The sun., 1897-03-14
WALTER CAMP ON ATHLETICS.
An Instructive Address before the schooimas-
terrs Anaocfstion.

Walter Camp OF Yale University delivered
lecture on Modern Athletics" before tho
Schoolmasters' Association OF New York yester-
day morning In Hamilton Hall, Columbia Col
legc. Arthur Cutler, the President OF tho asso-
citation. in introducing Camp described him as
a man who has been power for good in Amer
lean athletics for the past twenty years" This
is what Camp said:
Athletics, during late years, have made just
rs great advances as teaching has done. Most
persons when they do not approve OF thing
Immediately propose TO have u law passed
abolishing II. This has boon the attitude as.
sumed by many toward athletics, but wise men
now sec that athletic legislation should ut
present bo slight and tentative. Wo arc now
fitting boys for different careers than those filled
by the college men OF fifty years ago. The world
OF to-day demands stronger, sturdier race, and
the colleges must turn out men who are fitted TO
hold their own in tho race OF life not only
"if man wishes 10 DO we'll developed in later
years he must begin his phys work very early
In life. In mature life we can only maintain our
muscular power; we must develop It in youth !.
Much has been said about the brutality OF
modern athletics. especially football. The same
objection has been raised against every new out
6oor etsrGi In sgs The Yale nS
Rerous. and added that II II was not abolished
there would be no ablebodied men in America in
ton years from that date. think there are few
able-bodied men still alive
''In 1872 Scribner's Magazine said that base.
ball was too brutal to ever become popular and
that croquet was destined TO become the national
game Of America. Some time In tho seventies
the London Times denounced rowing as brutal
and dangerous. Thus we see that the charge OF
brutality Is an old one.
Regarding the brutality Of football let mo
mention some Of the 'brutes who played with
me. just before me in the rush line during my
hrst year stood the valedictorian OF his class;
Quarter back. who passed the ball to me, was tho
man was on the end Of the line; a full back for
four years was n Bacon man, who !. now q
preacher. On later teams were Gill OF falo and
Cowan OF Princeton. two men often spoken OF by
football enthusiasts as tho best tacklers who
ever stood on field. They are now clergymen.
'On tho athletic field 1t is merit alone that
I'm Wins Nothing puts boy On his tTpe 20 ,nIio m bo
talk against modern athletics, the college boy IL
like the barefooted Scotch lassie, who, when
asked by inquisitive stranger II all the people
In Scotland went barefooted. replied: some do.
and the rest mind their own business The col.
lege boy goes on enjoying himself regardless Of
what people say, and he will continue 10 do 80.
As to how much time should be spent In college
three hours day the correct allowance. VI tho
rema aiming hours, eight should DO given TO rest
and sleep. and the rest to study.
After Camp had finished his address some dis
cussion took place among the several school
masters present Il whether three hours day
WAS not too much timo to devote TO physical
culture, and whether student who was de-
fcient in his class studies, but proficient in
athletics, should be allowed to remain in college.
Camp said that tho uniform practice OF all tho
hrst-class institutions OF learning is 10 demand
a certain per cent OF proficiency In mental work
before student Is permitted TO represent his
college on any team or in any contest. Yale de-
mands that her athletes shall have slightly
higher per cent. in class work than is REQUIRED
think this Ia quite fair, as 1t manifestly places u
bar against athletics.