The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-02-28

Tie atteutl0n TO the religious exercises
of the hour there was no lack Of excit-
ed interest on the part of every one
when the president announced his sub
ject for the chapel talk to be 1.-THE Re-
lation of College Athletics to the Rest
Of the College Development"
He had not definitely put himself on
record as he now began to do. And
over the faces of many of the students
and even the professors shade Of ex-
preston deepened as the president
went on and made his own position
very clear.
81 believe in athletics" he said after
defining the term as 1t was applicable
to college, and every football player in
college could not help admiring the
manly form that lowered up on the
platform. During my college life
played football and baseball and en-
joyed the games. l believe in encour-
aging the athletic spirit in Hope col
lege because | believe healthy, vigor-
Gus physical life must always go hand
In hand with vigorous mind and
spirit
AFTER | have said oil this heartily
and gladly must insist on definition
of college athletics that puts it in its
proper place in a college course. 1t
ought to be evident to every young
man and woman in a college like ours
that the main business of our lives
while here in this institution is to de-
velop the best all around men and wo-
men possible, especially on the side of
intelligent Christian character. Let me
say it frankly, this development could
probably go on just as satisfactorily If
football were not played here at all.
We could easily find and use other
forms of physical development that
would take it's place. But it would be
impossible to find anything to take the
place of the intelligent, intellectual
Christian training that you are here to
get. In other words, you are not in
this college to play football as the first
or even the secondary purpose of q col
lege course. You are here to make of
yourselves men and women such as the
world needs to make it better world.
This definition of the object of col
lege course puts athletics in subordi-
nate place, and rightly so. The minute
the sport side of a college becomes so
emphasized that the intellectual side is
neglected or underestimate that min
ute it is out Of proportion. 1t is assum-
ing more than its share Of students
time and thought. So whenever
game like football in college becomes
q means of money making to carry on
athletics it is demoralizing. Or again
whenever the game demands too much
time from q students studies or re-
peatedly breaks into his Sunday rest
and worship it is harmful and should
be changed and modified If not abso-
lutely dropped"
Here the president summarized the
results of the recent trip made by the
college team, calling attention to the
same points he had made in Edwards
presence.
II wish to say frankly that am not
ball team away from the college.
have heard it said that it Is good adj
vertisement for the college to have the
team 60 out. But am sure Hope col
lege could well afford to miss this ad-
vertisement, especially that part Of it
which turns night into day and dis
turbs the slumbers of innocent citizens
on college hill, many of whom, must
frankly tell you, are indignant with the
college for permitting scenes like those
of last Sunday morning. May l ask
the football team how much good adj
vertising the college receives when
some of\its best friends at home are
growing hostile to 1t on account of the
conduct Of the men who go away to
advertise the college to strangers"
Here there was slight attempt at
applause on the part of few students
who enjoyed the way the president
was rubbing it into" the football
team. He instantly and with some
sternness checked it and continued:
thereafter | wish ii to be distinctly
understood that every football and
baseball player in the college shall be
held as strictly to account for his
grades in all class and laboratory work
as any other students. l also wish 1t to
be understood that If these trips of the
football team away from the college
are continued to the evident loss Of
time that belongs to the college work
steps will be taken by the college au-
thorities to consider the ACCESSIBILITY Of
dropping football out Of the college al
together. This is not In the nature Of
threat, but 1t Is simply a statement
which am authorized by the trustees
and faculty to make. At our last regu-
lar meeting together we were almost
unanimously agreed that there has
been in the past too much prominence
given to athletics and not enough to
other forms of development. AS
said personally am not opposed to
football II it is rightly played. But
feel very strongly my responsibility as
the head of this college to make its
purpose as Christian institution
plainly felt. If anything, whether 1t be
athletics or something else, assumes
more than it's rightful share OF stu
dents time and strength, to the danger
of his intellectual and moral life, l
shall. as now. always speak frankly to