Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-05-26
Recommendation in College Athletics" !"


tain to be widely read and discussed
among the college men of the country.
It's subject is "T'he College athlete;
How commercialism IL Making Him
Professional" The theme isAiscussed
in the ultra sensational manner now
affected by various popular magazines
Of the land which publish features"
with the evident intention Of increas-
ing their circulation. even though the
methods Of yellow journalism have to
be used to bring about this result. the
author of this article is Henry Beacn
Necdhan, IA writer rot at all known 10
the general public. but evidently
Harvard man.
once the immortal Dooley and his
friend Hennessey were discussing the
general tendency OF mankind to go TO
the dogs. At its conclusion. Mr.. Dool-
ey remarked, "Well, there's wan conso-
alton. inyway." whats that?" asked
Mr.. Hennessey." ''Taint so." said Mr..
Dooley. And SO. after college man
has read Mr.. Needhams sensational
presentation of the rOttenness which
permeates athletics in our colleges and
universities. he has Mr.. Dooley's con-
ISOLATION of knowing that it isn't SO. AL
though the writer mentions specificaily
only four or five great universities
fnS q
each with great freedom. his indict-
ment, nevertheless, Is very sweeping.
He dwells particularly Upon the allegei
purchase" on the Fart Of big univer-
stiles OF the notable athletes who are
developed in the leading preparatory
schools as Exeter and AndOver. and he
makes open charges Of fragrant rrofcs-
sionalism against some of the best
known athletes, particularly football
men at Yale, Columbia, Prince
ton and Pennsylvania. as the
result OF their acceptance or
Inducements" Many of his charges
are pressed home with such
vigor that they appear to come very
close to the line Of libel. and it will not
he at all surprising If Mr.. Needham Is
given an opportunity of corrObOrating
his charges in court. providing he IS
able to do so.
Tine whole article is incorporate and
ovcrdrawu. but IL Mr.. Needham merely
wished to get himself and the subject
OF professionalism in college athletics
discussed. he will undoubtedly accom-
plish mis- purpose. 1t is not to be de-
nicd that among the large universities
as well as among the small colleges.
there is great rivalry to secure the star
athletes in the various fitting schools.
AMI no doubt there are instances when
unfair practices are used in this cor
petition, and even when absolute am
deliberate purchase" is rcsorted to.
but such cases are very rare indeed
They are the exception and not the rule.
Indeed. many of the cases cited by MI.
Needham as horrible examplcs of the
"ComrnerCialism'' which is making the
coIleg. athlete a professional. are en-
tireIy regular and honest, and what
may happen in the case of any poor
young mar, WHO Is making every dollar
count in payirg mis- collcs" expenses.
On this whole subject of amateur
Standing among college athletes. there
rs often exhibited a snobbishncss un-
worthy the spirit of American educa-
tioual institutions. The rule which al
lows a college athlete to earn money
for his college expenses during the
summer vacation by canvassing Tor
books. or working in hotel or survey
ing on a railroad. but which classes
him as a professional" and therefore
unft ard unqualified to participate III
college sports II he receives money for
playing In a ball game during the sum-
mer or for coaching a school team. is
inconsistent and illogical. Such rule
is all very well for English institutions
where tine theory prevails that oniy
"gentlemen' whose hands are never
stained by manual labor of any kind
shall participate in amateur sports
but It is out Of place in this country
where more democratic ideas prevail
and where 4 greater number of our COL
lege boys. particularly in small colleges
have to work hard to get money to pay
for their education. The "one year
residence" rule for the athlete VINO
changes from one college to another
and the rule. which, allows but -four
years participation in college athletics
-, are generally followed in the college
world and their good effects are not to
he denied, but there is small DEFENSE
for the rule of the universities which
uses a microscope to see il any of tbs
money is tainted which the poor
student earns during the summer va
cation. These matters. however. are
aside from the question discussed by