The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-28

Athletic Situation at the Minnesota
University.

Football affairs are assuming an
alarming aspect at the university, and
1t will be no wonder If other than raven
locks hang down the backs of the
athletic officers before the present
crisis is over. This condition of affairs
has been brought about by the deficit
in football receipts last fall, and the
consequent outstanding debts. 1t will
be remembered that these debts
amount to over $500, and also that the
faculty have reported that these debts
must be paid before new ones are con-
tracted. 1t is this latter reason which
has caused the CONSERVATION, more
especially in the department Of foot
ball.
In the first place the track team is
unable to secure the services of Train
er Dad Moulton for this spring, ow-
ing to lack Of funds. 1t is bad
enough to give up track training, but
the probable consequence is that dad"
cannot be secured for next fall to
train the football kickers. Wisconsin
is offering very flattering inducements
to the veteran trainer to take charge
Of their track team this spring, with
view to retaining him in their service
next spring. dad" will undoubtedly
go to Wisconsin this spring.
The next thing is the coach. In or
Ger to secure competent coach, 1t is
necessary to engage him early But
coaches are SO much in demand that
to secure one 1t can only be done by
contract and that too where there is
a chance of getting their pay. Last
years coach has not received the bal
ance OF his salary, and the football
manager has been unable to enter into
a contract with him for next season.
Add to that the command Of the fac
ulty, Thou shalt not" and you will
nave to summon to your assistance
more than Olney's trigonometry to
ascertain how the manager Is going
to secure coach for next season.
Without a coach, what will the football
team do in competition with Wiscon-
sin. which seem to have but little
trouble in maintaining all departments
OF athletics. 1t seems rather strange
that Wisconsin, located in a city Of
about 10000 inhabitants, is able to send
a crew to New Haven, or a team to
win first place in the Western inter-
collegiate meet at Chicago, while Min
nesota, located in the Twin Cities, is
not only not able to maintain a track
team or crew, but not even able to pay
the expenses Of running It's football
team.
The last source Of annoyance Is in
regard to the schedule next fall. The
games for the next season are general
ly arranged shortly New Years. The
other universities are going right along
with their arrangements, and if Min
nesota Is unable to arrange a game
with them, then they give that date to
another college. The result Is. that
either Minnesota will not have a sched-
ule with desirable teams Of the West,
or the dates will be arranged most in
conveniently for the team
With all these drawbacks, It will be
easy to understand why the athletic
managers are SO worried over the pres
ent state Of affairs. However, it may
be said to their credit, that they are
using every legal means to wipe out
this deficit. Their present efforts are
combined to a series Of informals. which
are given in the university armory.
These entertainments consist Of short
preliminary programme of music and
elocution, which Is followed by dane
ing. The next informal will be given
Saturday evening, Jan. 80, at o'clock.
The programme will consist Of readings
by Miss Maud Claire Shaw and con-
tralto solos by Mrs. w. N. Porteous
The University band will furnish the
music.