The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-05

Washhurn has long needed someone
to stand as the recognized leader and
director of athletic work The well
equipped gymnasium of the college has
been allowed to go to pieces to great
extent simply because there was no
one to intelligently direct gymnasium
work There is need of some one to
look after the physical condition of the
men who participate in athletic con-
tests. as Wei as to coach the football,
baseball. basketball and track teams.
Mr.. Kennedy is making himself very
popular al Washburn by his work with
the FOOTBALL team, and if it is decided
10 create the position of physical di-
rector, Kennedy is likely to be the man
Tor the place 1t is not known whether
he would be willing to take the posi-
ton, as he IS establishing himself in his
profession Of dentistry at Lawrence
and might not want to give this up to
devote himself to athletics.
by having Mr.. Kennedy in the pay
OF the college, it would simplify the
nnanciai end of Washburn athletics,
which is always a heavy burden for the
students to carry. Athletics doesn't
pay. under the existing conditions. To-
peka does not patronize the games suf-
hclently to insure the success of a sea
son playing, and the mana cement of
the teams usually discover that there
is dehcit of from 800 to 81, 600 a the
END OF each year. With the expense of
a coach. which is about $500. subtract
ed from the obliga lions OF the athletic
association. there is not much doubt
OF the ability of the association to pay
out Occasionally it would come out
ahead, and this surplus might be ap-
piled toward refunding to the college
the money expended for the physical
directors salary
Bert Kennedy has a brilliant athletic
record. He was born at Lawrence, and
first played football with the Lawrence
SGh0ni v-1i f.t1 too 1,
tam He entered the state university in
1898, when Is years of age and made
The varsity eleven as quarterback the
hrst year. He then weighed only I35
pounds, but was such a strong and ag-
gressive player that he was soon recog-
nlzed as one of the best in the west.
he played with K. Z. in 1895, 1896 and
1897, and his name was always found
IN the newspaper accounts of the games
as star" of the eleven In 1897 Ken
nedy was captain of the K Z. team
In 1898. Kennedy went to the Univer-
slty of Pennsylvania to take a course in
dentistry. Under the rules. he was not
eligible for the football team at Penn
syvania in 1899 but was chosen as cao-
tain of the Pennsylvania second eleven
on which he played quarterback In
1893, Kennedy played on the first eleven
His regular position was quarterback
and on the little gold football which
Pennsylvania gives to each member of
son, his position is given as quarter
back. However. George Woodruff, who
was coaching Pennsylvania 1899 used
Kennedy for halfback part of the time
That was the year that Hare, Outland
and McCracken. all Kansas men. played
on the Pennsylvania eleven with Ken
nedy.
In 1900. Kennedy was assistant coaen
with Woodruff on the Pennsylvania
eleven. In 1901 and 1902. Kennedy was
coach and quarterback on the Philadel-
phia professional football team, COM
posed of old college players. But ken
nedy does not like professional football
He says of It:
There is nothing to professional foot
ball 1t takes the college spirit IN FOOT
ball to make it go. On our professional
team. We had some of the most cele-
brated players that ever played on COT
lege teams. They played a terrific game
but the public didn't care a rap for
them. Everybody lost interest in them
as soon as they quit college
Kennedy is now rounded out into
stalwart man. with big broad Shoulders
and a kindly disposition which nls lxes
friends for him everywhere. Inssead OF