New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-24
FOR CLEAN ATHLETICS.
Danger of Too Strict Rulcs Favor
me Rich COlIegians.

Andover. Mass July % (speciaD.-Alfred E.
Stearns principal of Phillips Ardover Academy
who recently made widely quoted address on col
IeSe and school athletics before the Teachers con-
vention at Bethlehem y H.. has returned TO An
dover and 10 a representative Of The Tribune
outlined at greater length his views the present
eligibility rules which govern athletics in our col
leges. and WHICH constantly causing so mulch
discussion and friction. notably last season at
Brown and almost every year at Harvard and
Yale Mr.. Stearns himself noted athlete
was captain for ye,rs Of the Amherst rine. and
one of the best second base:uen and pitchers that
college ever had. and he has had wide experience
in coaching both college and secondary school
teams that he speaks from first hand observa-
ton.
THE present eligibility rules too complex and
unwieIdy.' said Mr.. Stearns yesterday, and are
constantly working Injustice udvtduals. To my
mind summer ball playing should not be frowned
on. and the present legislation against il tends
strongly TO induce deception the part Of many
boys who feel that the restrictions against it are
unjust.
The tendency of modern reform in athletics as
agitated by those who have most prominently
cried out so-c.lled clean athletics Is Limit
athletics 10 wealthy and leisure class who caT
afford the time and money to pay all expenses and
to consume for no return all the time required IN
competitive sports in vacation months. This ten
denCy l regard strictly un-American. and not
to be desired, even though it may be I'm vogue in
other countries critics Of my views will hasten
point out.
As Illustration OF the present injustice and
absurdity of modern restrictions. let cite
example: This spring The captain of football
team accepted position for the summer with the
city play school at Walttam. Mass. His work was
10 be the direction of the sports and pastmes
OF large body Of small boys in the summer
months. For this he was 10 receive his living ex-
penses and small compensation in addition. Late
in our school term he induced To resign his
position by the representatives 90 the college which
he planned 10 enter. the ground that he might
have this work brought up against him later. and
be declared a professional The boy was thus left
late in the year with work in sight for the
summer He can use his strength lifting trunks
in hotel and ne paid therefor without losing
caste. 50 to speak He cannot devote his ability
the benehtiug Of small and needy boys without
being subjected the risk OF becoming pro-
fessiOnal and being placed under the ban. I can
conceive Of work which would have been OF so
great value 10 the boy in question morally and
physically. rs that offered hy this position. but
absurd and unreasonable situation derives him of
it. Cases OF this kind might be multiplied III
definitely.
My contention is that such conditions due
10 a false value which Is placed athletics They
are regarded no longer as means but end,
and hence are treated in a wholly different way
from an otIler otldI IHl.Hss or St'l-,i anu
life. II is my firm belief that II 'hlS unnatural
value could be adjusted. practically rules would
be required between colleges -ud schools; doubt
full cases would be referred 10 the DECISION or the
colleges involved the >UppoSitluu that they
could best be trusted 10 do the square and manly
thing: suspicion would be quoted and we should
no longer be disguised by the constant iutimHtiCuS
directed by school college against another
maj trckerv and detention are being practsed and
hear little about professionalism and care less
one of the gravest dangers. one OF the real