoug the hard
Students. To take the sports which II Is
az present the fashion most 10 decry. foot
ball and rowing. among my friends hap
pen TO number several ex-captains OF foot
ball teams and Of crews. and they are. as
a whole. decidedly above. not below the
ordinary STANDARD Of college graduates /.
they are men who 20 their duty well,
both 10 the State and 10 their own faml-
lies-men who are, In short. good Ameri-
can citizens.