New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-20
COLLEGE, ATHLETICS.

7, &c nloosont 70 note n distinct and general
| tmnrovement in college sports within the last
two or three years. We refer not 10 the pro-
0c,ency shown by those who engage IN 'heih
for there NAV be difference of opinion on tha'
point but 10 the spirit which they exempilE'
A few vears ago there was much justice III the
prevalent criticism of college and especially OF
intercollegiate, athletics In some instances 'i'c
ccnsors were I'll Informed or pretudiced out
there were certain disagreeable facts whch
could not be denied and which were as freely
admitted In academic circles as elsewhere root
hou hod hecome y source not only Of excessive
RISKS 10 the players, but Of Ill feeling between
tho co,,ne,,nq colleges. II had likewise become
to too great an extent a public spectacle loi
which New-York was the favorlte arena anu
which involved unwholesome conditions IN
tense rivalry in various branches Oh a'nie''''
had generated a professional spirit, which mani
tested itself not merely In the deheahor anu
incidents Of an intercollegiate contest. but more
objectonably still in the methods WHICH HUI
few colleges employed TO secure the services OF
experts, and altogether 1t seemed as IL soi'e
severe restrictions would have 10 be imposed
by college authorities TO cure evils WHICH "cie
attracting more and more attention
IL cannot be SAID tnut all CduS'o va
have been removed, but the tendency ls uiii'is
takably in the right direction 10 some extent
the rules and 10 great extent the praclces' Vi
the football field have been modined, ana uuIihs
tho last two seasons there has been scarcely
single occurrence, At least in tns part vi .he
country, deserving of serious cehsure' Inv
principal colleges have concurrently' II ho' Ill
concert adopted a strict definition OF the anna
/. -lN- h
tcur status and applied 1t CONSCIENTIOUS! VIII
in their respective jurisdictions, so mat 'he
once familiar reproach against them Oh 'h"'
score is no longer just and Is seldom hearu'
Their several efforts In that direction more
over. have strengthened their mutual regaru
and respect. and. whether they make or decline
engagements with one another, their correspond
cncc and their relations remain courteous anu
friendly Thus negotiations concerning row
ing contest between Cornell Harvard and 1aie
were conducted not long ago in manner cred-
table TO all concerned though the circumstances
might not unnaturally have developed some Ill
feeling.
As an indication of this better spirit we Cd
serve also that the Yale and Harvard oarsmeh
now training for their races Mt New-Londoh are
finding pleasure and presumably advantage III
the cultivation Of amenities unknown rev
wears ago The four-oared crews OF the TWO
universities have actually had friendly brush
on the river, and the old habit OF seclusion ana
espionage which used to be considered an es-
scntal feature Of the system, has been pretty
nearly abandoned Everywhere the ways and
practices which formerly married an honorable
rivalry are disappearing, and college athletics
are regaining their proper place and quality.
The process has not been completed, ms we
have said. but observation Of what has been
ACCOMPLISHED encourages the belief that no
cause of complaint will exist much longer.