The Washington times., 1906-12-30
COLLEGE ATHLETICS
UNDER NEW CONTROL
big Four" Must Step ASIDE
for Association Formed at
MCCraCken Conference.
GREAT RESULTS EXPECTED
Spirit of Honest Amateurism Should
Be FosteTed by Those Now in
Command.

While TO attempt was made to change
the football playing code at the recent
meeting of the rules committee. the
gathering was not without interest. for
1t developed the fact that the Intercol-
legiate Athletic Association of the
United States. though less than a year
old. holds the balance of power in the
only body which really makes the fun
playing rules for a prominent sport.
The inability Of the committee of four
teen 10 so ahead with the proposed
changes was due 10 the fact that more
lhan one-haif of the members were del
ogates from the 1. A. A. L. S, and their
terms We're about to expire. The original
rules committee consisted Of seven mem
bCrS, who. while they represented GER
lam collegs, were not regularly elected
OF responsible 10 HHV one BODY As Il
result the committee was d sort OF self
perpetudting affair, which changed from
time 10 time as conditions changed. eN-
plains the Colleglan in The Philadelphia
Ledger.
All viii Harmonic.
When the l. a. A. Z. s. sprung into
existence as a result Of the MacCracken
conference. Il committee Of seven mem
bers was formed TO codify such reforms
IN football as they might consider de-
sirablc. When the two committees
amalsamated HarVaTd's representative
IN the cid body went over TO the new
committee. and In the past month Penn
sSlNanta also Joined Jne new assocfa-
tIon, which gave the /. a A. a majority
or TWO Ii the rules committee.
As result. nine OF the fourteen mem
tefs OF the committee were representa-
ives OF the conference colleges, If such
term may be used. At Saturdays
meeting they were unable TO 20 ahead
with the altering OF the football rules
Tor their terms Of Office We're about 10
expire and their successors Will be
elected at the annual meeting of the
4 a A, Whlcn Is 10 be held in New
york on Saturday. That q majority
or TIE men who represent the new a.
soclatlon during the past year viii be
reelected Is considered likely, and there
appears 10 be little doubt that they viii
work hand in hand with the five repre-
sentatives of the outside colleges.
Football Changes Unlikely.
The main point in the situation, how
ever. is that the l. A. a. viii control
the next meeting of the football rules
committee. and will dictate whatever
changes in the rules the colleges repre-
sented in the intercollegiate Athletic
Association may think necessary. Thus
within tWeve months the balance Of
power has been torn from the old-timo
institutions. and Yale, Princeton and
Cornell must bow TO the lusty yOungster
which is soon 10 rule the college ath-
ICtCs or 30 il alone.
There is, however. little chance of the
latter. Tor apparently the entire com
mlJJee Is IN accord. and Whatever
changes arc made in the rules for next
year viii find favor at ali the larger
universities of the States. This is Ger
tain, for the ruling powers OF the ]. \.
y nave announced Jh0t the football
code of 1906 met with their approval and
o. D
rules are necessary 70 make the game
an ideal one for the undergraduate.
Spirit Should Improve.
The assuming of control IN this, the
most popular sport of the American
colleges. pIesages the rapid rise OF the
J. A A. as the leading college athletic
body of the continent, and as it Is work
ing i'm harmony with the \. A. T.. there
is almost certain TO be a great improve
ment in the management, spirit, and
ruling OF university sports during the
next few years. With the formation Of
national interSChOiaSJic athletic
league-which Is certain to comc-the
athlete OF the country will be taught
20 play fair, honestly. and with sports
manlike spirit from the time he enters
high school until he enters into the
more serious work OF life.
There will be hxed rules governing
his actions in sport from hOyhoOd 10
lliElilOoGt ana many bA ti4C Afili
now surrounding him all through his
scholastic and collegiate athletic career
will be done away with. It VIII be al
most impossible for him TO pose an an
amateur while receiving compensation
for his athletic ability
All on Equal Basis.
The new body also paves the way
for fixed set OF eligibility rules, and
mary other desirable features now con-
spicuOus by their absence in college
sports. Many Of the despicable tactics
that prevail in Eastern university ath-
kstics viii be stamped out, and all In
stitUtiOus will meet on the athletic Held
on a fair and equal basis.
The first year of the existence of the
J. A. A. u. S. has proved its power, and
that it fills a long-felt want Those with
the best interests of college athletics
at heart see much good resulting from
the conference called by Chancellor
NacCracken, of The New York Univer-
sity, and are wishing the latest con-
trolling body in American athletics more
power on the eve of the new year.
T00TDAII 0N 0VkTTQ