The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-02
SPORTS
WEIRD new RULES.
Radical Action Taken by Football
City superintendent of State
Educational Association.
Distance to Be Gained in Three
Downs Is Increased to
Ten Yards. ..S

The futility Of a body of we'll meaning
men attempting to reform something they
do not understand was well exemplified
in the new football rules adopted and dis
cussed yesterday by the city superintend-
ents Of the Minnesota Educa tional Asso-
citation. To do them justice, the St Paul
and Minneapolis principals, well as
some of those representing the larger
schools. made a successful fight against
some Of the more radical changes suggest
ed by the superintendent Of the smaller
institutions -----,,, U. F. e. - e.
One Of the most laughable rules pro-
. posed was one providing that the coach.
manager and treasurer Of each football
team should be a member Of the faculty.
Principal c.. A. Smith Of Duluth argued
that the influence of the teacher would
tend to prevent professionalism, while
Principal w. w. Hobbs of the North high
school. Minneapolis, insisted that it would
be difficult to find a professor competent
to fill these positions. Asla compromise,
It was decided that the coach must be APP
proved by the faculty.
Increase Distance to Be Gained.
Considerable discussion was raised by
the proposition to increase the distance to
be gained In three downs from five to ten
yards Superintendent H. c. Hess Of
Sleepy Eye was responsible for this move,
which was vigorously opposed by Principal
Hobbs and others. Principal Smith said:
I'VE are not here to draw up a code Of
rules for football. Such matters should
be left to a committee competent to judge.
We are exceeding our authority
I'VE are here for the purpose of promot-
Ing scholarship first and football next
retorted Superintendent Hess. IF we de-
eide that the game ordinarily played Is
too violent, we have a right to insist that
certain changes be made in the rules for
all contests in which our schools are to
engage. The new rule was finally
adopted but contesting teams will have
the option Of playing under the old rules
If they DESIRE.
Another animated debate was provoked
by the rule that each player must be a
bona fide student of at least a term 8
standing. This rule was finally modified
making the necessary term of residence
two weeks for schools of 800 or fewer stu
dents.
The following were elected a board of
control to arbitrate disputes among the
schools, and to suspend any school from
the league for improper conduct: Superin-
tendents G.. A. Franklin A. J. Jones of
Redwood Falls, T.. NJ. Phillips Of Albert
Lea, Lee Swift Of Tracy and A. I. Thorson
of Madelia
The code Of rules as adopted makes
other provisions follows: Only under
graduates, who have not competed for
cash Prizes nor received remuneration for
lnelr services as hthleteS, are allowed to
compete. and none can compete under an
assumed name. The player must be a
student having three daily recitations in
schools that require that number and four
wherever that number is required. and
must have passing average In each
study. He must present to the principal
a physicians certificate that he is physi-
.cally able to play the game and permit
from his parents. -@.. :.",s~s--5.75 80 !. or.
Only one game can be played with one
opponent during the same season. All
contests must be played on days in which
there Is no school, unless otherwise
agreed. The halves in football shall not
be longer than twenty-five minutes. The
home team is to allow the visiting team
expenses for fifteen men in football, eleven
in baseball and nine in basket ball.
Slap at the University.
During the discussion on the time OF
halves, Superintendent Hess paid his re-
spects to the University of Minnesota In
order to protect the weaker teams it was
suggested that the halves be limited tc
twenty-five minutes. Several pointed out
that this rule would permit teams of the
league from playing the University OF
Minnesota. Superintendent Hess replied
that the teams of the league We're not
seeking games with the varsity anG
added:
I'VE are standing for scholarship will
football. The state university is not
standing for scholarship or sobriety during
the football season.