Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-12
DECREASED INTEREST
FELT IN ROWING

In recent issue It was stated with an
assurance that left no reason to doubt the
fact that the varsity eight of Georgetown
University would be among the starters in
the intercollegiate regatta at Poughkeepsie
in 1907 This was written upon the author
ity of certain graduatesNof the university,
whose endeavors in the past have bridged
over all Of Georgetowns athletic ventures,
and kept the university, year after year,
represented in this most important of col
iege contests.
Although the showing of Coach Russell's
crews at the recent class regatta was cred
liable, it must be admitted that there was,
outside of the men in the crews partici-
pating, an almost total lack of college spirit
as shown by the student body in general.
When Georgetown first took up rowing
years ago these class races were looked for
ward to by the students with great interest.
On the day of the contest there was large
turn out Of the students and great pains
were taken to bring all the feminine friends
Of the oarsmen to see the future Pough-
keepsie stars in their racing regalia. The
Potomac boathouse was the Mecca of the
students and their friends, and the faculty
usually attended in a body to show their
appreciation of rowing as a college sport
But on the occasion of the recent event
there was a total lack of this enthusiasm
on the part of the students Nine-tenths
stayed away. There were as many of the
fair sex at the clubhouse as Sailor Brown
has fingers on his famous pitching arm,
and If there was any such thing as faculty
appreciation 1t was conspicuous by its alb
Sence, for not a member appeared to see
the finish of the race. =
That the professional schools, which make
up the greater part of the Poughkeepsie
crew, were not represented in the class
events, was a grave oversight. Despite the
C<atQ fOof nf Din t IN poin tnip
rowing, and to keep up a representation on
the Hudson, there is decided feeling
among the undergraduates that the load is
getting too heavy for the athletic associa-
ton to bear, and there are quite a large
number who will stand off," If possible,
the sending of a crew next ummer
1t is said that the association is already
in debt something like 81 500, due principal
ly to the heavy expense of the boat club 1t
is the best advertisement the university
gets, no matter which way 1t Is looked at,
and it is so regarded by the large body of
alumni throughout the country. But 1t is
claimed that the present faculty, while per-
haps admitting this, do not give the oars
men any encouragement and not only re-
fuse to contribute for the trip, but they will
not provide training table, or make any
concessions whatever to the members of
the crew.
Now, a large number Of the undergradu-
ates take the view that as the governing
spirit and faculty of the university do not
see fit to help out the big lad" (the enter
ing of the crew of a small college in the
greatest of all regattas). which rebounds
solely to the benefit of the institution. they
do not see why they, the students. should
shoulder the burden and attempt to finance
the enterprise to a success
1t is evident. therefore, that there will be
decided opposition next spring, when tho
time comes to pass the hat around for SUBJ
scriptions to send the crew away. But
though there may be a strong fight. the
probable result will be the progressive ele-
me- will and CeorpetOvUp wi1 he
at Poughkeepsie.
Although the university hoathouse has
been put in shape since the disaster that
sent 1t to the bottom of the Potomac, the
trim little launch Georgetown still reposes
on the bottom, buried several feet in the
mud, with about nine feet of water over
all. No endeavor has been made to raise
the boat. and If left much longer it will
fall to pieces and the coach will be de-
prived of the only possible and adequate
coaching launch on the river.
X
The annual all-day outing of the Potomac
Boat Club will take place on the 18th of
this month, and it promises to equal any of
the affairs of the kind ever engineered by
the local outfit An invitation has been ex-
tended to the Analoston club to attend
in a body. Captain Spencer Bliss of the
Potomacs has also sent Captain Whelpley
of the Analostans a challenge to bring
a base ball team for a special match game.
There will be a huge oyster roast, and
plenty of amusements of all kinds, consist
ing especially of games, hurdle and fiat
races. with grotesque relay billed the
feature. 1t Is expected that prizes well
worth the attempt will be presented to win
ners of all contests by the committee who
committee is made up of Messrs. Russell
Underwood, Clarence Dunbar Davis, Joseph
T. Daily. Thomas ]. King, Charles A. Baker,
Clarence Hecox. w. F. Schafer, Carl Muel-
Ter and Captain Bliss.
The Old Dominions of Alexandria are elat-
ed over the prospect of a big regatta at
jamestown next year, as 1t will enable them
to be represented in several events. The
fact Is beginning to manifest itself among
the members of this organization that It
will become absolutely necessary for them
to procure an eight-oared shell. If they de-
sire to keep pace with the other Potomac
river clubs. They have two good fours.
and they could easily trade one of them off
to advantage for second-class eight that
would stand them to the good for at least
two seasons.
The aquatic writers of the north are again
exploiting the ideas advanced in these col
umns last spring, of the college crews going
in for Noctuple rowing. Coach Ten Eyck of
Syracuse is decidedly in favor of the scheme
and has put an octuple crew at work now
at the New York college.
X
Matt r. Denves, Tho has just been elected
to Congress from Wilmington, Ohio, is an
old Georgetown athlete. and was one Of
the first promoters of aquatics at the uni
versity. He was also foot ball player. and
at one time managed the base ball team.
His father, Gen. st. Clair Denver, was a
resident of this city, and a well-known
member of the legal fraternity.
Personal to River Men.
Cant Owen Thomson. who WAS master