Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-09
CLUB ATHLETES
MUCH DISSATISFIED
Amendments to the A. A. u.
Constitution Not Strict
Enough.
College Men May Compete in
College and Outside
Contests.

NEW YORK, December S-The amend
ments Of the A. A. U. constitution recon-
mended by the legislation committee Of
that body and which became a law without
the least objection at the annual convention
have caused a lot Of discussion in athletic
circles. majority Of the athletes do not
seem to understand the new rules very
well, and those who do are of the opinion
that there is a lot of trouble ahead for the
authorities in trying to unraveI what the
amendments left underlined
For the last couple of years, at least
since the Irish A. A. C. and New York A.
c. got to drafting athletes in such num-
bers from the colleges there has been a
feeling among the smaller clubs that some
thing ought to be done to stop the prac-
tice,- and that the stronger rivals should
be made to depend on their own resources
What the majority expected was a strin-
gent measure debarring all college men
from representing athletic clubs while at
college. and that if they wanted to COM
pete on the outside at championships and
other meets they should represent their
college.
This was not done, although favored by
several prominent A. A. U. men. but the
legislators went about half way toward
1t by stipulating that the college man
must choose either between his home or
his college at the time of his registration.
The amendment to article ten, section one,
Of the constitution, covering the point
says, IAN undergraduate may, for the pur-
pose of registration and competition, con-
slider either his home or his college as his
residence: but, at the time of registration,
he must elect to represent either his club
or his college, and cannot change such
election during the registration year"
There is a loophole here through which
many q collegian will crawl, and things
will be pretty much the same as they were
before the new law saw the light.
AS the A. A. U. exerices no control over
the colleges, the athlete can compete for
his college in all the intercollegiate sports
during the spring, and just as soon col
lege closes can join some athletic club and
register with the A. A. u. during the sum-
mer and part of the fall months. thereby
being eligible for all the A A. U. district
championships and national meets. Then
should he decide to represent a club in A.
A. U. meets right through his course there
is nothing to prevent him from represent
ing his college where intercollegiate rules
prevail. and this can go on all the year
round. An instance of the latter case can
be illustrated In that of E. B. Parsons of
Yale. who represents the New York A c.
and who is likely to wear the winged foot
in all the meets during the winter months.
He can carry Yale colors in the intercol-
legiate cross country race next week and
the day after run for the New York A. c.
in all A. A. u events. Then again, should
the Columbia College meet come along in
Madison Square Garden, Parsons run
for Yale in all races for the intercollegiate
rules will govern. and If the New York A.
c. gives a meet in the same place week
later there is nothing to prevent him from
representing the club. OF course, If Par
sons should register and elect to represent
Yale in all open A A. u. contests he sewers
his connection with the athletic club, for it
must be one or the other, according to the
new rule.