The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-13
PolytechnicTrack
Team.
FIRST STEPS TAKEN.
If Athletes Are Supported
Dual League to be Formed.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute will
have dual track meet with some coll
lege in its own class, next spring, pro-
viding those interested in athletics at
the institute subscribe within the next
two weeks, sufficient money to support
track athletics this season.
The directors of the athletic associa-
ton at Tech have already taken the
initial steps for the formation of dual
league in track athletics, with some one
of the minor colleges in this vicinity.
This much is already settled-if Tech
IS represented by a track team, she will
also be represented in dual league
Athletics at the institute have been
on the down grade for several years.
Six or eight wears ago, Teen teams,
while they We're by no means the equal
OF those of some of the larger New
England colleges We're capable of cred
liable performances, and could make
good showings against teams of the
colleges in its own class This was
equally true in foot ball, in base ball
and in track athletics. Year by year,
however, the athletic standard of the
institution has been growing poorer
Ill
10 compete successfully against the
Amherst Agricultural College, the
smallest college in New England to
seek recognition in athletic circles.
There are many reasons why Tech
cannot occupy a place of decided prom
lnence in athletics. Her small enroll
ment-only about 200 students handi-
caps her at the very outset against
sucn colleges as Brown Dartmouth,
amherst or the Massachusetts Institute
OF Technology. having three and four
ZINES as many students from which to
DICK athletic material. Then too. be-
ing essentially a professional institu-
tlon' worcester Polytechnic cannot be
expected TO rank 50 we'll in athletics
as a straight college College dorn1i-
torres. one of the leading requisites TO
coueSe patriotism. are unknown AT the
institute, and so Tech men do not have
mat college feeling noticeable among
me students of nearly all of the higher
institutions of learning.
1 With these features of Tech condt-
IONS IN mind, the students cannot he
expected to stand in the first division
oL New England colleges in athletics.
Az the same time, Tech could do nucb
pettef IN the athletic line than she has
IN the past five or six years. Apathy
on the part of the students is respon-
siple III large measure to the poor
expected to put in more hours Der
week and more weeks per wear. than
any other New England college Rut
IN tne face of ali this. she could do bet-
yer IN athletics if the inclination was
p, Inc men now most interested in
i beeh athletics believe that the time
Hds come Tor action. They saw that
the present students were not in
schooi when Tech teams were fairly
spons, and they explain the general
apathy and indifference to afb1aties
upon that score. These same mon
are now determined TO do all in thar
poHer 10 Doom athletics at the insti-
tute.-s They win give the students a.,
opportunity to Join in secnrine, f s|in
lech her lost prestige. To do this re-.
lures money, not so much of il. 10 he
sure put a matter of $500 or S4O0
me students have been asked to sub
Sclloe"tnls amount and have been told
Mlat VIII be done if the money is
~, uilcoIllIhg' they are not asked to
SupscFlpe toward the payment of anv
oead horses, for the athletic ascot,
tioh has every bill paid and money al
tnousn only a few dollars, in the freas
ury. If the students show the molina
tlon to have Tech represented upon fhe
athietlc held by pledging money for
"enIetlg maintenance, the teams will he
Iaeillty to develop their latent ahiIitv
incidentally the much-talked-of aT,,mni
gymnasium building might become =: a
ieallty IN consequence of the renewed
interest among the students, a feeling
that would surely spread into The
ranks of the alumni The enthusiasm
manifested at Saturdays mass meet
ing OF the students gives the directors
OF the athletic association confidence
ana they now feel reasonably certain
mat athletics and a dual league are
assured w a. Z
-FOUR colleges have been mentioned as
possible members in dual league with
Worcester Polytechnic They are
Iufts, RENSSELAER,, Trinity and fhe
massachusetts, Institute of Technology
The majority of the board of direct0ys
prefer either Tufts or Rensselaer, ana
negotiations with these two colleges
are IN progress. The argument in favor
OF TUFTS is its nearness to Worcester
While that given in favor of r. p 7 is
that II is an institution whose size
athletic ability and general interests
are almost identical with those of the
Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Since