New-York tribune., 1902-05-25
DIFFICULT PROBLEM AT COLUMBI4 4

THE financial problem of athletics at Columbia
University is singuarly difficult for in addition TO
the costly charges that have to be met elsewhere.
the students of Columbia have been under great
expense in order TO control the of a con-
yeniently situated athletic field 1t is scarcely too
much TO say that this added burden involved all OF
athletic interests last year in financial chaos.
The problem thus presented involved not only the
Of present ills but the prevention of similar
occurrences IN the future. In this emergency the
president added to existing and usual equip
ment OF a faculty committee on athletics an officer
whom he designated as the controller Of sports
The function of this officer is wholly financial. 1t
Is his duty TO that no branch of sport is per-
rnitted TO incur financial obligations which it has
not the means 10 meet. and to this end he is au-
thorized demand the deposit in advance, in the
interest of each branch OF sport. of sufficient
sum in cash justify indulgence in the sport
affected"
President Seth Low In his last annual report
presented to the university trustees in October
1901 thus summarized the athletic situation at Co
luabia University. briefly pointed out the pc
culiar position in athletic finances that is charac-
teristic Of the university sports to-day
At Harvard, Yale, Princeton Cornell and Penn
syivania each institution rejoces in the possession
of an adequate athletic field, owned by the uni
versity, on which no rent has TO be palo. Inc en-
tire income therefore, derived from gate recelpts
from home games can be devoted TO the mainten-
ance OF athletics the university. 1t is the GUS
tomary thing elsewhere for the footbaH team 10 10
have surplus enough at the cIose " l4iT 10,
branches of athletics. =. l., o,,,
At Columbia just the reverse Is true ~ II ~ Is s ois
the football eleven that can be counted on 10 MAJ ne
money all and that part OF It's income mlGH + a.
other universities is proht al Co!utDI aI6ietic
Teid Columbia has South Field and CoIuInbla
oval at Williamsbridge, for practice II Is uIe, t
hut neither of these grounds Is aValaple IoI tli
Solsing Of football games. And lacrosse, baseoal
and track athletics the students ana ts ClCZe.s -
make in a matter OF much interest where they are
held. -,, 49,, ., cha navrnent Of
e 00 70 the football coach last year and the rei
Of the athletic field, IL may be SAID that Ile $500
representing the cost of Columbia aIaIeucs u
nerdeS win the greatest economy. This conditlon
Sfd not hold good two and three years ago. @ Mlen
,revsiied TO such an extent that incompetent man
ayers their teams into dept anu .,t &c.;
Senf LOW last year interfered and established
new regime Whenever the manager s. oL ooaSL-a
arranges schedule OF games II must ~ ms
The sanction OF the faculty committee on afhetcs-
Following this. 1t must be submitted 10 lhe con Con
nish complete budget Of the teams receipts ana
expenses for the year on the pasts & q, 'I ~ Money
rent the controller determines WhaI sum @ ., iS ~ ;
will be necessary at the start OF the season 20 IL u
sure, in any event. the hnancaI Success Success , DI me
team throughout the year, and tle aosoue Pi s+
tion of any deficit. This required guarantee mus
be put in the bank before the team can oegl & Mork
That step accomplished me InaLasSI tiLot oa PO
IN the bank every cent OF the teams income as ~
IS secured The bank and the team ma rnahaggr IHI
furnish report Of the deposits 10 lhe cohI
and thus check is kept on the manager All the
money for expenditures must be qra%h Dy sIToh eG
and this check must first receive the GO
approva OF the controller before II Will be honoreq
by the bank. This arrangement ooes AVA t WI WIN IN
any possible extravaganza on the ParL oL thS islIi
ayers and prevents any mismanagernehL $1,000
Columbia athletics would be on much peter
practice grounds opposite Columbia which the
University temporarily through the courtesy
Of the New-York Hospital, was owned II these
grounds are secured. seems probable an athletc
eld VIII be built there and thus ne en1e1 item & TT
ield rent in the budget or CoIunDla athelicS Will
be done away with