The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-11-28

tain selected to direct the playing and
assist IN the selecting of the personnel of
the eleven. The coach is employed to
| teach the boys the principles of the
| game and to give professional assistance
| in whatever way possible. It is the
duty Of every mem Der of Uhe school in
terested In athletics to do all in his power
| to aid the three above mentioned in
dlvlduals. 1t Is unreasonable to blame
the manager. captain or coach wholly,
for any dishonest means employed In
| making up an eleven. The foou-ball as
ISOLATION of the Portland High school la
the guilty party whenever an individual
Is allowed to represent their school, who
has no connection whatever with 1t, or
has connection with it simply for the
purpose of participating in certain con
tests. This season has passed and we do
not propose to say anything more about
1t except that we regret the mistakes
which have been mnde this fall. The
standard maintained by the Portland
High school in past seasons has been de-
parted from.
We believe that the oversight of
athletics by competent, interested and,
| II possible, enthusiastic advisory board
OF graduate vested with certain powers to
ne desirable, not alone for the preveh ting
OF the tendencies of this fall, but for the
greater reason of establishing an athletic
|
su bJect to the yearly changes demonstrated
by undergraduate management, and
which shall In the end. if possible, stamp
Portland High with an individuality in
athletic contests Of every kind whics
shall give it desirable position OF pre-
eminence among the Maine schools, at
! least as far as integrity and honor 60.
In forming plans for the spring meet
and ali future events, we hope that the
| methods in vogue at other schools of
athletic prominence and unquestloned
reputation Will be studied. Until the
Maine colleges come to the realization of
the opportunities they are yearly losing
by the apathy which they smanifest to-
ward the athletic dsvelopm ent of the
for their own athletic prestige, we can
see no better way than for the mem bers
OF the school themselves to realize their
responsibility and act according to their
best jsdgemant.
| We wish to help the school in the at
tainment of the end most desirable,
namely, of maintaining O standard of
athletic durity which will be not only
source Of strength in itself but also q
matter Of qualification to all members
and friends, rather than to criticize 1t
for past conduct. We have confidence in
the character of Portland boys. We do
not believe that there is a general desire
60 WIN contests at any cost, nor that
supervision from school officials ts neces-
sary for the idea of being virtuous simply
because compelled to be SO by strict sur
VIGILANCE savors too much of ''reforJo
school" Rather let the reform be the
voluntary act of students determining
to be trne sportsmen. The right spirit
exists much more generally than sup
posed, but it has been too dormant. We
say this from knowledge of the prevail
ir1y eanfi ty1cpH ha boz, 90
school. We firmly believe that our High
school as a representative of the leading
city IN the state, should have the hest
athletic spirit Individually and collsc-
lively. Once possessing il there will be
little question as to the athletic future of
the Portland High school.
W. B. PERRY, JR.