Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-08
AN IMPORTANT STEP.
.Bowdoin College Athletic Asso-
citation Makes Proposition
To Maine Fitting Schools for Invita-
ton Meet at Brunswick,
To Take Place oil lnierscholastic Meet-Several
important Changes Proposed.

Brunswick. Me-. March 7.-(SpeciaD.
The Athletic Association Of RowdOin
college, has decided to take a step of
the greatest importance to the fitting
schools of the State. 1t is to hold an
invitation field meet, open to all High
schools and academies i'm the State on
the Whittier athletic field on some
early date in June. This step was
brought about by the lack of interest
manifested by the different schools in
the Maine Intersch0lastic Athletic AS
sOciatiOn. At the annual convention
of this association held in Brunswick,
last Saturday. there were but two
schools represented. AS this number
was not a quorum, the convention ad-
journed without doing any business
Since Bangor High won the cup two
years ago. having won the greatest
number of the last seven meets, the in
terest throughout the State has been
on the ebb. Last year neither Port
land or Bangor participated in the
meet. and this year the outlook is
worse than ever, as was shown by the
few schools represented at the late
convention.
In view of these circumstances the
BOwdOin Athletic Association has sent
the following letter to some 60 fitting
schools throughout the State:
Dear Sir: The Bowdoin College Ath-
letic Association will give an invitation
field meet on the Whittier athletic field
at Brunswick. on some date early in June
n a far q cd Ntn annf mil
be open to all the fitting schools wishing
to take part and the college will award
pennant TO-, that school winning the
greatest number of points in the meet
and medals similar to that used by the
Maine intercollegiate Athletic Association
to the winners of first. second and third
places in each event. All the expenses Of
no dues or entrance fees of any kind will
be required of the competitors. The
awarding of medals to the individual win
small school to enter, and We feel sure
that the plan of awarding a pennant to
the school winning the greatest number
Of points II TINS year Will more sat.
offering cup to be awarded only as the
result of series of competitions cover
ing several years.
The list of events will be as follows:
Track events-100-yard dash; 22o-yard
dash; 440-yard dash; SS0-yard run; 1-mle
run: 120-yard hurdle, 90 hurdles. 8 fl. 6
III. HlSHp. ISV~tdTu nuTuI6, NlV UuTuleS, =
IT.. in. high) 1-mile bicycle race.
Field Notwithstanding high jump: run
ming broad jump; pole vault; putting l6-
pound shot; throwing 16-pound hammer;
Will you kindly bring our proposition
before your school and let us know your
decision before May /? In the meantime
any questions you may wish to ask will
be cheerfully answered. We sincerely
hone that your school will see fit to enter
as many contestants. as possible.
Very sincerely yours,
EDWARD r. GODFREY,
Captain Bowdoin Track Team, for the
ROWdOin A. A.
In the list of events it will be seen
that there are several changes from the
former list of the Maine Interscholas-
tic Athletic Association. The mile
walk and the standing high jump have
been omitted. The swalh is too severe
a physical strain and the standing high
jump, while it has a recognized place
in indoor meets, is of no practical
benefit out of doors. These two events
are never found in any intercollegiate
meet and for these reasons 1t has been
deemed advisable to drop them. The
12-pound hammer has been replaced by
the 16-pound hammer. In all intercol-
legiate meets the 16-pound hammer is
used If in the preparatory schools the
hammer thrOwers become accustomed
to the lighter weight hammer, when
they come to college they will be great
Nv handicapped. Throwing the discus
is another innovation. 1t has recently
been introduced among the colleges
and so it would be well for preparatory
school athletes not to overlook this art
in their athletic preparations.
AS will be seen by the letter the full
charge of the meet will be in the hands
of the general athletic committee. This
committee is composed of the follow
ing men, NJ. Barrett Potter of Bruins
wick and Mr. Charles s. Halves of
Bangor. from the alumni Prof. w. A.
Moody and DR.. F. N. Whittier, from
the faculty; and r. NJ. Greenlaw. SO;
I. D. Sinkerson, 90; H. o. Bacon. 1900:
A. F. Burnell, 1900: and d. F. Snow. '01,
from the under graduate body. With
such a committee. so well versed in all
branches of athletics the meet will
surely be managed in an admirable
manner. This committee will appoint
officials and in the way all the schools
will be fairly treated and the former
discussions over proper men for these
important positions will be done away.
with.
1t is hoped that every school that
has a single athlete among its men,
bers will take advantage OF this offer.
The track on the Whittier athletic
field is acknowledged by all to be the
hest track in the State. 1t will afford
the best possible facilities for the High
schools and academies to develop
athletics among their members.