New-York tribune., 1901-04-13
THE FINANCING OF COLLEGE SPORTS.


The general question of the cost of college ath-
letics is suggested. though not directly raised.
by the recent action of the Columbia authorities
In assuming control Of the university's athletic
interests. Though relatively not excessive. the
outgo for sports at Columbia has been larger
than the income, and it was obviously neces-
sary that embarra ssments consequent upon this
unsound financial basis should cease. For this
reason President Low has caused a new policy
TO be adopted. and solvency rather than econ
omy his first consideration. But the incl
dent may have the effect of drawing attention
TO the extravaganza or-if the use of that word
seems like begging of the Question-to the
increasing berality with which college sports
now generally managed in this country The
receipts from all sources, and especially from the
big football games are so large in the case of
Harvard, Yale and Princeton that those institu-
tions are pleasantly familiar with the truth that
q surplus is easier TO take care of than deficit;
but, nevertheless. the profuseness of their ath-
letic management is not necessarily justified by
a cash balance to its credit. In point of fact
there is complaint on the part Of many students,
and graduates also. that this seeming prosperity
is produced by the imposition of irksome bur
dens in the form of importunate subscription
lists and high priced tickets Of admission TO in
tercollegiate contests
A college graduate need not be very old in
op1er to remember the era of simplicity in col
lege athletics. or very incredulous IN order to
doubt whether proficiency has increased in pro-
portion to the increase in the cost of training
and equipment. The tendency of the time in
domestic and civil life is toward extravaganza.
and in affairs of government especially it seems
wellnigh impossible TO retrench, even when It Is
we'll understood that public servants are getting
n large rake off, The honesty and devotion
of the young men who handle college funds are
never suspected and on the whole their execu-
tive ability is remarkable, but they have little
10 learn from their elders as to the possibilities
of luxurious administration. The habit of
spending great deal of money in developing
a crew, or a ball nine, football team has be
come confirmed, and modern methods are
deemed so essential condition Of victory that
no single college is likely to set an example of
thrift by returning TO old ways; but an agree
ment TO reduce the scale Of expenditure might
possibly be adopted by the principal competi
tors if a discussion of the subject could he
brought about, and we are not sure that the
academic authorities may not feel themselves
constrained before long to take the initiative
The existing system Of athletic management is
not free from evils on the financial side. and if
any practicable remedy is available it ought 10
be applied.
II has been suggested that if endowments for
the promotion of college and intercollegiate
sports under the most wholesome conditions
could be secured the results might be exceed
ingly salutary. OF course, there are serious OBJ
stacles in the way. but it can scarcely be
doubted that If all the contests between Yale
and Harvard, for example could be arranged
after the manner of the annual football match
between the United States Military and Naval
academies. to which tickets never sold, the
endowment of those who being peculiarly inter
ested were able to procure admission by right
or favor would be much enhanced.