New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-29
FOR FOOTBALL REFORM.
Discussed by Middle State
EduCatOrS-OfCerS Elected.

The second day OF the seventeenth annual con-
vention OF the Association of Colleges and Pre-
paratory Schools of the Middle States and Mary
land. opened in Earl Hall. Columbia University.
with the reading of papers on the subject '.Ath-
letics in Their Mutual Relation to Schools AMI
Colleges" President Remsen. of Johns Hopkins
University. occupied the chair. The first speaker
the subject the Rev. Endicott Peabody,
headmaster Of the Groton Ciass) School
Mr.. Peabody defended athletics especially foot
ball. and mentioned several reforms that he said
should be Instituted In the game az the present
day. he said the reports showed disappointing. if
not discourdgins aspects Football typical of
athletes Fifteen years ago he was acquainted with
English tailor. who made measurements OF
many athletes. Most Of them, the tailor said were
fat-chested Now they were broad chested and
narrow at the waist, showing that training lad
aided physical development Mr.. Peabody spoSe o.
the fact that President Roosevelt. when the Rough
Riders was being organized, wanted athletes. esps-
cially football players.
Football. Mr.. Peabody continued. had many val
liable qualities for training the mind and body.
1t highly developed but also highly compl-
Gated 1t enabled the players TO carry figures in
the head and developed quickness of judgment.
The speaker said he had managed students when in
training and found their minds purer than the
average students. Football gave lesson in Obedi-
ence, as the players must obey their captains and
coachers
The first reforms needed. he coltended. was that
the training overdone, and too siren
uous. The danger OF injury he also spoke Of He
said this was not so much in the breaking Of arms
legs. 'as these be easily mended''; but the
real DANCE. he coutended the straining Of the
siuews and the back and fractures Of the kneecap,
which might injure permane nifty. a second reform
was that a heavy man. when playing. always went
for the weakes- member Of the opposing team The
coachers also came into criticism from the speak
In speaking of them. he said:
The coachers are Indifferent the future OF the
players. You don't know the coachers- They are
great fellows. The players think so much of them
that they won't LED them walk around. but have
them driven in carriages. The players are apt to
be extrIyagant with the cOachers."
Or. Pea body blamed the newspapers for making
much Of football. IL created selfish feeling he
said. the players. seeing their names and pict-
in the papers. desired nOtOriety. The betting
was also a bad feature. ne contended. as the lay
ing of money always prominent feature a
big game The large games. which many thousand
people attended, were also condemned by DR.. Pea
body. lie held that these large public games
should be abolished. Football he held played
among the boys ana students themselves. was al
lowabe. and should he recommended. but he held
that check should be placed on the big public
games. The excitement among the players at
these games, and among the fair sex, he said. was
too great for the good OF those concerned.
DR.. Martin director of the gymnasium of Column
bia University spoke On THE DEVELOPMENT OF
Vitality Among Football Players and Athletes in
General In his opinion, in the big colleges
and universities were overturned in every re-
srect Charles Z. HamuctU director OF physical
culture in Tome institute. Port Deposit Md.
thought that athletics should be made integral
part OF college education and dec !ared the present
system To De unfair IN that so few students had
opportunity To play football! and other games.
The following officers unanimously elected:
President, Or. Truman J. Backus. pr sident OF
Packer Institute. BROOKLYN. vicc-prcSidents. Dean
Laura =. GIL of barnard College. Principal Charles
". Evans Of the &ast Orange High SchCOi; jose phi
Swain, president az Syy 1rtEu0rc College Principal
II. Cpdegr2n. of tEc Girls Latin school. Baitt-
more, and Professor J. NJ Sterrett Of the Column
bian University. Washington secretary. DR.. Arthur
j. quinn. Of the University of Pennsylvania
treasurer Professor John l.. kiCsscr. OF Franklin
and Marshall Collesc. Pennsylvania: executive
coumittec-frcsidcut. Ira Eemscn. president OF
Johns Ito 1kins University. Professor ~. Y. Arles
Of the University OF Peursylvana: Charles III
Whetl lock. Of the University of NCw-Nurk, and
William Birdsdu. OF TIE Girls High School. Phia-
dephia