The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-19
PURPOSE or THE 'VARsIrX CUR.
Its Donor hopes II Wim Put n. Rua e Inter.
COLLEGIATE Rickoringn.

Hts Donor Hopes Il NIu Put an Rua e Inter
collegiate RickorinGs.
In speaking to q SUN reporter yesterday about
he causes which had led him to present tho
Varsity Cup, DR.. Louis l.. Seaman said:
This lamentable controversy which comes up
year after year between the colleges. and Is
dragged out to interminable lengths of petty
political striving for some slight advantage on
one side or the other, is injuring amateur sport
In this country. 1t is unfair to n public which is
deeply interested in and generously supports In
tercollegiate athletics. and still moro unfair to
the rowing mon themselves. As aquatic sports
are now conducted it is well along in the middle
term before the men who are faithfully training
ever know whether there is going to DO any race
or not. This Is q manifest injustice to them.
These features would be obviated by q per
manent annual race. open to all colleges and
universities. Just such g contest as the Henley
races in England, which form the most brilliant
athletic and social event Of the year. have
attended many Henloys in past years. and have
always been struck with the high class of sports-
manship displayed there. To crystallizc senti-
ment in the matter OF q similar contest here,
aud to give the movement a start. Ihave offered
the Varsity Cup. Where it is rowed for makes
but little. difference provided it is on q course
fair for all the competing crews. Probably the
Wv " 80 INV ~ otpSA
sede the old ntorcollegiates Once this
race becomes firmly established rs an annual
event, the chief annual event o.. its kind. all this
Intercollegiate pickering that Is spelling sport
will disappear. Moreover. every school boy who
10 interested in rowing will have the prospect
before him OF some day representing his college
in the big race. 1t is this feeling which makes
the English athlete what he is. The race should
be under the supervision of some such %controll-
ing board Of gentlemen and sportsmen as runs
the English Henley.
DO not mistake me as supposing that this Is
all to come about In q year or two years neces-
sarily. 1t will take time, but l have the strong
est hopes OF Its ultimate accomplishment. The
scheme hos been In my head for five years, and
l havo been waiting for q good time to put it
forward. l am now President OF the Cornell
Club. and it seemed to me that in that capacity
I could moro 6ttinRly offer the cup than merely
as o private alumnus. Moreover, the present
time, when there has been so much wrangling
over intercollegiate aquatics. seemed oppor-
tune: But this cup Is only the start, under
stand. 1t merely gives q fixed point In which
effort along these linee can centre.
One cup does not make q Henley. This Var
sity Cup is merely for college crews. I hope
that in time there will be a grand challenge cup.
a.cup for the pair-oar championship. one for the
single scull. and SO on. Other countries have
combination aquatic events, and 1t Is time that
America. with her superb water courses. should
have q contest of this nature"
DR.. Seaman graduated from Cornell in tho
class of 1870. and has always been an enthusiast
in rowing matters and other athletics. He Is a
practicing physician, living at ID West Thirty
first street.