New-York tribune., 1897-07-11
COURTNEY AND THE CORNELL GRE

COURTNEY AND THE CORNELL CREW.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir / have noticed in your editorial articles on
the victory OF the Cornell several references
to the fact that they were coached by profess
sional, and have thought that detected a tone or
disparagement to the real merit of that victory
because OF that feet. II Robert j. Cook was quoted
correctly In interview just after the big varsity
race, he also called attention 10 certain alleged
tendencies toward professionalism showed by the
Cornell crew during the race. Permit me, as
loyal Cornelllan but, above all. a lover Of manly
sports TO enter respectful protest against insinua
tions that would detract from Corners victory be-
cause she had a professional coach. 1t Is quite
true that neither Yale nor Harvard had profess
sional coach but who will deny that they had talent
equal superior 10 any professional talent that
they could procure TO teach their crews the science
OF rowing?
But why should the employment OF Courtney by
Cornell be a subject OF unfriendly reference?
Surely Yale has hired professional. coaches when
she had no other available talent to instruct her
in athletics. 1t is within years that Mr.
Murphy. who had been hired by Yale TO teach her
boys to run and jump in intercollegiate contests,
went to Pennsylvania on a higher salary. and 1t Is
well worth notice that Yales laurels in that branch
of sport passed Pennsylvania. Princeton
hires Mr.. McMasters TO train her athletes. II
mistake not, both Yale and Harvard have hired
professional baseball players TO instruct their mines
in that game. No fault has been found with all
that. Why should any fault be found then with
the employment by Cornell Of Courtney. unless II be
that he has way OF turning out victorious crews?
Rowing Is something that has 10 ne learned after
IL seated in boat. Boys who go into crew
have previous training in school. There are
crews in our prepare tory schools as rule ana
II the members OF university crews must be taught
the science OF rowing from its very rudments 10 its
highest finish. what harm Is there In hiring the very
best talent that be procured 10 teach them that?
Yale has been most fortunate in having Captain
Cook for a coach. THIS year he gave up his entire
time to that work. What difference can there be
between his work and that of Courtney, so far as
the teaching goes. except that one man can AFFORD
TO work for nothing and the circumstances OF the
other such that he cannot work for nothing? |
fancy that II Cook had In this years battle
there would be very little said about Cornells pro-
fessional coach.
The fact is Yale Harvard and Cornell each got
the best coach possible and none OF them would
have exchanged its coach for one OF the other
coaches Cornell and Courtney won this year
Next year they may lose. In the interest OF true
sport, let acclaim the vctors now and In all the
years TO come, whether their university be Yale or
Harvard or Cornell any other. as worthy OF all
praise. simply because the best crew won this year.
and should always win.
The fact that Yale and Harvard and other COL
leges have hesated TO hire professional coaches
In other branches OF athletics than rowing is,
understand Cornel!s answer 10 the ntima tons that
her victory on the water was due largely to the
teaching OF a professional expert in aquatics.
Brooklyn, July T. 1897 A. F. MATTHEW'S.