The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-24
Nays STAND IN FOOTBALL.
SolleEe Players the Rock on Which the
Two Services Split.

College Players the Rock on Which the
Two Services Split
ANNAPOLIS, May 2O.-The Navy Athletic
Association. through It's secretary, Com
mander W. F. Halsey. has issued full
statement OF the position Of the Navy in
regard to the recent controversy which
ended in the cessation OF athletic relations
between Annapolis and West Point. #
contains the following
Since the circular issued Feb II, 1919, the
representatives. of the Army and Navy ath-
letic associations have held second meet.
ing, and failed TO reach an agreement Tho
difference on adoption OF eligibility rules
was discussed. and the Army's position ia
stated IN bulletin Issued from West
Point on April 8
Our nssocintion takes the position that
eligibility rules are not for the purpose Of
eonalizne the chances OF victory. but to pre-
vent abuses which fortunately cannot exist
at either OF the national academies that il
they were for the purpose OF eQualizinG the
chances Of victory the difference in number
allowed by law-cadets. West Point. MAXI
mum. 500: nidshipmen. Annapolis, maxi
num- as3 tC3n OF whom will be accommo-
dated this year at the Naval Academy t-more
than offsets any advantage gained by greater
average age.
Our association feels that each institution
should be entirely free to decide upon the
composition OF Its teams. a. heretofore. and
that any other basis. as far as the two national
academies are concerned. would be a retro
gresson from the present ideal position
existing mt each institution. Our asso citation
felt that II would not be Justified in agreeing
to anything that would put any cadet whose
conduct and standing were satisfactory. on
n different footing from any other cadet.
and that II would be unwse to risk the trou-
bles and annoynnces we have seen arise from
eligibility rules in some colleges where such
rules have been adopted.
THE Nays position 10 stated In tho fol-
lowing terms:
Of the objects Of eligibility rules 10 to
equalize the chances OF victory BY the pro.
duction OF new players. A an example
of existing conditions. the Navy team at
the last game averaged In age 20 years.
and In weight i5s pounds. opposed to this.
the Army averag ed in age 20 years, and In
weight LIS pounds. This handicap We are
willing to accept
But we are not willing to accept the
further handicap caused by the admission
Of experienced players from colleges, who
are able TO enter West Point. but who are,
by reason Of age. debarred from the Naval
Academy. To illustrate further what might
exist: The quoted ages would permit the
entrance to West Point of all members,
except three, Of the 'O2 Varsity teams Of
Yale and Harvard. while but one Of the
twenty-five could enter the Naval Academy.
II it is contended that these experienced
players from colleges do not enter West
Point. the application Of the eligibility
rules can work no hardship II, on the
other hand, such players do enter West
Point, then it il our claim that the eligi-
bility rlics should obtain
"The Navy proposed that the eligibility
rules be simplified by an agreement that
a player from any college z wing an A, B.
degree should not be eligible to play on
the team OF either academy for one year
after his admission II he had played on
the first team Of that college. and that no
player should play more than four years.
includ ng the years played on the first
team Of a college giving an A. B. degree.
It was tipulated that each academy should
be the sole Judge OF the eligibility Of its
players under these rules and that team
put n he field by either academy would be
accepted by the other " thout question
II the best colleges can enforce eligibility
rules without serious difficulty, it would
certainly seem that the two national
academies could enforce similar rules.
Mere difference in numbers does not
constitute the whole story. The captain
of the Army team Of '02 Is now completing
his sixth year at West Point; the captain
of the same team for 'O3 will shortly BEGIN
his fifth year at that institution. having
already played against the Navy four
wears. The captain Of the Harvard team,
who has played on the West Point team for
two years, represents the pick OF several
thousand students. and the addition Of
several hundred students to the Naval
Academy from M nor schools and COL
leges could not offset the admission to
West Point OF half a dozen star players
from big colleges, whose age debars them
from the Naval Academy
THAT these athletic contests tend to
develop desirable qualities In the future
officers Of the army and navy is, We think,
another argument in favor of limiting a
PLAYER to four years in order that these
valuable qualities may be developed in a
greater number of future officers
Notwithstanding the disagreement re-
earding football and eligibility rules for
the next year. tho navy representatives
proposed to finish the athletic contests Of
the present academic year as scheduled.
that the baseball game of this year be held
Az usual, and offered to play the game with
or without eligibility rules ami with or
wjthou, the members of the class Of 'O3.
who still remained At the ACADEMY after
their graduation in February. The army.
however. declined the proposition on the
ground that 1t was better to have no athletic
contests until present differences regarding
football were adjusted
.We regret the disagreement. and trust
an adjustment may be reached at some
future time. when the two sides are further
considered We believe the games have
been enjoyed by both services and have
been productive OF good in bringing them
tooether In such friendly contOotA"