The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-01

Ann Arbor, Mich, Jan. 1.-President Angel
of the University of Michigan, in his annual
report speaks at length upon the athletic situa-
ton. His opinion is the more interesting be-
cause he has taken part in the hue and cry
raised against the game. And his pointed criu.
c1sm Of college athletics will be the more eff
fective because Of the suggestions he offers for
improvement.
1t is rather notable that Dr.. Angel regards
Michigan guiltless of many athletic sins
now quite prevalent. His words in part follow
This subject Of college athletics has been
SO much under discussion Of late years that 1t is
not surprising that both students and faculties
have been exposed to criticisms which un-
just well to some which are just.
Some Of the criticisms assume that the COL
leges are more given over to the passion for
games than are the public generally. On tho
contrary it Is in large part the passion Of the
people for interesting games that stimulates the
students to play them. When read of 30, 900
OK 5000 persons rushing to intercollegiate foot
ball games at Cambridge or New Haven. Prince
ton or New York, and most of these persons of
respectabilty and intelligence and maturity,
when we see that journals Of the highest charac-
ter devote at least whole page to the report Of
game and publish the portraits and biogra-
plies OF the players as heroes of whom readers
most desire to hear, may we not truthfully say
that the public are as crazy about football
as the students, and that the passion Of the
latter Is only part of the national passion
which has taken possession of the country.
Students But Human. -,
"And since the public admiration for the sue.
cessful players has become so intense is 1t
strange that the ambition Of so many young stu
dents is fired to win laurels on the playground
lone might as reasonably ask young men In
college not to share in the excitement Of presi-
Dental election or as reasonably ask college
faculties to prevent them from doing 50, when
! every man out Of college is wild with excitement
about it. The colleges are no longer monastic
establishments cut off from all relations with
| the outside world, and cannot be regulated as II
they were. ....
The college faculties, above all Others do rec
ognize and deplore the incidental evils still
caused by the overmastering passion for great
gains cherished by both students and the genera
public.
The Michigan Rule.
| They regret that so often the minds of men OF
| the teams during the season Of training TO-
! gains preoccupied by their practice and the!
have adopted strict rules forbidding anyone VIII
is delinquent in his studies to play in a game
and here at Michigan, at least, that rule Is en-
forced. They regret that everywhere Their
should be unfair and unsportsmanlike conduct Il
a game, and we believe that our teams do no
resort to 1t. If anyone should permit hfnpsel
| to indulge in unworthy act board o
control, If aware Of it, would discipline hiI
for it.
"Indisputably, then, something remains to b
done to rid college athletics of certain objection
able practices, and college faculties who hav
already done so much to abolish abuses arc nc
likely to neglect their duty in the future. The
all desire to secure the general participation 6
students in some form Of outdoor activity"