The Washington herald., 1907-07-07

~ II u Il n Il u U ~ ~ II
would make greater showing of ath-
letic students than most other colleges,
although they would not be candidates
for varsity teams,
On the basis of a hasty estimate, it is
safe TO say that SS or 40 per cent Of the
students of all the colleges of the cOun-
try have been candidates for places on
varsity teams. Going back a few years,
Il does not seem possible that such could
be the case, but II must be remembered
that there are so many more branches
of sport for the men to compete in now
than there used to be that the figures,
perhaps, do not show how much change
there really has been. There are some
men who are fitted for one sport which
nowadays is made means Of intercol-
legiate competition, and formerly was
merely a test of skill within the ranks
Of their college alone. Such a sport, for
instance, is gymnastics That makes a
man a member OF an intercollegiate
team now. and hence an athlete. al
though formerly this would not have
been the case.
However, in spite of what statistics
some persons who think that the trouble
lies in not enough athletics, instead Of
too much. Prof. Charles Y. p. Young,
Of Cornell whose interest and activity in
athletics are well known. has the follow
ing to say about the present day prob
lens In the intercollegiate:
More Athletics His Plea.
I'VE hear frequent objections raised
against athletics as at present conducted
in many of our institutions of learning
among these that they are already con-
fined too much TO the few who are al
ready physically proficient; that the play
element is largely lost sight Of in the zeal
for victory, and that an atmosphere OF
professionalism is thereby created which
is 1ntagonistic to the proper object and
/ aims Of true sport
IL seems to me that the solution to
athletic problems in our colleges lies. not
I In less athletics, but IN more athletics
| Provision for wholesome outdoor exercise
must be made for the large number Of
men who for various reasons are unable
/ 10 make one Of the athletic teams as well
as for the few physically efficient who do
make them When il comes to be recOg-
nlzed by educational leaders generally
/ that the athletic field, with its variety
/ OF games and exercises, its freedom and
excitement. Is an essential adjunct TO
/ university equipment, and provision IS
made for the exercise thereon Of the
/ entire student body, then l believe we Will
/ have in our athletic organization a leav-
ening influence which Will make for clean
/ and wholesome sport, no matter how In
! tense the desire 90 win. intercollegiate
| contests then viii become. as they should.
! events more or less Incidental to the gen
/ eral systems Of physical training.
This is one respect IN which we may
I learn from the English universities. II
/ Is the custom there, We are told. for the
/ entire student body 10 flock 10 the ath-
| letic field at a certain period In the aft
/ ernoOn. The university teams are simply
selected from those who make the best
/ showing in the various minor contests
/ and the final selection Of those who shall
/ compose such teams Is not q signal 70.
4 an the others % cease their games and
/ exercises. When all the students are thus
/ engaged I'm friendly competition in one
/ form or another Of sport. 70 IS not 20 De
Z wondered at that a breach Of etiquette
/ or sportsmanship should be q matter OF
/ rare or unheard Of occurrence
Fayors Buffers Plan,
/ Prot. Young expresses in one way the
idea which President Butler had in mind
when he moved a couple Of seasons ago
for the abolition OF football at Columbia.
Dr. Butler said that he believed that
there should be sports for the great mass
Of students, and not for the few. How
ever he made it clear that he believed
that the way TO arrive at this end was "a
abolish intercollegiate competition. thus
forcing the students VINO felt an interest
I'm athletics 20 take part in the inter
university competitions Prof. Young con-
siders that unnecessary.
The success OF athletic teams at Cornell
iE the last few years is an outgrowth IN
a wisely administered system Of general
competition. Taking. for instance, cross
country running COrnoug markedly
prominent feature. There are inteTclas'
/ races. intercollege races and class race.
for all sorts Of men. The early COmpeu
tions give a chance 10 all men in the col
lege who display the least interest. Inter
college rowing IS another development
although Cornell does not asCribe its sue
cess or prominence 10 this
The anxiety on the part Of some of tho
colleges to be winners I'm the intercolle
giate track and field championships thi.
year led 10 some hard work in covering
up runners and field men. For instance
although J. c. Carpenter, the intercol
legiate champion half-miler in 1906, re
turned 20 college from South Africa at
I the beginning of the second term. ant
was eligible for sports, he was not en-
tered i'm any Of the dual meets. and hi.
presence at Cornell was carefully con
cealed In none Of the dual meets or in
terclass games did Coach Fitzpatrick, OF
Michigan. permit his men 10 do their bes
work They were ordered to ease up iT
all races. so that the other trainers could
not get line on them.
/ The results Of the interClass meet al
PENNSYLVANIA. where some remarkable
performances were recorded. were KEEP
close. too. All in all. the secrecy was un
pleasant Those who have been arguing
that all intercollegiate sport should b'
fair and above board viii probably fnt
I'm instances like these arguments against
the continuance OF certain methods Of In.
terCollegiate sport