New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-20
PRESIDENT HADLEr on ATHLETICS.


Like all the rest Of President Hadlcy's In
augural address, that part Of it which relates
10 athletics in the colleges is Interesting ana
Instructive both because It is full of wisdom
and because II is perfectly clear and simple IN
STYLE The new head Of Yale evidently believes
that some Of the evils which threatened. ana
indeed invested, the athletic HE or the UNI
versity have been corrected by the good sense
of the students themselves. but he Is as eVl-
IDENTITY apprehensive of other evils for when Il
cure Is not to be found in the mere adoption OF
restrictive regulations. He deplorcs and would
rejoice to be instrumental In Graduating that
widespread System Of regarding athletic
achievements rs 4 sort Of advertisement oi
zones proves, and Of valung success Tor
ats own sake rather than for the sake OF
"the honor which comes in achieving It by
"honorable methods" Undoubtedly the great
nafority Of American graduates and students
annrchend his meaning and theoretically ac-
cont his view. but II cannot bc denied that the
problem he discusses is perpleXng ana dlhculI
There IS n line 10 he drawn, but II is not easy 10
draw Il. It IS 4 commonly accepted maxim that
q thing which IS worth doing nj all Is worth 40
Ing well, and competition IS the test or prom
Cheney The eager and honest desire to demon
strote superi0r excellence tends TO encourage
+he svsteu Of college championships. not only IN
academic communities but in tho outside world
and from that system many evils spring. Two
colleges whose circumstances and ASSOCIATIONS
have made them natural rivals are reproached
II they refuse to meet all Corners, and there IS
undoubtedly a superficial suggestion OF rear
full or exclusive spirit IN such refusal bu'
the disposition TO accept every challenge anu
compete for National trophy Is not wholly gal
liant md generous. 1t IS in measure derived
from and almost inevitably tends to promote
that system of regarding achievement as
sort OF advertisement Of ones prowess
President Hadley referred TO the athletic spirit
Of the English universities as worthy OF eiSula-
zion. and we hope that from his advantageous
rolnt Of view he has already dscerned signs
TINT the American universities with which he IS
most familiar are imbibing that spirit II mas
seemed 10 us In recent years that such was the
case The students Of oxford and Cambridge
who 90 In for athletics do not walt for croWh-
iua victory 10 tell them whether or not their
time has been well spent. They are conscious
that defeat cannot cheat them Of the dement's
which nhysical exertion and the accompanying
dlscnljne Of both mind and body have brought
tbo,n and which were in fact the chief object
,hcv had in view. Whether they win or lose
their main purpose Is accomplished. dlHeren'
habit Of regarding athletic pursuits has hoen
vellnich universal in American colleges ana sun
prevails. The dependency Of the vanqulshcd
oorsuan or football player has oblterated his
recollection and consciousness Of the physical
and moral wcll-beng which has resulted from
his efforts and which ought to have been his
first consideration.
We have been glad TO see evidences OF
change OF temper in this regard. They were
shown. we think. last spring at Harvard IN the
sentiment which kept at work on the river
scores Of men who took rational pleasure IN the
exercise OF rowing and in contributing to the
general interest and proficiency, and who ala not
consider their rccompenSe contingent upon the"
admission 10 the university boat which, by inc
co-oneration Of many students in just the right
snirit. won a brilliant victory at New-Londoh
There are limitations of a similar process gong
on among the football players at Yale this ial
and reports from other universities indicate
enreodinc tendency in the right direction Al
togcther there IS good reason to believe that
athletic sports in American colleges have seen
theiv worst DAYS.