The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-09
NEBRASKA BOARD
WILL OBEY RULE
Cornhusker Football Governors
Will Drop Move to Play
Freshmen.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal. -.
Lincoln, Neb., Aug s:-Nebraska university
any other prospective football opponent over the
enforcement of the antifreshmen rule adopted
by the conference Of western colleges. This is
the consensus of opinion within the cornhusker
sent from Lincoln for the summer. but most Of
them are on the ground and have expressed
themselves in favor Of the rule.
The suggestion of contention with the gopher
management seems to have sprung from the ut
terances Of Captain Borg of Nebraska, who
stated that the cornhuskers expected to play
freshmen, followed by statement by DR.. H.
L. Williams Of Minnesota, who declared that
Nebraska must agree to the rule barring fresh
men or there would be no game, Minnesota
meanwhile considering the date open.
DR.. Williams statement that Secretary Clapp
of the Nebraska board had amended the con-
tract for the game by inserting the words ''pres-
ent rules in the contract cannot be contro-
verified or affirmed until the return of the Sec
rotary from his summer vacation. 1t is the
belief. however, of the influential members of
the Nebraska board that the secretary and DR..
and that all will be harmonious One of the
latter is frank in explaining Nehraska's posi-
ton on the freshmen rule in the following:
Il think the rule barring freshmen a COM
| mendahle stroke of policy. 1t is a step in the
direction of eliminating the football player who
has made it practice of housekeeping from one
institution to another after he has fallen down
| in his studies First of ALL it compels player
| to establish himself as student while football
| must come later. Football is great game
| and there is gainsaying that it holds first
| rank among all of the college SPORTS but II
must be for legitimate students alone.
| EVERY college in the west whether in or on,
| Of the conference, should enforce the freshmen
rule. 1t max prove hardship the first year Of
its enforcement, but after that the game viii
be cleaner and better, for my personal judg
ment is that the better the student the better
the player.
! Nebraska should be willing to adopt the rule
| and I believe the board will confirm my views
| The team will probably be crippled this year
perhaps more than most of the western elevens
but Nebraska has had bad years before an,
the game has continued to flourish. We coult
better afford to lose every game on the schedul
| than to stand in opposition to a rule whicl
| tends to reform football. 1 am for it heartily
and I think the board will take the same pc
sition.
'.There is no denying, however, that Nebrask
has not been treated fairly by the big Nine
conference. We have applied for admission tire
times and on each occasion have been turne
down. In spite of the fact that In attendanc
Or athletic prominence we outrank at least hal
Of the conference schools. Meanwhile the cor
| ference proceeds to make rules for Nebrask
without permitting us to take part in thei
creation. This is not fair, and some day al
convinced that the conference will recognize
and extend an invitation to Nebraska to ente
and participate in its deliberations as a full
fedged member. 1t is unlikely that we sha
ever again apply for admission, as it has a1mos
become accepted policy that Nebraska sha
play fair with opponents and wait until til
conference sees the justice Of position. Mil
nesota. Michigan and Illinois have recognize
us as worthy opponents, and the day ought nc
be far distant when they should be willing
60 step further and aid us in entering tn
| Big Nine fold"