The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-17
REGULATING FOOTBALL.
UNIVERSITY or PENNSYLV AgTA
CO1NITTEE MAKES sue GESTIOYS.
Trsiping, Confne Games to
College Grounds.

The University Of Pennsylvania facult,
conference committee. consisting OF
Simon n. Patton. George w. Pepper. j
w. ADAMS. John &. Bell. DR.. j. vii
liam White, Louis 9, Madeira and II. l.
Geyciin, discussed football In all its bear
irgs at meeting held Saturday after
rcCn, and finally adopted the following
minutes:
Interest In intercollegiate football. not
only among thc students OF the several
colleges. but upon the part Of the public
nj large. has Increased TO such an ex-
tent during receTt years that definite
declaration OF policy in regard to the
sport may roasCnably be expected from
those VINO are In positions OF control AT
The various universities. IL is believed
that there Is "A uraniuCus sentiment
among The trustees and the faculties
Of the University OF Pennsylvania IN
favor OF athletic sport as a n;G rifesta-
tion Of university activity. which is,
under proper col editions, a Powerful edu.
cational influence. II is the belief Of
this committe that the game of football
as a branch OF athletic sport Is looked
upon with favor by the authorities. and
So seems that careful observation of
the workings of the existing restrictive
regulations in force at the University Of
pennsylvania has resulted I'm the con-
viction that the undesirable features
which are generally condemned are by
no means inseparable from the game.
but are OF such character that they
NAV be eliminated by aIj.robriate regu-
lations.
Thus II must have become obvious 10
those who have studied the athletic con-
ditions al the University Of PENNSYLVANIA
since the existing rules went into effect
that the game of football may be so
played as 10 deprive OF their weight
the arguments against the game which
have been from time 10 time advanced.
ii is sometimes urged. for example that
the game necessarily results I'm serious
physical injury.
II is 10 be observed. however that. ow-
Ing TO the operation Of the rules re- |
quiring careful medical supervision of |
athletes and intelligent preparatory |
training. not a single member Of the |
team Of the University Of Pennsylvania |
was injured during the long and ardous |
football season Of 1894 This circum-
stance is. of course, by no means con-
elusive; but it is persuasive evidence
that by the taking Of reasonable precau-
tions the risks Of the game may be
diminished TO an extent which makes
IL Impossible TO refer to football as an
exceptionally dangerous athletic sport.
Again. IT is said that football. as at
Present played. necessarily involves bru-
fatty upon the part Of the contestants.
without deFiriDg 10 be Understood as
expressing CONNER dalton OF behavior
"hich Is no more than gentIemfnIv and
the committee refers
'Hnout comment TO the circumstance
mat in their many eames with universe
Iles ana colleges not sir Gle member
d the pennsylvania team was disoIaIi-
led Tor rough play during the season Of
s''' and to the fact that il was mi
'crSaliy conceded by all fair-minded oh.
erFers OF the game that the representa-
ives OF the University of PennsyIvsnia
'ore themselves in every contest In a
ianly and sportsnanlike fashion II is
onceced on ali hands that the Harvard
'ehnsyivania game on Thanksgiving dav
'ds IN inns respect model intercoI-
siate contest, without semblance of
rutality of any sort
III is said that participation I'm foot
All so engrosses and absorbs the at
'hton and interest of the college sin.
fnt that he is unable to do Justice to
IS college work, and to maintain his
ahdlng In class. The committee al
Jus the lore of Vba