Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1893-03-18
THE DAY OF A VARSITY MAN.
How Member of Football Team Get'
Ready for the Fray.

The occupation of varsity eleven
from the moment the men get out of
their beds in the morning until they
yet into them again at night attracts
widespread interest and some very
curious speculation. Judging by ques-
tions put to me- through the post and
orally, the popular conception Of the
football players day is truly startling.
saws a writer in Harpcr'S Weekly 1t
has him up with the slsi running
about five miles before breakfast as an
appetizer; at 10 o'clock he is supposed
10 start OIL on q ten or fifteen mile iOg
across country to reduce surplus flesh
and harden that which is left on his
bones. At noon his feeding is some
what after the manner of the animals
at the Zoo; like them, he must needs
devour great hunks OF raw beef to give
bodily strength and tone his DISPOSE
tion up to the proper degree OF feroc-
ity; he plays football all the afternoon
breaking an arm, leg, OF at least a
rib. which is set and in condition for
the onslaught of the next day. After
the practice every day those who have
escaped injury are tossed up in a blan-
kct and dropped on the field TO coudi-
tiuu them fer the match games AT
supper more raw bcvi and great tank
ards Of ale IN the iul man and lull
the wuugar" spirit INTO "a Deatitic state
of rrstfuiuess After an hours rest
the roaeherS and the players convene
in solemn concIaye, with armed sent
ries at all the doors and windows, and
there the tricks, signals and plays are
discussed until late into the night
when the tired men retire to snatch
little rest against the work of to-mor-
row
Such seems to be the provincial idea
of the foothall-player's day. Unfor-
tunately for its picturesqueuess, il is
much more prosaic, Work he does,
indeed, earnestly and apparently tire.
lessly, but hc eats no raw beef. nor
does be the other extraordinary things
accredited TO him. His life is one of
absolute abstemiousurss; carly TO bed
and early To rise, with just enough
work to give him endurance, harden
his muscles. and pul spring in his
movements. and plenty OF good whole
some food. He is trained to yet the
maximum results from The minimum
of effort, and his physical condition is
so perfect that bruises which would
disable the average onlookerpass away
after little vigorous massage
He gets up at about o'clock and
breakfasts on substantial plain fare ut
from 1880 to 8 O'Clock. The time until !
noon is given 20 his college duties, or,
if he has no lectures to attend, he
reads, writes or amuses himself rs
would any other man with a bit Of
leisure on hand
At noon he puts on his football
clothes and goes out on the field for
little practice. Generally this hon
before the midday meal, called lunch
con, but as substantial, in fact as the
average dinner, is devoted to individ-
ual work. The quarter back under
goes vigorous coaching to quicken his
Passing the full back practices kick
inc goals, and 50 on through the team,
every man receiving the particular at
teutiou he needs
Again. at 3 he goes out for the regu-
lar afternoons practice, which con-
siets Of an hours play against the
scrub" team, followed by drilling ia
the signals and new plays At the end
of the days work he has his salt
shower bath, good rub down, and if
he has bruises or cuts they are anoint-
ed and bandaged. At half-past he
dimes heartily. being permitted a bot
tie of ale and sometimes the luxury Of
ice-cream.
In the last couple of weeks Of the
season the men meet for a little while
after dinner every night to 20 over
the signals and discuss plays and
tricks The remainder Of the evening
is spent in studying or in any way con-
sistent with training.
At half-past 10 the varsity mans
day has run its length and he goes to
bed to dream, perhaps. Of touchdowns
and wonderful goals kicked from inn
possible angles.