The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-16
WITH The COLLEGE ATHLETES
DOINGs IN THE FIELD or SPORT
IN EAST AND WEST.
wisconsin Now want, 10 Drop NDes' 81"
Rowing Coach. Because OF Poor snow
ing on the Huison--WOrk OF badgers
In Eastern Regatta Baseball Captains


Feeling In the West over the showing OF
the Wisconsin crews In the intercollegiate
regatta on the Hudson IL one OF deep chn
grin. 'TheWcsterners are pidned thnt tneF
representatives failed to do anything
better than finish last in the Nars't" FOUR
cared and eight cared races. The people
out there contend that their mon nre tfs
good az physically Is the Fasteners
II not better, and that with equal chances
they should win. Therefore. they nave
come to a conclusion that the blame FOR the
whole thing lies with Andrew O'Dea, the
man who has coached the Wisconsin crews
since they first made their appearance
in the East in 1905.
To the average person "a casual on
locker, the methods Of O'Dea have been
efficient enough. There was no cry OF
poor coaching when the same O'Dea pro-
duced crews which finished second three
times and third thrice, UP to last year
and won the freshman race one year az,
well. It Is difficult to see where the come
plant comes in. To be sure, the showing
Of the Wisconsin crews for the past two
years has been miserably poor. They
have been away out of the running. But
that Is not necessarily O'Dea's fault,
There is something in making mp crew,
rood coaches say, besides merely teach
ing the men how to row. There has to be
a university spirit behind the men, cheer
ing them on. and a good bunch of hard
working second raters to make the regulars
fight for their places. The college hos to
show its spirit in producing both candi-
dates and cash.
This Wisconsin has not done. The
SQUADS Of late have been small, and some
Of the men have not trained faithfully.
This was especially true OF the freshman
crew; whom it will be remembered O'Dea
had to disband because some of the oars.
men broke training. Again, for the trip
Fast; which involves an expenditure OF
about 5000, just $500 was raised from
the undergraduates. Were it not for
handful Of hard workers. said O'Dea re-
Gently at Poughkeepsie. "we might gust
as we'll not bring a crew here. There are
q few men who are willing to devote them.
selves to the crew with all their might
When 1t Ia added to this that the weather
was tempestuous all spring at Madison
and that Lake Mendoza could not be naNi-
gated by shells until we'll along In April
1t is not so much to be wondered that Wis
consin had poor crew IA that the Badgers
had a, crew at all.
The Western criticism of the crews and
O'Dea, as voicedby leading Wisconsin man,
Is expressed as follows: "Once more it
becomes the duty of the public journals to
record the fact that Wisconsin was lament
ably last in the varsity races at Fough-
keeosie. The sole representative OF the
West cut sorry figure in the great event,
and here in Wisconsin the result was dis
appointing, to say the least. Having made
this confession. what remains to be said?
Evidently nothing but speculation,
There was time when Wisconsin, was
q factor in this annual affair. On two diff
ferent occasions it had place, but in recent
years it has hardly been entitled to honor
able mention. Why? Surely the material
has not been exhausted, nor has it deteri-
Grated. The big husky fellows who went
down to the river this year prove that.
but Wisconsin was last all the same. Nor
can one admit that Wisconsins men are
not comparable to those of the East in the
essentials to ability. They have the Drawn
and. are just as amenable to instruction
The question is, what ails them There
can be but one reasonable answer In
sufficient or misdirected coaching and
training
Fortunately this is condition capable
OF correction, and it should be amended at
once, not only for the sake of Wisconsin,
but on behalf of this whole Western country.
On Wisconsin, in this annual boatrace,
depends the whole hope Of the West for
showing against the East in athletics. 1t
really Is the one event in which the West
has show 1t should therefore be en-
Il tnlra kf>,
better results.
.In the first place. the present coach
should resign. He has demonstrated that
he cannot produce a winning crew, and
there Is no publication for his retention.
This proposition appears 80 perfectly self
evident that there is little chance for diff
ference Of opinion. Any one on earth could
do as we'll as o. Dea has recently.
then, again, ample funds should be
provided for he crew. They should have
every necessary accessory and not be sub
jected to the humiliation Of accepting
favors that show the lack Of facilities. II
Wisconsin, representing the entire West,
Ia going down to Poughkeepsie year after
year to compete with the East 1t 81 ould
10 In proper style and not appear Ike an
athletic mendicant. To some it il de-
ClO9Qly Illuminating 10 Tedu Cne E&aUToHiHuiS
manner in which the Eastern papers called
attention to the ohivalrous conduct Of
Courtney in loaning his launch to O'Dca
in order that he might follow and instruct
his crew. Why was Wisconsin not pro-
vided with a launch? 1t probably had
nothing to do with the proficiency Of the
crew, but the lack Of it made Wisconsin
appear like an object OF charity.
i, Coming right down to the facts, 1t may
be written down that if Wisconsin is to en-
brace the only opportunity 1t has to make
showing against the East 1t will have
to have ample funds, first for the engage
ment OF the best coach and trainer that
money can hire and second for incidental
: accessories. 1t is for Wisconsin and the
West to say what the future shall be. Either
necessary funds must be provided or else
Wisconsin must continue to be a feeble
factor in the event. With the ma gnificent
possibilities it possesses and considering
what is involved, it would be a crime gainst
sport to let Wisconsin drop merely because
OF the lack of substantial support"
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