The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-13
STATE UNIVERSITY ArHLErICs.


College Men Make Good Showing. but
Arc Badly Handicapped.
The state university students are feeling
sadly the want OF advantages for athletic recre-
alton. being absolutely without anything of the
kind. Notwithstanding their heavy handicap,
the institution has made good record in ath-
letics and has developed some excellent talent
There is now In existence at the school al ath-
letic association, which. however, Is little more
than a name. a. il has had it, hands tied BY lack
of financial backing or OF support from the au.
thorities.
The association was organised in the fall OF
1889, and following this there was some attempt
at playing football. For over q year little was
done beyond some desultory work in baseball
and friendly trials at outdoor sports among the
students. In January. 1891, enough interest was
aroused b bring about a football game with
Washington college at Tacoma. In the follow.
ing spring an intercollegiate athletic associa.
ton was formed of the schools of Western
Washington, and q successful field day held at
Tacoma. On this occasion the state university
made the second best showing, Washington col.
lege coming out on top Last spring in Seattle
the field events were repeated. This time the
university carried Off first prizes In nearly all
events, and then to further show her athletic
superiority defeated picked team from all the
other colleges in q game of baseball
One OF the greatest strides forward made by
the University in athletics was last fall and
winter in football, when 1t had the hearty sup
port OF the Seattle Athletic Club. Not only were
there games between the University and the
Club. but some OF the college men had the adj.
vantage OF the excellent training afforded by
playing under the club colors in the trying
games against Tacoma aud Portland Next fall
the University proposes to play Bishop Scott
Academy and other schools In the Pacific North
west This spring there will DO strong base
ball team organized, and great deal OF attsn.
ton will be given 10 outdoor athletics.
The principal event that 10 occupying the ath-
letic men of the university now Is the coming
field day OF the Intercollegiate Association,
which will be held either at Sumner or seattle
some time in May. The present members of the
association are the state university. Tacoma
academy. Washington college, OF Tacoma; Pu-
get Sound university, of Tacoma, and Whit
worth college. OF Sumner. Applications for
membership have been received from Seattle
university, Chehalis college and Vashon college.
and they viii all probably be admitted. A meet.
ing will be held some time this month to make
arrangements for the event
While under existing circumstances the uni.
versity athletes have done nob!y, they are so
bound down that no fair estimate can be made
Of their real ability. They have had no fnan-
cial support, o. even encouragement from the
institution. They have no gymnasium, and
during the winter have no place at all for aih-
letic training Even when the weather per-
mlts outdoor WORK they have nowhere to go for
shower bath after their exercise, and in conse-
quence are constantly running the risk OF
stitiened muscles. On top OF this they have
not even good field for their sports. Some of
the leaders among the eihle.ically inclined stu
dents have labored long and faithfully with the
faculty and the board OF regents 10 secure recog-
milton. but to no purpose. Financial aid would
be Godsend indeed, but lacking this they feel
that only disposition to help along their
beavers would he most welcome. They could
then hope for some return for their efforts.
If the university is 10 become a representative
institution OF the state il might be- well tor the
authorities 10 consider the athletic question.
few hundred dollars iudeiousiy spent would
mean a great deal TO the students, and the doe
trine OF a sound mind in sound body could be
given practical test. Upon the removal of the
university 20 the new ste on Lake Washing
ton, a splendid location will be afforded for the
rearing up OF . sturdy nanhoot by plenty Of
healthiul exercise. The beneficial results of
such pian OF action are manifest in California
AZ stanford and Berkeley. and the state uniyer-
sity OF Washington under suitable conditions
might we'll hope to follow in the same path
Even with the present site OF the university.
the question OF educating the youth FOR the bat
tie of Lie by some Other ,nea8s 80 m stufiing
their brains with GreeA ard Latin roots. intri.
cate rules OF mathematics ard Tie technical
tiles of the different 'oiogIes IS well worth the
thought of the men who sre locking after its
interests.