The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-16
BASKETBALL AS BAD AS This?
MISS LUCILLE HILL SAYS IT'S
FARMING SCHOOLGIRLS.


bumped Up, She Asserts, and They'll
sufIer From II for Lfe-she Blames
society women for Example They Set.
Bosros, March l5.--Miss Lucille Hill,
director OF physical training at Wellesley
College. called halt last night before the
physical Education Society on basket
hall for girls. Her objections were made
in a discussion OF Abuse Of Athletics for
Girls and Boys in Secondary Schools
She told OF the sad physical condition
nrevailing in Wellesley freshman classes
And Of some observations she had been
able to make in secondary schools for
girls.
She asserted that tho prevailing fad for
basketball was working incalculable harm
among girls. principally by reason Of the
lack Of supervision by older persons. who
could utter a note OF warning on occasion
and save lifelong suffering. Girls come
TO college who had joints askew and bear
ing injuries as the result OF over exertion
in basketball, which game seemed to be the
sole reliance Of a great many teachers
when considering the matter Of recreation
in the open air for the pupils Of their schools.
She urged that there was too much pub
lefty and too much competing for points
or records. engendering sporty spirit
altogether at variance with what We are
accustomed TO call a womanly character.
part Of the blame for this was laid at the
door Of society women. whose public sport
ing record was an unfortunate incentive
10 young girls preparing for college In the
absence Of intelligent supervision they went
to extremes Of exertion that entailed the
gravest consequences in after life. She
asked for some action toward condemning
strenuous games in schools.
Prof Ira N Hollis OF Harvard sent a
written address in which he urged that
the modern tendency In school and college
sport toward an anything to win standard
OF ethics must be regarded as unfortunate
In every aspect. Athletics in general In
colleges and by its influence in schools
was becoming too much Of q business,
where the demands Of fellow students.
popular enthusiasm, the spirit OF the age.
perhaps, turned what should be at most q
game into q species Of profession.
The system Of recruiting Of college ath-
lstic teams was singled out for particular
criticism. An instance was given Of q
committee from some college comforting
with q very promising pupil in an athletic
way at . preparatory school. whose repre-
sentations were met by the statement
that hs already had . good offer from
another college and would accept it.
Another instance. moro deplorable In its
character, was the Boosting he became oog-
ni.ant Of on the part Of Worcester school,
boy, whose ball nine had just defeated .
strong rival team.
Tho victory was found to be due to the
enrolment among the winning ball players
Of young professional. whose antecedents
were regarded a. m important secret and
kept - such by his companions.
Prof. Hollis believed there was now moro
Of Q tendency toward the English notion
Of college athletics. In which there was a.
much determination TO have . good time
q to win points. He welcomed this ten
dsnoy and would welcome . falling OF
also in he publicity attaching to college
OportD-