The morning call., 1894-10-20


When Camp was a freshman there were
no flying wedges, tandem runs or revolv-
ing plays. These tricks have all been in
vented since the days of 80.
Walter Camp while a student in college
took an active part in all branches of col
lege athletic sport
He could WELD the baseball bat almost
as effectively as he could carry the foot
bail down the field for gain of twenty
yards or more. If Yale reputation was at
stake on the tennis court, Yale's halfback
could jump off the net and rap the little
white alley at such lively rate that it
would make the Harvard people quake
with fear. When the opportunities pre-
senied themselves Camp would take
stroll down to the boathouse and pull a
stroke which filled his classmates brim
full of glee. Over on the track the young
student could have been seen during the
spring of the year sprinting over the high
hurdles like steeplechase racer.
But this all-round athlete was develop
ing something besides his muscles while
at the university of shady elms. He was
using his brains in conjunction with his
traiDing. He was necessarily making
athletics study, notably that of football
Walter Camp has no doubt given more
solid thought to this particular sport than
| any other man in America. He made il a
study in college and he has made it life
pursuit ever since, until at the present day
he is the recognized authority on football.
Some one has happily termed him ''the
| father Of football"
| This cogno omen may at first sight appear
little far-fetched, but when the history
of the game is retraced it will be generally
admitted that the crown fell on a worthy
head.
When Mr.. Camp began to play football
individual playing was the great feature
of the game. 1t was every man for him.
self. Guarding and interference were un-
thought Of. Mass plays were yet to be
brought in practice by the father OF
football" Long passes were at those
early stages made from quarterback to
halfback, and then the latter would dash
down the field for sixty or seventy ards
A tackle. unguarded. would take the bal
and go through the line for twenty yards
But since the time of Walter Camp "star'
playing has been discarded and team work
has been substituted IN its place.
This change of tactics has all beer
brought about through the brain work O!
the great coach. From year to year Mr.
Camp has appeared upon the field will
some new play or suggestions, and they al
have been made with the view of carrying
out his pet idea-team work.
The success that his favorite scheme hal
met with has been something marvellous.
Yale has met Harvard and Princeton
when defeat seemed almost certain, bu
| oil Ituf ri nr,ho mt \
the end. A few writer's have termed man,
of these victories the products of Yale
luck, but at last it has been conceded By
all that the secret of Yale's success wa
team work. and team work has been giver
to the football world by Walter Camp.
The great Eastern dailies and magazine
when they wish TO get an accurate opinion
as to the probable outcome of any Of tn
great games always resort to Mr.. Camp
When there is t. be change made in tn
rules and regulations Yale always send
Mr. Camp to represent her in the conven
ton. Last season Mr.. Camp was the frs
one to raise cry against some of tn
more cruel mass plays. He declared tha
football would soon fall in i'll repute if th
rules were not altered. Accordingly
meeting was called of the great colleges il
New York last win ter. and the rules wer
amended. principally through the instru
mentality Of Mr.. Camp. so that the dan
gerous elements were eliminated.
Mr.. Camp comes 10 the coast at the sac
rfce of his interests in his alma mate
Yale regretted very much the departure o
S its great coach, but for reasons best know
to Mr.. Camp he deemed it advisable I
leave Captain Hinkly and his eleven
| the andS of McCiung and others.