The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-30
VALUE OF SPORTS IN FUTURE.
If Money Element Is Introduced They
Will Gradually Deteriorate.

(By Prof. Arthur D. Hodley. OF Yale.)
The value OF athletics when pract!ced In
the right spirit is only equalled by theIr
RIGHTEOUSNESS when pcacuced In the
wrong spirit. They deserve cordial and
enthusiastic support. The time or thought
spent Upon them, great as it may seem, is
justified by their educational inruence.
But side by side with this support and
part OF 1T We must have unsparins CON
de1lnatson OF the whole spirit OF profess
sionalisnl. l Go not refer TO those grosser
and more obvious forms OF professionalism
which college sentiment has already
learned TO condemn. Nor do I chiefly
refer TO TIE betting by which IntercolL,-
gate contests are accompanied though
this is q great and real evil, and does
much to bring other evils n itx train. I
rsfer TO something more widespread, which
still remains as a menace to American
college athletics-the whole system OF
regarding athletic achievement as sort
OF advertisement of ONES proves, and
of valuing success for its own sake and
for the sake OF the honor which comes in
achieving 1t by honorable methods
| kno" that the condition of the ath-
letic dscipllns IN a. college makes a dsf-
ference IN its attractiveness to a large and
desirable class OF young men, and rightly
So Whether a victory or series OF VIC
tories makes such a difreren1,e and
versity do not know, and do not care to
know The msn who allows his mind
10 oWeli on such question II hs, IL not
tempted to violate the ethics OF amateur
sport, IS at any rate, playing with temp
ta'Uson In a dangerous and IN a reJre.en-
s.bt> way 1 am glad to believe that our
colleges and our nation as a whole ara
becoming better able to understand the
love of sport for its own sake. The growth
OF tnls spirit through three generations
mas reviewed English universities of some
OF the problems which to-day confront us
IN america. To the growth of this spirit
here.
am heartily ready to cooperate in
any attempts that other colleges NAV
make TO lay down clear rules Tor the
practlce OF intercollegiate athletics, be-
cause the absence of such co-opera ton
would De misunderstood and might give
cause for suspicion where none should
exist But L cannot conceal the fact that
me majority OF such rules can only touch
the surface of the difficulty, and that 50
Tar as they distract attention from the
moral element in the case, which is be-
Jond the reach OF rules, they may prove
positive hindrance to progress II we
can enter into athletics for the love OF
honor IN the broadest sense OF the word.
unrni1ed with the love OF gain in any
sense, we may now and then lose a few
students but We shall grow better year
after year In all that makes for sound
university life.
The development OF college athletics
has been of great service In counteract-
ing some OF the dangerous tendencies OF.
the day Open to criticism as athletics
may. be for their unnecessary expense,
for the betting that goes on in connec-
ton with them and for the distorted
views they encourage as to the relative
Importance OF different things of life,
they yet have a place In education which
is of overwhelming Importance. The
physical training which they involve,
good as it may be. Is but a small part
Of the benefit achieved. The moral train
ing i. greater. Where scores OF men are
working hard for an honor and hundreds
more are infected with their spirit. the
moral force of such an emulation is not
to be despised.