The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-11-16
STUDY A KICKING PREREQUISITE

hand at football and ex-Captain of the
/ Columbia University eleven, turned up
at the University of Virginia and ma
great rejoicing among that element
interested in college athletics, whose
motto is TO win at any price and whose
sympathies are with the University of
Virginia in its pending Thanksgiving
day contest with the University of
North Carolina. Considered from a
football standpoint Mr. Thorpe is
indeed a star of the first magnitude.
Contemplated as an addition to an
eleven representing the college sports
manship of the South, he is 10 say
the least a doubtful acquisition. So
that, when it was announced that DR..
Alderman had refused to permit
Thorpe TO play, there was Il general
feeling of satisfaction among all who
are interested in college sports and
the maintenance of a fine game upon
a high level.
Now, however, the following is
printed in a Virginia paper, which
would seem to indicate that the 90
jections of the President of Virginia.
University to Thorpe have been in
some way overcome. Says the re-
port:
Mr.. Warren, Virginia's disabled
end, who refereed the game between
Richmond College and William and
Mary here Saturday, is said to have
eold a we'll known sporting man that
Thorpe, eX-captain OF Columbia, and
a non-combatant on Eirginia'S side
lines up to this time, would play
Thanksgiving Day against North Car
Dina. Mr.. Warren would not say
how DR.. Alderman had been won over
but evidently his objections had been
removed
The trouble with MI. hoppe was
that he seemed at Columbia to be en-
tirely unable to think of more than
one thing at Il time, SO that while a
peach on the gridiron, he was roast
ed in the class room. In accordance
with the rules of Columbia, Mr..
Thorpe was therefore retired from the
eleven until he could bring his class
standings somewhere near the level of
his athletic prowess. This was shock
TO Mr.. Thorpe, who was used to an
outdoor life and by no means ready
20 entomb himself in a cloister. There
fore he bade farewell TO the Column
bian halls as well as field and duly
enrolled at the University of Virgin
la as a student. only to receive Il sec
ond shock in the attitude of President
Alderman. who welcomed him as one
athirst for knowledge but could not
at least at first-be persuaded to see
in what manner a position on the
football eleven could aid in his claS-
steal regeneration. For the good of
football everywhere and for the ex
ample which it would set towards
new and better collegiate standards
n athletics. it is to be hoped that the
statement of the spawned war horse,
Mr.. Warren, to the ''well-known sport
ing man" fails to do DIR. Alderman
justice.
At time when football has as
sumed national importance and on
the eve of great convention of col
lege presidents~w are to meet and
consider certain abuses which have
called forth popular clamor, such in
cidents as that of Thorpe can have
but the one effect of adding to the
already growing distrust of football
as a game. Above all things should
the rule that no man who fails to
maintain a reasonable stand i'm his
studies can engage in college sports.
no matter how great his pro-
ficiency be maintained. And when
that rule has operated at
one institution. it should be sustain
ed at all others. In no other way can
the faint of professionalism be kept
out of college athletics When Mr..
Thorpe was prevented from playing
football at Columbia, his prompt eff
fort to associate himself with col
iege where his athletic services would
greatest clearness his ideal of educa-
ton. In such cases, not only is the
player open to criticism but the coll
lege also to which he removes. BY
making a reasonable proficiency in
studies the unvarying standard Cf
athletic representation, such instan-
ces Of the spirit of making an end out
of what should be the means would
be practically eliminated from the
world of intercollegiate sport.