The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-05-08

takes the form of some bodily move
ment The body is called upon to Civ
expression to the feeling of relaxation o
the physical functions. These are slim
ulated somewhat by the previous mac
tivity of the muscles of the body. which
if not used or held too long in one posi-
ton take on a peculiar kind of stiffnes
that seems to stimulate or cry out 10
activity.
The above condition Of affairs is quite
noticeable in students whose activity
must. as in mental activity, become or
ganized and directed along specialized
| channels. 1t is the natural impulse TO
| persons to show their prowess In every
| thing they DO, especially in that pertain
| ing 10 physical development and skill
This as will be clearly seen is the foun
dation of our college athletics. Then le
US look at the position to which athletic:
in some institutions have attained and
the threatened trend and danger of un
restricted athletcism.
by athletic sport we mean that kind
! of sport known as games which involve
! for their execution considerable exercise
and skill. Games in which every stu
dent can take part and be benefited
| thereby, far removed from the taints OF
| professionalism that we will discuss later
on. Games carried just so far that they
| will in no way interfere with the stu
dents studies or take him away from
any of his classes, or in other words
that will not in the least interfere with
the primary object for which he came
TO college. Upon these conditions college
orp --il NO. hot
and wholesome sport where every stu
dent was made a better man.
What are some OF the unwelcome
features that have developed in athletics
by virtue of their unrestricted Indulgence
and as result of primary commend
able spirit in the American student. viz,
that of love and superiority over oppon-
ents. First and foremost is the prOfes-
sional coach looked upon from the place
but in most cases the common side
There are few positions in which a man
comes in such personal contact with
students as the coach. He is looked upon
by the boys as being the ideal in the
special sport and will in most cases be
followed as is proper, by those who are
in his charge? If his influence is bad or
the boys will be in that direction.
The prime object of a team is to be
victorious. which offers such a large field
for unfairness Herein is the basis of
trouble
Taking a special example. A coach
applies for a position and says he can
bring a number OF good men for the
team, or that he will spend part of
his salary as he sees fit for the benefit
Of the team or with a certain salary he
Will guarantee a victorious team. The
influence of such man is evidence espe-
cially since he is dealing with students
whose minds at this age are yet quite
plastic to impressions whether they be
good or bad Then comes the subsidza-
ton of boys. inducing them to come to
your school with promises of pecuminary
aid. They do not pay tuition, buy their
books or clothes. much less pay their
board. They do not attend classes. or if
this necessary, do the minimum amount
of work that will conform to the re-
quirements. Hereto is involved the ques-
tonable subject whether or not influence
is brought to bear on an instructors con-
science that he may be able to stretch
a point and pass student who is a
good athlete.
1T is not to be referred from this that
a man should never receive money for
coaching in atheletics. but that he must
be moral rather than an immoral force
The greatest stress should be laid on
young men being subsidized. and gives
money or bluff positions whereby they
u caH 70
penses.
THE solution to this is not to drop
for we believe them to be one
of the greatest forms for the training
of young men for a life work Educa-
tional schools have recognized this, and
some have evidently been blinded or ter
rified by an under graduate manager or
professional coach. so that it really looks
as if the college was an adjunct to the
athletic association. Practical idealism
must be taught and demonstrated in
athletic affairs. The contestants must be
taught that ii Is as unspeakable and I'M
fair to cheat and do up their man. as |
it is in mercantile business. The moral |
training possibilities in athletics are al
ways unlimited They teach the boys |
how to be honest and fair. how to act in |
face of defeat; how TO be considerate |
If victorious; and how never to give up |
until the goal line is crossed off the tape |
breasted. They teach in a better way |
than any other form of training quick |
ness of decision, observance TO rules. and |
that perseverance is always crowned |
with victory.
An institution Of learning must main
tain its self respect in athletics as it dies
In scholarship. Students and faculty
must work together to bring these con-
iitons to exist, The pleasure that comes
only from a pure and honest victory is
sufficient compensation for the effort"