The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-07
Football Professorships,

Editor OF Tho Times Dispatch:
sir-The ball element, now constitute
Ing n large percentage OF tho student
body OF our colleges and universities, mas
al last been largely reinforced. az sharers
In Its enthusiasim for football, BY tho
faculties and boards Of trustees OF tho
Institutions This popular and absorbing
diversion from the OIL curriculum OF
studies. should not therefore be longer
reminded TO a secondary position IN the
college course. This proposition has been
practically recognized by the head man
OF one OF our leading Southern COLLEGES IN
his late public declaration that, whilst
debate between deputat!on OF polemica
chosen from the literary societies OF his
college, with n similar one from another
college, had resulted disastrousiy 70 mo
representatives OF his school, nc founa
ample consolation In the fact that the
championship cup In football had been
three times consscutively won ~ ms COZ
.ege!
This college president, seconded BY tho
newspapers, both secular and religious.
10 the extent OF printing as frontlspleces
tn, pretty athletic cups thus won, has.
whether Intentionally or not. suggestea
tho idea OF chairs Of specialists for ha ~
departments OF study, Assuming NAT
the demand will be at once recognizen1
and acted on liz the higher educational
institutions. it Is in order to insist that
applicants Tor positions as Instructors IN
the new branch should be subjected to tho
most rigorous examinations BY the lcad-4s
ing athlates of the country, or, netterg
still by tho expert trainers or ths sluB
gers striving for tho champion pelt oI
bruises. They should ne possessed, ~.
ONLY of the faculty Of teaching lntelll-
gently the intricacies Of ball technique
but d ;ong with 1t how to gracefully brave
fro .exIgepcIes OF lip-splitting, sum
barking and hone-breaklns; and also to
Inculcate sound knowledge or the
structure and function OF the nervous
system, sense organisms, etc, ana lwl,he
is of equal Importance now suecesstu'y
to maintain tho posc OF elptlcal atI-
tudcs whom tho nll.rushy Is made tor t'la
goal Tn order, too, that the eyoiutlons OF
thc IN acrobat may bei fullytup TO date,
the teacher should sec to IT that his lEhlu-
ing DO not interrupted by book d"ies.|
and that lps bo made 70 nnders!aHs III ~
during the "ball-senson" at least: ~
such. fooYsh things as Latin Greek ana
mathematics. Then. too, the professor
should himself BIO SO trained IN astuo-
nhysical researches as to be Ado 70 Stye
frea,lent Illustrations of how 70 ram one
head against brick wall Wltllout sse'
Ing stars In the daytime, ,.,.,
This department OF study however
should DO made accessible to students uh.
S 5nr sovere restrictions. 1t should first
i,o SUPPLIED with n surgeon skilled III tle
nsc of tho requisite implements and ap'
nlinnoss, such especially as spllnts, dress-
;inrs. ETC.; and the applicants for admls.
sion should, under his direction, ana
IN tho presence of tho ball professor.
| he taken through all of the aevolutlons Of
q first-class gymnasium and puglllstle
| training.
Without assuming to dictate to experts,
| j venture to suggest as tests for the az
mission OF applicants whose constituIlons
| forbid theft, undergoing tho severe ofdeaS
| tho following modified demands:
Il 10 stapd on ones head FOR lthreo
| minutes and ten seconds.
., no lss subjected to the process Known
as "sklnnng the cat" only posi- rs sup-
stituted for tho other boy.
8. Now comes the butting test. ~
this the professor conducts INC eNan,l1,a-
| ton exclusively, lie, on al tours, ocpus
pies o stationary position, Whilst lns ~
plicant a,so on four, having acquire the
momentum Of good galloplng w,
brings his head in vlolsnt collision WIN
that OF the professor, il after this dairy
exercise for nine days, the ball ticket as,
pirant expresses preference for a plle-t
prlver, he Mill haY,s proYed,5 as did l'os.
| iin's ram that he has q head nf his oWn,
and well fitted for admission into mo
ball department. of study
! Eark Union. Va V,