Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-30
CAROLINA DENIES IT.
PRIEST CARR SAYS KOEHLER WAS
NOT A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER.
WAS MEYER MORE THAN AN AMATEUR
While ON the Orange Team, He play
ed Against summcrsgiil, Who Was
on vfrginia's Eleven I'm the
Thnnksgiving-Day Game.

| The charge of professionalism made
against Koehler. one OF the players on
| the victorious eleven of the University
| OF North Carolina, which for q time
| threatened TO dim tho lustre shed by the
| victory Carolina achieved over Virginia
in the football contest here last Thurs
day, is most vigorously denied by the
Athletic Association of the Carolina Uni
versity. Mr. J. s. Carr Jr., president OF
the organization, has written letter
TO tho Dispatch, In which he sets forth
the Old North States side OF the CON
troversy, and with great emphasis as
serts that the victory so gorously
achieved by Carolina was a victory OF
which she was in every way worthy. He
deprecates the controversy, or misunder
standing, growing out Of the charges, as
an attempt to Smash the glories" Of
Cardinals victory.
THE LETTER.
His letter follows:
Chapel Hill n. c., November 20, 1893
ITO the Editor of the Dispatch:
81 must ask for space in your paper in
which to reply 10 certain charges which
you have published against the football
team Of the University Of North Carolina.
1 do not believe that these charges have
emanated from the athletic officials Of
the University Of Virginia There are
other channels through which they can
prefer any charges or protests they may
have to make, and more appropriate
channels than the public press. Still,
great injustice has been done us, and some
notice must be taken of it,
1.-THE specific charge is that Mr.. Koch |
Ter is a professional athlete. This we ex- |
plicity deny as far as our information |
goes, and we have enquired carefully into |
his record. He is an amateur athlete. Or. !
Wakely, president Of the Orange Ath
letic Club, says he will make affidavit
that Mr. Koehler is an amateur. He did |
play upon the team of the Orange Ath-
letic Club, and played against Mr. Sum-
mersgill, of the Elizabeth Athletic Club,
now of the University of Virginia team,
and his opponent in the recent game. Mr..
Koehler is a matriculated student of the
of North Carolina, and eligible
according TO the stipulations hitherto
holding between the two universities. Ho
had played in other games, and his name
had been sent TO the University of Vir-
ginia as one Of the players. and no pro-
test was received against him.
PROTEST FILED.
within an hour or two Of the game
Mr.. McPheeters, secretary and vice-presi-
lent of the Athletic Association of the
of Virginia, presented a pro-
est to me, in which he stated that If
Mr.. Koehler was played all athletic rela-
ions between the two universities would
ease. AS this was a bald demand for
he withdrawal OF one of our players
ful,f t14o - n
IFS professionalism, we took no notice of
t. This protest could hardly have been
mn ededtd. Stu cmfwy shrd cmfw vbgq
Intended seriously, as Mr. McPheeters APP
,roached the manager Of our baseball
cam after the game to make arrange
nents for the spring series OF games
"rhere has been a duly-signed contract
governing athletic contests between the
wo universities for three years. This
ontract required that lists should be
ent in three weeks in advance of the
ame giving the names of all players eli
ible. These players must be eligible at the
ime of the sending in of the lists. BY
this year no lists were sent
until few days later than the required {
ate by either team. The list from Uni !
ersity of Virginia included the name of J
player, Mr.. William Martin. who was !
OF a matTiculated student at the time. !
his contract the University of Virginia
.pudiated on the day of the game and !
sisted on playing Mr.. Martin. who had !
atriculated at the University of Vir- J
mia only the day before. We still pro-
st against the playing Of Mr.. Martin d
entirely in violation of the contract Il
listing between the two institutions, the !
,ndition as to the eligibility OF players y
lving been carefully observed by the {
University Of North Carolina.
BITTERNESS OF DEFEAT. !,
ut does seem as If the bitterness Of de-
at was moving some one to endeavor Y
smirch the glories Of our victory by L
reading abroad the veriest scandal as n
owed facts. We have always striven 70 IT
ay clean, fair ball, and to take our de- n
ats without murmur. / DO not desire II
make any counter charges or TO con- II
SO the plain issue Of a broken contract n,
d the denial of Mr. Koehlers profess
,nalsm. 1t is to be regretted that any Il
rt of pickering should mar what should n,
generous rivalry between two great NJ
stitutions. 70
Very truly yours. TO
81. S. CARR. Jr.,
resident Of Athletic Association OF CT
University of North Carolina. m
chapel Hill. n. c." 60
The Dispatch telegraphed both the Isl
asident of the faculty and Manager | lii